Moving to Boston?

Question

I am 27 years old and single, moving from Houston to Boston in March for a new job. Where is the best places to live around people my age?

Answer 1

I've lived here for 5 years. I dont know what some of these people are talking about...

If youre making decent money, the Back Bay is the best bet in my mind...theres great bars/restaurants/shopping very close by, its beautiful and quiet.

I live in Beacon Hill and its extremely nice but its mostly populated with somewhat older folks and families...the best part is if you work downtown you can walk to work. Also its right next to the park.

Lots of younger people are choosing South Boston, not to be confused with the South End....its reasonably priced and is an easy commute to downtown on the Red Line. However its an old working class neighborhood and not too pretty to look at. (PS a word to the wise - avoid having to commute a long way on the Green Line, it is a nightmare. Thats a huge reason why I would avoid Green Line hoods like Allston/Brighton and Brookline)

The South End is also a good option, maybe slightly less nice than Back/Bay and somewhat quirkier, more ethic diversity and artist/queer types. Very conveniently located.

If youre 27, youre too old for Allston/Brighton...its cheap but its dirty, loud, filled with undergrads and is a pain in the *** if youre commuting to downtown.

Brookline is nice, reasonably priced but boring...I know I lived there for a year...many families, large Jew/Asian/Russian population. Not a bad commute but not too many exciting things popping off close by.

Cambridge is cool, the people there are quirkier than average, Harvard/MIT are right there...some decent bars in Harvard/Central squares and an easy commute on the Red line. Somewhat cheaper than back bay/beacon hill.

North End is the Italian hood, convenient but cramped. Somerville is cheap and somewhat popular but pretty ghetto and kind of distant from dowtown. Jamaica Plain quirky ghetto cheap.

Fenway/Kenmore is a good option, close to the ballpark, some decent bars on Landsdowne St. but very collegiate atmosphere.

Bottom line, live in Back Bay or South Boston.

Answer 2

Lucky you, at the perfect age to try someplace new, so here are some thoughts on Mass.
You don't have to live in Boston proper, there are many suburbs about an hour or less away such as Fitchberg or Leominister, since you are moving from Houston you are probably used to a large city. You should realize that winters there are primarily ice, not snow, and that there are many hills to maneuver throughout the state.
On the other hand NY and Conn. are just short drives away, you can see Broadway or be in the audience at a late night talk show.
I originally grew up on the East Coast so I feel right to give you a word of warning East Coasters are a more private people who do not always interact with strangers. This is not rudeness, but a more respect for each others privacy, especially in the large cities.

Answer 3

It kinda depends on your budget, what kind of housing you can afford. Boston can get mighty expensive. I would say, in addition to Cambridge, which has lots of students and twenty-somethings, the South End or Back Bay is also good to consider. I would try to avoid the heart of downtown as much as possible, where the financial districts are, or around the Boston Common park. Too busy. And anywhere in the Fenway stadium neighborhood should also be avoided. During the season, it's traffic madness. Just work with a knowledgeable real estate agent who knows the city well and go from there. Take a look at housing in different neighborhoods and see how you feel about them. Cambridge is a good place to start but not all the neighborhoods there are desirable. Good luck!

Answer 4

I have lived in Boston for a while and there are many areas have people in their 20's. I am only 21 but there are many areas that would suit your needs. Your budget will determine where you will want to live as well as age group. Try going through Jacob Realty, they are located on Newbury Street (A pretty hott area of Boston). They are great and don't just focus Downtown and Back Bay. They know the market all over Boston and the surrounding areas. Alot of my friends have gone through Jacob. They also know all of the hott spots and how to get there from the apartments. Some of their agents work at bars and clubs as well as real estate. They know almost everything!

Answer 5

I was in the same situation with you when I moved to SF Bay Area from Boston. I knew I wanted to stay around people my age so I ended up living in a house with Standford Grad students.

When I lived in Boston I lived in the "student ghetto" Allston/Brighton area. I loved it. I could walk to the bars and not worry about driving back home when I had a bit much to drink. I just had to watch my step along the T tracks. The summer is great over there since most of the students leave.

Answer 6

I had a long distance relationship when i was in college. It was really tough but we made it. We are now married and expecting our second baby. It can work out. However, if you are at a point where you feel like unless you are together, you can't continue on with the relationship then you should end it. Distance is very hard, but if you're meant to be together you would survive the distance. If moving to be near each other is the only way to save your relationship, I would not do it. Moving to further your relationship, or to strenghten it is a different issue, but moving to prevent ending it is not a good idea. That is just my opinion, and obviously there is much more to the situation than what you could write in your question. Hopefully you will make the right decision. Good luck!!

Answer 7

Because of all the universities and high tech and venture capital businesses and entrepreurial companies (2nd after San Fran/Silicon Valley) much of the Boston area is youthfully populated, but centered roughly within the geographic perimeter
of the city areas and independent cities South Boston to Jamaica Plain to Brookline to Newton to Arlington to Medford to Charlestown. Back Bay and Cambridge would be the bulls-eye.
Be prepared for housing expenses far, far higher than Houston.

Answer 8

I am 24 and live in beacon hill and i LOVE it!. its clean (that was my top priority in an apartment) and even though its not in the center or everything its near everything. 2 blocks away is the red line that takes you to cambridge, a 5 minute walk you are in back bay and newbury street. a 15 minute walk you are in north end (the "little italy of boston" and has great food) and a 2 minute walk you are at boston commons and public garden (great places to chill in the summer, play some sports or have a picnic)

Answer 9

I agree that it is dependent on your income. I am 24 but have many friends you age. Many choose to live in Cambridge/Back Bay/North End/Brookline/Fenway. For my money and look at the Coolidge Corner area in Brookline (Harvard - Beacon Street intersection) It is walkable to downtown and also has a younger feel. It is still not cheap, but much cheaper than a Back Bay or North End apt. You will have more room to stretch also. Many are young professinals and many grad students. I have loved the area.
Also I moved from the Midwest after undergrad.
Finally, Cambridge is similar, BUT when you are in Cambridge you are kind of stuck there.
Good luck!

Answer 10

Cambridge is a great place to live. It is close to Boston and there is a lot to do. Enjoy!