Jun 06 2009
I have a friend from another city who is considering a Ruby job in Boston. He asked me for advice on places to live.
Since we’re currently in the midst of hiring designers & developers & many candidates have been from other areas (we require that they move to Boston or New York), I thought I’d share publicly.
Opinions
If you’re a Rubyist or a designer, you’ve already got taste. The following neighborhoods are what I personally consider the nicest, most intellectually stimulating, aesthetically pleasing, or funkiest neighborhoods.
This is by no means comprehensive but that’s partly the point. Moving is stressful & keeping options limited lightens the mental burden.
Cost of living
Boston rent is not for the faint of heart. Expect to pay between $750-$1,250/month for a clean apartment close to Boston. You should be able to knock it down to $500/month if you share a bedroom with someone or live in Jamaica Plain.
However, average salary, and more importantly, the quality of life are also high.
Cambridge
I’ve mostly lived in Cambridge over the last 5 years so let’s start here. The Wikipedia entry hits the high points of Cambridge culture: Harvard University, MIT, the Charles River, & The Red Line.
The blue line encompasses the sections of Cambridge I’d recommend: most of Cambridge except areas that are more industrial or North Cambridge, which is just a little too far from downtown Boston for my tastes.
I put three pushpins in Boston for reference: Fenway Park, the Prudential Center, & Park Street at Boston Common (where the thoughtbot office is located).
If, like my friend, you’re not working downtown, but instead in Watertown, Waltham, Somerville, Medford, or Charlestown, I’d strongly recommend Cambridge.
Brookline
Again, the Wikipedia entry will give you the best overview of the town & it’s culture: John F. Kennedy, The Country Club, & The Green Line.
This is an area I’d recommend for people with kids. Quiet, safe, & great schools. It’s close to Waltham, Watertown, & the Mass Pike if you’re working out along Route 128. It’s also extremely convenient if you’re working in the Longwood area (I believe there are a number of hospitals & universities over there hiring Rubyists).
Within Brookline, Coolidge Corner & Washington Square are the two areas I would focus on. They’re both right on the Green Line along Beacon Street & have plenty of things worth walking to.
Jamaica Plain
Wikipedia calls Jamaica Plain The Eden of America. I can see that.
This is where you want to be if you’re a park lover or a real artist. The population is extremely diverse demographically. The Milky Way Lounge (Latin dance nights), JP Licks (ice cream), & Doyle’s Cafe (oldest Irish pub in Boston, longtime evening hangout for the city’s Irish politicians) are iconic institutions.
The area I’d recommend is bounded by the Orange Line on the right, the ponds on the left, and is split by Centre Street, which is filled with attractive cafes, galleries, restaurants & shops.
South End
Scan through the Wikipedia entry then take a walk through the area. If you’re not touched by the signature brick architecture of Boston that is prevalent in the South End, you have no heart. You’re probably a vampire. Might want to get that checked out.
The South End is known as a gay & artistic neighborhood. Tremont Street may have the greatest concentration of “Saturday night date restaurants” in the city. Unbelievable food over there. Lots of theaters, lots of music, lots of visual arts.
I’ve bounded the South End by some major streets.
It’s a tricking balancing act of trying to live in the South End, however. The closer you are to Copley, the closer you are to some of the highest rent areas of Boston. The closer to Washington Street, the further you are from all subway lines & the closer you are to some higher crime areas. Like any city, however, often the best places to live are on the edge of gentrification of former combat zones.
For the venture capitalists…
It wouldn’t be tour through Boston’s neighborhoods if I didn’t point out the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, & the North End.
These are all awesome neighborhoods that are out of the price range of most individuals unless you’re the kind of person who likes to fund Twitter or knock home runs out of Fenway Park.
