Artist looking for area accessible to I90... (Boston, Lynn: to rent, how much)

[BennyLava]

Hi all. Will be relo'ing for a job in Framingham. However, I am an artist and want to be in a multi-cultural, artsy area where I can still have a reasonable chance to get West without having a crazy (anything over 1 hour each way) commute. Trying to keep rent and studio (assume these will be separate locales but would like to be walking distance) cost below $2K per month. In what areas should I be looking? Thx friends.

[gf2020]

What do you mean by "get West"?

[BennyLava]

Originally Posted by gf2020

What do you mean by "get West"?

I will be commuting to Framingham, which is generally west of where I believe I want to be.

[dravogadro]

Originally Posted by BennyLava

Hi all. Will be relo'ing for a job in Framingham. However, I am an artist and want to be in a multi-cultural, artsy area where I can still have a reasonable chance to get West without having a crazy (anything over 1 hour each way) commute. Trying to keep rent and studio (assume these will be separate locales but would like to be walking distance) cost below $2K per month. In what areas should I be looking? Thx friends.

How about Waltham? You have the Mills, Lincoln Arts, the revamping CDA and many other spaces. I do not know how much it is to rent studio space but you'd have easy access to 90. You could drive to West Newton and take the commuter rail to Framingham as another option.

[BennyLava]

Originally Posted by dravogadro

How about Waltham? You have the Mills, Lincoln Arts, the revamping CDA and many other spaces. I do not know how much it is to rent studio space but you'd have easy access to 90. You could drive to West Newton and take the commuter rail to Framingham as another option.

Thx for the suggestion of Waltham. But isn't it a tad surburban? I am looking for a vibrancy (bars, restaurants, galleries, etc) that is usually only found within close proximity to the downtown areas of large cities. If Waltham has all that great!

[shrinkberry]

I would look in Roslindale or parts of Dorchester. Other multicultural and less expensive options include Chelsea, Lynn, Everett, Revere, East Boston.

I don't think renting two separate spaces is doable under $2,000/month unless you are very, very lucky and find a good deal. Maybe you can connect with other artists and share a space.

[professeurpablo]

Waltham does have a pretty vibrant urban section, especially around Moody Street. I don't know how artsy it really is; I think it skews more in the direction of students and young professionals who were students in the area, but I could be wrong there - a previous poster referred to some studios that I'm not aware of, so perhaps things are changing.

I live in Everett and think it and the surrounding cities are great, but I don't think the commute to Framingham would be awesome at rush hours.

[timberline742]

Waltham also has that steam punk fest. Not my thing, but some people think it is pretty cool. Lots of SCAndians seem to settle in Waltham.

[495neighbor]

If you wanted to save on transportation, you could look at Framingham itself. There are a number of pretty active artist studios around town, I think Fountain Street and also some in Saxonville, the Northeast side of town in converted mill/loft type buildings. The Danforth Museum in Framingham is pretty active these days as well.

[BennyLava]

Thanks all. Good news...there seems to be a lot of areas that support artists. The bad news...there seems to be a lot of areas that support artists. Looks like I have several areas I need to explore. First world problem for sure. Take care.