Originally Posted by
Blumie
I have now been in Mid-Cambridge, smack in the middle of Central and Inman Squares, for the last 15 months and cannot recommend this neighborhood highly enough. Central and Inman are both short walks, and Harvard and Kendall are not much further. Great proximity to restaurants, bars, highways (Mass Pike, Sturrow, Rte. 2), and public transportation. And it's affordable and has a great neighborhood feel. <snip> I find Central Square sketchiness charming. It's certainly not at all dangerous. And Central Square now has a nice collection of good restaurants and bars, including Craigie on Main, which has to be considered one of the best restaurants in the Boston area.
I wholeheartedly agree with all of this.
My only two cent pitch would be for South Boston. Still a bit rough around the edges in some ways, but so great in so many others. There's the beach, plenty of families and great bars all around. Unbeliveably good access to both the city and the highway.
Originally Posted by
dtremit
I know it probably seems far now, but I'd strongly suggest you consider Wideman's advice and look at Davis Square as well.
I also love Davis, but would damn near put it in the same category of Allston-Brighton because of Tufts. If it's already a concern, the college kid vibe will be noticed.