To Boston we go!

[cellososweet]

Hi everyone, I''m not sure if you remember, but I had a thread a while back about selling your town to me. DH and I have wanted to move back east for some time now (I''m originally from the east coast and am a navy brat, he''s looking for a change and with his career, back east makes more sense).

We originally looked at Syracuse and upstate/central NY because rent was so cheap. Then, we realized that the snow was more than we could bear if we had to drive in it all the time (We loooove snow, just not driving in it. Or driving at all really haha). So. . then came NYC. I''ve been there, lived there off and on for a bit and we have great family-like friends in Queens (Astoria), Manhattan (Hell''s) and Brooklyn (Ft. Greene). We basically had three months free rent if we chose to go there because our friends are gracious. But, considering the fact that we are newly-ish wed (1.5 years), we really didn''t want to relive our college days with eachother and our three cats in tow. So, even though the free rent and possibility of making tons of money sounded appealing, the drunken roomate factor (our friends are a lil wild, minus the one that lives in Queens), the inability to get naked whenever we want, and having to worry about people letting our cats out? Nawwww. . . .

So, it was Hartford or Boston. We both loved Boston, but thought it was hard to get a job there for my husband. Turns out his field is really seasonal in their hiring in general, but even more so in Boston. Geez. They only hire for investment mangement in June or September unless you are super-experienced. So, we were just looking at the wrong time. We started looking more recently and BAM hello jobs!!!

So, my husband got a great job is Boston and he starts on June 16th, but we have to be there by June 11th, because he has an appointment to sign his paperwork and stuff.

Wanna hear about my type-A personality in all of this? Haha. We are renewing our vows on May 31st and we''ve been planning that (read: I''VE been planning that). I somehow managed to sell my car in 24 hours. DH sold his in a week. I sold all of our furniture (living room couches, chairs, entertainment unit, curio cabinets, etc, dining room stuff, a full office worth of furniture) in a week. I found a sublet in a week. Booked a truck in a day for waaaay cheap (I''ll give DH credit on that one. he haggled. Good boy haha). Now, here we are living like gypsies on the floor. I''m actually on a cushion using a cardboard box as a laptop stand. Haha. Geez, gimme a week and I''ll flip everything upside down. Haha.

So. . . . anyone here live in Boston??? How do ya like it! Pitch in You guys were so helpful last time.

 

[luckystar112]

Oh, CONGRATULATIONS CELLO!!

I am SO excited for you. I LOVE Boston...it is seriously my heart. You are going to be so happy there!!!! Take me with you...please.

I''m jealous.

You must be sooooo freaking excited!


Maybe we''ll join you in a couple years. We think we''re going to skip Providence since everyone we know who lived there (about six people) have said it''s not very safe. Maybe if I record myself saying "You need to move to Boston" over and over again and make FI listen to it while he''s sleeping it will happen sooner rather than later.

P.S. Can''t believe you got all that done in a week! Wow!!

P.P.S. How on EARTH did your DH get a job so fast? FI has been looking at jobs on the east coast for a while and NO ONE will call him back. Of course, he works in the automotive repair industry so it''s not like they have to look very far for people to take the jobs.

 

[Bia]

I live in the NYC area but was born and raised in Beantown (technically, the burbs though)...you will love it! It has everything: history, universities (lots of young people), arts, culture, nightlife, great restaurants/shops and beautiful suburbs...great beaches, oceanside towns. My heart is in Mass and would love to move back...

One thing I should add, it snows a whole lot, so get your boots and shovel ready...starts around November to...well, now.

Oh, and if you don''t like the Red Sox, watch out!!! If you''re a Yankee fan, might as well call it off now.

Happy for you, it''s going to be a great time!

 

[zoebartlett]

Yay Cello!! I live about an hour away from Boston (different state though) and it''s such a fun place. I used to work right near Copley, and I miss it a lot. You''ll have to keep us updated on which area(s) you decide to look at living in. There are many great neighborhoods in the city itself and right outside (Newton, Chestnut Hill [which is actually part of Newton], Brookline, etc.).

 

[SarFarSuperstar]

I''ve been living in MA for the past six years (moved up here for college- go Huskies!) and I love it. I first came to Boston when I was 12 and fell in love. In fact- I only applied to two schools for college and only got in to Northeastern. It was meant to be.

Boston just has a great energy- it''s bustling but not crazy. Tons of stuff going on (readings, indie movies, festivals, music, theatre) but also a great place to chill out (tons of great coffee shops, parks, bars- although I admittedly do not really get into the bar scene- too loud for my old lady tastes).

