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First off, Allston and Brighton are huge and range from almost a suburb to inner city conditions. Everything from families with kids, married couples, to yuppies, to kids in school. Allston is probably more of a party scene than you're looking for.
Instead I would look in Oak Square or Brighton Center, both of which are in Brighton, Mass. These have plenty of bars, restaurants, and pretty much everything else. You'll be 5 min from the Pike and Storrow. I would also check out the Fenway. The neighborhood itself is nice and quiet if you're away from the ballpark in the area bounded by Boylston St and Park Drive. While restaurant row burned down a couple of years ago, there is of course still plenty of restaurants and nightlife. Problems here are parking and traffic during baseball season but it's such a liveable neighborhood that I'd skip the car living here unless you absolutely need it. Another place to check out is JP, either in Stonybrook or Green Street. Make sure to stay west of Washington St though since it gets seedy quick east of it. Here you'll be right off the Jamaicaway, but this is more of a parkway with stoplights and rotaries, not a highway. People have mentioned Davis Sq in Somerville which is a great place to live. It's just farther off the highway than you mentioned. |
Oak Square is actually a great suggestion for the highway access factor, and for the budget the OP mentioned, that'll get a lot of house and definitely a driveway. Public transportation to downtown is very easy, as well.
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RE: Central Square's sketchiness.... I would not call it unsafe at all. I have lived here for over a year, and while you many encounter some homeless person yelling at themselves... I have never once felt unsafe or had any issues with it. I am a big walker and am out by myself all hours with no problems. The people rarely even ask you for change, unlike in Harvard Square.
I don't drive, but as others have mentioned, I-90 is easily reached. You could also live closer to the river in Cambridgeport, which is much more residential, but still walking distances to most of the good stuff. Feel free to PM me if you want more specific advice about Central. |
Originally Posted by axpmaluga
(Post 15160035)
Not sure what to expect here but I've always found FT'ers extremely helpful and knowledgable. My company is relocating me to Boston in the beginning of next year and after doing tons of research I'm still trying to nail down what neighborhood I want to live in. Any and all help from people who live/lived there is appreciated. I'll bullet point what I'm looking for like to hopefully narrow things down.
-In my late 20's moving with my fiance -2 Bedroom in the $1900-$2300 range and definitely under $2500 including a permanent parking spot of some sort -Must be within city limits (including Cambridge/Brookline) -Looking for something similar to Hoboken, NJ (where we used to live) or Lincoln Park in Chicago (where we currently live) -Must be a good walking neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and bars. A lot of people have recommended the South End but when I walk around there are no bars at all, especially sports bars. I don't think we're old enough for a neighborhood like that yet. -However, I've been told we're too old for Allston/Brighton and that married people don't live there. -Been focusing on Central Square in Cambridge and the Back Bay but I think the price of parking might rule out the Back Bay. -Highway access. I will be traveling all over New England and don't want to live 20 min off the highway like some places in Brookline. -Relative safe neighborhood where I'm not worrying about the fiance walking around by herself after dark. Thanks in advance for any help. I live in Back Bay and highly recommend it. I can easily walk to my job, grocery store, shopping at Pru/Copley Place and Newbury St. The problem with Back Bay maybe highway access for you. Given the many oneway streets and traffic, it's not easy to get on the Pike at Dartmouth St or Storrow Drive from Berkeley St. Stay away from Allston and Brighton. The area has really become an extension of BU and to a certain degree BC so unless you want to be surrounded by noise and other disruptions at 3:00am I'd live elsewhere. PM if you have more questions. |
Originally Posted by AAerSTL
(Post 15241939)
Have you considered Coolidge Corner area in Brookline? There's plenty of restaurants, easy access to Cleveland Circle C line, easy Pike access, and it's very safe.
I would actually look at JP seriously. |
Originally Posted by AAerSTL
(Post 15241939)
The problem with Back Bay maybe highway access for you. Given the many oneway streets and traffic, it's not easy to get on the Pike at Dartmouth St or Storrow Drive from Berkeley St.
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Originally Posted by Blumie
(Post 15255676)
I don't understand this statement. I can't think of anywhere in the Back Bay where access to the Pike and Storrow is not relatively easy, even given one way streets and traffic.
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Originally Posted by magiciansampras
(Post 15247419)
Might be tricky on that budget though; Coolidge Corner isn't cheap.
I would actually look at JP seriously. As to JP, although I'm not terribly familiar with the neighborhood, I get the impression that it's a particularly interesting one. The problem I have with JP, however, is highway access. Is there an easy way in and out of JP? |
Originally Posted by Blumie
(Post 15255767)
The problem I have with JP, however, is highway access. Is there an easy way in and out of JP?
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Originally Posted by magiciansampras
(Post 15255809)
93 is relatively easy.
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Originally Posted by Blumie
(Post 15256003)
I don't see that either. Is there a route that's not a parking lot much of the time?
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Originally Posted by Blumie
(Post 15255676)
I don't understand this statement. I can't think of anywhere in the Back Bay where access to the Pike and Storrow is not relatively easy, even given one way streets and traffic.
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Originally Posted by AAerSTL
(Post 15259146)
Marlborough St that don't have deeded parking and rely on the Back Bay permits. The trouble is finding a space especially since many go days without using their cars so space availability can be a problem.
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Originally Posted by Blumie
(Post 15255767)
I'm not a fan of Coolidge Corner, not because of cost but because I don't find it particularly interesting. Perhaps it once was, but no longer.
As to JP, although I'm not terribly familiar with the neighborhood, I get the impression that it's a particularly interesting one. The problem I have with JP, however, is highway access. Is there an easy way in and out of JP? What about Brookline village however? Easy access to route 9, a decent smattering of restaurants etc within stone's throw, good T access, lovely walks. A real 'village' feel, but extremely close to Boston proper. We used to live there, so I'm biased, and I could walk to work, which was a major plus for me and not the OP, but I still think it ticks most of the boxes. Of course, route 9 may not be as desirable as the mass pike or storrow drive for the OP. tb |
Seems to me that there's a clear take-away from this thread: The Boston area has an unusually high number of appealing neighborhoods that meet most people's criteria for close-to-the-city living.
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