Areas to Stay in Boston
Aug 24th, 2015, 08:50 AM
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Areas to Stay in Boston
Hi everyone! This is the first time I use the site. I am planing to go to Boston for the first time labor day weekend (Sept 4-8). I have been looking into Airbnb and so far have come across a couple of potential places to stay, but an not sure of the neighborhoods an how far the are from the things I want to do. I have a place in Winthorp, Wellington Hill St zip code 02126, Drayton Ave zip code 02125, and near Arboretum. I am planing to visit Harvard, Do whale watching, and and the trail tour. I would also like to do Salem if its not far. I do not paln on renting a car and am traveling alone. Any other recs are definitely welcomed and appreciated!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 24th, 2015, 09:13 AM
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Since you're traveling alone and unfamiliar with Boston, I would rule out Wellington Hill St. and Drayton Ave. They are just not that convenient and I would not want to walk home alone after dark there.
I'm not sure about the Winthrop address. You would have to take the Blue Line into Boston, and depending upon where the room is, you might have to take a bus as well. Do you have a street name for the one near the Arboretum? The Orange Line ends right near the Arboretum, so it is a convenient location for getting into Boston.
You can take the train to Salem. It's about 30 minutes and leaves from North Station.
You can consult the route planner at www.mbta.com to find how best to get around.
Jamaica Plain, Brookline, and Cambridge are also areas to consider that are mostly convenient to Boston.
I'm not sure about the Winthrop address. You would have to take the Blue Line into Boston, and depending upon where the room is, you might have to take a bus as well. Do you have a street name for the one near the Arboretum? The Orange Line ends right near the Arboretum, so it is a convenient location for getting into Boston.
You can take the train to Salem. It's about 30 minutes and leaves from North Station.
You can consult the route planner at www.mbta.com to find how best to get around.
Jamaica Plain, Brookline, and Cambridge are also areas to consider that are mostly convenient to Boston.
Aug 24th, 2015, 09:30 AM
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Thanks! This is so useful those two locations you told me not to do where higher in price! I also found a place in Malden zip code 02148. The host for this location wrote: our place is in a safe neighborhood 15 min walk from two train stations. if I don't want to walk, I can take the bus in front of the house. The train takes me downtown in 14 minutes an other historic spots. The host works in Harvard Square and takes the train all the time.
The Winthrop host wrote: the bus stop is across the street from the house which takes me to the train (subway) to Boston. in 15-20 minutes.
The Arboretum location all I show is South Street zip code 02131.
I also came across Rosemont St in Dorchester and Sunny Bank Road in West Roxbury. And Union Street WatertowN MA
The Winthrop host wrote: the bus stop is across the street from the house which takes me to the train (subway) to Boston. in 15-20 minutes.
The Arboretum location all I show is South Street zip code 02131.
I also came across Rosemont St in Dorchester and Sunny Bank Road in West Roxbury. And Union Street WatertowN MA
Aug 24th, 2015, 10:23 AM
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Malden sounds convenient. It's at the other end of the Orange Line and will probably take you a little more than 14 minutes to get downtown during rush hour (Malden is further away than Winthrop from Boston) but it would still be easy.
Winthrop would be convenient too, but, though closer, may be a little less convenient. Though Winthrop is on Boston Harbor and there are some nice views depending on where you are, and a good casual seafood restaurant--Belle Isle. It is near the airport so you may hear planes.
West Roxbury is a nice community but you would have to rely on the commuter rail (more expensive than subway and no weekend service) or a bus to Forest Hills, the end of the Orange Line. Same exact thing with the South Street location in Roslindale--commuter rail or bus to Forest Hills. Roslindale Square has a village atmosphere with some good restaurants and a few interesting shops.
Rosemont looks like a nice street, but less convenient to your other choices.
Winthrop would be convenient too, but, though closer, may be a little less convenient. Though Winthrop is on Boston Harbor and there are some nice views depending on where you are, and a good casual seafood restaurant--Belle Isle. It is near the airport so you may hear planes.
West Roxbury is a nice community but you would have to rely on the commuter rail (more expensive than subway and no weekend service) or a bus to Forest Hills, the end of the Orange Line. Same exact thing with the South Street location in Roslindale--commuter rail or bus to Forest Hills. Roslindale Square has a village atmosphere with some good restaurants and a few interesting shops.
Rosemont looks like a nice street, but less convenient to your other choices.
Aug 24th, 2015, 10:41 AM
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You should refer to the map on the MBTA site (MBTA.com) to see the subway and trolley and bus lines overlaid on a city map.
Avoid any location that requires a bus to the subway stop.
You have chosen very inconvenient locations. The T site may reference certain commute times, but they are seldom accurate, and of course, owners/hosts would say whatever sells their room.
"The train takes me downtown in 14 minutes" if it is not running on delay, as the Orange line to Malden often does, and all other conditions are perfect, which seldom happens, and the stars are aligned.
West Roxbury is very far from the tourist sights, as is Watertown. There is a bus from Watertown into Harvard Square, then Red line subway to the downtown and sights.