Right now I live in Quincy, which is on the Red Line and about 7 miles south of the heart of the city. My husband is a townie and we bought a house here right as the market started to slump. We are a ten minute walk from the train station and my husband has a 25 minute commute to Park Street.

I lived in the city for a few years during college and loved it. We still don''t use our car a ton- although I like to have it (the closest Trader Joe''s in 20 minutes south of here and not T accessible). I always felt very safe- really, it''s just common sense. Stay away from the rougher neighborhoods, which are mostly on the outskirts of the city anyways, don''t walk around alone at night, keep your purse close to you, etc.

I''d love to offer more information if you need it- let me know! I love the Bean!

 

[cellososweet]

Hi everyone Thanks for all of your input/excitement. We are thrilled. My DH got a job quickly because of the industry he is in basically. It''s hard to get a job in IM if you don''t have something that makes you stand out, but (not to toot his horn too hard) he has a pretty awesome resume for his field/age. The thing that really helped though was having a local address. He didn''t even really get looked at with our CA address.

We''re living in Back Bay right by the public garden. I love the area. I immediately fell in love with it because of it''s close proximity to Charles St. (die-hard antique china patter lover here haha) but without the hilliness of Beacon Hill. I love love love Beacon Hill, but didn''t love the hilliness aspect. Thinking about snow, heels, etc. Not a good mix. And now I''m literally across the road from the public garden so i can go for runs, read in the park on the weekend, etc (weather permitting). And it''s really close to DH''s job.

We''re so excited Yay!

 

[erica k]

Oh wow, lucky you! I live right across the river in Cambridge, but I adore the Back Bay. And to think, Cartier is right across the road from you. Mmmm.....

 

[sillybride]

Excellent! I''ve been living in Back Bay (right near the Pru) for 2 yrs now and LOOOOVE the location....especially now that summer is here

 

[Selkie]

Yay, Cello! That''s so exciting! You will absolutely love it, especially at this time of year. (God, I''m jealous!

) Did you find a job already too?

 

[NewEnglandLady]

That''s so exciting, congrats to your hubby!!!

You''re moving here at a great time...summertime in Boston is fantastic. I''d definitely recommend you rent a zipcar and drive down to the cape. We *almost* rented an apartment on the first block of Marlborough right next to the public garden--the apartments there are in such a good location and have lots of great antique details. Unfortunately we''d previously been living in homes on the south shore and couldn''t sqeeze all of our furniture into an apartment, but the location was fantastic. Will DH be working in the Financial District? I work in the FD, but DH works in the BB and I actually enjoy walking through the common and public garden to meet him--walking through the park isn''t a bad commute

Congrats on renewing your vows and good luck with the move!!!

 

[cellososweet]

You guys are making me so excited! Yay! I haven''t found a job yet. We had originally saved up enough to move and live for three months because weren''t sure if either of us would be able to land anything. I''ll look for something when we get there and I rest up a bit

DH will be working in the FD and I hear you on not being able to smoosh furniture in! We live in a nice big condo and literally sold every last piece of furniture but our bed and a high multi-purpose storage thing. We really wanted to live in the area and decided to downgrade. We found a great deal too which didn''t hurt

I''ll keep you all posted about the happenings as it all unfolds.

Oh yeah. . .and we''ll definitely go down shore. I love a good weekend trip!

 

[iluvcarats]

Date: 5/23/2008 11:12:25 PM
Author:cellososweet
Hi everyone, I''m not sure if you remember, but I had a thread a while back about selling your town to me. DH and I have wanted to move back east for some time now (I''m originally from the east coast and am a navy brat, he''s looking for a change and with his career, back east makes more sense).


We originally looked at Syracuse and upstate/central NY because rent was so cheap. Then, we realized that the snow was more than we could bear if we had to drive in it all the time (We loooove snow, just not driving in it. Or driving at all really haha). So. . then came NYC. I''ve been there, lived there off and on for a bit and we have great family-like friends in Queens (Astoria), Manhattan (Hell''s) and Brooklyn (Ft. Greene). We basically had three months free rent if we chose to go there because our friends are gracious. But, considering the fact that we are newly-ish wed (1.5 years), we really didn''t want to relive our college days with eachother and our three cats in tow. So, even though the free rent and possibility of making tons of money sounded appealing, the drunken roomate factor (our friends are a lil wild, minus the one that lives in Queens), the inability to get naked whenever we want, and having to worry about people letting our cats out? Nawwww. . . .


So, it was Hartford or Boston. We both loved Boston, but thought it was hard to get a job there for my husband. Turns out his field is really seasonal in their hiring in general, but even more so in Boston. Geez. They only hire for investment mangement in June or September unless you are super-experienced. So, we were just looking at the wrong time. We started looking more recently and BAM hello jobs!!!


