Hidden T accesable gems

G

Glen

Guest
Hi everyone,

I just came across this forum while I was researching developments in Boston and surrounding areas. I wanted to introduce myself and maybe get a question answered that I have been curious about since I moved to the city last year.

I am currently a grad student at BU in the school of social work. I also happen to have a physical disability that limits my ability to get around the city a good bit. I am essentially limited to a 3 block walking distance, and public transit. I can push it a couple more blocks if I have to, but that's a special occasion thing, not something I can do every day. Having come from suburban Florida, Boston is 1000% better for my needs. It has it's quirks as I've found, but overall I have been living pretty well the last year. Given my situation, I am fascinated with the development of the city. I'm really glad I ran across this community.

So here is my opening question. If it's in the wrong forum I apologize. What do you all think are some of the lesser known neighborhoods that are T accessible? I'd like to buy a place somewhere around the city when I graduate, but obviously with my limits I need to be vary careful about where I look. I know the downtown neighborhoods, Kenmore, Brookline along the C line, Cambridge along the Red line. I've seen this brought up around here, that there are a lot of outer areas that people don't know about, but what are they? What about around Maverick Station or other parts of the Blue line, or the orange line? I was so sorry to see North Point stagnate. It looked like such a promising area. The West End revitalization looks promising. West End Place specifically looks good if the development of the area continues.

How would you all approach a search like mine? Or how would you approach a development plan keeping someone with my situation in mind? Something for you all to chew on. :)
 
Welcome to the forum,

Depending on your disability, you might want to consider a folding bicycle (allowed at all times and in all parts of the transit system) to increase your travel distance to and from the MBTA.

What kind of living space are you looking for? Unit size, building type, style, parking, transit options preferred bus/subway/trolley, elevator building, HVAC? Proximity to social areas, medical care, food, supermarket. It would also help to know your general budget.
 
Lurker, thanks for the welcome and the questions. I was trying to be a little more productive to the community then just ask for real estate hunting advice, but if your offering I'd appreciate it. If anyone would like to contenue the conversation beyond my specific needs, feel free to ignore this reply.

As far as transit goes, both cars and bikes are out. I have some parapheral vision problems that wouldn't allow me to drive safely. I could pass the test, but probably not the best idea. As for bikes, I just don't have the balance for that. I am in the process of getting a new wheelchair that would increase my walking range quite a bit, but I'd prefer to not use it every day. You can start losing physical ability pretty quick doing stuff like that.

So I'm looking at buying something 2-3 blocks from a T stop, maximum. The closer the better. I'd really prefer a subway/trolley stop. I find them a lot easier to work with then the buses. You can see where this turns into a bit of a project.

I plan to write up a major blog article when I'm done for other people with similar limitations. It has to be either ground floor or an elevator building. A walk up would not work for me. Something with a second floor like a loft would not be a problem since I wouldn't have to carry anything up stairs other then myself, but carrying groceries and everything in and out with stairs wouldn't work so well.

Ideally I'm looking for something 650 sq ft or bigger, but I'd go a bit smaller if the amenities are there. I love where I am now, the Avalon apartments at the Pru. Yes it's a budget stretch, but underground access to Shaws, plus drug stores, banks, restaurants, plus Copley station a block and a half away was as perfect as I could get with the time I had to look. If I could find a few other places with all the major day to day necessities with a few blocks I would be happy.

I'm seriously looking at Coolidge Corner and Washington Square on the C line right now, but I have a feeling there are some areas I haven't thought to look yet.

A rough budget would probably be $400k. Given what I will be making in a year with my degree I should be able to stretch that a little bit. I'm not picky about style. As long as I have what I need to get around and get what I need day to day I'm not going to stress about the type or style of the property. Right now I'm trying to narrow down neighborhoods and specific squares. That way in a year when I'm done with my program at BU and am ready to seriously consider specific properties, I'll know if they're close enough to what I need and won't have to go out and explore every single one to see if it will even work.
 
The blue line definitely has cheaper prices, but you have to deal with an expensive night life (high taxi fares due to the tolls)

I suggest expanding your search from just the train lines to also include the 15 key bus routes, which have subway-level service. Mainly, the 57, the 77 and the 39.


