What are some good places to live in or around Boston?

Question

What are some good neighborhoods to live in around Boston?
A friend of mine is thinking of moving somewhere on the East Coast, preferably around Boston with her young family.
Does anyone know of any good neighborhoods with low crime rates and good school districts aound the city of Boston.


We've heard that houses there are less expensive than they are in New York, is that true???

Answer 1

Westwood, MA is right outside of Boston and was ranked the 13th best place to live in the country by Money Magazine. It is a little pricey but most of the Boston suburbs are, at least the ones with it all - location, schools, low crime. It has great schools, a commuter rail into the city, and a supportive community.
Other nice suburbs are Needham, Dover, Wellesley, Weston, Newton, Medfield

Answer 2

All areas have bad parts. I will advise you to do some research on the crime rates in cities/towns in MA. Some of the best Suburbs are around the 128 belt. Somerville, Cambridge, Quincy, Braintree are the outskirts of Boston and all have some good areas, but they also have some bad areas where it's not safe, or not safe at night. I'm keeping kids in mind. If you do look into those cities then I would find out what part in those cities and then do research. While the cities themselves have been in the process of revitalization for the last few years, there are still some unsafe areas. As for Jamaica Plain with kids you'll want to avoid a good part of the Washington St. area. Forrest Hills area down to Stony Brook and parts of Centre St. near Heath St. Ideal good area for JP (and pricey) would be over by the Jamaica Way and closer to Chestnut Hill area. Generally West of Boston, and South of the 95 belt are good areas. Parts to the Northwest and North of Boston are good areas. I would avoid the Everett/Lynn/Chelsea area, but nearby cities/towns like Saugus and Swampscott have good neighborhoods. With a family I would also avoid Brockton, New Bedford/Fall River, Lowell/Lawrence, and definitely Dorchester/Roxbury areas too. West Roxbury is not next to, or in Roxbury. It's closer to Chestnut Hill, Dedham, and the nicer part of JP and is a decent area. It's also expensive in that area. Some of the areas are okay for single adults or couples with no kids. So hopefully no one will take offense as that is not my intention. I've also lived in a lot of the cities/towns mentioned. Including Somerville, Jamaica Plain, Boston (proper), Roxbury, Lynn, Everett, Saugus, and Quincy. Regardless any place you choose you'll have to look into before deciding. Pick out some specific towns/cities and run it by people to get feedback. Usually if you can be more specific with the question you can get better feedback. Example: About how far from Boston, a price range, school systems, and/or how much commuting into Boston you would like to do. (If applicable.) Good luck!

Answer 3

On the scale of cost of living in the US, the SF bay area is number 1, New York city is number 2 and the Boston metro area is number 3. So it won't be a lot cheaper.

However, many people, including myself, live in southern New Hampshire and commute into the Boston metro area. You could also live out on the 495 belt a little cheaper than being inside of the 128 belt.

I live a mile from the beach, and you could buy a house around here for sub $300K, an really nice house for sub $500K.

NH has no income tax, providing you work in NH and no sales tax.

Schools are what you make out of them. If as a parent you expect the school to educate your child without your involvement you will be disappointed with the result. Doesn't matter what school district you live in. Will your kid get knifed in a NH, MA or even NY school - unlikely but it's possible. Will your kid fall through the cracks if you don't get involved in their education - very likely.

PS - leave your Yankee gear in NY,

Answer 4

Yes housing is less expensive but NOT by much. People have been leaving in droves over the last year or so due to the high cost of living.

Mass is such a small state that aside from the western part of the state (which is very nice, BTW), you're never too far from Boston. If what she wants is to be near the city, then the cities Paula mentioned are good. Otherwise she may want to go even further north...just as nice, and more affordable. Same with a bit south of the city.

I'll tell you where NOT to go: Mattapan (!), Dorchester, Somerville, Revere, Roxbury, Lynn, Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, Brockton. I live in one of those towns so I know (just so you know I'm not talking out of school). Crime rates are pretty high and the school systems are not good at all. Of course there are "nice" areas in each and I might get thumbs-down from anyone from these places who sees this...but overall, no. The closer you get to Boston, the more expensive it is to live. If I could, I'd live smack dab in the middle of it (love it) but it's just a dream :)

Good luck to your friend...

Answer 5

If it is cheaper than New York, it's not by much. However, Boston has lots of good school systems. Westwood, Newton and Lexington are all very good, however the houses are very expensive. Luckily, the average salary is higher than most anywhere in the country as well for most fields of work.

Answer 6

Well if your looking for a place to live that is "Really nice"
Look in the beacon hill, centeral boston, main cambridge area. All accible by the mbta the mass bay transporation Asc.

Or somerville, around DAVIS square or in cambridge by porter sq

Harvard is also very nice ..homes/apts can get expensive

Answer 7

Noway, Massachusetts is really exspensive, and even worse in the Boston area. Rent is higher here than the Bronx and Brooklyn.

And the schools are a joke and crime is getting worse

Answer 8

Again nearer the city the more expensive but some areas are well worth it.
Try Winthrop, Everett, Malden, Swapscott, Nahant, or Peabody

Answer 9

Newton and Medfield are the best . I went to college in boston and I lived in Newton and it was great and so close just took a bus into boston even on the weekends . It was and is great .

Answer 10

To be near the city, you have to spend lots of money. I recommend Brookline, Cambridge, Newton - great school systems.