Considering a Relocation to Boston
#46
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,829
That's probably one thing to get used to in
New England. Yes we are only a couple of hour drive from New York City, but weather does tend to act a bit different here than it does in New York. Boston itself may be fine - they often only get rain when just a few miles inland get several inches of snow. People around here are used to it, they just be flexible and accommodating. I know very few places that get upset because you are a little bit late because the weather slowed everything down. In fact many places let you work from home on days like that. If you really want to enjoy the winter try working for a university. Snow days are great!
New England. Yes we are only a couple of hour drive from New York City, but weather does tend to act a bit different here than it does in New York. Boston itself may be fine - they often only get rain when just a few miles inland get several inches of snow. People around here are used to it, they just be flexible and accommodating. I know very few places that get upset because you are a little bit late because the weather slowed everything down. In fact many places let you work from home on days like that. If you really want to enjoy the winter try working for a university. Snow days are great!
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
I don't know. When that many people jump in and make the same comment, I have to believe there's truth to it. I am, at this moment, very concerned about the livability of the Boston area, at least relative to what I experienced in NYC. This is going to require a lot of consideration. But, let's see if I get an offer first.
I do appreciate everyone's input.
I do appreciate everyone's input.
#48
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,074
I am a commuter rail traveler who lives in a suburb that's within about 50 minutes door to door. I am certainly one of the first to complain about the T (especially after winter 2 yrs ago) but when it comes down to it, my commute is completely predictable and rarely has delays. I would recommend to keep your commute within 45 min, stay within commuter rail zone 2.
Happy to discuss further via PM if you like.
#49
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,074
Express buses (pass is around $100/mo last i checked) go straight there from places like Watertown and Waltham. I did this for several years, it was great. Just another thing to consider, though I know you were focusing on rail options.
#50
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
Considering the Green Line is slow and the Red line rather crowded during rush hour (main artery Cambridge - Boston - South Station), I suggest somewhere along the orange line. It has its own tracks and most (all) road crossings are fly-over (viaduct). Its Back Bay stop is a short walking distance from St. James Ave.
Perhaps have a look at Mission Hill, Roxbury, Forest Hills, or Somerville.
Perhaps have a look at Mission Hill, Roxbury, Forest Hills, or Somerville.
#51
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,955
Considering the Green Line is slow and the Red line rather crowded during rush hour (main artery Cambridge - Boston - South Station), I suggest somewhere along the orange line. It has its own tracks and most (all) road crossings are fly-over (viaduct). Its Back Bay stop is a short walking distance from St. James Ave.
Perhaps have a look at Mission Hill, Roxbury, Forest Hills, or Somerville.
Perhaps have a look at Mission Hill, Roxbury, Forest Hills, or Somerville.
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Maybe before and after Red Sox games, or on weekend nights, but not on a daily basis. And more importantly, if you live in Brookline and are going to the Back Bay, you're going to ride the Green Line, not the Orange Line. And while it may seem slow -- it certainly is not the TGV -- you can get from most stops on the Green Line (irrespective of which branch) to the Back Bay in about half an hour, which is not a bad commute at all, especially relative to many NYC commutes.
Certainly one must consider the commuting options when deciding where to live in the Boston area, but to make that the sole criteria, as many posts in this thread seem to suggest, is absurd.
Certainly one must consider the commuting options when deciding where to live in the Boston area, but to make that the sole criteria, as many posts in this thread seem to suggest, is absurd.
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
It's a significant consideration for me, as I find a long commute to be soul suckingly bad (I had one that was 40 minutes if there was no traffic, and I worked 8-5 so you can guess how many days it was under an hour either way...). However, most of my worst have been driving. At least on public transit, one can listen to music on headphones, text with friends, and handle much of one's basic financial matters.
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
It's a significant consideration for me, as I find a long commute to be soul suckingly bad (I had one that was 40 minutes if there was no traffic, and I worked 8-5 so you can guess how many days it was under an hour either way...). However, most of my worst have been driving. At least on public transit, one can listen to music on headphones, text with friends, and handle much of one's basic financial matters.
#59
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: BA GLD for LIfe, AA PLT 2 MM miler, B6 Mosaic, Star GLD; HH Diamond; Marriott PLT, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,368
I don't know. When that many people jump in and make the same comment, I have to believe there's truth to it. I am, at this moment, very concerned about the livability of the Boston area, at least relative to what I experienced in NYC. This is going to require a lot of consideration. But, let's see if I get an offer first.
The food and arts are way better in NY. The subway is better. Not sure about the commuter rail lines. I love visiting NY for the weekend. I'd prefer to live in the Boston area.
#60
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Honestly, we are being harsh on the MBTA. 95% of the time, it works fine. It can be slow, and I would still avoid the Red Line until they replace much of their equipment, and the MBTA can be bad in snowstorms. But, honestly, it is still better than driving in every day, and it really isn't that much worse, if at all, than most other transit systems in the USA. We are mostly frustrated that it could be better, but the bloat of the organization works so much against it.