Avoid Dorchester. It is a still-gentrifying (to put it nicely) neighborhood, and as a tourist, you are unlikely to be able to differentiate the better areas from the dangerous ones.
Winthrop is also directly under the runways for Logan airport, very close so they are very low, with planes landing and taking off every 5-10 minutes or so all day and night, with the resulting noise. Many houses in Winthrop have invested in special windows to dampen the noise, but not all have them.
The Arboretum is a very pleasant large park owned by Harvard University with samples of plantings from many parts of the world. However, Jamaica Plain, the neighborhood where it is located, is badly served by public transportation (buses, and trolley that runs on South Street, but both subject to traffic and delays), unless way on the other side of the neighborhood nearer the Orange line, way on the other side of the park.
Consider Brookline, Brighton/Allston (student neighborhoods of Boston), Back Bay (Boston), North End (Boston's Italian neighborhood), Cambridge, some parts of Somerville more convenient to the subway.
Salem is about an hour from South Station (schedule for commuter rail is also on the T site). There is also a ferry from Boston at some times of year (good weather months).
Avoid any location that requires a bus to the subway stop.
You have chosen very inconvenient locations. The T site may reference certain commute times, but they are seldom accurate, and of course, owners/hosts would say whatever sells their room.
"The train takes me downtown in 14 minutes" if it is not running on delay, as the Orange line to Malden often does, and all other conditions are perfect, which seldom happens, and the stars are aligned.
West Roxbury is very far from the tourist sights, as is Watertown. There is a bus from Watertown into Harvard Square, then Red line subway to the downtown and sights.
Avoid Dorchester. It is a still-gentrifying (to put it nicely) neighborhood, and as a tourist, you are unlikely to be able to differentiate the better areas from the dangerous ones.
Winthrop is also directly under the runways for Logan airport, very close so they are very low, with planes landing and taking off every 5-10 minutes or so all day and night, with the resulting noise. Many houses in Winthrop have invested in special windows to dampen the noise, but not all have them.
The Arboretum is a very pleasant large park owned by Harvard University with samples of plantings from many parts of the world. However, Jamaica Plain, the neighborhood where it is located, is badly served by public transportation (buses, and trolley that runs on South Street, but both subject to traffic and delays), unless way on the other side of the neighborhood nearer the Orange line, way on the other side of the park.
Consider Brookline, Brighton/Allston (student neighborhoods of Boston), Back Bay (Boston), North End (Boston's Italian neighborhood), Cambridge, some parts of Somerville more convenient to the subway.
Salem is about an hour from South Station (schedule for commuter rail is also on the T site). There is also a ferry from Boston at some times of year (good weather months).
Aug 24th, 2015, 11:15 AM
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Samba, there hasn't been a trolley on South St. in Jamaica Plain for more than 15 years. The Orange Line is a short walk from South St. in JP, and is a very convenient way to get into Boston from JP. But the South St. that the OP was considering isn't in JP, it's in Roslindale on the other side of the Arboretum as noted above. And Wellington Hill Rd. is not in Dorchester.
To lafeayette, none of this affects what I wrote above. Good luck with your choice.
To lafeayette, none of this affects what I wrote above. Good luck with your choice.
Aug 24th, 2015, 01:04 PM
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And Wellington Hill Rd. is not in Dorchester"
My Googling mistake. When typing in "Road", what came up was a map with Wellington Hill Street, which is indeed in Dorchester, near Blue Hill Ave.
As a lifelong resident, I don't consider Jamaica Plain convenient to the tourist sights.
As someone who lives on the other end of the line from Forest Hills, IMO the Orange line has been a disaster recently.
@OP
Again:
Consider Brookline, Brighton/Allston (student neighborhoods of Boston), Back Bay (Boston), North End (Boston's Italian neighborhood), Cambridge, some parts of Somerville more convenient to the subway.
My Googling mistake. When typing in "Road", what came up was a map with Wellington Hill Street, which is indeed in Dorchester, near Blue Hill Ave.
As a lifelong resident, I don't consider Jamaica Plain convenient to the tourist sights.
As someone who lives on the other end of the line from Forest Hills, IMO the Orange line has been a disaster recently.
@OP
Again:
Consider Brookline, Brighton/Allston (student neighborhoods of Boston), Back Bay (Boston), North End (Boston's Italian neighborhood), Cambridge, some parts of Somerville more convenient to the subway.
Aug 24th, 2015, 01:26 PM
#9
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Thanks everyone for these recs. I went back to the drawing board on neighborhoods and also taking price and accommodations into account. I came across these on airbnb. I looked into hotels but they are way too expensive for what they are. Miami I understand the prices because we have the beaches lol.
Brownstone
Located in historic Fort Hill, 5 min walk to the T (Metro), 3rd stop from Back Bay, walk to Longwood Medical Area, MFA, & Fenway.
