Hello again. I have added one gradschool to my list of potential places and it's in the heart of Boston---Northeastern U. I hear that the area around campus is pretty nice. I would reckon also very expensive. Which neighborhood is the school in and what surrounding areas would be good, safe and convenient (via transit) to the school? Imagine a young single girl working on her masters...what are some decent, affordable neighborhoods around the Northeastern campus? Also, what are your thoughts on Boston in general? Ideally, wherever I go to gradschool, I would like to hopefully make that place a permenent home (if I am fortunate enough to get a job offer of course). I'm young but not into the party scene....I'm all about practicaliy mainly.

Northeastern is a great school, and with that comes being expensive. Finding a place around there is going to be pretty costly too. The Campus is pretty big, it's located in the Back Bay/Fenway area for the most part. There's a lot of bars and restaurants around there, as well as hotels, etc. The campus actually has a ton of green space, and good connection with the Green line of the T, also the Orange line too.

The city as a whole has one of the better transit systems in the country, and you won't really need a car (if you were curious about that).

That area of the city is one of the safest, it's mostly students so you won't have much of a problem in that regard.

Boston as a whole is a great city. I know you said you weren't into partying, so you'd probably be interested in the museums and the history stuff like the Freedom Trail. Shopping on Newbury street is big with the ladies, It's Boston's rodeo drive...with similiar prices. If you're into sports the Red Sox are like a stone's throw away from parts of the campus and the Fleetcenter for Bruins/Celtics and concerts isn't far. There's a bunch of theaters in that area, so if that's something you like to do.

Anything else you wanna know, ask--I'll do my best to answer. What city are you coming from ?

If I do end up going there, I'd be coming from a mix of places. I've lived in the ATL area for years, also I have lived in the metro-DC area. Most recently, I've been living in Pittsburgh. I've also lived overseas in the South of France. I am kind of used to city living, though Pittsburgh is considerably cheaper than Boston. I am just curious, what neighborhoods would you reccomend that are reasonable as far as rent goes? Is the average 1BR about $1500 or so per month? How much do studios run? What would you consider a good target spending limit if I want ot rent a place in a decent area?

Getting an apartment for reasonable rent in Boston is really about searching. There are some places for $1,000+ you definately wouldn't want to live in, but then again you could find a steal for $1,000 bucks, just gotta do some searching. Areas like Cambridge and Downtown are going to probably be the most expensive. The Back Bay, South Boston, and the North End you'll find some nice places that shouldn't be too steep.

I'd say for a good apartment, in a good neighborhood you're looking at something around $1100-$1200 but like I said it depends how much you're willing to look. I went with a friend of mine to look at places for he and his girlfriend for that $11-$1200 range we saw a bunch of definately nots, some "maybes" and a few that were really nice.

I'm not sure what studios go for, I'll take a guess and say probably...$800-$1000 depending on location.

I've visited family in ATL for extended periods, the big difference you'll notice between Boston and Atlanta is the sprawl. In Boston you really don't need a car, and the Public transportation (The "T") is much better than MARTA.

MARTA is iindeed a really really bad joke of a transit system.

If you don't want to live in university housing, the area closest to Northeastern that gives you the best affordability is Mission Hill. Mission Hill is about a mile southwest of the main campus. You could also look at an area in the Fenway on the other side of the Fens from the campus.

If you have a map, the area I'm talking about has Queensbury and Peterborough Streets. It's very nice, and more affordable than the Back Bay or South End.

Just out of curiosity, what neighborhood did you live in in Pittsburgh?

Mission Hill? That's like the South Bronx of Boston!

Mission Hill? That's like the South Bronx of Boston!

And, the thinking within this incredibly ignorant response encapsulates all that is wrong with boards like this. I attempted to provide a reasoned, knowledgeable response - as someone who actually LIVES in BOSTON - and this is the sophmoric response I (and you) got.

Goldie is looking for real help in making an informed decision on where to live in a city some 400 miles from Rochester, and this is the quality of response she gets.

Goldie, I'm assuming you are truly looking for informed responses. If that's the case, then Mission Hill is a very good place for you to look. In fact, many Northeastern students live there, and it is a stable neighborhood with many spacious apartments.

Thanks.

