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Boston ATOTers: Need suggestions on where to rent

B

batchusa

Senior member
Would prefer a commute of no more than 30 mins from Boxborough

EDIT: Would like to be able to walk to cafes, restaurants, etc..Something a bit urban over suburban. Forgive the phrase, but a "cute downtown" would fit the bill. Also, something close to public transportation would be great.

I realize that Boston city is out of contention, but how about Arlington, Waltham, Lexington?

EDIT #2: Will be living with my SO.
 
I think Arlington would put you closer to 45 minutes commuting but I'm not sure. Waltham is where you want to be if you want some bars and stuff to hang out at. Moody St. has some good bars and restaurants. If you're young I would go with it. You should have a pretty good range of apartment quality there...some areas are pretty new and nice and other areas are shitholes. I don't know Arlington and Lexington as well but some of my friends live in those areas and it seems to be a more mature area with more family restaurants and less night life.

Edit: You should also double check the concord rotary before you get a place. It's absolutely horrible. I don't know how bad it is going opposite of traffic, but it can easily add another 30 to 45 minutes around rush hour if you're going with traffic.
 
I live in Arlington, it's filled with old people, and there's really not much it terms of entrainment within walking distance. It does however have quick access to Cambridge/Boston by the T. What do you mean by younger? Like young families or early 20s people? Cambridge, and even parts of Somerville, may fit if you're really looking for City life. The closer suburbs tend to skew older due to the cost of actually owning a home. If you have questions about specific areas I'll do my best to answer them.
 
Originally posted by: vonmises
I live in Arlington, it's filled with old people, and there's really not much it terms of entrainment within walking distance. It does however have quick access to Cambridge/Boston by the T. What do you mean by younger? Like young families or early 20s people? Cambridge, and even parts of Somerville, may fit if you're really looking for City life. The closer suburbs tend to skew older due to the cost of actually owning a home. If you have questions about specific areas I'll do my best to answer them.
Click to expand...

Forget the younger part....I don't know why I wrote that..Here is more of what I want:

Would like to be able to walk to cafes, restaurants, etc..Something a bit urban over suburban. Forgive the phrase, but a "cute downtown" would fit the bill. Also, something close to public transportation would be great.


EDIT: Will be living with my SO.
 
Originally posted by: batchusa
Originally posted by: vonmises
I live in Arlington, it's filled with old people, and there's really not much it terms of entrainment within walking distance. It does however have quick access to Cambridge/Boston by the T. What do you mean by younger? Like young families or early 20s people? Cambridge, and even parts of Somerville, may fit if you're really looking for City life. The closer suburbs tend to skew older due to the cost of actually owning a home. If you have questions about specific areas I'll do my best to answer them.
Click to expand...

Forget the younger part....I don't know why I wrote that..Here is more of what I want:

Would like to be able to walk to cafes, restaurants, etc..Something a bit urban over suburban. Forgive the phrase, but a "cute downtown" would fit the bill. Also, something close to public transportation would be great.


EDIT: Will be living with my SO.
Click to expand...

Do they have any commute requirements? I would stay away from Arlington then. It does have some restaurants, but that's it. It sounds like Newton may fit very well. They have a fairly large center, that I think is much more urban, than the surrounding towns and you can grab the green line there, giving you access to most of Boston/Cambridge. Once you go outside 128/95 public transportation becomes a bit more of a challenge.
 
Originally posted by: vonmises
Originally posted by: batchusa
Originally posted by: vonmises
I live in Arlington, it's filled with old people, and there's really not much it terms of entrainment within walking distance. It does however have quick access to Cambridge/Boston by the T. What do you mean by younger? Like young families or early 20s people? Cambridge, and even parts of Somerville, may fit if you're really looking for City life. The closer suburbs tend to skew older due to the cost of actually owning a home. If you have questions about specific areas I'll do my best to answer them.
Click to expand...

