lesley

Well I am finally here. I know it has been some time but I just got comcast service to get online. Where did I end up??? Well I actually went against most advice and I ended up in Chelsea. This was due to time restraints and my living situation. But I am actually pleased. Unlike from what I've seen from the rest of Chelsea, I lucked up big time! My neighborhood is nice and quiet. No gangs, no drugs, no one is standing out on the street or corner, just a lot of latinos. Its weird because I am african american and I have never been to a place where we are minority of another minority. I feel like I am in Puerto Rico, but we actually like it. My children are so amazed and curious of the diversity that Mass has to offer. I am right off of route 1 North (which can be noisey if you have the windows open at night), but I love it. I am close to everything I need (doctors, market, stores, playgrounds). We have noticed that people (all races & sex) stare alot, so I am wondering if we look out of place. The driving reminds me of Detroit or New York. I have lived in both places so I am used to the fast pace, unorganized driving, and horns. I start school May 9th so I haven't really got a feel of the commute. My school is only 15 minutes away, but I am sure this isn't during rush hour. I checked MTBA and the bus will take an hour but drops me off right in front. The commuter rail coming from Chelsea is a few minutes shorter than the bus trip, but more expensive so I might just take the bus everyday to save on gas and keep my stress level to a min. lol. I mean it will cost me $39.60 a month to take the bus, this amount barely fills my tank and will damn sure not last a month. I haven't made any friends yet, this is kind of a bummer because I am really would like to get out and explore my area but I am sure this will come in due time. Well that is about it. I want to thank you guys again for all your advice. I have learned alot just from the posts here. Take care Lesley

Move was delayed. We will be there tomorrow morning and I will post back then. Again, thanks for all the help guys. Lesley

Thanks but like I said, I will continue to look. and when I get there, I will drive up to the house during the times of the day I will be traveling to see if it is something I could deal with. I put an ad in CL and I have had another reply with a house in Stoneham. I am really excited about the move and hopefully this will a start to a good, healthy life for my family. I will keep you guys posted and again, thanks soooooo much for your responses and advice. God Bless

He did state he was going to take it off the market as soon as he rents it out. Thanks for the link. I will do some research.

Thank all you guys sooooo much. You don't know that just couple of minutes it took you to type a post gives me so much info that is important to me. See here in KY its the total oppostie, we only have gas and electric and people LOVE to rent or buy a house that is all electric because gas is too expensive. I would've went into apartment hunting blinded thinking that if it had electric heat, I would be ok. I am so glad that I am the type to ask questions. Yeah, that landlord told me only a 20 min communte from Bradford. But that is ok. You see because I don't have a lot of options being my financial situation so I will keep this prospect in mind when I move next weekend. You see I rather sacrafice an hour headache each morning and afternoon for a better, safer, and decent place to live. I am used to rural. I'd think that too much "city" life would be the real culture shock. Anyway, I will post back if I have other questions just to get your advice and I will definately post back when I get there during my search if I can access a library. Oh... Just incase anyone wants to see the house, you can visit this link Rental Property What do you guys think? $1500 dollars a month + utlities

Well I do have a vehicle so I wouldn't see the use of the transit system. Unless you guys know something I don't??? I didn't even consider Melrose, but I will. This is soooo hard. Bradford is 38 minutes to Malden according to mapquest. I don't know how the traffic would be during 8 and 9 am and 3 and 4 pm. The landlord said the house is heated by oil. We don't have that in KY, its just electric or gas. The house is colonial style house with hard wood floors so I don't know how much his would cost in the winter. I will be moving next weekend. I will stay in a hotel until we find a place so hopefully with the info here I will be able to narrow my search.

Thanks Cotuit for your help and responses. I'm glad your around. Not much input from other Bostontonians, but I am still grateful!!! I had another landlord contact me via Craiglist. His property is in Bradford (Haverhill), MA. I saw pics of the house, its a one family house. It almost seems to good to be true. And you know how the old saying goes. I really would appreciate yours or anyone elses input on this. I don't want to get taken and I know that me relocating the way that I am, I would be considered an easy target. Again, I would have to commute from Bradford to Malden. The landlord advised me against Malden, he said the schools (public) and crime rate was a bit too much in his opinion. He said there is the T there in Bradford. He said it was a nice community " a fancy part of Haverhill". Thanks you guys

Thanks for your advice. Like I said, I need to see it through your eyes. I had no idea that having a vehicle would be pretty much useless when commuting. God I wish there were an easier way. Any comments on Saugus? The gentleman at the PHA office was so helpful to me in answering my questions. He even gave my name and number to a prospective landlord that called me and told me about a duplex he had. Still trying to think of the best way to make the relocation go better since I have to come there first and find a place as oppose to already having something lined up. Thanks and more comments encouraged!!!

First let me say thank you in advance. I will be relocating to the Boston area from KY in a month to finish cosmetology school. I am a single mom of three and I am a bit nervous, but I welcome change. The school I will be attending has two locations in MA, one in Malden and the other in Boston. By research I know that Malden is within minutes from Boston. What I need is to see greater Boston through your eyes. I have a housing choice voucher (Section-8) for those of you who are not familiar with this, it is a subsidy program that pays a portion of your rent. Since I am in school and not working at the time, Section-8 will pay majority of my rent. My rent cannot exceed $1500 if utilities are included for a three bedroom. If utilities are not included, my rent cannot exceed $1400. I have two vehicles so transportation isn't a problem. I have narrowed down the cities in which are available to me given my situation: Chelsea Everett Revere Saugus Wakefield Watertown Winchester Lexington Malden Melrose Somerville Any advice is needed. Keep in mind I have three small children so I would prefer to be in a nice community. Thanks guys