Also, not related to your residence search, but have you used The Ride at all? Obviously, not a good idea to rely on it for daily needs, but it could be useful for exploring new places.
 
Have you checked the commuter rail lines going into South/North Stations? Many of the local stops are quite near housing and would give you the added benefit of living outside the central city if you so choose.
 
^ Yeah, and if you miss your train, the wait can be ... what? an hour?
 
Two good bits of advice, here:

jass said:
I suggest expanding your search from just the train lines to also include the 15 key bus routes, which have subway-level service. Mainly, the 57, the 77 and the 39.
Click to expand...

I would add that there are some other bus corridors that provide subway-level service in terms of frequency, by virtue of multiple lines. Washington St. in Roslindale, for example, has 8 bus lines running between Rozzie Square and Forest Hills. None are so-called key routes, but service frequency is extremely good.

Padre Mike said:
Have you checked the commuter rail lines going into South/North Stations? Many of the local stops are quite near housing and would give you the added benefit of living outside the central city if you so choose.
Click to expand...

Agreed, and if he picks a neighborhood that has commuter rail and is also well served by buses, he won't be a slave to the schedule. There are places in Dorchester, Hyde Park, Roslindale, and West Roxbury that have very good transit, that happens not to be subway. People can be bothered by that aesthetically, but I don't in any way feel under served in Roslindale. The other feature of such neighborhoods is that there are many walkable sections. Somebody restricted to a three block radius could quite affordably live within that distance of commuter rail, restaurants, and stores.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I had glanced at the commuter rail a little but hand not really considered it. I'll go back and take a better look.

The only two major bus routes I'm really familiar with is the 57 and 66. What others would you suggest?

As far as the Ride goes, I avoid that at all costs. I only suggest it to people for medical appointments when there is no other option. Say you ask them to pick you up at 8:00am. They have a half hour window from 7:45 to 8:15 to pick you up in and even that's iffy. Plus they tend to have this attitude that they are doing you this huge favor. I've set a 7:45 appointment before and had the driver call at 7:00 to see if I was ready to be picked up, then she got pissed off when I said no. I wouldn't expect them to jump when I call, but I do demand a little bit of common courtesy and respect. So I try very hard not to use them.
 
For 400 K you could probably get something in Harvard Sq. And I personally think Harvard sq is one of the better places in all of Boston/Camb/Somerville.
And the Harvard Sq T stop is top of the line.

Also North Allston IMO is the definition of a hidden gem. Although not really hidden it's often overlooked when mentioning great neighborhoods in Boston. It is very close to Harvard Sq. and Allston and Brighton Center, all of which are nice. Central sq. isn't far and the charles river park is great. The only thing is you have to take a bus to the T, but their are busses running very frequently to both Harvard and Central Sq (and the buses that go to Harvard Sq drive right into the station). Also for long term investment Harvard is pumping money into the area and all property owners should make out nicely b/c of it.
 
Yes, adding to the suggestions above, the Belmont area has commute rail AND bus service, so theres more flexibility there.

The porter square area is also good. Besides the subway, you get good bus service from the 77 and other lines.
 
If you want to be close to downtown I recommend looking at the Macallen Building and Court Square Press Building. Both are across the street from the Broadway T Stop which is just one stop away from South Station.

Macallen has an 800SF 1BR unit on the market right now for $400K.
 
^ Sounds like a good deal, but are the HOA fees in the crazy $600-800+ range as I'd expect?
 
Not sure, but you're probably right. Elevator + Pool + Parking Garage + Concierge + etc. = high HOA fees.
 
Shepard said:
^ Sounds like a good deal, but are the HOA fees in the crazy $600-800+ range as I'd expect?
Click to expand...

Just checked the Zip Reality website (great MLS site), and they're listing HOA as $474. Up there, but not terrible. Pretty good suggestion.
 
Not bad for HOA fees in that case. But if you enjoy the type of enviornment you have around Back Bay, you might be more confortable in Coolidge Corner / Washington Square - arguably there is much much more in easy walking (or trolley) distance including 3 or 4 supermarkets (depending on how and where you count). Porter Square would provide similar convinience, although in strip-mall fashion.

Someone mentioned Harvard Square - superb urban space, but not the most convenient for all of your daily necessities (e.g. you need to take the T to Porter or bus to Allston for your supermarket needs...)
 
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