Help needed - moving to MA and don't know where to live (Boston: rent)

[Katelars4]

My boyfriend and I are relocating to the Boston area from Connecticut. We are looking for a young city with restuarants, shops and an active lifestyle without being in the middle of a city environment. MY boyfriend will be working in the city and I will be working in Franklin, so we'd like to be somewhere in the middle. Ideally, we'd like to be close to the T and access to the highways so it is easy for me to drive to work. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. We are in our twenties and do not have children.

[lrfox]

It's hard to say given the information you provided, but a place to start looking could be the area in Jamaica Plain around Centre St. It IS a Boston neighborhood but the area has a bit more of a suburban feel. It's not a far walk from the Green St. stop on the Orange Line, and Centre St. has a bunch of interesting restaurants, pubs, and shops.

Another area, depending on what you can afford, that is nice is the area around Newton Center (on the "D" branch of the Green Line). Again, interesting little retail/ restaurant district surrounded by mostly a mostly suburban residential area.

I would also consider some of the more "urban" squares like Porter and Inman Squares in Cambridge, Davis (and Maybe Teele?) in Somerville, and Coolidge Corner and Washington Square in Boston. They're a little more urban than JP or Newton, but they're well enough outside of downtown to be a bit quieter (without slacking on the fun). Since you don't have children, you can rent in these areas and probably enjoy them.

All of the locations I've mentioned have a good amount of activity for younger adults. Stoughton Center is relatively safe and a bit more suburban, but it doesn't lack activity either. It's easier to get to by car and it's right on the MBTA's commuter rail line to South Station. I've always personally like Winchester too. It's got a cool feel about it and it's completely suburban centered around a litle village with a Commuter Rail stop connecting to North Station via the Lowell Line. Needham and Wellesley are nice too, but expensive.

[Katelars4]

Wow - this is all VERY helpful. I know my initial question was somewhat vague, and most of that is probably because I have NO idea where to start. I'll be driving to Franklin, so we just need to make sure that I am not commuting too far. I am going to look into the areas you mentioned above. This was so helpful, thanks!

[lrfox]

No problem. Consider Franklin itself too. both are on the commuter rail, and Franklin has a cool little town center area. Good luck!

[dem3456]

Originally Posted by lrfox

No problem. Consider Franklin itself too. both are on the commuter rail, and Franklin has a cool little town center area. Good luck!

I agree with this. Franklin is a good town with lots to do in town and in the surrounding area, and its right on the commuter rail and close to the highway. The town center is nice, and even has a small college. There are restaurants, shops, and shopping plazas, and while I don't usually consider Franklin a "young" place, I wouldn't rule it out, as its location is ideal for you and it would be easy for your husband to get to work.

Walpole is another town close to Franklin and even closer to Boston, and its right on the commuter rail as well and close to Route 1.

However, both Franklin and Walpole are in the suburbs I believe are composed of a majority of families with children, so I don't think either exactly fits what you are looking for (the young city with tons to do), but they are cheaper than some of the neighborhoods closer to Boston or west of Boston.