Moving to Boston. Any help?

[Kapedani]

Hi this is my first post here. I was referred to come ask this question here from someone at SkyscraperCity.

So I'm moving to Boston for a new job...but I have one problem...never been in the city and have no idea what to expect, where to live or what the nice/cool areas of the city are.

I'm in my 20-somethings...so preferrably I'd like to live in a place with similar people. I like city-living, appartment buildings, places with lots of bars and cafes.

So anyone has any tips and suggestions as to what some of the nice areas of Boston to live in are? Or for that matter...what to expect or look for?

Thanks for your help

[statler]

Welcome to Boston and ArchBoston!

Others will be able to help you more than myself, but a few general tips might be in order.

Where are you from? If you are from small town Iowa then the whole city will seem kind of cool & hip. If you grew up in Manhattan, well....

What is your income? Not to be nosy but like most places, where you live is directly related to how much you can afford to pay.
You can probably find affordable housing in any part of the city, but what you get for your money will vary greatly.

Hopefully others will be along soon to give you more specifics.

Good luck!

[underground]

If you want to get a bunch of Bostonians into a heated argument, just ask them which neighborhood is the best! It's a scientifically proven fact that 85% of people involved in that discussion have to end up in the hospital. That being said, if I were you, I'd take a look at apartment listings online (Boston.com or craigslist are probably your best bet), pick a few in your price range, and in a bunch of different neighborhoods, and spend a weekend visiting (crashing with a friend from town willing to be a tour guide would be the best). The thing is that each neighborhood is different and the ins and outs of living their could fill an encyclopedia.

[Kapedani]

Thanks for the replies. Yes actually the question I wanted to ask was which neighborhoods are the best :)

I'm originally from Albania (thats the one in Europe)...and spend most of my time in big cities (NYC and such). So would enjoy similar atmosphere.

I'v been looking through craigslit and pretty much all the places seem affordable at what I'll be making...although I'd rather not spend 1600 a month for a room in Beacon Hill. Mostly looking at rooms for rent...since I don't mind roomates.

So yeah...which neighborhoods are the best?? Is the area nearby Harvard-MIT...Allston or Brookline whatever its called...any good? I figured close to those schools...its got to be more of a "college town" atmosphere...and I'd rather not give that up just yet.

I wish I could go there for a few days beforehand to see for myself...and maybe I'll be able to do that at a later date, but since I still have a couple of months to look around, that'll be a last resort (also since I know absolutely nobody there)

[daimio1]

not to advertise here, but im moving out of my apt mid june and am looking for someone to take over for the summer and a sept 1 lease. apt is in brookline (my opinion, best place to live in boston). private message me if you are interested.

[tmac9wr]

I just posted this over on SkyscraperCity, where you asked the same question, but I'll put it here too in case you don't check back over there.

Glad to hear you're going to be moving up into the area! If you're looking to live right in the city, then places like Allston, Brighton, Dorchester and South Boston are all great places to look. They are usually the most affordable, and will have a population with a similar age to you.

Allston & Brighton are out in the western part of the city by Boston College and Boston University, so there are a lot of college students out there which is good (at least I would like it). A good friend of mine got a great deal in Brighton and is directly next to a T-Station and is only about a 5 minute trip to the center of Brighton where all the bars are. The T will take you right into downtown if you want, it's cheap and about a 15-20 minute ride depending on where you're located. There's also decent parking, which is good if you have to drive to work. My friend drives to Framingham for work everyday, which is a similar distance to the city as Beverly, and he has no problem doing it. It's a really pretty neighborhood and is definitely worth checking out.

South Boston has a lot of recent college graduates. Where I'm from, Scituate (on the South Shore), the most popular place to get your first apartment is in South Boston. Lots of bars, which is great for partying and it's close to downtown Boston.

Dorchester is a large area, with a very diverse population. You will find some of the most dangerous areas in the city in Dorchester (or Dot as it's called by locals), but it also has some really pretty areas like Savin Hill and Dorchester Heights. I have a friend living in Dorchester Heights right now, and he loves it. It's right next to the JFK/UMass T-Station on the Red Line, and is about a 10 minute ride into downtown.

Other places you might want to consider that aren't in the city but are close are Somerville and Cambridge. I don't really know a lot about the areas b/c I haven't spent too much time in them, but I've heard good things about them.

