Moving to Boston - Suggestions

Hello all,

I know this topic has been asked before but I couldn't find any that really matched my description so bear with me as I ask again.

I am moving to Boston in January for a consulting gig and am needing suggestions on where to live. I am willing to spend a little more $1500-2700 month for an apartment, have a nicer new car so parking is a concern, and like to go out to nightclubs/bars on the weekends. I like hanging out with boujier women so that is a concern as well lol. Based on this description, can any Boston people give me suggestions on where to live?

I have heard from future coworkers that the South End is a nightlife/fun area as well as Back Bay/Beacon Hill. What would you all suggest?

Thanks guys.

 

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of position? Comp? I'm curious because I turned down an offer in Boston this summer. Large company in Quincy with comp well into the 6-figures. I couldn't make the numbers pencil out in the way yours does because (1) the selection of places at $1500 is not high and/or undesirable and (2) the comp in Boston doesn't really allow for a high rent. My numbers took into account MA taxes and net pay, using 25% as a max spend for housing. That put me at a max of like $1600 for rent when I needed to be closer to $2200 for something decent.

 

Hey Jack,

It is a consulting position, primarily focused on the big tech companies. Comp is low six figures the first year but has a steep earnings ramp into second/third year. As I have been looking so far, I do agree with you that there are very few places for $1500. It looks like you have to spend at least $2000-2500 or more to get anything even decent. I am curious, what other cities were you debating when you made the choice?

 

I agree with that. I have a modest townhome in Las Vegas, small garage, not a big place at all, but great neighbors and completely safe neighborhood. To replace that in Boston, I estimated that I needed to be at around $2400 and that would be (most likely) with no garage. So I think you're looking in the right range for something basic/decent. And to be clear, $2400 would be (about) 3x what I'm paying in Vegas, so quite a step up.

At that time, I didn't exactly have a set of cities that I was looking at. I was just looking for the best opportunity possible and a large company in Quincy came calling; recent IPO, strong growth, B2C play that I liked. I aced the first three rounds of interviews and they invited me to come meet in person. The weekend before that I did some housing research and was just plain floored by the prices. Had a long talk with HR about comp and the position and mutually decided to end the process there. They were offering a completely reasonable comp for the position, based on nationwide salary surveys, but it just wouldn't pencil out for me due to COL.

 

Coolidge corner is a fun spot that's ~1700-2000 depending on the location. Kenmore square is a little pricier but more central and you can get to fidi ~15 minutes on the T. Hope this helps.

 

I've been in Boston for 2 years, lived in Beacon Hill and now in Southie. The typical neighborhoods for mid 20s are back bay/south end/north end/seaport/southie. If you have the budget, Seaport is the most convenient + up-and-coming area, but you'll be paying for it. Back Bay/North End are far more touristy, and typically older social scenes. But a good apartment in those neighborhoods are the nicest digs you'll get in Boston. Personally I enjoy southie because of the larger apartments and social scene. If i'm in boston in a few years I would probably pony up for a seaport place, but right now its out of the question. (i think about 2700 for a 1bed 1bath in a new complex).

Cambridge is nice for tech/VC and obviously MIT/Harvard networking, but it's as expensive (if not more) than Boston. The commute is pretty bad unless you're near red line. Also very college campus liberal vibe.

With all that being said 1800/month will basically get you a solid apartment anywhere in the city and your commute will never be more than about 30mins if you're in city limits.

 

For a 1 bedroom in south end, back bay or seaport you are looking at $2500 minimum for something that isn't a complete piece of trash. A parking spot will run you another $300/mo. Back Bay is quieter, South End has more restaurants and bars. Seaport is essentially all new buildings and finally has all the amenities you need to live there. If you are working downtown, it is an easy walk but you're probably going to have to pay above your range to get a 1 bedroom. If you are young and concerned about nightlife, Seaport is a solid place to be.

 

It's definitely reasonable compared to NYC, but higher than most cities in the US. With that salary you could definitely get a decent place to live and have ample left over for whatever.

 

yes as a Boston native, i can say that you should be able to live fairly comfortably at that salary, just need to find the right location/conditions. living in a studio or 1 BR in certain parts of Cambridge, Back Bay, or South End will be tough, but it's definitely doable if you share a house or condo with roommates, or move out a little further if you prefer to live alone (Brighton, Brookline, Fenway, Mission Hill, Davis Square, etc).

 

Even in some of the pricey areas of Boston, if you're willing to live reasonably (not semi-lavishly) then you'll get by. I'm in a 1BR in one of the expensive real estate areas (Kendall, which is right near the river), and I'm doing just fine.

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

South End or back bay, most likely. You definitely want to be near the red or green line, preferably both. Beacon Hill is a nice place, and in my experience it's more for 27-32 year olds than 22-27 year olds.

If I had the choice, it'd be South End.

 

Thanks for all the feedback! My internship will be located near the Boston convention center near the water. (I'm very unfamiliar with the Boston area)

This is an excerpt from the info page on summer internship housing regarding the location "The summer internship residences are available in 33 Harry Agganis Way, our newest residence on campus which includes air conditioning.33 Harry Agganis Way is located in BU’s West Campus, steps away from the Fitness and Recreation Center and the B line of the MBTA."

The 951/month would be for a double, with a kitchen and bathroom. So i would be sharing a room. But it also includes free gym which is very convenient and easily could cave 20-40 a month.

