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Old 04-21-2013, 04:26 PM
 
8 posts, read 19,036 times
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Hey All
This is my first post here.. so please excuse my naivety..I am a recent graduate moving to Boston for work.. My work place is at Needham, MA, which I hear is very family friendly...
I am looking for a apartment (studio/1 bedroom) within a budget of $1400, somewhere around Needham, which is more singles friendly.. as well as safe for a single woman, with some significant party scenes and social activities.... Also I will have a car, so parking is definitely a must.
I will be moving from Memphis, TN.. so I am aware of the COL in Boston.. and I am mentally prepared to face the escalating costs..
I would really appreciate any suggestions about neighborhoods around Needham that are within my budget..
Thanks soo much
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Old 04-21-2013, 04:35 PM
 
Location: Dallas
4,630 posts, read 10,487,561 times
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I don't think anyplace in Needham fits the single scene bill. You should live in Downtown or Cambridge and commute out to Needham. The reverse commute is not hard. I would suggest Brookline, Longwood, or Jamaica Plain. In these neighborhoods you wouldn't even have to get on the highway. The best thing to do with your car is find a place that comes with a parking spot. It will cost extra, but it's worth it. On street parking is hell. Also note, $1400 will just pretty much rent you a shoe box, but most people especially singles consider their shoebox to be their bedroom and the whole city to be their living room.

FYI, since I have to Memphis a few times, I would describe downtown Boston to you as like Beale St * 1000 and much safer/nicer. Look at my profile for lots of pix. Good luck, welcome, and enjoy.
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Old 04-21-2013, 04:48 PM
 
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Thanks so much for your reply.. do you think Waltham is a good area? My hiring manager actually mentioned that as one of the neighborhoods to check out.. also, I heard JP is a little sketchy compared to the other places..
Its so nice to hear that you've been to Memphis.. I currently live in Mud Island.. its one of the better places here in Memphis Downtown.. do you think $1400 would not get me a good apartment?
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Old 04-21-2013, 05:28 PM
 
Location: Dallas
4,630 posts, read 10,487,561 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenny79 View Post
Thanks so much for your reply.. do you think Waltham is a good area? My hiring manager actually mentioned that as one of the neighborhoods to check out.. also, I heard JP is a little sketchy compared to the other places..
Its so nice to hear that you've been to Memphis.. I currently live in Mud Island.. its one of the better places here in Memphis Downtown.. do you think $1400 would not get me a good apartment?
You're quite welcome Jenny. Funny - Mud Island is one of the places I went in M. At the time AFAIK, no one lived there. It was a park and only accessible by sky tram. Big changes I guess.

Yes Waltham would be a good choice. More moderate prices - a bit more suburban than downtown but you would right at home there. Your southern accent will prove charming to the locals who you will find are not generally local - you will find many from all around the world. The only minor trade off from Downtown is that Downtown Boston is a rare neighborhood for North America. You'd miss the full experience, but you could always choose to change if you see fit. The commute from Waltham to Needham would be easy. Yeah, that would be a good place to start.

The only real drawback you will find in Boston is the lack of open friendliness natural to the southern states. In Boston, the Modus operandi is "it is not proper to not mind your own ps and qs". That and "if you're still here in 5 years we might adopt you". Your southern charm will prove a refreshing change to many, but you find it frustrating when you frequently get all the reaction of a granite rock. Don't worry, it's not you, that's just how New Englanders are.

Despite that, Boston is an amazing city and metro area. I'm sure you will find a great many great things on your adventure. Happy travels!
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Old 04-21-2013, 05:51 PM
 
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You are very sweet I am really excited to move out of Memphis, and I guess Boston would be a welcome change for me. I love the historic sense and ofcourse I am well aware that it might not be as friendly as the cities here in the South. I would love to move to Downtown Boston, but I guess my budget would not allow me to do that.. atleast initially Do you have any suggestions for good neighborhoods in Waltham?
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Old 04-21-2013, 06:06 PM
 
Location: Dallas
4,630 posts, read 10,487,561 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenny79 View Post
You are very sweet I am really excited to move out of Memphis, and I guess Boston would be a welcome change for me. I love the historic sense and ofcourse I am well aware that it might not be as friendly as the cities here in the South. I would love to move to Downtown Boston, but I guess my budget would not allow me to do that.. atleast initially Do you have any suggestions for good neighborhoods in Waltham?
Sorry Jen. I spent my whole 15 Years in Downtown. Once I got, I never left. I've been thru Waltham a few time and know its pretty nice, but as far as spending time I rarely went west of Brighton. There's just no need. West of Brighton is essentially bedroom communities while downtown is like the biggest resort in the USA except for Manhattan. Generally getting outta the city. I would go the the ocean on the north shore.

I'm sure you can find a studio in downtown for your price but really just barely. I think in Waltham you'll actually do quite a bit better. But to me, having every restaurant, park etc at your doorstep is pretty cool.

Waltham is VERY small. It's pretty all the same neighborhood AFAIK. Some other posters will probably give you better insight.

Do check out my photos on my profile. A pic is worth 1000 words, and I got 300 pics from "the hub of the universe". :-)
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Old 04-21-2013, 07:13 PM
 
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Lived in Beantown in the backbay....... you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE Boston. Friendly Safe but yes expensive.
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Old 04-21-2013, 08:34 PM
 
Location: Framingham, Mass
109 posts, read 330,406 times
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Given the price range, I'd say West Newton, Auburndale and Natick are also worth a look.
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Old 04-21-2013, 10:07 PM
 
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Thanks so much for all the inputs.. I must say I've been hearing lots of good things about Boston..just wish I could find a good apartment in my budget range
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Old 04-21-2013, 10:24 PM
 
6,578 posts, read 6,753,818 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenny79 View Post
Thanks so much for all the inputs.. I must say I've been hearing lots of good things about Boston..just wish I could find a good apartment in my budget range
You might want to look into having room-mates....then again, you might not want to Something to think about, at least for your first year up here until you get set.
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