What advice would you give to someone moving to the Boston area?

[BlondieK143]

I'm talking anything from apartment searching to job searching. Are there parts of town that are less expensive, more fun to live, or more convenient to public transportation? Are there any open places to live around your areas that one should check out? Is there a high demand for employees in the area or do you know of anyone that is hiring? Information is much appreciated! :)

[ET Awful]

1. Are you planning on a relocation? Loved us so much you just couldn't

stay away?

For apartment hunting, http://www.bostonapartments.com has helped me a LOT in the past. It's a great resource for find an apartment, or a roommate situation if that's what you're more into.

As far as where to look . . . that all depends on how much you want to spend, etc. The Inman Square area of Somervill/Cambridge is fairly nice and reasonably priced and is close to buses that will take you to Harvard in under 15 minutes. There are areas that are much nicer, but the prices go up accordingly.

As far as jobs go, what kind of jobs particularly are you looking for? It would be easier to recommend a resource if we knew that :).

Out by me in Lowell is relatively inexpensive, but isn't as convenient if you end up working in Boston itself. There is a commuter rail that runs from Lowell to Boston but I'm not sure what the pass costs on a monthly basis or if you'd want to deal with the commute.

[BlondieK143]

14. Thank you!

I'm not sure about a relocation, I'm just looking at my options right now. I'm not sure where my life is taking me and I figure I only live once.

As far as area - I don't have to be right in Boston. As long as I'm close to public transportation, I'll be fine. I do think Lowell is a little too far out there for me, but it's certainly a great city.

Jobs - I've worked for a homehealth agency for the past three years. So, anything having to deal with doctor's offices, homehealth places, and call centers would be right up my alley. And I could always get another serving job if I needed to. It's not like I haven't done THAT before. :)

[yvr girl]

2. Not an expert but

bring LOTS of money

[BlondieK143]

13. Definitely have that one down.

:) It's certainly not a cheap place to live at all.

[Mist]

3. My advice would be "Don't" n/t

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. Ummm. Boston is beautiful and cultural, Dreadfully expensive though.

[Rockholm]

5. With THAT attitude, please stay in NC

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. yeah, no shit

:eyes:

like NC is some mecca of enlightenment.

[-..__...]

10. And Massachusetts is a mecca of "enlightenment"?

:eyes:

No, not really. It just has that perception.

There's nothing enlightening about it ... just different folks with different opinions and an equal share of assholes that you can find in any other state. The difference is, that you pay more for the privilege here.

OTOH, Spiveys Corner in NC is home to the World Hog Hollerin contest.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hollerin



Can Boston beat that? :smoke:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

11. It's still better than the other 49 alternatives

;-)

[Rockholm]

21. You got THAT right, Kathy!

[Mist]

8. Happy to stay in NC! I found the weather in Boston horrible -

We had to keep the heat on from Oct thru May, which gets expensive. Also, the housing market was insane, VERY expensive. I do miss the bookstores.

[BlondieK143]

12. That's not really helpful.

I mean, what are the reasons why one shouldn't? I realize you're probably partial to your area and all, but have you ever lived there? Visited there so you can make that decision?

[Rockholm]

6. Blondie, Boston and its suburbs are awesome!

Oh, where to start!
As far as the city itself, it is pretty darned expensive. Rents are starting to come down. 1 beds from 1000+, depending on neighborhood. Depending on what you are looking for, there are neighborhoods for every type of person.

Neighborhoods and my thoughts.

Back Bay: most central neighborhood, expensive, yuppies/old money
South End: former gay mecca, overrun by straight hipsters and wanna-be's. trendy and expensive
Beacon Hill: old money, cute, quaint, expensive, small apartments
Jamaica Plain: urban/suburban feel, getting pricey, easy transport to downtown, racially, economically and sexually diverse.
Hyde Park: Pretty much the same as JP. Less transport options. The next hot neighborhood. Prices are trending up.
West Roxbury: White, middle class. Suburban.
Charlestown: Yuppies and projects.
South Boston: rapidly changing. lofts and building conversions are pushing prices up and old timers out. tensions exist between the townies and the newcomers (same with Charlestown)
Allston-Brighton: collegiate wastelands

The job market is steady right now. It would be a lot better, but or repug governor does nothing but damn the state. Its up to the people to tout our wonderful state.

