Hi guys, where should I live in Boston (or the Boston) area if I don't want to spend 90% of my income on rent, don't mind a working-class neighborhood (but do mind "the hood"), want to be near the ocean, and don't mind a train commute so long as it's less than an hour? thanks guys, Katie
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By Sparky - Feb 11, 2004, 6:22 PM Post #2 of 55 [In reply to]
Quincy is just south of the city with some ocean views with excellant T access, check out Hull with a very nice beach but that would be by bus or a commuter boat.
By HTP - Feb 11, 2004, 6:47 PM Post #3 of 55 [In reply to]
Lots of workingclass neighborhoods near the ocean--Beachmont, in Revere, is on the blue line subway. Lynn, a little farther out but accessible by commuter rail, is a workingclass city with a spectacular stretch of beach. The Boston neighborhoods of South Boston and Dorchester have outer harbor waterfronts and subway access, Quincy too, but I wouldn't say they were on the ocean--to me that means a wide open horizon. Chelsea and East Boston have inner harbor waterfront, mostly idle and grungy but with some nice spots here and there, notably Piers Park in East Boston.
By Sparky - Feb 11, 2004, 7:03 PM Post #4 of 55 [In reply to]
Well she said she was looking for a decently price place within a hour, I think Quincy is a great start. The Neck is just that, it reaches out into the harbor, has beaches, and is a bargain, plus is very safe. If the ocean were the only concern I'd recommend she go further south to Scituate or Plymouth, both within a hour's train ride but she would need a car to get to the train station there. Katie do you have a car? How about roommates?
Thanks guys! Yeah, I have a car and a built-in roommate (read: boyfriend), so that's no problem. The main thing is being relatively close to a marina where my boyfriend can slip his sailboat. I'm not too worked up about beachfront or any of that, although I wouldn't turn down a beach either. Thanks for the help! Katie
By Sparky - Feb 11, 2004, 7:46 PM Post #6 of 55 [In reply to]
I'm a South Shore guy so I'm more knowledgable about that over North Shore communities. There are marinas in Dorchester, Quincy, Weymouth, Hull, Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate on down. The more affordable communities are Quincy & Weymouth for apartments, and most of the other comunities are single family homes with some apartments and can be pricey. Good luck!
I think Sparky made a great suggestion in "Quincy". I've lived here for almost 5 years and enjoy both Wollaston Beach and Nantasket Beach in Hull. BTW, My father-in-law has a slip down in the Neck. Check Quincy out!
By Sparky - Feb 11, 2004, 8:02 PM Post #8 of 55 [In reply to]
I was thinking that the Neck has some great houses and apartments and is really overlooked, what a view of Boston! I forgot about that marina. I was thinking that Weymouth Landing had a decent marina, well protected from storms & just off Rt 53, my buddy has his boat there.
It does have some good starter up houses, houses to rent, great neighborhoods and very historic too. I think it is a gem that is underlooked by tourists. O'h well.
By Ron Newman - Feb 11, 2004, 9:31 PM Post #10 of 55 [In reply to]
Winthrop is another town worth looking at.
By Fred Sennott - Feb 11, 2004, 9:35 PM Post #11 of 55 [In reply to]
If you want a town with a responsible attitude about over riding Prop 2 1/2. Trust in God and sin not.Don't blame me I'm like Sparky I voted for Sarah to.
What's Prop 2 1/2?
By adamg - Feb 12, 2004, 10:22 AM Post #13 of 55 [In reply to]
It's a law that limits the amount by which a city or town can raise its revenues from property taxes each year to 2.5 percent. However, resdidents can vote to override the measure.
By Comm. Ave - Feb 12, 2004, 10:25 AM Post #14 of 55 [In reply to]
Its a state law (rule) that says a town can only raise property taxes by 2 1/2 percent per year or less. If the town wants to raise their taxes by more than that, there has to be a town vote on the subject to "override" the rule. They rarely (if ever) pass, and it usually results in the schools budget being cut. Winthrop just cut all of their HS sports because they didn't get an "override". http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/043/north/Officials_grim_after_override_defeat+.shtml
That's unbelievable... it never ceases to amaze me how selfish people can be when it comes to funding their community. Is it true that most of the blame lies with seniors? It makes sense, but I can't believe that people whose children once benefitted from a town's schools would now deny current children the same experience.
By Neal - Feb 12, 2004, 3:47 PM Post #16 of 55 [In reply to]
Yeah, the same thing happened in Burlington. Despite having one of the lowest property tax rates in the state, voters rejected a school renovation/expansion project. My nephew's kindergarten class has over 24 students and one teacher (incidentially, she was my kindergarten teacher in 1979/80). The people in that town are in such denial of the mediocrity of their schools. Its really sad.
I'm proud to say that my mother, who is 68 and can no longer afford her property taxes in Needham, *always* votes for the overrides. And even though she would now make better use of the senior center, she still hasn't given up lobbying for a youth center! :)
By Fred Sennott - Feb 12, 2004, 8:15 PM Post #18 of 55 [In reply to]
I know a couple of teachers from the Burlington schools who would take offense at your comments on the quality of the schools there.I'm not sure about Burlington ,but in Arlington we have rejected the last few overrides because them town fathers keep coming up with new ideas on how to squander tax dollars on un-necessary frills,while they cut needed services,and its going to take a long time befpore they will see another one pass,because the voters are fed up.Even the Town Employee's voted against the last despite the fact some of them were going to be laid off if it failed,because of the waste they see. Trust in God and sin not.Don't blame me I'm like Sparky I voted for Sarah to.
By adamg - Feb 12, 2004, 9:43 PM Post #19 of 55 [In reply to]
And yet for all your carping about Tom Menino, the city of Boston has never had to put a Prop. 2 1/2 override question before the voters.
Back to the original question: Revere Beach...at Wonderland...lots of affordable high-rise apartments...awesome views...marina slips available a short distance up the beach.....right next to The Wonderland T Stop........affordable and awesome views.....
Stay Home not Wanted
Another mean little person heard from! Fortunatly, mean little people are in the extreme minority here and you will be welcomed almost any place you go.
By Fred Sennott - Feb 13, 2004, 7:53 PM Post #23 of 55 [In reply to]
Are you telling me your tax rate has stayed within the Prop 2 1/2 limits?Or are you sayimg Mayor Tommy found a way around them. Trust in God and sin not.Don't blame me I'm like Sparky I voted for Sarah to.
By Sparky - Feb 13, 2004, 8:18 PM Post #24 of 55 [In reply to]
He prefers to cut costs, like letting apes run around the city eating people, or out of towners (mainly from NYC & Canada) riot in the streets and running people over. November 1978 ~ Democrats drinking the Kool-Aid ~ November 2008 "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Sarah"
By Ron Newman - Feb 13, 2004, 8:49 PM Post #25 of 55 [In reply to]
Isn't the drunk driver from Mattapan? That's not exactly "out of town".
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