Relocating to Boston: Any Recommendations

[KBerly]

Ok Bostonians, I am looking for your help here! Any info would be greatly appreciated

We are relocating to Boston the 3rd week of August (just found out last week) and we would like to know your opinions about where to live. We went there this past weekend and found a few places in Brookline and Back Bay, actually in the old Braemore Hotel (condos now). Have you heard anything good or bad about that place? We''re waiting to hear about our counter-offer, but just in case, I was trying to get other ideas or info (good or bad) so we can find another place, if need be, in a hurry (only 4 more weeks). We know basically anywhere in Boston is expensive, our agent has been a little helpful as where to live, but any opinions from the PS family would be helpful too.

Thanks guys!

 

[kpebbles]

hi kim!

my boyfriend went to school in boston, so i asked him for recommendations. he wants to know which areas you would like to be near to? for example, will you be working downtown? if you can tell me where you would like to be, i'll ask him for some rec's. please keep in mind, however, that he hasn't lived there since 1999- so may be a bit outdated..

 

[Robyn12]

Hello,

I lived in Boston for three years. My favorite place in the city is the North End (Little Italy) and that is where I lived. It has lots of character, it's a great/friendly neighborhood, easy access to the T, and it's not as expensive as Beacan Hill (which is beautiful, but VERY expensive) or Back Bay. It's a ten minute walk to downtown... I would suggest the North End over any areas in the city.

I had some friends who lived in Brookline and swore by it. Same goes for Jamaica Plain, and Roslindale (sp?)... Cambridge is wonderful too.

Medford and Woburn are a bit of a commute, but a lot less expensive, and you can get a much bigger place for your money...

Good luck. It's a great city!

 

[KBerly]

Thanks KP! Any info, out-dated or not, would be great. My boyfriend is getting transferred with his company, and he wants to live in Back Bay or at least near the area. Maybe even Brookline or Brighton or Fenway, just not sure if there are areas within those places we should stay away from.

 

[Robyn12]

Of the places you mentioned, I would avoid Fenway.

 

[KBerly]

Thanks Robyn!
Yeah Medford we thought about for a minute, then he decided he wanted to be in downtown. We have heard alot about the North End as far as eating goes! But were wondering about living there. I will definitely tell my boyfriend about that! I saw alot of nice places in Jamaica Plain too, but wasn't sure, and Cambridge was next on the list. How long do you think from either of those places it would take to get to like Newbury St., etc?
Thanks for all the great info guys!

 

[KBerly]

Is it because of the baseball games? The one we saw at the Braemore was right on the edge of Back Bay and Fenway (considered Kenmore/Fenway)

 

[Robyn12]

Living in the North End is really wonderful. It's half little old italian people who have been there for 60 years, and half really nice young people. It's a really warm community. The food is to die for. And it's SOOOO pretty/authentic. I'd walk to Newbury Street/Back Bay and it'd take about 30 minutes. It's probably a five minute drive to that area, or a 10-15 minute T ride.

Cambridge is easy access to any area in the city, and it's great in and of itself. It's big. Depending on where you are in Cambridge, it would take about 15 to 30 minutes on the T to get to Newbury St. Arlington is nice too... (add 10 minutes to your commute).

I think it's about 30 minutes for JP -- which is a bit older of a community. People usually move to JP when they're married, and ready to buy (in my experience).

As for avoiding Fenway, I think in general it's just not regarded as an ideal place to live. I would definately go for Brookline or Brighton over Fenway...

 

[KBerly]

Thanks Robyn, you've been very helpful! Now I just have some convincing to do; where we should live, and convince him just because he's buying a place, doesn't mean the diamond has to go on the backburner...Ha, now that diamond will be even further away

But at least we will be in Boston...right?