[BlondieK143]

15. Thank you so much!

That really helps me out! When I was in town (okay, so that was once, but I'll be coming back at the end of this year), I liked the North and South End of town the best. And wouldn't you know it, those two are some of the most expensive. :) I also like the Cambridge area, it's close enough to Boston to get there easily if I end up working in town. Which part of town would you recommend a first time resident to?

[curse10]

20. The South End is doable- you just have to resign yourself

to not living alone. Alex and I have a roommate since I'm in school and can't contribute to rent.

[BlondieK143]

53. Was it pretty easy for you to find your roommate?

Did you know him/her before you moved in together?

[woosh]

44. JP is tough to get in and out of on the T

And 'could' be intimidating to a single woman, especially if you have an evening job and get home late. It's beautiful though.

Here's some more:

Huntington/Mission Hill: NE students, on the 'E' green line and still reasonable priced. Borders Dudly station (orange line) which is a little rough.

Brookline: Expensive, affluient, but worth the urban experince and convient location.

[Longgrain]

9. There's no way I could live in Boston, that's for sure...

Even the suburbs are pretty expensive.

Of course it all depends on what you want. If you plan on having a roommate or two you might be able to squeeze by, other than that, stay away from the big city unless you have lots and lots of cash to burn.

[BlondieK143]

16. Okay, I get that it's expensive.

But I wouldn't be burning cash. You forget that I come from TN that's NOTHING like Boston, even remotely close to it. In my mind, the experiences and new opportunities are cancelling out the money right now. It's not like I'm going to make an irrational choice and just pick up and move. IF I decide to do this, there will be many months spent saving and having a back-up plan.

And also, I don't want anyone thinking that this is JUST because of the meet-up experience I had. Part of it, yes, but for the majority, no. I need to do something different for me. I'm young and I want to experience new places and things.

[Rockholm]

17. Sounds like you are developing a sensible plan!

Funny thing, Blondie, while Boston is expensive, salaries for the most part make living here just fine. I am not sure what your profession is, but most professional positions pay very well. If you are a "non-professional" (whatever that means?) hourly rates run the gamut from at least $10 on up. An old roommate of mine years ago was a secretary at one of the hotels and he made $15 per hour to start.

Please don't let the "expense" of living here deter you. Boston is great and the suburbs are welcoming and accessible. (Please, don't any freak PC person out there start droning about "if you are black or gay or any other crap" regarding the suburbs. I am just trying to put my opinion out there)

[BlondieK143]

27. Thank you for being positive!

A few posts up, I wasn't feeling so welcomed. :D

As far as jobs are concerned, I'm a non-professional right now, but I have three years of customer service/medical position under my belt so I'm hoping that does me some good. And I have no worries about the suburbs and their gayness or blackness, I love all people. :) So if people want to be negative about that, I won't even attempt to read.

Thank you so much again!

[Rockholm]

31. Excellent.

Your medical customer service skills are in pretty high demand. Boston has some of the best hospitals in the country. My guess is that you could easily start in the $15-$18 range to start.

If you are looking, I would suggest staying inside the 128 Belt. This inner loop highway is also I-95. The suburbs inside 128 are typical old city suburbs. Mixture of housing options. Mixtures of people.

I haven't met you, but you sound as if you would fit well in Davis Square in Somerville or Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. Both are hip and happening, but not obnoxiously so. Just cool folks living their lives and respecting their fellow humans.

[BlondieK143]

33. What's the 128 Belt?

Is that a highway or what (pardon my ignorance!)? And that makes me feel better about the job thing! Are some of the neighborhoods you mentioned close to those hospitals?

Now I'm really going to check out the Jamaica Plain area as well. I saw it on a few sites, but didn't give it a second look because I had no clue where it was. Thank you once again! I appreciate you taking your time to do this for me! And thanks for not calling me obnoxious! lol

[Rockholm]

34. Route 128 is a highway.

Major north-south road that runs next to the city. The weather is different depending on which side you are on. Politics, attitudes, pretty much everything else people do joke abouth being either inside 128 or outside 128.

