Interesting read-Home buyers weary of Greater Boston prices are slipping south to Rhode Island (Gloucester: city hall, live in)

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

It's not just $1k/month in rental savings...it costs additional $300/month for a monthly commuter rail pass compared to the subway pass. For someone that commutes daily and loses two hours a day coming from Providence that translates to <$20/hour. Everybody's time is more valuable than that.

All true, but this assumes that the person on the train can't incorporate some productivity into that commute. I know a few people in my office on the edges of the commuter rail network who are able to spend less time in the office as they can check/respond to email and do work from the train (which you can't do while driving). So for people in that boat, it works and they're not losing time.

I think the other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of the people who would be looking at Rhode Island are also factoring in the cost of driving. Even assuming that they'll own a car anyway (so eliminating car payments, insurance, registration fees, excise taxes, etc.), the cost to drive when you account for fuel, maintenance/wear and tear, and parking will easily come close to or exceed (especially if parking isn't free) the cost of a commuter rail pass. And there's no option for productive time if you're driving.

The reality is that even driving from communities that ring 128 to downtown can take an hour or more at peak times as well, and traffic continues getting worse. We talk about how trains are unreliable, are the highways around Boston at rush hour any better? I saw a bus broken down in an HOV lane last week. I used to see accidents every day. All of these things cause significant delays to already choked traffic. So it makes a lot of sense that people are looking for ways to spend less on housing, limit dependency on a car (and the required time in traffic), and still have access to some of the amenities that make Boston so attractive for many. There's nowhere else in New England that comes as close as Providence does. The thought of getting much more bang for my buck and still having a fairly easy commute from PVD to BOS on the train has crossed my mind more than once. It makes sense that people are pulling the trigger. The concept of living in PVD and commuting to BOS is not new.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by yellowstatus

Did you even read your linked article?
*edit* that article is super confusing. Quotes one set of numbers in the first paragraph, then a completely different set in the 3rd paragraph.

"""
Apartments at the future The Commons at Prospect Hill at the site of an old Sunoco at 434 McGrath Highway in Somerville start at $2,100 a month for one-bedrooms and $3,400 a month for two-bedrooms.
"""


Meh, still a lot cheaper than the Bay Area. I'll stay with Boston, where the real estate prices are cheaper.
https://www.zillow.com/b/the-marc,-p...lto-ca-5XjLN5/

Yes, I read it. You're quoting the lowest prices and i'm quoting he highest. My point is they are selling 2br apartments for 6k a month in Somerville. I am correct in saying that.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by lrfox

All true, but this assumes that the person on the train can't incorporate some productivity into that commute. I know a few people in my office on the edges of the commuter rail network who are able to spend less time in the office as they can check/respond to email and do work from the train (which you can't do while driving). So for people in that boat, it works and they're not losing time.

I think the other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of the people who would be looking at Rhode Island are also factoring in the cost of driving. Even assuming that they'll own a car anyway (so eliminating car payments, insurance, registration fees, excise taxes, etc.), the cost to drive when you account for fuel, maintenance/wear and tear, and parking will easily come close to or exceed (especially if parking isn't free) the cost of a commuter rail pass. And there's no option for productive time if you're driving.

The reality is that even driving from communities that ring 128 to downtown can take an hour or more at peak times as well, and traffic continues getting worse. We talk about how trains are unreliable, are the highways around Boston at rush hour any better? I saw a bus broken down in an HOV lane last week. I used to see accidents every day. All of these things cause significant delays to already choked traffic. So it makes a lot of sense that people are looking for ways to spend less on housing, limit dependency on a car (and the required time in traffic), and still have access to some of the amenities that make Boston so attractive for many. There's nowhere else in New England that comes as close as Providence does. The thought of getting much more bang for my buck and still having a fairly easy commute from PVD to BOS on the train has crossed my mind more than once. It makes sense that people are pulling the trigger. The concept of living in PVD and commuting to BOS is not new.

I agree, driving into BOS is horrible. It also crossed my mind to move to RI, even try to transfer to our PVD office, but I decided to stay. My counterpart in PVD ended up getting laid off due to consolidation and it was tough for him to get another job. Sample size of one, but I'm glad I decided to stay even if it is more expensive.

[GeePee]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

I agree, driving into BOS is horrible. It also crossed my mind to move to RI, even try to transfer to our PVD office, but I decided to stay. My counterpart in PVD ended up getting laid off due to consolidation and it was tough for him to get another job. Sample size of one, but I'm glad I decided to stay even if it is more expensive.

this is one of the biggest reasons it is more expensive. I love PVD. I really do. but it scares me how little work is there.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

I agree, driving into BOS is horrible. It also crossed my mind to move to RI, even try to transfer to our PVD office, but I decided to stay. My counterpart in PVD ended up getting laid off due to consolidation and it was tough for him to get another job. Sample size of one, but I'm glad I decided to stay even if it is more expensive.

At the 58 cents per mile the IRS uses, it doesn’t take much of a car commute to cover a $388/month zone 8 Charlie Pass. That’s comparable to the IRS rate for a 17 mile each way daily commute. My car is more like 80 cents per mile counting everything.

[simplexsimon]

Yes, my earlier analysis was comparing living in Boston and using the subway (no car) to living in Providence and using the commuter rail (no car).

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

Yes, my earlier analysis was comparing living in Boston and using the subway (no car) to living in Providence and using the commuter rail (no car).

Yes, but....

With apples vs apples housing price, it’s unlikely you would find Boston housing at anywhere near Providence prices unless it’s Mattapan or similar.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Yes, but....

With apples vs apples housing price, it’s unlikely you would find Boston housing at anywhere near Providence prices unless it’s Mattapan or similar.

Right, I wasn't just comparing commuting costs but the $1k/month difference in rent that was quoted earlier in the thread.

[GeePee]

Also, keep in mind that the PVD property taxes are almost, if not triple Boston with the residential tax exemption.

[Brave Stranger]

I love what they did to downtown Providence...don't love the hundreds of "characters" that assemble there every day & hang out.