Boston - Cost of Life?

Travel Info
I might be moving to Boston for a new job and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what should a person earn per-year in order to live decently or at least survive in downtown Boston. And if anyone thinks I should look for someplace else other than downtown, which neighborhood do you recommend that is safe and has quick access to public transportation to downtown (My new job's office will be there). I've never lived on my own, so I'm scared to death.

Travel Tips

If when you say "downtown" Boston, you mean Boston proper, I can honestly say that I lived on a very trendy street right downtown dear the Prudential Center in a 2 bedroom for $1,700 (total). After that I tried to find a studio. The cheapest I could find was $895 that included it's own bathroom and a mini-stove (not a hot plate), but the fridge was still a mini-fridge. I finially had to move to Cambridge where i found a $730 studio. It was the cheapest one ever on the market I'm told. lol! Cambridge is a great area to look b/c it is a trendy and fun area, and is directly on the T. Try Central Sq. (It has vastly improved since years ago and is a great location) or Harvard Sq. (more expensive). Also, consider the Brighton or Newton Corner areas. Although they are not on the subway system they are on the bus system and there is an express bus that will get you downtown via the Mass Turnpike in about 10 minutes which is what most of the commuters use. This area is great if you are looking for a bit more of a suburban feel but you will probably need a car. Also, there are a lot of college kids in this area, but at least you are not overwhelmed by Boston real estate prices and it is quieter.

Honestly, I lived in Boston for 7 years and made about $47,000 by the time I left and I was living alone with a $730 per month studio apartment. It is an expensive city so be prepared, but it all depends on what you get for an apartment.

Also, you may want to consider getting a roommate. If you go on http://boston.craigslist.org you many find a better deal renting with someone. That way, you'd also be meeting people in the process. Boston is a tough city to get to know people.

Good luck! :-)
Others

At least $75k.... I live in Wakefield Ma Small town about 10miles north of Boston... Feel free to email me if you have any questions or want to know more....
You might want a roommate.
http://roommates.com

Median gross rent in 2005: $1,075.

Rent paid by renters in 2000 in Boston:
Less than $100: 3590 (number of apartments)
$100 to $149: 5672
$150 to $199: 9809
$200 to $249: 5465
$250 to $299: 4697
$300 to $349: 3919
$350 to $399: 3082
$400 to $449: 5114
$450 to $499: 3840
$500 to $549: 6988
$550 to $599: 5379
$600 to $649: 9853
$650 to $699: 8078
$700 to $749: 9050
$750 to $799: 8033
$800 to $899: 15859
$900 to $999: 11554
$1,000 to $1,249: 17681
$1,250 to $1,499: 9062
$1,500 to $1,999: 8813
$2,000 or more: 3566 (number of apartments)
No cash rent: 3014

You can read about cost of living for Boston and other cities and zip codes on the census and at city-data.com.

http://www.city-data.com/housing/houses-...
http://www.city-data.com/city/boston-mas...

This is a map of local median rents.
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/the...

Places with lower unemployment are probably quieter at night.
This is a map of local unemployment rates.
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/the...

You can read about transportation at amtrak.com and mbta.com.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/s...
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/contentser...

This is a map of local popularity of public transportation.
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/the...