The is a huge concentration of hospitals called the Longwood Medical Area. Harvard Medical School, Beth Isreal-Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Baptist Hospital. Then you have the Massachusetts General Hospital on Beacon Hill.

If you worked in Longwood, Jamaica Plain (to be known as us locals know it from now on as....JP) would be your best bet. If you have a car, then consider Roslindale and West Roxbury. JP has a sizable gay & lesbian population and a sizeable Hispanic community. Roslindale is really hot right now, with the Village booming with new stores and restaurants.
Oh..about Roxbury and West Roxbury. Roxbury is historically the center of black Boston. There are some stunningly beautiful areas, some dicey areas and some really bad areas. Mission Hill is part of Roxbury and is an up and coming part, especially bordering Northeastern University. West Roxbury is white, Catholic, Irish and solidly middle class.

[sniffa]

18. come to quincy

rent is aLmost haLf what you pay in boston, and it's a short train ride on the red Line.

[BlondieK143]

24. Actually, I've been looking in that area as well.

It's a definite possibility!

[Rockholm]

35. Watch out for Neckers, tho.

[BlondieK143]

49. ?

What is that?

[Rockholm]

50. Just messing with the gent who suggested Quincy.

Quincy is a suburb just south of the city.THe major neighborhoods are: Squantum, a pretty peninsula with a nice range of homes; Marina Bay, new development on the water (trnery, expensive, home to Tom Brady); the rest of Quincy, big, urban, prices for hpousing very good, good subway service to downtown, growing Asian community. Walloston BEach, OK beach, getting better, nice tidy homes. Finally...Houghs Neck (Neckers). I looked at a house out there last summer. While it is beginning to change (gentrified), there are some scary Neckers. I saw quite a few "W04" bumper stickers, along with my all time favorite bumper sticker...the peace sign with the comment "Footprint of the American Chicken."
For anyone who lives in Quincy and on Houghs Neck that I have offended, please forgive me.

[BlondieK143]

52. Ah! Gotcha!

Sorry! :) See, these are all things I need to learn before moving. Well, that and learning how to say 'cah' and 'pahk'. hehe

[Kathy in Cambridge]

55. Houghs Neck=White townies

my friend grew up there. Very parochial...

[BlondieK143]

59. Enough said!

:D Next city!

[curse10]

19. I live in the South End

it's pricey- but I love it.

Other great neighborhoods:

Jamaica Plain- when Alex and I look to buy that will be the first place we look. Lots of fun things to do, great restaurants, and great people.

Roslindale- more suburby, but still fun.

Mission Hill- a little sketchy at times, but lots of college kids. It's very close to Northeastern (where I go to law school).

Brighton/Allston/Brookline- I work in Brookline. It's not a bad commute- but I wouldn't call it central. It can also be pretty pricey. Advantages: great restaurants. Do NOT live on the B-line. You'll be doomed to MBTA hell.

Malden- this is just north of Boston and right on the Orange line. I lived here when I first moved to the Boston area. It's a classic Boston blue collar town. Not much to do, but the rent is cheaper and there is a great Pizza place on the corner of Wolcott and Main. :D

[BlondieK143]

25. I looooved the South End!

The area was beautiful and seemed really trendy (not that that's the important thing to me). I certainly wouldn't mind living in that part of town if the price is something I can afford. Thank you for the help! You realize that if I end up living in the South End, you'll have to come over for a good, southern meal, right? :)

Can you tell me how far Jamaica Plain is from downtown? That's another hard part in all this, I'm not so sure where everything is located. I have a general idea of where things are, but not fully.

And check - no living on the B-line! Traffic up there scared the crap out of me so I certainly won't be driving unless it's absolutely necessary! I'm coming up in October to make sure this is what I want to do and to research a few things, do you think you would want to help me out one day of that trip? You can PM me if you'd like! :) Thanks in advance!

[Rockholm]

29. JP is very convenient to downtown.

Orange Line, restoration of the Green Line (hopefully) and the #39 bus run downtown.
Getting to major highways is tedious from JP, but no biggie.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

22. Brace yourself for changeable weather

seriously, it was 88 a few weeks ago and it's 54 today. We have crazy temperature swings in the spring.