Forget the younger part....I don't know why I wrote that..Here is more of what I want:

Would like to be able to walk to cafes, restaurants, etc..Something a bit urban over suburban. Forgive the phrase, but a "cute downtown" would fit the bill. Also, something close to public transportation would be great.


EDIT: Will be living with my SO.
Click to expand...

Do they have any commute requirements? I would stay away from Arlington then. It does have some restaurants, but that's it. It sounds like Newton may fit very well. They have a fairly large center, that I think is much more urban, than the surrounding towns and you can grab the green line there, giving you access to most of Boston/Cambridge. Once you go outside 128/95 public transportation becomes a bit more of a challenge.
Click to expand...

I was thinking Newton or parts of Brighton (within a few minutes of the Pike) would be better but I think they would be closer to a 45min commute for him.
 
No commute reqts as of yet for the SO, who will be spending most of the time studying. As for me, I'd really like to keep it right around 35 mins max.

Looking at apts near Moody st..This one in particular right now:
http://www.archstoneapartments...ns_Landing/default.htm

It does have some bad reviews online though.

Also, I plan to (try) to negotiate with the apartments. I presume apartments in Boston are struggling just like everyone else. Am I correct?
 
I don't know much about the actual rental market. But those luxury apartments/condos must be doing well. There seems to be a new one every couple of blocks.
 
Originally posted by: batchusa
No commute reqts as of yet for the SO, who will be spending most of the time studying. As for me, I'd really like to keep it right around 35 mins max.

Looking at apts near Moody st..This one in particular right now:
http://www.archstoneapartments...ns_Landing/default.htm

It does have some bad reviews online though.

Also, I plan to (try) to negotiate with the apartments. I presume apartments in Boston are struggling just like everyone else. Am I correct?
Click to expand...

Those are some nice apartments but you could end up next to Brandeis kids who like to party no matter where you go in (the decent parts of) Waltham. I don't remember if it's part of the same property but there is a newer building across the river that is very similar (it's behind the hospital). Archstone is a pretty big company and they've got a lot of property all over the boston area and around the country so i don't think they'll be that flexible. If I remember correctly, they include heat, hot water and A/C (you pay for the fans but they pay for the actual cooling). That shouldn't be ignored...depending on the place you get, you are pretty likely to spend over $300/month on heat and hot water during the winter at most places. I live in a newer building in burlington and one of my friends moved out to save money but he ended up almost even after heating.

Also ask about parking wherever you go...I think the Moody St. building may not have included parking with the rent.

Edit: can't remember the name but they're by hope and bellevue st. next to the river.

edit2: cronin's landing puts you in walking distance to the bus and the commuter rail station so public transportation is def. available and it's got the cute little downtown thing right next to it....you've got a couple of restaurants that are practically attached to your building. a little indie theater and a bunch of little asian and indian restaurants in addition to the irish pub and random other restaurants and lounge type places...it's a really nice place to feel urban w/o the hassle of boston prices.
 
Originally posted by: vonmises
I don't know much about the actual rental market. But those luxury apartments/condos must be doing well. There seems to be a new one every couple of blocks.
Click to expand...

notice in the OP's link, only the 2 highest priced units are still available. rents in the boston area have softened a bit, but it's still a very high cost of living. the new places were built in depressed value areas (south waltham), too bad they forgot to move the dirtbags out. all of these luxury apts/condos were built with money from several years ago, so many are sitting empty right now. the first condos in hull sat vacant for almost 20 years, then were snatched up overnight.