So, my husband got a great job is Boston and he starts on June 16th, but we have to be there by June 11th, because he has an appointment to sign his paperwork and stuff.


Wanna hear about my type-A personality in all of this? Haha. We are renewing our vows on May 31st and we''ve been planning that (read: I''VE been planning that). I somehow managed to sell my car in 24 hours. DH sold his in a week. I sold all of our furniture (living room couches, chairs, entertainment unit, curio cabinets, etc, dining room stuff, a full office worth of furniture) in a week. I found a sublet in a week. Booked a truck in a day for waaaay cheap (I''ll give DH credit on that one. he haggled. Good boy haha). Now, here we are living like gypsies on the floor. I''m actually on a cushion using a cardboard box as a laptop stand. Haha. Geez, gimme a week and I''ll flip everything upside down. Haha.


So. . . . anyone here live in Boston??? How do ya like it! Pitch in You guys were so helpful last time.

Congratulations Cello!!!

I am so happy that you found a place you love.

I grew up an hour from Boston and it is a really nice place to live.

(And since your husband already has a job - with three months savings, and Cartier across the street, and Tiffany''s in Copley Place.....

)

 

[SarFarSuperstar]

That is the perfect place for people new to the area- close to everything and completely gorgeous. Boston in the summer is a beautiful thing- in fact, it''s my secret theory that people only live in New England for the summers and tough it out the other 8 months of the year. Not totally true (especially if you love skiing, hiking, etc.) but wow, Boston in the summer is my idea of perfection.

Make sure to look for the Make Way for Ducklings statues in the garden- so pretty and there are always tons of cute kids posing for mom and dad.

I worked for an elderly woman who lived on Charles Street one summer when I was in college- her family had owned a flower shop on the first floor and lived on the second. What a life! She was a little nuts, but I loved running errands around Beacon Hill.

 

[ellaila]

Oh Cello, you are in such a gorgeous area!! I''m totally totally envious of your location, woman. We actually went into the city today (we moved to the burbs last summer when I was preggers) and picnicked in the Public Garden -- just so lovely! Congrats!!

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Hi cello,

Welcome to Boston! I''m a native Massachusetts resident who has lived in a few different states but
this is my home. I am fortunate to have my office 5 miles north of Boston. I''ve met some outstanding
people here from software engineers to medical students to financial managers who are pricescope shoppers.
The winters can be long and snowy but there''s nothing like the beauty of Fall in New England.
We''ve got it all...short drive to many beaches, skiing, the best sports city on the planet, and more
Dunkin Donuts shops than there are humans.

Enjoy!

Jeff Averbook,GG
Graduate Gemologist since 1986

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 5/26/2008 9:00:58 PM
Author: Modified Brilliant
more Dunkin Donuts shops than there are humans.

Hehe AIN''T THAT THE TRUTH!

When I was in highschool my friends and I all went to a concert at Suffolk Downs, and we counted ever DD we saw on the way there (just on the side of the turnpike). From Kennebunk, ME to the concert I think we counted like 15!

 

[Bia]

Date: 5/26/2008 9:47:26 PM
Author: luckystar112

Date: 5/26/2008 9:00:58 PM
Author: Modified Brilliant
more Dunkin Donuts shops than there are humans.

Hehe AIN''T THAT THE TRUTH!

When I was in highschool my friends and I all went to a concert at Suffolk Downs, and we counted ever DD we saw on the way there (just on the side of the turnpike). From Kennebunk, ME to the concert I think we counted like 15!

That is so true!!! I think I read somewhere awhile back that you couldn''t get a permit to open a DD in most places in Mass! There is literally one every few blocks. Yummmm...Love me a cup of good DD coffee.

I have Starbucks across the street from me i]>>>

You all are making me miss my home-state!!!

 

[shigidigi]

Congrats Cello!!! That is so exciting and you are my new hero for selling everything you own in a week!

I totally feel your pain about the rental truck- DH and I own a few pieces of heirloom furniture I am not willing to part with and I was just approved for relocation this summer to... you guessed it! BOSTON!!

So we will be hauling our butts (and our two cats) to Boston in late July from San Francisco which is way farther than I ever thought I would drive! I looked into Pods awhile ago but they were ridiculously expensive.

Did you Craigslist your sublet? I am so excited for you!! Get yourself all settled in so we can have a GTG early in the fall!!!

What type of work do you do? Good for your hubby finding a job- that is so wonderful!

 

[nytemist]

Cello- I''m the opposite of you! Born and raised in Boston, but desperate to move to NYC. I feel I''ve outgrown it.

You are in the are I wanted to live in about ten years ago, but couldn''t afford it. There are some fabulous resturants and cafes all around there.