[BlondieK143]

26. That part isn't going to be so fun.

I mean, the weather is odd here sometimes, but nothing like ya'll get. We didn't even have a big snow here this year! Looks like I'll be buying stock in sweaters!

[Rockholm]

30. Where are you moving from? I missed that part.

[BlondieK143]

32. Tennessee

So you can see I'm a little out of my element. :)

[Rockholm]

37. Depends...Where in TN?

I have been to Nashville. I have heard Nashville is rather moderate polically.

[BlondieK143]

45. I'm from East TN

Close to Knoxville. It's VERY Repub here unfortunately. :( My small town seems like it has 4 dems. And that would be part of my family. :)

[Rockholm]

51. LOL...

[YankeyMCC]

23. Boston is wonderful and beautiful city

And I've lived in(or near) a handful of other cities and rural areas around the country. Most of them I liked for one reason or another but Boston, and I'm sure it is at least partly because it is home for me, just seems to be just the right fit.

It has just about everything a good world class city can offer. But there is also world class smaller communities and natural areas not far away.

And as far as the people, they're as diverse in temperament as anywhere else and I've found people here at least as likely to be friendly and helpful as anywhere else in the country.

As others have pointed out though it is an expensive place to live. Actually the taxes are not the problem, despite the stereotype, it is simply housing costs.

So my advice is to look for something outside the city but accessible to public transportation. Unless you've got a great salary lined up and can afford to stay in town. The flip side of the housing costs is that salaries are high. Outer locations near commuter rail or "T" access will still be high but are more likely to be affordable.

You get more choices if you're willing to commute into town by car but traffic is also not Boston's best feature.

If you can stay north west of the city your commuting options I think are better.

Bottom line, if you can find a way to make it work financially I don't think you'll regret it.

And we'll have a democratic governor soon too so things should get even better. (Just trying to be an optimistic Mass Dem :) )

[BlondieK143]

28. Thank you!

That helps me out so much! And you're right, I don't think I'll regret this either. The town is AMAZING and has so many new things to see and do. I've been looking at neighborhoods outside of the city, in your opinion, which do you think would be a good option?

And as far as I can tell, you're right about the costs. Tax there isn't bad, but the housing is a bit of a change. This is why I'm planning on saving up here for awhile, just in case something doesn't go right. Thank you again for your help!

[YankeyMCC]

38. Well

I'm biased but Arlington is very nice. :)

Home of Uncle Sam, right along "Battle Road", spitting distance to Lexington Green, full or great places to eat, good schools, highly active and progressive population.

But...you're likely to find less expensive house in Medford, or maybe Waltham which is further out but still within 128 and has a communter rail.

Futher out Burlington is conviently located and even Bedford has some affordable rentals I think.

[sniffa]

39. keep her off the commuter raiL

she'LL be miserabLe taking the 'Lavender Line'

the pubLic transportion hierarchy:

train - boston, cambridge, somerviLLe, maLden, medford, miLton, quincy, braintree, revere, arLington...
bus - watertown, weymouth, waLtham, beLmont....
commuter raiL

[BlondieK143]

46. So train is definitely the best option?

Besides that and cab service, I didn't use anything else while I was there.

[IntiRaymi]

36. I am moving there as well.

Plannig on attending BU, and I have many of the same questions / concerns.
Paying close attention to this discussion.
:D

[woosh]

43. You'll want to live in

Allston/Brighton or Brookline. Say on the 'B' line if at all possible.

[BlondieK143]

47. Good! I hope this can help you!

When are you moving?

[jmm]

40. I love Somerville

It's close to everything and I can afford to live alone.

[woosh]

42. I lived there as well

Union square.

There are only a couple places in somerville that are on the subway portion of the "T" Winter Hill, which is still a little rough, on the Orange line (Sullivan) and still reasonably priced. Davis Square is on the Red Line, more pricy, but definatly "hip" (it's near tufts).

Anywhere else in Somerville, you'll need to take a bus to the subway.

I loved somerville, but didn't want to raise a kid there.

[woosh]

41. recommending an area

Not really advise, but I think this may help more than arbitrarily suggesting jobs and locations.

