Living in/near Boston with a family

[Cougarblue]

Hi all, as third year marches on, I am about 85-90% sure that I will be applying for Pathology next year. I would love to apply to MGH and Brigham and Women's, but am daunted by the cost of housing in Boston. I've done a search and found a few good threads, but they all are geared towards single guys/gals looking to live in the city. I am married, have two little ones, and will be our sole source of income throughout residency. Thus said, I am resigned to the fact that I will be commuting, most likely on public transport if I manage to match in Boston. I checked out the MBTA website, but having never lived in the Boston area, I have no idea what qualifies as a "good, safe, family-oriented neighborhood." Honestly, I am hoping to spend no more than $1400 on rent, and hope to get at least a two bedroom apartment. I really don't want to, but I would be willing to commute up to an hour if it means my family can afford something decent. Any help, insights, etc. would be much appreciated. Thanks.

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[drPLUM]

Hi all, as third year marches on, I am about 85-90% sure that I will be applying for Pathology next year. I would love to apply to MGH and Brigham and Women's, but am daunted by the cost of housing in Boston. I've done a search and found a few good threads, but they all are geared towards single guys/gals looking to live in the city. I am married, have two little ones, and will be our sole source of income throughout residency. Thus said, I am resigned to the fact that I will be commuting, most likely on public transport if I manage to match in Boston. I checked out the MBTA website, but having never lived in the Boston area, I have no idea what qualifies as a "good, safe, family-oriented neighborhood." Honestly, I am hoping to spend no more than $1400 on rent, and hope to get at least a two bedroom apartment. I really don't want to, but I would be willing to commute up to an hour if it means my family can afford something decent. Any help, insights, etc. would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Cougarblue,
I am in a similar situation, although my match will be this year, not next. On my Boston interviews it became apparent that I would not be a able to live in the city, as I will also be the sole money maker (in the near future as kids come along) for my family during residency. Commuting an hour is probably what you are looking at. On the up side though, Boston has many very nice/affordable suburbs- you just have to know who to ask and where to look.

 

[yaah]

There is a fairly decent commuter rail system, particularly from the north shore. Certain suburbs are indeed less expensive, but a lot of times you don't get a lot of space for your money. Price is more based on location. Traffic can be bad, traveling to Boston involves one of a handful of roads which get smaller and smaller the closer you get to the city. "Affordable" is also very subjective. Even if you are an hour west in say, Worcester, you are still paying over $1000 for one bedroom. The one thing you can do often is look for alternatives to the traditional condo/apartment complex type of place. Many people live cheaper in a multi-family house, like a three-decker. This can be more affordable but of course comes with tradeoffs like tougher parking, more hassle, etc.

 

[Gatsbygal]

I might be able to shed some light on the subject since I grew up in the Boston area and also did an elective prior to match at MGH while commuting from Lowell, a suberb about 30 miles NW of Boston. While I have to agree with the previous posts, I would also have to say that $1400 for rent with a family of 4 is very difficult to achieve. My parents rent a couple of condos in Lowell, which is a VERY blue collar town, with decent schools and the rent is about $1200 for a two bedroom 1.5 condo with two car parking. With two young kids, I am assuming schools are important and the more downscale you go for housing, the more likely you will be compromising a decent education. Unfortunately, while Lowell is not the most desireable place to live, it beats some other areas and it also happens to be one of the cheaper suburbs closest to Boston.

While at MGH, I commuted on the Purple Line (commuter rail), which took about 45 minutes into North Station and then there is about a 5-10 minute walk. This was during the summer, so add some time to that with heavy snow and sleet, which is quite typical during a Boston winter. While the commute was OK, the commuter rail leaves every hour during normal hours and every half hour during rush hour. This was a problem a couple of times when I stayed late or an autopsy ran over time. In other words, although the commuter rail is fairly comprehensive, it makes things a bit difficult to manage with time when you are previewing late or have any reason to stay later than usual. Cost is a huge consideration for Boston and I think MGH does now subsidize some housing near the hospital, but I am not sure how much they cost. Most of the residents lived nearby and I think that you should pose very specific questions when interviewing since having a family changes things dramatically.

I hope this info helps.

 

[LADoc00]

Out here in the west, we hear the stories of New England liberals namely the likes of Ted Kennedy grabbing young children off the street and devouring them like a snickers bar (from what I hear usually to the cry of "Get in my belly!!). Sounds scary as hell.

In all seriousness, I would think some place like suburbian St. Louis, Minn., U of Iowa, U of Texas and esp. U of Utah (all super solid programs) might be a more child friendly...and they lack the stalking big fat Ted Kennedy-types.

Hope that helps.

