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.

[ron_newman]

Central Square is somewhat comparable to Davis, in that it has a large number of stores, restaurants, bars, and residences clustered around a T station. It feels like a less comfortable place to be at night, however; a lot of 'riff-raff' seem to hang around it.

Inman Square is also worth a look, but it's the only major Cambridge square without T service. You'll need to walk 10 minutes to Central Square, or take one of several buses.

The Centre/South Street area of Jamaica Plain also feels like Davis in some ways. It has the same 'left-leaning' feel, with lots of independent shops and restaurants.

[ron_newman]

If you don't need to be right next to Davis, you might want to look in North Cambridge, between here and Alewife.

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

Allston/Brighton is the "college" neighborhood, most Boston College, Boston University, UMass, and NorthEastern students live there. These are "green line" subway stop colleges, and tend to have a bit more of a party atmosphere. A lot of musicians live in these areas as well. The red line colleges are MIT, Harvard, Tufts, and you will have more of an artsy/yuppie feel like Davis (which is by Tufts) in those areas. If you loved Davis, Porter Square T-stop is only one stop away and a quick walk back. Anything listed as "Union Square" or "Ball Square" is going to be just a short bus ride back to the Porter/Davis area as well.

[shaxxon.livejournal.com]

Oh dear lord, don't live in Allston/Brighton.

[ron_newman]

Other neighborhood names you may encounter, which are a reasonably
short walk from Davis Square: Powderhouse, Teele Square, Clarendon Hill.

Some people say that Spring Hill is within walking distance, but I'd dispute that in the wintertime.

[voodoocheese.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that-- I think you guys helped me dodge a bullet!

[voodoocheese.livejournal.com]

I didn't attempt the bus system when I visited, is it as easy as the T? Where I live now- it's awful...

[ron_newman]

Some buses run frequently (such as #77 on Mass. Ave.), some don't. There's no hard and fast rule. Where do you live now?

When you get a CharlieCard, you will be able to ride both bus and subway together, for the cost of just a subway ride.

[shaxxon.livejournal.com]

I lived in Coolidge Corner for 4 years, it was nice, but I love - love - love my place in Davis Square. Keep looking. The big move in date is actually this weekend (September 1st) but there are apartments that open up all the time.

Are you trying to live by yourself or with a roommate?

I was from Florida too :D

[ron_newman]

The original poster is 28 years old according to his/her profile. That's still young enough to 'enjoy' Allston, but not everyone that age wants to be in a noisy college area.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Coming form a place with no public transit, I was thrilled when I had ANY options here, be they bus or train.

However, having been here for a while now, I have found that relying on the bus to have you be on time is rough. I love my many different bus options when I can come and go at anytime, but when I need the bus to get me somewhere at a specific time, I often find it to be a struggle. This is someitmes due to an inconvenient schedule, and more often due to the bus just being off-schedule.

Having said that, many of the neighborhoods that ron_newman and cemeterygates listed are basically in the Greater Davis area, and are totally walkable. I personally think this includes Powderhouse, Teele Square, North Cambridge, Clarendon Hill, and Ball Square (though Ball is more of a 15-20 minute hike).

[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?

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah -- since it's been mentioned, Coolidge Corner is a very cool place that has a similar feel.

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

Yeah, no. I moved into Allston at nearly 25, and I was way too fucking old for that shithole.

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

People whine about the buses a lot around here because no one wants to wait around (especially in winter) and things can be highly variable based on traffic, but if you are trying to save money (living right on the T, especially in the redline areas you'd like, is very expensive), you can find cheaper rent a 20 min walk from each area and grab a bus when you don't want to walk. For some examples of what bus schedules might look like in certain hoods, just check out mbta.com

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

I became "too old" for Allston/Brighton at 23 and fled to the red line.

[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.

[voodoocheese.livejournal.com]

I live in FL now, so I don't use any public transportation! I have a car that I intend to bring to Boston, but I'm terrified of driving in the snow-- and besides; why drive if I can take the T, right? I've heard horror stories about driving in Boston...

[ron_newman]

If you move to Davis, you may want to leave the car behind, or promptly sell it. Parking here is very crowded.

[voodoocheese.livejournal.com]

My girlfriend and I are moving up together with our cat. I think we can handle a studio- but then again, what do I know? I can't wait to live somewhere with seasons!

[voodoocheese.livejournal.com]

When I was riding the T through Allston/Brighton, I was not impressed. I'm not a college student- and that is all I saw. I don't really do bars or clubs- more restaurants and movies.

[ron_newman]

OK then, Allston is not for you. Davis Square has a great movie theatre, as does Coolidge Corner. A movie theatre is the one thing that Jamaica Plain is really missing.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

If you live near transit and don't think you'll need to go out of town all the time, I would HIGHLY recommend selling the car. Driving and parking here are both nightmares.

I got rid of my car when I came here in '99 from Louisiana, and don't regret for a second. The only times I miss it are when I need to make a big Target trip, or go to some random place in Connecticut. However, there are easy solutions for both of these things (friends, Zipcar, cabs, busses, etc).