Roxbury Ranger, I would tend to agree with ROCguy. The one time I went into Mission Hill (about 4 years ago when I was a junior in HS visiting a friend @ Emmanuel) my buddy told me to put all my money in my sock because someone had been murdered the night before on the very street we were walking on. Also, another good friend who actually attends Northeastern was robbed there by a couple of hobos with machette's (spelling?). However, that's one of the only bad sections of Boston when it comes to crime, and even then it's not too terrible when compared to other cities.

My buddy lives about 2 blocks away from the Christian Science Center on Norway Street and he pays $1600 or $1700 for a 2BR apartment. It's in a great location, everything is within walking distance and if you need to go anywhere, there's always the T. Boston is an incredible city, there's plenty to do and it's downright beautiful. I hope you make the choice that is right for you, and hopefully that choice is Boston!

sry to go a little of topic, but in somewhat relates. Can anyone provide any info on suffolk university and that area as well

thanks for all the responses yall. I am going to try and visit Northeastern as I have found myself a contact in the department. then I can take a look aroudn yself and see if I could see myself there for at least 15 months and at most the rest of my life. I do hope to find some permenance and if I do go there, I want to make sure I pick a good neighborhood.

In Pittsburgh i've lived in Oakland (N. Craig St....not that bad but kind of noisy since I lived next to a gas station, but I also lived on campus for two years) and lso in Squirrel Hill. I love Squirrel Hill because its unbelievably quiet and, though I don't go out at night unless I have to, if I do find myself coming home late I feel incredibly safe walking to my apartment alone. Plus, there's a grocery store and every other thing I could want within walking distance. And of courses there are several bus stops nearby, which is great since I do not drive.

Thanks for all the responses. I was also looking at applying to schools in Chicago and a few other places but I think I may change my direction and put NEU on the top or near top of my list. I have never been to Boston but I think I would probably like it a lot.

In Pittsburgh i've lived in Oakland (N. Craig St....not that bad but kind of noisy since I lived next to a gas station, but I also lived on campus for two years) and lso in Squirrel Hill. I love Squirrel Hill because its unbelievably quiet and, though I don't go out at night unless I have to, if I do find myself coming home late I feel incredibly safe walking to my apartment alone. Plus, there's a grocery store and every other thing I could want within walking distance. And of courses there are several bus stops nearby, which is great since I do not drive.

Thanks for all the responses. I was also looking at applying to schools in Chicago and a few other places but I think I may change my direction and put NEU on the top or near top of my list. I have never been to Boston but I think I would probably like it a lot.

I lived in Squirrel Hill for a number of years, and I'm glad to hear that it's still a great place. I have very fond memories of Murray and Forbes. I hope your search brings you to Boston - if that's what you want.

P.S. - Trust me on this. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Mission Hill - in fact, there's little wrong - from a living standpoint - with a lot of neighborhoods in Boston. Don't get sucked into the idea that you MUST live in the fashionable area east of Mass. Ave. It simply isn't the truth.

If you have a chance, go visit Mission Hill while you're in Boston. I'm sure the folks at NU can tell you how to get there. There are a lot of nice, sunny apartments in houses around NE Baptist Hospital and it's a quiet place to be.

I'm trying to think of a Pittsburgh cognate, but I can't think of one precisely. The closest kind of neighborhood to Mission Hill that you might be familiar with would be something like Bloomfield (but even that would be a stretch - the quality of housing in Mission Hill is much better than Bloomfield).

Good luck :)

sry to go a little of topic, but in somewhat relates. Can anyone provide any info on suffolk university and that area as well

Sure. Suffolk University is in Downtown Boston and Beacon Hill - very close to the Statehouse on the north side of the Common. If you're thinking about going there, you'll need to get on-campus housing because there is virtually no housing affordable to the typical student in the immediate vicinity - Beacon Hill is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country, for example. Of course, you could live some place like Somerville, East Boston, Chelsea, etc., and commute by subway. But you'd need to do some research before making that kind of a decision.

Hope this helps.

Does suffolk have a good rep in Boston? And how much is housing? Dorms are already 14k a yr with food services

Does suffolk have a good rep in Boston? And how much is housing? Dorms are already 14k a yr with food services

Yeah, Suffolk's rep is fine. It's not one of the "Big 3" (Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern) as far as the biggest schools, but it's still as good a school as those three, or at the least very close.

