Is Davis Square, in Fact, the Trendiest Neighborhood in the Boston Area?

[thisissolar.livejournal.com]

According to NabeWise, a site for exploring neighborhoods in different cities, Davis Square is the #1 trendiest neighborhood in Boston. As someone who used to live in Davis, I think it's pretty true. Anyone else think so?

Comments

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I think your website should hire writers who actually live in Davis.

[ron_newman]

Does NabeWise belong to thisissolar ?

I don't know how one would measure 'trendiness'.

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

#3 in Hipsters?

That's an understatement. Diesel alone attracts most hipsters who live within a 20 mile radius of the city.

[misterthorn.livejournal.com]

you created an account just to ask this?
makes me think of http://xkcd.com/792/

[thisissolar.livejournal.com]

I'm a Boston rep for NabeWise. We're encouraging more neighborhood reviews so we can help visitors and people who are moving to the Boston area learn about the neighborhoods that are most suitable for them. We look to locals to inform our audience about neighborhoods throughout the city.

[thisissolar.livejournal.com]

Apologies if this post isn't suitable for these boards.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'd recognize the most current trends if my life depended on it.

Wouldn't neighborhoods with a higher density of undergrads tend to be trendier? (For certain definitions of "trendy.")

[skate97.livejournal.com]

Well, I think it's pretty trendy. But, um, it's not in Boston ;\

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

Davis Square is in Somerville, not Boston. It's certainly Somerbille's trendiest neighborhood.

In Boston, I would think Southie or the Back Bay.

[ron_newman]

I'd have said Jamaica Plain -- the area of Boston that is most similar to Davis.

[ifotismeni]

i guess it depends on what you define as trendy. davis is also pretty small, so i dunno. it's easy to have a high concentration of awesome in a small area. in any case i lived there for like two and a half years? it was really nice, lots of cool stuff going on, but as 'trendy' neighborhoods go it was also quite high on the rent scale.

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

Yes, but high rent is indicative of the "trendy" factor in the Greater Metro area - dind't you know that? XD

[rmd.livejournal.com]

I think Davis Square is great for people and businesses that want to target influencers with engaging assets to act as platforms for conversation (http://whatthefuckismysocialmediastrategy.com/)

[ursamajor]

... that is the best website ever! (for today) And oh, so truthy.

[pensivewombat.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this. Holy crap, thank you x 10.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to have to find a way to use that the next time I have to write text for anything work related.

FOR TEH LULZ!

(and to see if anybody complains/notices)

[thisissolar.livejournal.com]

I think what constitutes Davis as trendy is that the neighborhoods around Davis have reasonable rent rates, and those living in Teele or Ball or Winter Hill, etc., make their way down to Davis for dining and nightlife. Also, people living on the other side of the river are coming to this side as a destination that's more affordable than the Back Bay or Beacon Hill, yet still has a variety of venues.

And I'd have to agree with Ron, Jamaica Plain is probably the trendiest neighborhood on the Boston side.

Thanks for your input everyone.

[bluesauce.livejournal.com]

Um, no. Scowling hipster-lesbians at Diesel, fist-fights outside of Diva Lounge, and underage party at Creepy Johnny's house don't make for a happening nightlife. I'll give the Foundry a prayer of bringing some civilization to the Square, but "nightlife" is a joke in a place that turns to a ghost town at midnight.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I agree with the pack here, it all depends on your definition of "trendy." I tend to think of that word as being associated with culturally-focused 20-somethings whose presence influences a neighborhood's feel. While I think that might have been fairly true about Davis 15 years ago or so, I don't think it still is. Not quite. The gentrification process is too far advanced at this point. If by trendy you mean fancy strollers and CSA farm shares and Zipcar-ing to Ikea, then yes, that shoe fits pretty well these days around. Aging hipsters who don't move to the exurbs are staying here and starting families. Personally I think that's very cool. But "trendy" depends on how you're using the word.

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

FYI: Somerville was voted All American City in 2009 and 1972 (http://somervillenews.typepad.com/the_somerville_news/2009/06/somerville-is-an-all-america-city-once-again.html)

I have no idea if Davis Sq. had anything to do with the recent prize. I can tell you from living in the square in 1972, we all wonder why it got the vote then.

/random non-related Somerville spam

[ron_newman]

I'd love to hear you talk more about what Davis Square was like in 1972 (maybe here, maybe in a brand new post). We don't have many people on this LJ community who were living here in '72.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I second Ron's request. I would love to read a post about Davis in 1972!

What about Inman Square?

[divasue.livejournal.com]

Honestly, living in both Davis and near Inman Square, I think Inman is "trendier." Davis, while I like it, is more family-oriented with more yuppies. I think there is a better mix in Davis...but if we're only going for "trendy" then I vote Inman.

Re: What about Inman Square?

[ifotismeni]

i would agree with that, personally!

Re: What about Inman Square?

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Ok, because I am old and full of sugar (see above), I'm confused. How can something be "family oriented with more yuppies"??

I was actually an adult when the term 'Yuppy' came about. (1980's) Back then, the acronym stood for YOUNG URBAN PROFFESIONAL. With the extra ..py to make the word into an adjective, lol.

It was used to describe usually single working people, living the wonderful materialistic life, making TONS of money and wearing MC hammer pants. In other words, not people with toddlers and fancy prams.

I'm surprised to hear the word still used, frankly. I thought it had gone out with neon clothing.

Someone give me a 21st century definition, will you, cause I only learned how to use the internet yesterday.

//snark, again