OP, i don't think you'll find your described area within 30 minutes of boxborough.

arlington - nice, pretty reasonable cost, close to cambridge/boston, not much (if any) nocturnal activity.
newton - expensive, trendy, everything is closed at 10 at the latest, if you need an $80k SUV to carry around your sense of self-entitlement this is the place for you, awful roads and traffic up the wazoo.
waltham - 50/50. bunches of bars and restaurants on moody st., that place you linked to is on moody/crescent ($2000 :Q , margarita's next door), traffic is pretty bad
 
Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
Originally posted by: vonmises
I don't know much about the actual rental market. But those luxury apartments/condos must be doing well. There seems to be a new one every couple of blocks.
Click to expand...

notice in the OP's link, only the 2 highest priced units are still available. rents in the boston area have softened a bit, but it's still a very high cost of living. the new places were built in depressed value areas (south waltham), too bad they forgot to move the dirtbags out. all of these luxury apts/condos were built with money from several years ago, so many are sitting empty right now. the first condos in hull sat vacant for almost 20 years, then were snatched up overnight.

OP, i don't think you'll find your described area within 30 minutes of boxborough.

arlington - nice, pretty reasonable cost, close to cambridge/boston, not much (if any) nocturnal activity.
newton - expensive, trendy, everything is closed at 10 at the latest, if you need an $80k SUV to carry around your sense of self-entitlement this is the place for you, awful roads and traffic up the wazoo.
waltham - 50/50. bunches of bars and restaurants on moody st., that place you linked to is on moody/crescent ($2000 :Q , margarita's next door), traffic is pretty bad
Click to expand...

I think waltham fits his bill...if he can afford those rents then that place is perfect for him. Traffic can be pretty bad, but I think you can get to the highway within 10 minutes if you know the smaller roads. I used to work and play on Moody St. and almost ended up living there.
 
Originally posted by: Savij

I think waltham fits his bill...if he can afford those rents then that place is perfect for him. Traffic can be pretty bad, but I think you can get to the highway within 10 minutes if you know the smaller roads. I used to work and play on Moody St. and almost ended up living there.
Click to expand...

RIP, Mr. Big Toyland
 
Originally posted by: Savij
Originally posted by: batchusa
No commute reqts as of yet for the SO, who will be spending most of the time studying. As for me, I'd really like to keep it right around 35 mins max.

Looking at apts near Moody st..This one in particular right now:
http://www.archstoneapartments...ns_Landing/default.htm

It does have some bad reviews online though.

Also, I plan to (try) to negotiate with the apartments. I presume apartments in Boston are struggling just like everyone else. Am I correct?
Click to expand...

Those are some nice apartments but you could end up next to Brandeis kids who like to party no matter where you go in (the decent parts of) Waltham. I don't remember if it's part of the same property but there is a newer building across the river that is very similar (it's behind the hospital). Archstone is a pretty big company and they've got a lot of property all over the boston area and around the country so i don't think they'll be that flexible. If I remember correctly, they include heat, hot water and A/C (you pay for the fans but they pay for the actual cooling). That shouldn't be ignored...depending on the place you get, you are pretty likely to spend over $300/month on heat and hot water during the winter at most places. I live in a newer building in burlington and one of my friends moved out to save money but he ended up almost even after heating.

Also ask about parking wherever you go...I think the Moody St. building may not have included parking with the rent.

Edit: can't remember the name but they're by hope and bellevue st. next to the river.

edit2: cronin's landing puts you in walking distance to the bus and the commuter rail station so public transportation is def. available and it's got the cute little downtown thing right next to it....you've got a couple of restaurants that are practically attached to your building. a little indie theater and a bunch of little asian and indian restaurants in addition to the irish pub and random other restaurants and lounge type places...it's a really nice place to feel urban w/o the hassle of boston prices.
Click to expand...

How is Burlington?
 
No longer than 30 minutes makes it tough. Arlington may only take 30 minutes in the morning but will take longer going home. Lexington and Waltham are more suburban but Waltham does have bars which Lexington and Arlington don't.

And Burlington sucks.
 
Originally posted by: batchusa
Originally posted by: Savij
Originally posted by: batchusa
No commute reqts as of yet for the SO, who will be spending most of the time studying. As for me, I'd really like to keep it right around 35 mins max.

