Nice residential area near Boston, for a single 32-year-old woman? Nightlife in Boston?

Question

Hello,
I'm thinking of relocating to the Boston are. I'm hoping to rent a two-bedroom apt. for 1300 or less a month. I've seen Craigslist ads for such in Newton, Medford, and Belmont, but I don't know these towns.
Can anyone recommend quiet and safe towns that are within commuting distance of Boston (say 1 hour or less commute time)? Preferably, I'd like something with a cute, walkable downtonwn area.
PS: What is the culture and nightlife in Boston like, for single thirty-somethings? I grew up near NYC, and I've lived in San Francisco, so I'm used to exciting nightlife. I understand that Boston is more lowkey, but I'm wondering if some residents could give me their opinions.

Hi.
Thanks for all of your responses. They are very helpful so far.
For Hank, rather than cute, perhaps I should say pleasant with interesting stores and cafes, in a North Berkeley, Alameda or Mill Valley sort of way.
I would definately be commuting by mass transit.
The research I've done gave me the impression that finding a pleasant town about an hour outside of Boston is realistic, even within my price range. You sound dubious, so I hope I'm not wrong.

Thanks again for all of your answers! Now I can make an informed decision. Enjoy the holidays, everyone.

Answer 1

Within 1 hr of central Boston?? Quiet? Safe? And what do you mean "cute" downtowns? Gosh, that could be hundreds of places!!

If you care to tell me which places near to San Fran and N.Y.C. (I know those areas well) would qualify then I could better advise (after all, Berkeley, Layfayette, Castro Valley and Palo Alto can all be described as safe and cute but they are otherwise very different places!)

Also, you should state whether the 1 hr commute is by car or train.

Of the 3 places you mention Belmont is the cutest, in a New England sort of way. But for $ 1300/month you by far would be able to rent the most for your money in Medford or, even more, in next-door Malden or next-next door Melrose, the latter of which also has a rather vibrant and attractive downtown area (and excellent public transportation connections).

It is true that Boston does not have nightlife quite the equivalent of S.F. or N.Y.C. - for one thing the city closes up early (by the way instead of thinking "Boston" you should think "Boston-Cambridge", or even "Boston-Cambridge-Somerville"). But if you do most of your clubbing and partying before 1 AM you should be quite satisfied.


PS: One Day Later

Dear Brenda:

I hope you check back your answers; you do not allow emails.

Anyway, now that you have defined you prefer an Alameda or North Berkeley sort of place...

As another Answerer suggests: Jamaica Plain.

As other Answerers suggest: The Davis Square area of Somerville and the Porter Square section of Cambridge.

In fact, almost anywhere in Cambridge EXCEPT close in to Harvard Square (compared to Alameda and even North Berkeley it is a bit too effete).

The Union Square area of Somerville.

The Beacon Street corridor and the Brookline Village areas of Brookline.


To a smaller extent:

The Fenway and South End-Tremont Street districts (but homes in each are all brick apartment buildings, most 3 storys and architecturally attractive and cohesive to be sure but not detached wood frame buildings like Alameda and Berkeley).

The Moody Street area near downtown Waltham.


And to an even smaller extent but definitely of what you describe:

The downtown Melrose area I mentioned yesterday.

(Increasingly): South Boston near the Broadway/Dorchester Street junction.

(Increasingly): the Roslindale Square area


Every one of the above neighborhoods has better public transportation and quicker connections to the center city than has Alameda (if one considers the center city there to be San Fran and not Oakland).

Answer 2

Newton is a nice town, with nice shops in the downtown area. If you can find a place to rent for $1300 there you'd do well. Belmont and Newton are both quieter, more residential locations. Newton had the commuter rail..not sure about Belmont. Medford is a bit more urban, but easier to get into town from there. I personally like Medford...it's a nice combination of residential space and urban vibe. As for nightlife, Boston has it, but things do shut down a bit early around here (I think most clubs close down around 1am).

Answer 3

Of the three towns you mentioned, Newton would be my first choice. It's got a more "suburban" kind of feel to it than the other two -quiet, low crime rate, good municipal services. You might also consider Cambridge.

As far as nightlife goes, I didn't go out that often when I was living in Boston, and when I did, I preferred "Cheers" type places to nightclubs, but there are plenty of clubs, and lots of other cultural stuff like museums. And Fenway Park!

Answer 4

Sounds like you want a college area:
1. Cambridge is great (Harvard Square, Central Square) - probably a little out of your price range - 10-15 minute subway ride to downtown.
2. Jamaica Plain has good and bad sections - if you are a rocker, you'd like it - 15-20 minute subway ride to downtown.
3. Allston is where a lot of students live - if you don't mind lots of people in their early twenties, that might be good.
4. Somerville - Davis Square, Porter Square are both nice and fun - 20 minute subway ride from downtown.
5. Watertown - a bit further outside the city - not on public transit line (unless you like buses) - 15 minute car ride from downtown.

Answer 5

newton is good! also if you want to be right in the city West Roxybury is nice (not Roxybury) medford is nice too!
i live in westborough ma its about 45 mins from boston its supposed to be like on the top 100 places to live or something although i dont like it very much here you might. its got a nice downtown.
in boston theres a lot of night life on Lansdowne Street night clubs and fenway. and they have alot of concerts at the avalon. wicked awsome
and cool sports bars and a gym.
also brookline is wounderful my friend lives there its right next to boston.

Answer 6

I think you'll do just fine in life. At 23, and making 75k in the Boston area with the other figures you've offered, you can afford a decent car, and not have to worry much about finances at all as well. My advice is to save and diversify your investments also - Start young! You won't regret it in the long run!

Answer 7

Can I recommend somewhere outside of Boston, but on a T line. Check out a t map to see where the T runs. Outbound on the green line maybe.

Answer 8

Yeah come live with me at my parents apartment, in my bedroom..............baby