NYC to MA (Boston, Quincy, Waltham: apartments, rentals, buying)

[AnnaMD34]

Hi! I'm thinking of moving from NYC to MA. I'd move into Boston, but frankly, I'm tired of paying high rent. So I'm looking for an area that will be an easy commute into Boston. Are there any cool places outside of Boston that anyone would recommend living? I fell in love with Marblehead and am looking for something unique and charming. I'm 25, so I also don't want anything too slow, but definitly tired of The Big Apple scene.
Thanks so much!

[smarty]

What is high rent in NYC? Around Boston, rent start at $1000-$1500 for a 1 bedroom. Hence, I think when compare to NYC, it is cheap.

If you want cheaper than $1000, then try Qunicy. Red line goes right into Boston and there waterfront clubs and bars that you'll like.

[LovelyBoston]

I agree -- Quincy is a good area for singles. It is active, with fairly easy commute to Boston, but despite its busy character, feels quiet compared to Boston (and certainly NYC). And rents are reasonable. Try the Wollaston area, or Quincy Center.

If you like Marblehead, try Salem as well -- less expensive, close to the city. Again, active but not crazy. (As long as you don't have school system worries... as soon as that's an issue, move out of Salem, and for that reason I wouldn't recommend buying there -- but renting, no problem.) That's a fun town because of its history (the Salem Witch Trials, so there are little museums around, and on Halloween the town gets completely mobbed with 20-somethings coming for parties), it's by the water, and there are a lot of younger people there as well.

[windflower]

Have you looked at Waltham and/or Watertown? They are quite close to Boston and because of Brandeis and Bentley colleges right there, you'd have a lot of singles nearby. Though you may not actually want to be IN a college town, perhaps?

Rents can vary in those areas. The nicest rentals in Waltham are in the Archstone Bear Hill complex (you can get more info on Archstone's website); they are also the most expensive, with a 1-bedroom going for about $1900/mo currently, I believe. However, the apartments are large, each with its own balcony, are only a few years old, have a washer and dryer in the apartment itself, a huge walk-in closet and big bathroom, and also each apartment has its own separate attached 1-car garage-- which is a big plus in the winter! It is also a gated community, which is safer because of the limited access; and it has a clubhouse with pools, fitness center and computer center.

A friend of mine lived there for two years recently and loved it. She said it spoiled her for apartments anywhere else!

[macmacmac]

I agree with Waltham - check it out. Easy commute by car to Boston and Waltham has commuter rail station which gets you into Boston in just a few stops. I've been renting in Waltham for about a year now - one bedroom for $1400. Very nice complex (Briar Glen Village). Good luck.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by windflower

Have you looked at Waltham and/or Watertown? They are quite close to Boston and because of Brandeis and Bentley colleges right there, you'd have a lot of singles nearby. Though you may not actually want to be IN a college town, perhaps?

Rents can vary in those areas. The nicest rentals in Waltham are in the Archstone Bear Hill complex (you can get more info on Archstone's website); they are also the most expensive, with a 1-bedroom going for about $1900/mo currently, I believe. However, the apartments are large, each with its own balcony, are only a few years old, have a washer and dryer in the apartment itself, a huge walk-in closet and big bathroom, and also each apartment has its own separate attached 1-car garage-- which is a big plus in the winter! It is also a gated community, which is safer because of the limited access; and it has a clubhouse with pools, fitness center and computer center.

A friend of mine lived there for two years recently and loved it. She said it spoiled her for apartments anywhere else!

The other Archstone (Cronin's Landing) is actually about $100 more expensive, and the rents are around $1500-1700 for either one. I think The Ridge might be more expensive too. That place was really nice when I visited it. But anyway, Anna's not looking for the most expensive place.

Waltham might not be the best place since there's no t stop into Boston, and the commuter rail only runs once every hour or so. I still think Quincy has better access into Boston if it's going to be a daily commute. Waltham would be good for the weekend trip into Boston.