 

[kpebbles]

hi kim,

my boyfriend says also to avoid fenway park b/c that is where the crappy clubs are and it can get pretty noisy. a lot of fights after clubs let out, etc. also, parking is hell around there, especially when there are games.

he says that brookline is all nice. if you live there, it takes about 10 minutes on the T to get to newbury - like robyn mentioned. he says it's an even quicker drive.

some areas of brighton are as nice as the areas of brookline, and the rent is cheaper.

if you're going to be spending a ton of time in the backbay, you might want to consider the south end. it used to be a predominantly gay neighborhood, but today it's more mixed and lots of good cafes. the only walkable neighborhood to newbury st. that is not totally outrageously priced. although the prices have been rising.

he says that the north end has great restaurants, but finding parking is really difficult. this neighborhood is overcrowded..nice to hangout, but not to live in.

he would take cambridge over jamaica plain anyday b/c it's a lot more accessible to everything. in cambridge, around porter square is nice, but further from boston. a lot of places in harvard square are nice, but rents are skyhigh. and of course, anything right on the charles river has great views, but expensive. stay away from central square - everyone thinks it's trendy and cool, but the bf thinks it's dirty.. a lot of weirdos..hehe

sorry if my sentences are all choppy..i was trying to transcribe as he spoke.
i hope that helps a little!!

jenn

 

[kpebbles]

if you are willing to travel a bit, a lot of people like watertown. a lot of nice, newer condos & houses.

 

[KBerly]

Thanks Jenn & Robyn, you 2 are life savers! We are sitting here searching the web (him, condos; me, Pricescope..we all have our priorities

) We will scratch Fenway for sure, and possibly Jamaica Plain, and focus on Cambridge, North End, Brookline..he's still hooked on Back Bay, but I am not sure we will find what we're looking for in such a short period of time. But you guys have made me feel better on what areas we should concentrate on...thanks bunches!

 

[KBerly]

yeah we've heard good things about Watertown too

 

[mostlywatching]

Kim,

I live in Boston, how's the search going?


My fiance and I live in Brighton, which is mostly peopled with students and the B line which is the slowest train line of all. But we love our place, so that's where we stay (with Esme, the sink loving cat from the mascot thread).

 

[Diamondsbybree]

Go Redsox~!

Had to add that~!

 

[derekinla]

I just moved to the Boston area in June from Los Angeles and currently living (renting) in the Chestnut Hill area. It's really quite convenient to Brookline (where I work) and has a bit more of a suburban feel.

 

[KBerly]

Oh my gosh, I am soooooo glad you guys are still posting on this thread

!!
We need help finding a place...we didn't get the one in Back Bay we wanted, and are now crunched for time. We will probably have to go into temporary housing through his work for a month, and then I'm still not sure we will find somewhere to buy in that time period! I have been looking all morning on Realtor.com, NEMoves.com, Bostoncondos.com with no luck.

Mostly - do you know of any places by you in Brighton you could recommend? Brighton is definitely on our list, also Brookline.

Derek - Where is Chestnut Hill, I don't think I have seen any places around there, how far from Brookline?

We will probably drive to Boston tomorrow, make our rounds again, and then go to open houses. I am getting so frustrated with our agent, I don't feel like he's helping us at all. I have gotten more ideas and comments from everyone on Pricescope than him! It is just a whole new area for us, and it's exciting learning where all the cool places are, but also nerve-racking. We want somewhere we can walk to a nice restaurant, stores, bars, and still be close to the city. Brookeline seems to have no parking unless you pay monthly. I will shutup now, enough rambling...Thanks for all the great info!!

 

[KBerly]

Diamondsbybree - Does this mean I have to throw out my New York Yankees hat??

My boyfriend said we are burning it before we move...we are both transplants, he's from Chicago and I'm from North Carolina. I will just have to invest in a Boston Red Sox hat now! You know we need these hats for bad hair days

 

[mostlywatching]

Parking will be a problem almost anywhere. Some buildings include a spot with rent, others have spots available for a monthly fee. Otherwise, you have to register your car in MA and get a neighborhood sticker that will let you park on the street. We park on a tiny stretch of road nearby that's public parking and it's a huge hassle.


Brookline is notoriously bad for parking but it's a nice place to live. Chestnut Hill is out by me, at the end of the C line and close to Boston College.


Unfortunately, now is one of the worst times to move, since school starts in September, most leases start then too, and everyone and their parents are scrambling to move that first weekend.


Craigslist is a great resource for Boston apartments. I don't know of any specific places for you. We didn't have a lot of luck with a realtor either, although we have a marvelous landlord in a building that has little to no students (bonus for us because I don't like feeling like I live in a makeshift frat every weekend).


You may find a better place if you get something temporary and spend the time to look around in person once you get here. There are some really nice places, it just takes awhile to find them.

 

[Diamondsbybree]

Kberly, BURN the hat~!~! Help kill the curse~!~!

I would LOVE to get my sweetie a hat from Fenway Park... not to mention one for myself~!