[Ron Newman]

If you want to be around Harvard and MIT, I suggest the Central Square, Inman Square, Porter Square, and Davis Square areas. All of these except for Inman Square are along the MBTA Red Line. All of them except for Central Square overlap the Cambridge-Somerville city line. All of them have plenty of bars, clubs, and cafes.

(Replying to the last post) Dorchester Heights is not in Dorchester, it is in South Boston. It is also known as Telegraph Hill. It is not near JFK/UMass station.

[JimboJones]

OMG, the best neighborhood in the city is in the South End. Great one beds can be found for $1,800. Stretch your budget.

Be serious! If someone's going to move to Boston, he/she has to be in the middle of things ... otherwise, why bother???? Forget Somerville, forget Allston / Brighton. The guy's in his mid-20's ... he can be frugal later in life ... or when he goes back to Albania!

[Ron Newman]

Depends. If live music is his thing, Central Square may be a better choice than the South End.

[underground]

I think the South End and Central Square are both "hip," whatever that means. But the South End is "hip" for people who are a little more... maybe established is the right word? You know, people who are a few years out of college, have been working a steady/good job. Central Square is more like, "lets eat cheapo Indian food, pound a few PBRs and go freakout at the experimental noise/hardcore punk rock show." I guess what I'm trying to say is, both are cool, but they are for different types of people.

[cden4]

I'm really a big fan of the Davis Square (Somerville), Porter Square (Cambridge/Somerville) area. It's a nice mix of single young people and families, plenty of stuff to do in the area, and easy T access to the rest of Cambridge and downtown Boston.

[Ron Newman]

And with live music at the Somerville Theatre, Johnny D's, the Burren, Toad, and Lizard Lounge.

This LiveJournal community (http://davis_square.livejournal.com) will give you some of the flavor of the neighborhood.

[Kapedani]

Yes the South End certainly looks like what I was looking for...thank god for google street view. I hadn't even looked there until you guys mentioned it.

You have all been very helpful...thanks a lot.

[Ron Newman]

OK, but one thing the South End really isn't known for is a college-town atmosphere.

[tobyjug]

OK, but one thing the South End really isn't known for is a college-town atmosphere.

To second Ron's comment: unless you want to swill Schlitz beer at the Delux (and have a high tolerance of Nancy Sinatra), you better be toting beaucoup leke to enjoy the other South End bistros!

[Beton Brut]

...unless you want to swill Schlitz beer at the Delux (and have a high tolerance of Nancy Sinatra), you better be toting beaucoup leke to enjoy the other South End bistros!

Toby -- As if there's anything wrong with that! I'd give years off my life for a cold Schlitz, some chili, and Lou Reed's Transformer LP. I'm stuck in West Palm Beach (AKA: Hell w/ humidity) for the next few days.

Kapedani -- See Davis Square before you settle on the South End. Both are great places, but Davis is better for folks in their 20's.

[Ron Newman]

Or, as I suggested earlier, Central Square or Inman Square.

Some other folks mentioned Allston, but that may be too much of a college atmosphere, plus I'd hate to have to ride the B branch of the Green Line every day.

[Kapedani]

Perheps...i certainly havn't made up any mind...plenty of time ahead of me. South End did look nice in pictures though...a little Manhattan feeling. Still a little bit pricy for me...I could afford it but I'd rather save more money then spend for a place to sleep.

Either way you'v all been helpfull. Any photo threads in here anyone can point me to??

Thanks

[tobyjug]

Toby -- As if there's anything wrong with that! I'd give years off my life for a cold Schlitz, some chili, and Lou Reed's Transformer LP. I'm stuck in West Palm Beach (AKA: Hell w/ humidity) for the next few days.

Ha! I could listen to "Vicious" and "Perfect Day" all day long. West Palm, eh? Is "P.B.'s" still open? Once saw John and Yoko hanging there, and got a bit of a surprise another evening there when a person I thought was Grace Jones...oh nevermind. A case of mistaken identity.

[Ron Newman]

I thought ablarc did a whole photo essay about Davis Square, but I can't find it now. Anyone else know where it is?

[lexicon506]

This guy does a pretty good job covering Boston's neighborhoods with pictures...Boston Neighborhoods (http://bostonneighborhoods.blogspot.com/)

[Lrfox]

This is another good one to peek at: http://abostonvignette.blogspot.com/

[JimboJones]

I took a client out last weekend. He and his wife are searching for a condo for their son, who will be a student at Boston Medical Center (BU), so we spent most of our time in the South End.

