Bounding Boston by three sides, Brookline, Mass. is an ideal location for students of area schools as well as young professionals who work downtown. The town features a rather unique blend of urban and suburban elements that’s perfect for the up-and-coming young professional. Think upscale shops and idyllic community parks with an extensive array of apartment buildings and homes.
CNN Money ranked Brookline number 39 in its 2010 Top 100 Places to Live. Hometown to President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, Conan O’Brien, 60 Minutes’ Mike Wallace and once home to Larry Bird and Saul Bellow, Brookline enjoys its own reputation, fiercely independent of its neighbor Boston. It’s not too crowded: It had a population of 58,732 people in 2010, representing very smart growth of 2.8 percent from the 2000 Census.
The neighborhoods of Brookline, from SoBro to Coolidge Corner, Brookline Village to Brookline Hills, Cottage Farm to Corey Farm, Washington Square to Putterham Circle, all add elements to the town’s charm and rich cultural history. For students and recent graduates, it’s easy to see why Brookline retains so much of its brain trust. Either in or very near to Brookline are Boston University and parts of Boston College, Northeastern University, Hellenic College, Pine Manor College, the New England Institute of Art and several more. Boston University apartments are a major draw, as are Northeastern University apartments.
In addition, a car is optional in Brookline. Within walking distances are major retail centers in Coolidge Corner, and Cleveland Circle, all of which cater to the pedestrian lifestyle. Even Fenway Park is just a hop, skip and a jump away. Moreover, the town is highly accessible thanks to thorough coverage of public transportation.
There’s anything and everything to do in Brookline, too. Brookline loves culture. Recent and upcoming events for the town represent a diversity of interests, such as a Russian Food and Vodka Tasting event, a culinary walking tour, an energy improvement competition, discussions on Islamic culture, and an information session for the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, which is in Brookline.
The town’s mainstays, however, include Coolidge Corner Theatre, John F. Kennedy National Historic Site, Longyear Museum, The Country Club, The Puppet Showplace Theatre and the two sites in town that were once stops on the Underground Railroad. Moreover, you’ll enjoy the farmer’s market every Thursday and a popular annual summer concert series that caters to every age and music taste.
Now, to be sure, Brookline has a swanky reputation. The median household income is $92,451 and unemployment is just about 3 percent. As a student or young professional, you may be wondering how you can afford to live here. Surprisingly, Brookline’s apartments and nearby apartments are very affordable.
Roommating is also quite common. Students who came to study at nearby schools boast that finding a place to live in upscale Brookline wasn’t hard to do at all, and those who have roommates report rarely having more than $500 in rental and housing expenses, leaving you with reasonable cash leftover to enjoy the town. This is especially true if you live near the “T,” which is the locals’ way of referring to the Trolley system that supplements the massive public transit infrastructure. Even if you get stuck finding a place, residents also suggest newcomers check out nearby Allston apartments, Brighton apartments as well as Fenway apartments, all of which are affordable and comfortable.
Become a Fan
Follow Us
The cultural and religious Irish holiday known as St. Patrick’s Day observes the patron Saint, Saint Patrick, and the day also marks the lifting of Lenten limitations. This holiday is the most popular and extensively celebrated of all the saints’ days. On March 17th individuals all over the world celebrate the holiday by attending church services, wearing green attire and by partying at bars, clubs and other St Paddy’s day fetes.