 

[rfath]

I work in Boston (Longwood/Fenway), commute from Waltham.. It might help if you told us what you're looking for in a condo (are you looking to buy or rent?). Is parking important for you? Do you need access to your car every day, or like once a week? Are you wanting to be *in* the city? Have kids? Want a yard? Do you mind taking public transportation? What's the limit on your commute time?

Craigslist.org also offers real estate. If you're willing to take the gamble, isoldmyhouse.com has a lot of use in the area as well.

Another place you might want to check out is Newton and its surrounding villages. A nice distance from Boston - easy to get to using public transportation (D line), but far enough out that it's pretty quiet. Prices are somewhat steep, but not nearly as steep as, say, Beacon Hill and the like.

I moved out here 5 years ago when I transferred schools to go to Brandeis... I love the area, but hate how expensive everything is compared to Ohio!

Please, let me know if there's anything I can do to help you out!

 

[mightyred]

I would also consider Charlestown. Until April this year I lived in Constitution Quarters now called Parris landing in the Charlstown Navy yard. It has spectacular views of Boston skyline and the harbor as well as its own pool/gym/sauna etc. Parking is free on the streets (paid parking was $120 a month).Its currently undergoing a transformation but I believe you can still rent from them and get a discount to buy. The refurb looks as though it will be spectacular! Nomar used to live at the end of the street until he married Mia Hamm!

There are a lot of new neighbourhood restaurants in Charlestown itself and you are close to the north end or town for shops (mainly just supermarket and local stores in Charlestown itself). The areas around Bunker Hill are also great to live/buy. You find most people who live in Charlestown stay.

http://www.parrislanding.com/parris_landing.php


Just another option !

 

[KBerly]

Thanks rfath and mightyred

We are looking to buy a condo. No kids, don't have to have a yard. Low association fees, we don't mind having to pay for our parking as long as the assoc. fees, taxes are low (all equals out). We realize it will be an arm and a leg if we want to live closer to the city, my BF is hooked on Back Bay...but I am trying to push for Charlestown, Cambridge, Brookline, somewhere just "a little" ways from downtown. I don't mind public transportation, I would sell my car if I could! But the BF will be working in Lexington, and will be on the road during the day, so he doesn't care about that part. Thanks for all the websites..I have some more looking around to do

 

[heart prongs]

I don't live in Boston, but rather North of the city. Boston is about a 30-minute train ride from where I live in Beverly...I like the right on the beach, but a short commute into the city feel of the North Shore. Good luck...I noticed from a prior post that you like Mark Morrell settings, he's from this area...you could see them in person...I have one and there's a store in Woburn that sells his stuff. Let me know if I can be of more help. kl

 

[KBerly]

Thanks KL. I totally forgot he was in MA. I will have to keep that in mind and take a drive. How far is Woburn from you or from the city?

 

[rfath]

Have you been out here to wander around and get a feel for the different areas? The areas that you're interested in have completely different personalities (one of the reasons that I so love the Boston area - so many different people in a small area!).

Charlestown right now tends to have *really* decent real estate prices compared to Brookline and Cambridge. I haven't spent a lot of time there to be able to say what it's like, but it's a place that a lot of couples are moving right now. I like Brookline and Cambridge and spend a lot of time wandering the wonderful stores there. The people I've met there tend to be very friendly and open, liberal in views...

 

[KBerly]

We have been up there, about 2 weekends ago. We did not go thru Cambridge though. I am trying to get the BF to go back this weekend, so we can venture out and about some more. We want to be around the stores, bars, restaurants that we could walk to. We will have people visiting quite a bit and want to be able to take them to places and walk around, or a cab ride, or T, and not have to drive forever to get there, ya know?

 

[heart prongs]

Mark is in Concord. Both Woburn (Cooper Jewelers in Woburn Mall) and Concord (where his shop is) are no more than 35 minutes from the big city! I'm about 20 minutes from Woburn...north. Have fun in your search...for a home and a ring -- such exciting times are ahead for you both!!! kl

 

[rfath]

KB - have you checked out the T's website to see where it runs and so you can get a better idea of what's 'close'?

http://www.mbta.com

 

[KBerly]

Thanks kl! I think the house will come waaaaaaay before the ring

But still, I will have to spread the word that MWM is close by!

rf - thanks for the website, I didn't even realize it had one! Will have to check it out.

You guys have been wonderful, thanks for all the great info!