Boston is a good city and I hope you enjoy it here.

 

[cellososweet]

hi everyone. So busy!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Not only are we moving in 7 days, we''re renewing our vows big wedding style on Saturday. And my DH reconciled with his parents. This is lovely and all, but our cute, intimate 60 person affairs is now a 100 person extravaganza. I was liking the amount of work that 60 people was. 100? Not so much. Especially in the last week. It really F''s things up. Joy (sarcasm). Haha. . I can''t be really too mad. More people to celebrate with. But, still. . . . . 3 days to go and now i''m printing out massive amount of extra everything (programs, menu cards, favors, etc). It doesn''t help that half of these people only have Korean honorific names going and I haven''t done much Korean hand writing since college. Argh!


*phew*

So yeah. . . Boston Yay!! Shigidi. . . Boston is the best. We are taking a Penske. In the 12'' truck, there is roughly an 18'' by 24'' slot between the two seats in the front (the seats are bucket not bench style). That''s big enough for a cat crate. We''re going to put a big one there with our two females in it and then stack a smaller one on top with our male in it (We''ll strap them together to make sure they don''t topple over because the bottom one wedges in and it secure. Does that make sense?) We are going through Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska (I''m missing a state at this point haha), Illinois, INdiana, Ohio, Upstate NY and then through MA. The drive seems intimidating only because of the meow meow factor.

I work in the non-profit area. The past few years I''ve been working in cancer research but I was to get my MSW and be a therapist (women''s issues. from breast cancer to eating disorders). There are so many emotional issues that manifest themselves in body image and self-hatred. So, that''s where I''m headed. I''m going to work for at least a year to gain residency and then apply. I''ll let you know how that goes. Off I go! I''m swaped.

Thanks for all the well-wishes (and nudges to go to Cartier. Haha! LOVE IT!)

~cellososweet

 

[SarFarSuperstar]

There are tons of non-profits in MA- check out idealist.org (it''s an international website, but has a ton of MA listings) for volunteer and job openings. Some great academic programs, too. I actually worked at a college for two years and took classes there for free (4 per year)- ended up getting half my Masters fpr free before I left.

 

[shigidigi]

Cello, thanks for the info on the Penske- if I recall correctly they were less expensive than UHaul when I checked too. Now that you have told me how to fit the cat crates in, I''m game!! I bet you will find a stellar non-profit job once you get out there. My hubby still has not gotten any bites (he teaches college level literature and comp) and I assume it is because of our non-existent Boston address.

You will have to promise to give some updates as you are either on the road or once you have arrived so I can hear how your trip across every-freakin-state went!

Again, I am super proud of you for pulling this all together in such a short amount of time!

If you are ever interested in changing careers and working for an educational publisher, let me know. It''s the only job hookup I have!

 

[shigidigi]

Oh, and does anyone know how long is too long to have your cat in a crate in the car? A coworker of mine drove from San Jose to Cleveland last year with her *gulp* five cats- alone! And never drove more than 600 miles as to not put stress on her little ones. Is that about right or could I stretch it out some and drive further? I just hate the thought of being in the car for forever

with my poor kitties.

Good luck with the vow renewal Cello- I''m sure it will go smashing and then you really will need a week to recoup once you have driven across the country in a Penske! Talk about a honeymoon!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Date: 5/28/2008 7:40:52 PM
Author: shigidigi
Oh, and does anyone know how long is too long to have your cat in a crate in the car? A coworker of mine drove from San Jose to Cleveland last year with her *gulp* five cats- alone! And never drove more than 600 miles as to not put stress on her little ones. Is that about right or could I stretch it out some and drive further? I just hate the thought of being in the car for forever

with my poor kitties.

Good luck with the vow renewal Cello- I'm sure it will go smashing and then you really will need a week to recoup once you have driven across the country in a Penske! Talk about a honeymoon!

I didn't even realize animals got stressed in the car--I drove with my dog from Kansas City to Boston in a UHaul without stopping (except potty breaks)...he seemed fine, haha!

 

[Croí]

Hi Cellososweet ... congrats on the vow renewal and the big move. I lived in Boston up to two years ago and now live in Plymouth, about 45 minutes south towards Cape Cod ... so once you are settled and want to venture south for a day trip along the coast, give me a shout.

Nytemist ... hello there ! How have you been ? All married and happy ?! I hope so !

Seriously, cello, I''m all for meeting new folk so get in touch by all means {goes for all you other Bostonians, or blow ins, too}


C

 

[mercoledi]

I don''t have much to say but welcome!

Boston is beautiful and it sounds like you''ve found a fab condo! DH works in the financial district as well, close to the seaport. Enjoy!