I moved to Boston when I was 27 with my (now) wife. We moved to Allston, because it was convenient to BU (wouldn't recommend, but it is very T accessible). I had a college degree but no experience, so I worked in a restaurant downtown: it was pretty easy to get a waiter job. If you want a quick entry into friends and money, restaurants are a good way to go. It was high-end, but working around 7 shifts a week (2-3 lunches a week and 4/5 dinners) netted me around $700-$1000 a week (depending on season) somewhere in the $45-55K a year. The people in restaurants like to PARTY, so be careful, you can easily waste years in that environment.

This vocation allowed me to get into professional training, and I took the high tech IT/systems/programming route. If you are looking to start over, there is really no place better than a large city like Boston, NY, San Fran. Yes the housing is expensive, but you are compensated accordingly. You can also find employment in a staffing agency, which could get you into a more professional company.

I've been here now 7 years, own my own house in a reasonable area (medford) and have my pick of jobs in IT (just finished looking for a new job. In this field, it's still pretty easy to get multiple offers with the right experience).

[BlondieK143]

48. That's such a great story!

I'm glad things are going so well for you and your wife! Congrats! And thank you for the help!

I've pretty much realized that even with a job that closely resembles what I do now, I'll probably pick up a serving shift as well. Especially hearing how you did so well (though we both know serving is VERY up in the air at times). But $700-$1000 a week for working 7 shifts is pretty impressive! Besides, resteraunts are fun (even though it's hard work) and it's always nice meeting new people.

Now how far away is Medford?

[woosh]

64. Medford is next to Arlington and Somerville, a little north

15 minutes from Logan.

I have a commuter rail stop down the street, and it's 11 minutes into north station (Boston's North End). I'm also a 10 minute bus ride from Davis Sqaure (Somerville, Red line).

My area is residential/family, but there are areas of Medford that are younger around Tufts, but still, it is mostly residential.

But basically, I live on the "other" side of the Charles River, which isn't considered Boston at all. It's actually it's own world. I rarely cross the Charles any more. If you are moving to Boston for the "experience" you probably don't want to live outside of Cambridge if you are going to live on this side of the river. You may be driven into Somerville, medford or malden if you are looking for price, and it's still an easy commute downtown. (No one has mentioned Malden, but it's right on the Orange line and very reasonable.)

What industry are you in?

[BlondieK143]

65. You're right about the "experience"

I think I'm looking for the impossible: reasonably priced, easy to commute, and still in the busy parts of town. :) Not asking for much, am I?

Right now, I'm in the medical field. I've worked for a homehealth agency as an on call coordinator for coming up on three years. I've also been a waitress. Anything dealing with reception work, medical facility assistants, I can do. Plus, if I need it, I could always serve somewhere (that's the great part of being a waitress, you can do that in any city).

Thank you for the help btw! :)

[dddem]

54. Please be warned -

Winters here are long and cold. I've lived in this area my whole life, and I love it. I love the people, the arts, the schools, the medical care, the coast, the Cape, the mountains - we've got it all!
The only thing I HATE is the cold. We actually thought about getting out - but there is too much to give up for warmth. Plus we have the Red Sox. You can't beat that! Repeat after me - "I'm takin the T ta Fenway Pahk for the game and a couple a be-ahs. Yankees suck!" Now you're from Boston! Dress wahm.

[BlondieK143]

56. That's great! lol

So *note to self* don't say ya'll or over yonder. :D I'm fine until I get a few beers in me and then it comes out BIGTIME.

The weather is definitely something that will be an adjustment for me. The temperatures here are normally pretty average, but we certainly don't have any snows like ya'll got this year! That's crazy! I know the first time I have to trek out in that stuff, I'll be freaking out!

[dddem]

57. All right - lesson one

y'all = you guys
That's crazy = wicked retahded
freaking out = wicked pissed
that's great = wicked cool

Keep practicing - it'll help you keep your mind off the cold!

[BlondieK143]

58. That's wicked hard.

Now excuse me while I go pahk tha cah. :D

[dddem]

60. hmmm... not bad for a first timah

not wicked awesome, but not bad!

[BlondieK143]

61. Hmmm.

Fuck yah! :D

[dddem]

62. well allright then!

dropping the "F"-bomb! Now I'm sure you'll fit in just fine!

[BlondieK143]

63. I figured that was how to get it done.

:D I feel much better!