They made two comments that threw me off my sales pitch for a second; one was to be expected, the other not so much.

1 (comment I should have expected): "John, um, so it sure seems as if there are a lot of gay people in this part of town."

2 (comment I did not expect): "Oh, my god, this town is so CLEAN!!!"

[Scott]

Ahh, more fresh fish from fly-over country. The kid better be a bit more worldly than his parents if he is going to survive at City.

The first question, and I would have asked them if they were really that stupid.

The second and I would have asked them if they were from New York.

[tobyjug]

^^^^^^ X 2: hahahahah!

Were the gay people "so artistic" and "well dressed" and persons of color "so articulate"?

[blade_bltz]

sounds like they were expecting Allston

[kz1000ps]

deer lord pls rescue me from this hipster shithole Allston k thx bai

[Beton Brut]

Is "P.B.'s" still open? Once saw John and Yoko hanging there, and got a bit of a surprise another evening there when a person I thought was Grace Jones...

Never made the scene at P.B.'s. I have been by "Uncle Teddy's Cabin" (Au Bar) a few times in the late 80's. My favorite place to tie one on is the Respectable Street Cafe (http://www.respectablestreet.com/). Great place to smoke a Djarum, sip a Myers 'n Coke, and dance to Caberet Voltaire and Jesus & Mary Chain remixes.

Kapedani - Stay clear of Florida's Gold Coast -- It'll rob your soul.

[Y-bot]

Check out that link! Screw Boston!! $2 Jagermeister!!! Jagerbombs away!!!!

[palindrome]

Thursdays they have $1 PBR. Selected as America's Best in 1893. :p

[Kapedani]

So I'm guessing Allstonis not on anyone's top list :) I think I didn't say it right when I said "college atmosfere"...I guess I didn't mean anoying 18 year olds.

This Davis Sqaure place looks nice. I can't seem to find where Central Square is. What about Harvard Sqaure?

[Beton Brut]

Central Square, Cambridge, is on Massachusetts Avenue, close to MIT. It's a gritty and often interesting place to hang out. Great place for live music (The Middle East (http://www.mideastclub.com/), TT the Bear's (http://www.ttthebears.com/)).

Just outside of Central Square is a great neighborhood called Cambridgeport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridgeport) that you may dig. It has a collegiate vibe (grad students, mostly Harvard, some MIT) with many families and young professionals mixed in. Livable, urban, gritty in some places, arty in others. A 5-10 minute walk will put you in Central Square, about the same to the Charles River.

You may be priced out of the most "livable" parts of Harvard Square. Cambridgeport is a good compromise (1 subway stop or a 20 minute walk).

[Kapedani]

Hmm Cambridgeport seems very nice indeed. Almost perfect for what I was looking for. And the prices...just right.

Thanks for the tip.

[kennedy]

I don't know where to live, thats up to you. Just make sure you get to a Sox game.

[Kapedani]

Sox game?? Will I get in trouble if I say I don't even understand baseball? ;)

Anyway...I was in Boston on Monday and Tuesday this week. Liked what I saw very much. Spend some time around Cambridge and it seemed like a nice area. A lot of bicycles around and a lot of hippies around that Middle East bar area...nevertheless very nice. Then I spend some time walking around the South End and then downtown and so forth...didn't have much time to tour around since I was there for my new job...and fortunately decided to head back home about 10 minutes before that horrible rain storm came in.

It was a lot smaller than I expected actually looking at the map...maybe becaue I was used to Manhattan...but smaller is better.

Funny part was the first person I met in Boston...Albanians working at a pizzeria in the South End (right accross from that trinagular sqaure area on Tremont)...What are the odds.

Anyway the dates are set and I'll be moving there at the beggining of August...will start looking around seriouslly now for places to live.

I'd like to thank everyone once more for all your help and pointers...and I'll see you around.

[castevens]

If you ever see a guy in Boston with a camera and a bike, chances are it's kz1000ps

[Kapedani]

And if you see a guy on a Vulcan Drifter...chances are its me :)

[kennedy]

...and if you see a guy flying in his hovercar with a tractor beam, its definitely me.