Living between Boston & the North Shore... what do you recommend?

Question

My wife and I are in the process of moving to the North Shore are of Boston for work. We are looking for a cool, fun, and reasonable area to live.

We'd love to live in the Back Bay or North End area, but I don't know if we can afford it. I'll be working in the Peabody/Danvers area.

I've heard Salem mentioned but when visiting I didn't get the feeling that it was a fun town (ie. good restuarants, bars, culture, people out and about). Maybe I was in the wrong area? It seemed to be missing something.

BTW, We're in our mid-late 20's.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Answer 1

Salem is OK but I've never been a big fan for some reason. There are actually a few decent restaurants there and it seems like it's improving but somehow I feel that Salem is overrated. I had the same take on Salem as you did - it seems to be missing something.

I would say Cambridge or parts of Somerville are worth looking into. (Davis Square or north of there towards Tufts University). Lots of excellent restaurants there (some of the best Italian food in greater Boston is in Somerville, and great diners) and it's a good area - easy access into Boston. And it's more affordable than the North End or Back Bay also. There are college kids, of course, mostly Tufts and Harvard, but also young families and working professionals and older lifelong residents so it's a good mix.

Answer 2

No, you would want to avoid Salem. It's way out of Boston, and you will need to take the commuter rail which you don't wanto to.

Backbay/Copley area is nice but too expensive. There are other nice areas to live without shelling out the dollars.

North End is nice..also expensive but if you look hard enough, I'm sure you can find some pretty good deals.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

east coast sux!!

west side for life