Looking at apts near Moody st..This one in particular right now:
http://www.archstoneapartments...ns_Landing/default.htm

It does have some bad reviews online though.

Also, I plan to (try) to negotiate with the apartments. I presume apartments in Boston are struggling just like everyone else. Am I correct?
Click to expand...

Those are some nice apartments but you could end up next to Brandeis kids who like to party no matter where you go in (the decent parts of) Waltham. I don't remember if it's part of the same property but there is a newer building across the river that is very similar (it's behind the hospital). Archstone is a pretty big company and they've got a lot of property all over the boston area and around the country so i don't think they'll be that flexible. If I remember correctly, they include heat, hot water and A/C (you pay for the fans but they pay for the actual cooling). That shouldn't be ignored...depending on the place you get, you are pretty likely to spend over $300/month on heat and hot water during the winter at most places. I live in a newer building in burlington and one of my friends moved out to save money but he ended up almost even after heating.

Also ask about parking wherever you go...I think the Moody St. building may not have included parking with the rent.

Edit: can't remember the name but they're by hope and bellevue st. next to the river.

edit2: cronin's landing puts you in walking distance to the bus and the commuter rail station so public transportation is def. available and it's got the cute little downtown thing right next to it....you've got a couple of restaurants that are practically attached to your building. a little indie theater and a bunch of little asian and indian restaurants in addition to the irish pub and random other restaurants and lounge type places...it's a really nice place to feel urban w/o the hassle of boston prices.
Click to expand...

How is Burlington?
Click to expand...

It's 30 Minutues from everything you will care about in MA(I live here now). It's a good place to find nice apartments...it's a horrible place to live if you want city life

The good: it's cheaper here and it's more suburban...less shady areas of town. I love my apt...cronin's landing type luxury place with garage parking, built in home theater wiring, 3 zone a/c heat for a lot less money than in waltham....if you live in the right parts of burlington, you've got great access to I93, I95 (everyone calls it 128), and Rt 3. The burlington mall is pretty nice and it's where they shot that mall cop movie. If you do a lot of skiing like me then it's a great place to live since you've got easy access to the major highways for ME,NH, and VT (it can save 30 min of your driving time compared to boston proper.

The bad: It's completely suburban. It's dead. Other than the mall and surrounding area there isn't much. It's completely unlike the urban town center "cute downtown" feel you described. Waltham is your best bet for that. It does have a nice town common which is a nice place to walk and relax but it's nothing like what you're talking about...just a post office, library, police station and fire station...no restaurants there.

Summary: It's not what you described but there is a chance you might end up here after you realize how quickly apts. get really shitty close to boston.
 
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Originally posted by: nerp
JP/Roslindale
Click to expand...

Not if he wants a 30 minute commute to Boxborough.
Click to expand...

Well, 30 minute commute is tough unless he lives within a few blocks of his job or down the street. THis is boston. I lived in JP and worked in watertown. It took about an hour and a half via T and bus. I think he should shoot for an hour commute, else he's stuck with a very limited range. I personally would look for something that would let me not have to drive to work, but I dunno if that's doable in boxborough.
 
1/2 hour from boston is definately doable...and I used to live in the center of boston.

Waltham seems to be the best fit, but this means you would probably take 95 to 495 to work, which can be dreadful. Use back roads.

Watertown (or Arlington) is also a good fit, but you will take rt 2, and that can get kind of congested at times.

Best bang for buck would probably be Burlington, but aside from the mall area, it's more suburb, and that city itself gets very congested b/c it's right off of 95 and the intersection to 93 is about a few miles away.

I would avoid the metrowest (excluding watertown) b/c there is no useful public transportation.

Problem is that Boxbourogh is kind of dead. It is mostly all suburb in that area, so any place close to it is gonna be suburb. I mean, Malborough would be cheap as hell (and you will usually go opposite of traffic), but I do not think there is any public transit in that city.
 
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