 

Seaport/Waterfront area will be a pain in the ass to get to from BU. Green line to red line to south station, walk to convention center would take around 45 min. There really is no good place to live when working in the seaport (other than in the Seaport) so honestly I would try and find the closest place to the office. Try and find a sublease in Southie if possible.

 

Grew up in Boston for a while. If you're living in the city, give up your car. It's a pain to drive and park. Just live closeish to work; it's a small city and ubers are cheap and walking is easy.

Seaport is the most fun place to live as a young professional, but it's not cheap at all. I'd say probably 2500-3k for a good spot. South End sucks unless you work in the half of back bay right by it. It has sketchy parts, there are lots of weird and deviant people, and it isn't that fun either. If you're working downtown, there are a couple of big buildings in the waterfront north end area, as well as the downtown leather district/chinatown area that are nice and have good nightlife around them (most of the decent clubs are downtown area). Those spots are closer to financial district offices, and are a little chepaer than the seaport for comprable space just because the buildings are older and there isn't as much hype as the seaport right now.

TLDR; Waterfront/North -End OR Leather District/Chinatown are closer/cheaper than seaport. Seaport is trendier but not as convenient, and you're going to overpay jsut because it's hot right now. Fuck the South End.

 
Best Response

If you want something new construction (concierge building) with garage parking and possibly some city views for under 3k a month you will need to look in East Cambridge. It is on the green line so easy access to back bay, kendall square, beacon hill, north end, fenway.

Also consider North Brookline, it is the most affluent part city/suburb of Boston (North is the city part and has green line access and more parking because there is no on-street overnight parking there). You are close to back bay which is nice.

Washington Square (Brookline) has lots of restaurants and there are young people and older people living in the area. No clubs in Brookline though.

Parking in Back Bay/FiDi will run you 300-500 a month. I paid 375 at a new construction building with 3200 in rent for a 660sqft place near Chinatown/FiDi.

Back Bay, South End and Beacon hill will have rich ladies since they love the character of the old buildings. Not all of the south end is equal. Northern part is much better than the southern part especially near Mass Ave and Boston Medical(stay away from here.)

If you want to walk home after a night out - back bay, south end and beacon hill are for you just don't expect a nice place.

I would suggest you determine how much you like your car, apartment size and location near clubs. If you have any questions feel free to ask. My wife is a realtor and I have lived all over Boston.

 

This is very true. Where you work in the city determines a lot about commute times from various locations. From east Cambridge you can get to Park St/Downtown quicker but from Brookline Back Bay is pretty quick.

B/C line are pretty bad especially if you work beyond back bay. If you work at Copley and live near St Marys or Brookline Village on the D line it isn't a bad commute.

But never live on the B line. especially beyond Packard Sq because the B line is the worst green line branch.

 

Sounds like either you need to get rid of your car, or find parking in a cheaper area further from where you might live in a nicer area. If you don't use your car every day, it should not be a problem.

 

Born and raised in Boston so you must know Tom Brady is who I worship to. In order for me to provide thoughtful suggestions, would you mind providing more information on the following:

  1. Where is your work located? FiDi? Cambridge? South Boston? Copley? Brighton? Quincy?
  2. Will you be be driving your nice car to work or commuting? This of course makes a huge difference in regards to how important it is for you to live close to public transportation.
  3. Do you want to live with roommates? Are you single? You can get a nice luxury apartment with 1-2 roommates for $2000-2300/month each in nice areas (Back Bay, Seaport, etc.). If you want your own luxury place, you can get that for ~$2500-3000/month.

Based on OP, Back Bay / Newbury Street area is probably the best area for you. You are

 

If you're working in FiDi, Southie near the Broadway stop is pretty popular for finance folk in the city. It might not be the traditionally favorable neighborhoods, but its pretty much gentrified, close to downtown, and has a lot of nightlife. Your budget range will go much farther there, and a car is far more compatible. IMO Back Bay is overrated. South End is very nice but again a little pricey. Cambridge/Central Square is a far better living option but banking hours might make that less enjoyable. Be open-minded about South Boston's perceived history. it's a good spot

 

I grew up here, go to school here, and will probably end up working here, so i can def throw you some pointers.

For nightlife, the area around back bay and the boston common is where most of the clubs are, if thats youre thing. Boston club life is above average but def not the best. You got some good clubs like royale and whiskey saigon, but stuff shuts down earlier here than, say, NYC or miami, so dont expect to be ballin till like 5am. Seaport is on the rise right now as well. Not unreal yet, but seeing the ridiculous number of luxury highrises shoot up there (in like two years!) indicates that it will only get better. Regarding bars, boston has a fuckin ton of em. Literally everywhere, and a lot of them get packed. If youre working in the financial district, youll find some good spots to chill with other interns and analysts such as coogans, and nicer bars and rooftop spots are right across the water in seaport. Regarding the women comment, its an interesting situation in boston. Boujier girls tend to gravitate towards the nightclubs, but that does not in any way mean that you will not find any at some of the more popular bars, even pubs in the city.

In terms of where to live, if you really wanna go high roller and get closer to 3k/month, seaport probably has the nicest spots. However, the views and locations in the building will probably be shit. If you dont mind staring at exclusively vertex or pwc from your window every day, id def say look here. Also, its right near the financial district, so transit should be a breeze. However, a lot of the guys i worked with last summer (just associates & vp's, MD's live in the burbs or brownstones) chose to live in south end or back bay. Also pricey, but more likely to find better spots for less. Keep in mind that while its nothing compared to nyc, boston still has one of the highest costs of living in the country.

good luck and hope this helps

Dayman?
 

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