Comparing Davis to Far-Off Places

[midsummernd.livejournal.com]

I need some help with housing decision-making, and I'm hoping ya'll can give me some advice.

I just moved up to Davis a month ago, on a two-month sublet. I lived here last summer, and I adore Davis Square. The plan had always been for me to move in with a friend of mine come September. Problem is, she wants to live in the Brookline/Brighton area. I work in Watertown, so that's not a terrible stretch for me commute-wise (might it even be shorter?) - but if anyone has lived on the other side of the river, I really could use some advice about how it compares to Davis.


What I want out of a living situation is this:
- Good value of apartment for the money - I don't want to live in a run-down place or a shoebox, but I'm young and pretty broke.
- Neighborhoody feel - I like that Davis feels pretty safe at night, and has all kinds of events on the weekends - not to mention good coffee and good food (oh and the green leafy things are awesome).
- A place to stash my car - either easy street parking or off-street parking.
- Good commute. I don't want to be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic every day, and I'd love to be able to take public transportation whenever possible.

Is it worth leaving Davis for a good roommate? Or have all of you chosen Davis over other parts of the area for excellent, well-thought out reasons that will sway my opinion away from the other side of the river?

I should note, I spend a lot of my free time by Kenmore Sq. and thereabouts, but I hadn't been to Coolidge Corner (which seems the most Davis-like area) until last night.

Comments

[trtls.livejournal.com]

I used to work in Coolidge Corner and live in Brighton. What people say about the green line is absolutely true; it sucks. Coolidge Corner is kinda neighborhoody feeling, but things tend to shut down around 10. I think Brookline in general is fascist...they don't allow overnight parking and there is no night life to speak of. Yes, some cool independent shops, but you can visit those without living there.

If you want public transit to Watertown and easy street parking, the best option for those is Western Brighton. There are fewer parking by permit only places and the 57 bus goes to Watertown (depending on where you need to be). However, Western Brighton (Oak Square) is not neighborhoody at all, especially not like Davis Sq. Apartments would be cheaper, but may not be very well kept up.

I'm sure the roommate would be great but there are other great people out there. Stay in Davis!