Moving from Atlanta to Boston area...where to live? (Worcester: apartment complex, rental)

[jayrandom]

Providence is probably your best bet if you want something affordable and a city. Salem is nice, but it's in the wrong direction for CT and RI.

You might consider Norwood or Canton. Not that expensive, reasonably close to RI, and a Boston commute is very doable. Norwood has some nice restaurants and a pretty walkable town center. It's definitely the suburbs, though.

[Bruins_Fan]

Probably not what you want to hear, but I would not move to this area unless your fiancee is going to be making good money, like north of $100k++. It is extremely expensive here, and frankly have no idea how the younger set even handles the rent these days (I'm mid 40s). It was bad enough when I was renting back in the mid 90s, but just plain stupid expensive now. My kid is in college and I'm already encouraging him to settle elsewhere when he gets out (we do have family in other more affordable states).

[riblue]

Most areas of Boston are pretty safe, exceptions being Mattapan, parts of Roxbury and Duxbury. You are going to find college students everywhere but avoid Brighton and Allston for sure. Arlington is nice, family oriented, and if not near Alewife, a fairly long and crowded bus ride. I think you would really like Providence, more affordable but lots to do. No subway of course.
With your diverse customer service background, I think you will be able to find employment most anywhere. Experience counts more than a vague, non specific college degree.
Yes it is more expensive than Atlanta but if your expenses are in line with your income, you can afford Boston and live in a
decent place.

[heatherette1]

Thanks guys keep them coming! This is really helpful!

[MassVt]

If the territory is MA, CT and RI, then south of Boston makes the most sense---however, Boston is only about 45 minutes away from Providence, so it's still in play. The previous recommendations of Canton and Norwood are pretty good, though. Also, keep in mind the possible use of the MBTA commuter rail, which also goes from Providence to Boston, and from Boston to Worcester.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by riblue

Most areas of Boston are pretty safe, exceptions being Mattapan, parts of Roxbury and Duxbury. You are going to find college students everywhere but avoid Brighton and Allston for sure. Arlington is nice, family oriented, and if not near Alewife, a fairly long and crowded bus ride. I think you would really like Providence, more affordable but lots to do. No subway of course.
With your diverse customer service background, I think you will be able to find employment most anywhere. Experience counts more than a vague, non specific college degree.
Yes it is more expensive than Atlanta but if your expenses are in line with your income, you can afford Boston and live in a
decent place.

Duxbury? Huh? You mean Dorchester?

[robr2]

Originally Posted by heatherette1

Thanks for the help. Yes we are excited that things will be a lot different but want to be comfortable. We are okay with different but don't want to live in a rough area. I did look at The Tremont and it seems nice there but yes pricey. We are looking for a cozy place but doesn't have to be that fancy! We love Providence but have been told by many that I won't find a job there at all since I don't have a college degree. What's your take on that? I'm sorry if I'm so clueless but I was born and raised in Atlanta and have never lived anywhere else. We looked at the Watch Factory lofts in Waltham near Moody Street but I was told I wouldn't like it in Waltham. Providence definitely seems like the best money wise but scared I will be jobless for too long! Thanks so much!

There are plenty of job opportunities in Providence for someone with customer service experience. It won't pay as well as Boston.

Watch Factory would be a great option IMHO. Waltham is an older city that has been revitalized in the past 20 years. Moody St. is a grand buffet of restaurants. There are corporate headquarters near 128, two college campuses, bus and commuter rail service, nice suburban neighborhoods, some older apartment developments, and yes some grittier areas. A mix of millennials, yuppies, immigrants, townies, and Armenians who never made it to Belmont from Watertown. That last part is a joke - Watertown is home to thousands of Armenians and when they make it big, they move to Waltham and to Belmont if they make it HUGE.

[heatherette1]

Well we will keep the Watch factory on the list. Thanks!

[charolastra00]

Where do you live now? I'm from Forsyth County (which, for most of the time I lived there, was one of the wealthiest and fastest growing counties in the US while still being ridiculously cheap) but have lived in Waltham and Medford for the past decade.

My biggest piece of advice to you is to recalibrate your expectations. Georgia is so affordable and so new that you get used to a different neighborhood aesthetic. When I moved to Waltham in college, I remember being nervous because it looked dumpy to my "everything is new" eyes. Triple deckers don't necessarily mean the people living there are living in poverty, but it definitely took me time to adjust! Moody Street has tons of great restaurants, bars, and ethnic grocery stores but might not stand out to you - don't miss out on great neighborhoods because it's old!

On the whole, New England is pretty gosh darn safe. Even neighborhoods that might appear dumpy are likely safer than most areas of Atlanta that you would otherwise feel comfortable in.

Unlike Georgia where most apartments seem to be in complexes, most of our housing is in medium density multifamily homes with smaller time landlords. They're less expensive than the complexes and aren't always the nicest to look at from outside, but are often updated and well maintained inside. And there's so much character!

I'd also recommend staying closer to Providence. Providence is much cheaper and is actually probably easier to get a job without a degree than Boston.

[heatherette1]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

Where do you live now? I'm from Forsyth County (which, for most of the time I lived there, was one of the wealthiest and fastest growing counties in the US while still being ridiculously cheap) but have lived in Waltham and Medford for the past decade.

My biggest piece of advice to you is to recalibrate your expectations. Georgia is so affordable and so new that you get used to a different neighborhood aesthetic. When I moved to Waltham in college, I remember being nervous because it looked dumpy to my "everything is new" eyes. Triple deckers don't necessarily mean the people living there are living in poverty, but it definitely took me time to adjust! Moody Street has tons of great restaurants, bars, and ethnic grocery stores but might not stand out to you - don't miss out on great neighborhoods because it's old!

On the whole, New England is pretty gosh darn safe. Even neighborhoods that might appear dumpy are likely safer than most areas of Atlanta that you would otherwise feel comfortable in.

Unlike Georgia where most apartments seem to be in complexes, most of our housing is in medium density multifamily homes with smaller time landlords. They're less expensive than the complexes and aren't always the nicest to look at from outside, but are often updated and well maintained inside. And there's so much character!

I'd also recommend staying closer to Providence. Providence is much cheaper and is actually probably easier to get a job without a degree than Boston.

Wow thanks so much! I live in Brookhaven near Buckhead. I'm really like the look of it in New England but I know it will take some time to get used too. It seems like the general consensus is Providence so we started looking there. Way less expensive than Boston. I really appreciate your help and if you have any other advice I'm all ears!