The housing around Suffolk is going to be through the roof because of it's location. 14k seems a bit steep, but it does include food. That's like what, more than 1150 a month. You could probably find something with subway access a little away from the school for that price that wouldn't be a bad place, but then you'd have to buy your own food which shouldn't be that bad. It might be worth it to plan a trip here and look around at sections out in say East/South Boston or Somerville where you can catch the T right into Suffolk without having to pay 2k a month for an apartment.

thanks a lot fot the info. if I am accepted to NE, I may indeed end up up there. And I love the northeast too. If I do end up there, it will be the furthest north I've ever gone. I also love cold weather so bitter winters are no big deal to me. How is the city in terms of insects and rodents? Would it just depend on where one lives? I am asking because back at my parents house in ATL, there isn't a rodent problem (though w did have rodents at the high school...nothing like a cute little mouse to brighten up a dismal day in AP Economics!) but there is big ant problem every summer. I mean, these ants will even find there way upstairs into bathrooms and closets. It was crazy! We alos had a termite problem. And my parents house is quite large and in a very clean neighborhood but ants are a problem no matter what we do every summer. I think we had ants once in the winter too which was just odd. Does Boston have big ant problems?

Also, as I sid before, I love cold weather so I don't care about snow and such. In general though, what's the climate like during the rest f the year?

Lstly, though who are familiar with my previous threads will know that I have been looking at several different cities either fo rgrad school or to eventually settle down in. Main concerns are transportation and safety. how does Boston compare to other cities like Philly, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Tucson?

Having relatives in ATL I know how big of problem bugs are. They have to spray a couple times a month to keep it from getting out of hand. Here in Boston, we don't have that problem. There may be an occasional ant but that really depends on if you leave food out/how often you do.

Boston is relatively safe, the areas that aren't are places you likely won't be living at anyways, so you won't have to worry.

The best idea of weather I can give you is:

December-March: Cold, Snowy. More so from December-Feb. but March is cold and we usually get snow.

April: Just starting to warm up, a lot of 50's, some 60's but also will dip to below freezing and snow acouple of times.

May: Usually 60's, Breezy. Occasionally will hit 70.

June/July/August: Usually the 70's in early June then around mid-June it begins to heat up high 80's to 90's the rest of the way.

September: Still pretty hot until the end of the month, mostly 80's, some 70's at the end you'll hit 60's.

October/November: Begins getting cooler, 50's and 60's occasionally then 30's-40's until getting into mid/late November.

As for the transportation the subway is great, can get you pretty much anywhere in the city for cheap. 800,000 people ride it every day so it's a good system. Once you learn which color train goes where, you'll all set. You don't need a car in the city, especially if you have a T Station a few blocks from your apartment. Hope this helps.

Hi thanks a bunch. Yeah I'd probably try to et a yearly pass if they have such a thing. Jut to keep things moving smoothly. thanks a lot for your input.

i go to suffolk-
The 2 dorms are very nice, state of the art- however unless youre an attractive female freshman, youre gonna be on a LONG waiting list! most suffolk kids( or so-fuckers as were called) live in the north end, suffolks 3rd dorm! You can get a north end CHEAP studio for 700-900/month.
I live over by fenway, takes me 15 mins on the green line to get to school.

Suffolk is a good school.
I will be graduating in december

so its hard to get the dorms? That is what i thought looking at the number of dorms compared to students.

What kind of companies have u seen recruit on campus and how good is their fin aid?

finaid is decent- its a Nicely priced school compared to the other institutions in the city- tuition is going up in September to 21 I think. Bu is like 42, somewhere around there.
I got deans list last semester and they changed one of my federal perkins loans into a scholarship for me, which was a nice break.

Bear in mind there is NO CAMPUS- Dont be looking for little student pavillions and such- totally URBAN CAMPUS..buildings spread out and such.
The common is the closest to a piece of grass we have.

This is unrelated but oh well... so I live in Toronto and happened to come across some Bostonians representing Red Sox Nation downtown today (they are playing the Jays this weekend). They reminded me of my memorable trip to Boston last July.

I stayed at the Sheraton near the Prudential Center. My gf and I spent 5 days in Boston and it was awesome. We toured Back Bay, Boston Common, Quincy Market, Newbury Street, the Aquarium, the North End, Boston Public Library, IM Pei's Reflecting Pool... and much more. My brother goes to Tufts University so we hung out in Somerville and Cambridge as well.

I just wanted to say how awesome Boston is, its one of my favourite American cities. Much of the culture, ambiance, liveliness and liberal nature of the city reminded me of Toronto. I really want to go back again... Boston is up there with San Fran, ChiTown and NY as the best U.S cities in my opinion.

Peace