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

[elements.livejournal.com]

If you are not attached to this side of the river at all, I have several friends who live in the Wollaston area of Quincy and claim it to be a cheaper version of Davis, at similar distance from downtown by T (just the opposite end of the red line). Be aware though that I only ever see these friends a couple times a year, because once you're settled in a neighborhood you may not trek to the opposite ends of the T that much. If Davis enamored you, you may want to live in its environs anyway.

Also, while it's not on the T, Arlington is super nice and you can often get cheaper housing, with more options for parking. If you go there, choose something within a 5 minutes' walk of the 77 bus, in East Arlington or right by Arlington Center.

[booxntea.livejournal.com]

It sounds like it would be worth a ride down to check it out. What would you (or your friends) say are some highlights of the area?