Looking for a neighborhood

[voodoocheese.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone--

This isn't a post about looking for an apartment, I just wanted some suggestions on neighborhoods.
I'm a Florida native who is planning a move to Boston at the beginning of November. I came to Boston last October, and I fell in love with Davis square- and immediately decided that's the area I wanted to live in. However, in my obsessive searching for apartments, I've noticed that there are far more availabilities in the Allston/Brighton area. I did pass through there on my visit, but I only got off the T in a couple of spots- so I didn't really explore.
So, the real question I am posing- to you that live in and love Davis square; is there any other area that is comparable to Davis-- but still near a T stop?
On a completely other note, can anyone tell me if Cambridge School of Culinary Arts is as cool as it seems to be online?
Thank you so much!

Comments

[kalliejenn2.livejournal.com]

i recommend avoiding allston/brighton. it's a lot of crazy, partying college students in a lot of areas. davis is way more laid-back. JP is decent.

[voodoocheese.livejournal.com]

I took the T to the Forest Hills stop- and I got right back on the train! I was told by so many people that I would love JP because of the gay community, but I was a little scared outside of the station. Maybe I just gave up too easily?

[tigercelly.livejournal.com]

I would say that some areas around Forest Hills are bleak and uninteresting, but not really scary.

But then again, I'm a loyal JPer and I don't live near Forest Hills. I live off of the main drag (Centre St) near Green St station.

[ron_newman]

There is absolutely nothing to be scared of in or around Forest Hills. It is surrounded by great green spaces -- Forest Hills Cemetery, Franklin Park, the Southwest Corridor Park, and especially the Arnold Arboretum. It is a major bus transfer point, so it's always busy.

However, the station is not immediately surrounded by much housing or commerce. The next time you go there, take a walk up South Street to the "Monument", then keep walking up Centre Street.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

You should get off at Green St (one stop sooner) and then walk over the hill to JP Center.

Forest Hills isn't really scary (occasionally fights between teens in the station, but I would never want to live there.

I like JP center/pondside/sumner hill a lot more than Davis in general.

You might check out Porter, which is one stop closer to the city from Davis and usually a bit cheaper.

I lived in Allston and Brighton. Each time for one year. Each time I left because I had to get out. Allston was OK, especially if you find a quieter side street in a no-student building (which do exist)