Relocating to Boston: Any Recommendations

[lislaz]

Hi!

I lived in Cambridge for about 7 years, I loved it. I was a block away from the bus station that went straight into the Back Bay.

Cambridge pluses:

Close to the city
Near universities but not smack dab in the middle
Neighborhoody kind of feeling
T-friendly and acessible


Cambridge minuses:

NOT car friendly
Inflated rent prices in some areas that can be considered desirable

Other places I've liked JP, Brookline along Beacon St., Arlington, Waltham, Watertown. Good luck!

Fleece

PS If you like the Beacon Street area of Brookline, I know someone who is moving out of their place. It's a basement apartment, three rooms (BR, KIT and LR). PM me.

 

[KBerly]

Thanks Fleece! We went today and drove everywhere! I am pushing for Beacon St., you know, anywhere between Back Bay and Brookline. But we didn't see anything today. I will PM if my BF is interested in the one you mentioned.

 

[KBerly]

**BUMP**

ok guys & gals (current or ex-bostonians), what if i threw Malden out there?? any thoughts?

we took his company up on temporary housing...so much fun

but we have been everywhere around the city looking for places and have been to soo many open houses i lost count. if this counter-offer in Malden doesn't go through, we are going to put an offer on a place in Back Bay. i know, i know, 2 totally different places...so confused, but so exciting!

p.s. Rfath-we actually stumbled on Parris Landing in Charlestown last weekend, totally forgetting you had mentioned it! it's so cool what they are going to do to that place, too bad most will take almost 2 yrs (not the condos, but gym, upgrades to the whole place, etc.), but it is still a runner-up on our list though, can't have too many back up plans

 

[jenibear]

I just found the thread now or I would have posted earlier.

I'd love to add Somerville to the mix.
I lived in Davis Square for a few years and it was great - lots of bars and close to Harvard Square etc.
A short ride on the T to downtown - 20 minutes maybe?
And they are turning a lot of these neat old one and two family homes - many of them victorians - into gorgeous condos.

I'd say no to Malden. I don't like it.

If you like the Back Bay feel I don't think Malden is the place for you.

You probably want a younger, hipper place. That would be back bay, Brookline, Charlestown, Somerville, Cambridge.

If my husband would live in the city I would move back to Somerville or head to Cambridge in a heartbeat. But we are west of boston in the snobby burbs.

The only thing I'd caution about Charlestown is lots of drug activity - I am a newspaper reporter so I know about this stuff.

And by the way, you can keep your Yankees cap. I have mine. I've been in the Boston area 10 years and I wear it proudly alongside my husband in his Sox hat.

 

[KBerly]

jenibear, thanks so much for your great input! i actually have my yankees hat on now

i know malden is extremely different from back bay. the place we found in back bay is next to 3 frat houses! and half the size (as you know) than the place in malden. we didn't find anything we liked in somerville, but our real estate agent lives there, and we think it's really cool, love davis square. just nothing for us there now. the place in malden is soooo cute believe it or not. we flipped when we found it, and loved it even more when we saw it in person. but i understand why you wouldn't like it, way different from the city. we have to decide between city-life and close to everything or chill out in a small town a little ways from the city but still have access to the T. we shall see.

thanks again JB!

 

[mostlywatching]

I'd vote against Malden. The place you found may be great, but there are some not so nice areas of Malden and I' wasn't impressed with the atmosphere anywhere we looked. Also, it seemed like a hassel to get into town if you didn't live right in front of a T or bus stop. Just my thoughts.

It does seem strange that you would be considering places in Malden and Back Bay. They are totally different areas, as far as I'm concerned. I'd pick Back Bay anyday. Then again, three frat houses!! I'd avoid that like the plague.

Sorry it seems to be such a stressful search. Welcome to Boston, eh? (At least the real estate market.)

 

[KBerly]

lol thanks MW. i will keep everything you said in mind.

 

[rfath]

It's depressing seeing the differences in property values when you're shopping for a house! I'd agree that Malden isn't quite like the other areas that you were interested in previously, but then that's a lot of the reason that property there is a lot more reasonable in price! If it's something that you absolutely love, then go for it!

And share pictures please!

I'm in love with this house: http://ashmont.typepad.com/photos/1_fairfax_street/picture246.html

It will be a long time before I can afford a place like that (if ever!). Location isn't the best, but it's one of those places that will probably improve over time.

~Rachel, tired of apartment life!

 

[KBerly]

Rachel, I can't believe that's in Dorchester!! WOW

Just beautiful, the details of the old building and the stained glass. You have my taste, I love the renovated homes, old Victorian-type houses. The condo we found in Malden is actually a renovated church, renovation only 2 yrs old. And to tell the truth, it's ours! They accepted our offer and if all goes well, we will move in the middle of October. So what you said made me feel better

I mean, triple the size than in Back Bay for the same amount, and like you said about Dorchester, maybe Malden will get a little better reputation by the time we go to sell it

Here is a pic of the outside of the house, I have more, but didn't want to bore people more than I already have!!

 

[rfath]

KB -

I wouldn't mind seeing more pictures! That place looks LOVELY!

Yep, I'm a HUGE fan of the old Victorians. They're just wonderful.

Congrats!

 

[KBerly]

Rf-i forgot to mention that kitchen in the dorchester house is killer!!! i think i could become a martha stewart in there, not exactly her, but you know, the good stuff

i think that's what got me about this place, the kitchen, i will learn how to cook more and better in there, i promise!

you can see how high the ceiling goes (thruout the living room too) and the island which has the stove and an area on the opposite side to eat at.

edit to add: thanks rachel!

 

[rfath]

Kim -

Wow... very very nice! I absolutely have to have a great kitchen no matter where I end up. Currently, we're working with what amounts to a hallway that leads from one part of the apartment to the other. Meals have to be cooked in stages since we have almost no counter space. We both love to cook and can't wait to have a place with more space.

Those ceilings are incredible! I can definitely see what made you two decide that this is the one.

~Rachel

 

[lislaz]

The kitchen looks FABULOUS! I haven't been by this thread in a while and I'm glad to hear that things worked out for you.

 

[KBerly]

thank you fleece

i am so glad you stopped by this thread again because then i wouldn't have been able to see the best avatar on pricescope!! i love those freakin sheep!!

 

[mostlywatching]

Kim, that's a beautiful house. I'm glad you found something. I hope you like the area too. I'm also suffering from tiny kitchen. Counterspace is almost nonexistant. I do most of my cooking at the table.

 

[KBerly]

lol MW! yes been there for sure. i won't know what to do with myself in there. we are on the top floor, so i like that too.

 

[lislaz]

I know! I love those sheep, I'm terribly tempted to buy the little stuffed doll.