Somerville
There is a bus stop right in front of the house which takes you to Lechmere (Green Line) in ~4 min or ~20 min walk. Kendall sq is ~25 min walk, Central sq is ~25 min walk. Once the Green line extension goes in, the stop will be a 1 min walk to the Washington st Green line stop. For more info, (website hidden) has a great tool for travel times and modes. The #86 bus goes directly to Harvard sq, which is a 10 minute commute, 1 min walk to the bus stop, and 9 min bus ride to Harvard sq.
Cambridge
Prime location between Harvard and MIT, near Central Sq Red line, #47 bus, 2 blks to Charles River.
Cambridge
8 minutes walk to Harvard Square, 12 minutes walk to Central Square,5 minutes walk to Charles River
Brownstone
Located in historic Fort Hill, 5 min walk to the T (Metro), 3rd stop from Back Bay, walk to Longwood Medical Area, MFA, & Fenway.
Somerville
There is a bus stop right in front of the house which takes you to Lechmere (Green Line) in ~4 min or ~20 min walk. Kendall sq is ~25 min walk, Central sq is ~25 min walk. Once the Green line extension goes in, the stop will be a 1 min walk to the Washington st Green line stop. For more info, (website hidden) has a great tool for travel times and modes. The #86 bus goes directly to Harvard sq, which is a 10 minute commute, 1 min walk to the bus stop, and 9 min bus ride to Harvard sq.
Cambridge
Prime location between Harvard and MIT, near Central Sq Red line, #47 bus, 2 blks to Charles River.
Cambridge
8 minutes walk to Harvard Square, 12 minutes walk to Central Square,5 minutes walk to Charles River
Aug 24th, 2015, 01:32 PM
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If its easier for me to add the links, please let me know! Thanks again everyone for all of your help. I didnt think it would be so difficult figuring this out and started to become discouraged.
Aug 24th, 2015, 02:29 PM
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The Cambridge ones sound the best going by the description. Fort Hill is okay by me, but people will say it's not a good location and not safe, but that was 30 years ago, not now.
Somerville sounds less convenient.
List the links if you want more input.
[Samba, JP is very convenient for getting into Boston, and fortunately doesn't seem to be plagued with the problems the Orange Line has North of the city. All of my JP neighbors and friends take the T every day. One has Hubway, the 39 bus or can walk to the medical area, in addition to the Orange Line.]
Somerville sounds less convenient.
List the links if you want more input.
[Samba, JP is very convenient for getting into Boston, and fortunately doesn't seem to be plagued with the problems the Orange Line has North of the city. All of my JP neighbors and friends take the T every day. One has Hubway, the 39 bus or can walk to the medical area, in addition to the Orange Line.]
Aug 24th, 2015, 02:58 PM
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Aug 24th, 2015, 03:41 PM
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Definitely think the first one, Browne St., Brookline, is the best location. You are steps to the C subway of the Green Line, and it's the easiest commute to downtown Boston. It's close to a lot of shops and good restaurants in Coolidge Corner and in a very, very, safe area. The location is definitely the most upscale compared to the others.
A friend works nearby and I used to live about a mile away. I'm often in the neighborhood. I used to walk home from Copley Square.
Easy ride to downtown and closer than any of the other choices.
Good luck!
A friend works nearby and I used to live about a mile away. I'm often in the neighborhood. I used to walk home from Copley Square.
Easy ride to downtown and closer than any of the other choices.
Good luck!
Aug 24th, 2015, 04:06 PM
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You're right. I was looking at location, not price. Then my second choice would be Cambridgeport, third is the Fort Hill, fourth is Union Square. This is based on ease of access to Boston, and safety.
Aug 24th, 2015, 04:36 PM
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That Cambridgeport location is a loooong walk to anywhere (Central Square), look for something closer to the Central Square red line stop.
Brookline one is expensive. Green line takes forever to get anywhere.
If you think Fort Hill is OK, look also at Fort Hill Inn. Most guests there who have posted reviews report taking a taxi back at night.
The Union Square one means taking a bus to anywhere (Harvard, Central, Sullivan, Kendall). It's an interesting neighborhood with lots of great restaurants, but without a car, I'd look for something closer to Davis Square (on the red line subway).
Brookline one is expensive. Green line takes forever to get anywhere.
If you think Fort Hill is OK, look also at Fort Hill Inn. Most guests there who have posted reviews report taking a taxi back at night.
The Union Square one means taking a bus to anywhere (Harvard, Central, Sullivan, Kendall). It's an interesting neighborhood with lots of great restaurants, but without a car, I'd look for something closer to Davis Square (on the red line subway).
Aug 24th, 2015, 04:50 PM
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https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5929688...%2F2015&s=_OzT
Convenient to red line to Harvard and downtown
Convenient to red line to Harvard and downtown
Aug 24th, 2015, 04:52 PM
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https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2776709...%2F2015&s=XBPF
Also convenient to Red line
Also convenient to Red line
Aug 24th, 2015, 04:55 PM
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https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3962875...%2F2015&s=8E79
Easy walk to Sullivan station on Orange line to downtown
Easy walk to Sullivan station on Orange line to downtown
