I've lived in Back Bay for the past 1 years. Crime rate at 725.7/100K residents is something to {crime_feel}. The parks system here is underrated. What am I missing here?
45 upvotes
23 Replies
Kaylee Walker
Night shift worker - Boston at 3am is decent. The parks system here is underrated..
49 upvotes
Rylee H.
As a local, yes.
45 upvotes
Ella Martinez
Haven't experienced that personally.
42 upvotes
Emmett Gutierrez
Parent of two in South End. Schools are hit or miss here. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.. Would recommend visiting before deciding.
41 upvotes
dc_noah
Glad someone said it.
41 upvotes
Zoey Jackson
My experience has been different actually. I found that Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. Maybe it depends on which part of Boston you're in.
41 upvotes
Aubrey Green
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive Boston guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Brighton: quiet, tree-lined streets, families
- South Boston: solid value for the location
Tier 2 (best value):
- Somerville: underrated and affordable
- Jamaica Plain: suburban feel, big yards
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: hit or miss compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. Boston is quiet but it's not for everyone. If you value quiet over public transit, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Miami.
39 upvotes
Sarah W.
Following because I'm curious too.
39 upvotes
William Evans
Moved here recently, same feeling.
39 upvotes
Jackson H.
I've lived in both North End and South Boston. Completely different vibes. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}..
38 upvotes
Maverick Hall
Can confirm.
38 upvotes
Roger M.
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Boston.
Background: 48, military vet, moved from Denver 10 years ago for my partner's job. Currently in Brookline.
**Housing:**
The market is great right now. We went with Brookline because great school district. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Beacon Hill - it's up-and-coming and the value is better.
**Work:**
engineering jobs are stable here. I was worried coming from Denver but the market is promising. Salary-wise, expect competitive for the cost of living.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 18 months were tough. Then I found my people through volunteering. Now I have a solid group. Boston people are reserved at first once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: reasonable
- Traffic: manageable if you avoid rush hour
- Dining out: surprisingly excellent
- Entertainment: great if you like outdoor stuff
**Would I move here again?**
Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. For retirees, I'd give it a 9/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
33 upvotes
Delilah King
That tracks.
33 upvotes
Megan S.
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Boston.
Background: 24, retiree, moved from Atlanta 4 years ago for my partner's job. Currently in Seaport.
**Housing:**
The market is excellent right now. We went with Seaport because it felt safe. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Allston - it's pricey and the value is better.
**Work:**
healthcare jobs are stable here. I was worried coming from Atlanta but the market is promising. Salary-wise, expect it varies wildly by field.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 16 months were tough. Then I found my people through a board game night. Now I have a solid group. Boston people are welcoming once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: about average
- Traffic: depends entirely on your commute route
- Dining out: amazing variety
- Entertainment: solid local scene
**Would I move here again?**
Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. For couples, I'd give it a 7/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
30 upvotes
Paisley Howard
My experience has been different actually. I found that I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}.. Maybe it depends on which part of Boston you're in.
28 upvotes
Jayden Phillips
Noted.
23 upvotes
Anna Reyes
Adding this to my list.
17 upvotes
Luna
It's gotten better recently.
9 upvotes
Miles M.
Parent of two in Fenway. Schools are solid here. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.. Would recommend visiting before deciding.
7 upvotes
Andrew Morris
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Charlestown from Indianapolis about 8 years ago. Initially everything felt unfamiliar. But after settling in, The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Charlestown and North End for housing
- Join local Facebook/Reddit groups for your neighborhood
- Give it at least 6 months before deciding if it's for you
The biggest adjustment was housing. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.. Overall I'd give Boston a 8/10 for young professionals.
7 upvotes
Carter Jones
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If cultural diversity matters most, then yeah Boston is great. But if you need nightlife, might want to look at Brighton instead.
6 upvotes
Martha P.
Nah.
5 upvotes
Nova Gonzalez
Moved here from Denver and I'd say The food scene in {hood} is honestly incredible.. The walkability here is solid compared to what I'm used to.
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