 

[Cougarblue]

Thanks to everyone for your input. It's good to hear that Iowa has a strong program. I have several friends, in other specialties, with families who have liked Iowa City. I am definately applying to Utah. It is my home state. I worked at ARUP for almost three years as a tech. It was a fantastic environment. I also worked in Cytology at LDS Hospital (one of the UofU's teaching affiliates), where the staff pathologists were amazing, and first initiated my interest in medicine.

 

[Pathmonster]

Dont you have to be able to be in the hospital within a certain time period when on call. Living an hour out doesn't sound possible unless you want to take in house call.

I would consider living in ****sville (Midwest, SE) and save the big urban cities for us swinging singles.

 

[Cougarblue]

🙄 Swing away Pathmonster, swing away. Thanks again for the info. from everyone else.

 

[CameronFrye]

Dont you have to be able to be in the hospital within a certain time period when on call. Living an hour out doesn't sound possible unless you want to take in house call.

I would consider living in ****sville (Midwest, SE) and save the big urban cities for us swinging singles.

Different places probably have different rules. I've known residents who lived an hour away and it wasn't a problem (even when taking home call).

 

[SoCuteMD]

Within Boston I would say the North End is good and safe. However, if your little ones will be school age during your residency I can tell you that I wouldn't send my kids (the ones I don't have and won't be having for many many years!) to Boston City schools until high school when they could attend exam schools.

 

[chayne]

Consider Melrose. It is a semi-affordable, nice town with good elementary schools. From the southern parts you can walk to the orange line that goes to North Station, which is walkable to MGH. The orange line is MUCH more frequent than the commuter rails and also goes right downtown if your family wanted to do that. That orange line also goes to Ruggles, which is walkable or busable to Brigham and BIDMC, though I'd definitely take the bus late at night. It could take up to an hour to commute from Melrose (shorter to MGH), but it would be nice commuting -- at the times you'd be going, you'd get a seat and could read or relax. From more northern parts of Melrose there are buses to that orange line station, or you could easily bike. If you had any family help, you could probably even consider buying a modest house there (an endeavor in which you may be helped by a cooling real estate market). Affording a family here is difficult, but there are places. Good luck!

 

[FindingMyself]

I pay $900/mo for an absolutely huge two-bedroom apartment in East Boston. Some people say it isn't the best neighborhood, but I like it just fine--I've never been mugged and I'm just a five-minute walk from the subway station.

 

[Dr.Nick Riveria]

I don't have a family but I am hoping to live in Boston. Since I don't know anything or anyone in boston, I was wondering about the longwood/fenway area. Is it safe?boring?ugly? I have no clue.

 

[AngryTesticle]

I don't have a family but I am hoping to live in Boston. Since I don't know anything or anyone in boston, I was wondering about the longwood/fenway area. Is it safe?boring?ugly? I have no clue.

Longwood is safe and affords you the convenience of being walking distance to the hospital. However, Longwood apartments tend to be more expensive.

I remember asking questions about Boston Living shortly after I matched. I received a very helpful PM from someone on SDN but I have to go onto my AndyM account to fetch that. I'll copy and paste the info in my next post and hopefully that will help you out.

 

[AngryTesticle]

OK so here's a blurb about Longwood/Fenway (cut and pasted it from an email I got last year before I moved to Boston):

a) Longwood area/Fenway:
"Fenway! I lived in the Fenway neighborhood for 2 years as a Harvard Med Student and loved it. That being said it's not for everyone. It's expensive (It was $1700 for a tiny, run down 2 bedroom when I was there 2 years ago), can be noisy (baseball game crowds can spill into the area), there is an assortment of professional types but also students from BU and Northeastern. That being said, I like it noisy, and I like having great restaurants and bars and the city (and the museums) nearby, at the price of a much smaller apartment. The buildings are restored 5 story brownstones. The Fens have running trails, a baseball field, basketball courts, and a track. To see Fenway on mapquest, look up Queensberry St and Jersey St, Boston, MA. (BWH is at 75 Francis St, to see how close you are)."

"Copley Group (<http://www.thecopleygroup.com/>) manages most of the nicer buildings there. I rented from Hajjar management, but I don't recommend them." Longwood Galleria Apartments (www.longwoodgalleriaapartments.com) are located just above the Longwood Galleria and are arguably the most convenient place to live near the hospital. The apartments are relatively new and clean, and a handful of past residents lived there for a year or so during the first part of residency. Most don't stay more than a year or two (it is fairly expensive and social options are limited).
Also check out Back Bay Manor for a high-rise style apartment within 5 minutes of the hospital (and the Squealing Pig, a favorite hang-out).
(http://www.bostonapartments.com/backbaymanor-www/backbaymanor.htm)"

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Other options for living include Cambridge, Allston, Jamaica Plain, North End, and Brookline. Might want to check those places out as well.

 

[Dr.Nick Riveria]

AngryTesticle, Thank you so much! That was very helpful. I think you sold me on the longwood/fenway area and now I have a starting place to look at apts.
Now...if only I match there!