I believe it's officially Slummerville or Scummyville.

Although Boston is VERY small (you could easily live in any of the places mentioned in this thread outside of Everett and get to where you are going in 20-30 minutes on a bike), living in Cambridge/Somerville/Brighton/JP is very different than living in Boston proper. I'd love to live in Cambridge, but I can't afford it, so I live in Brighton. If I wanted to live IN the city though, I'd move to Chinatown, Southie, or Back Bay.

Also: Brighton is NO WHERE NEAR as college-kid infested as Allston (it's next door neighbor with very blurry boundary lines. Note: Do not go near Allston.) or the Fenway/Kenmore area. Brighton's low income housing is mostly occupied by single-parent families and minority groups, while it's nicer areas are working professionals. You do get a lot of BC kids over in Cleveland Circle, but I like to pretend thats Brookline anyways.

You'll probably really like Brookline, the South End and Back Bay.

You might consider Charlestown as well. Really towny, really nice, great vibe, all while still maintaining a city feel, and it's literally across the street from where you say you'll be working.

Brighton: Little Cambridge.

EDIT: there's a great article about brighton vs. allston in today's globe, metro section, check it if you can!

Thank you BostonFixed!

Brighton homies REPRESENT.

I'll agree with that

I live in Southie, but I don't hang out there. It's very convenient for working downtown.

What's the difference between Southie, South End, and South Boston? Are they all different places?

Southie is short hand for South Boston. The South End is right next door. South Boston is working class families, with some yuppie development going on. And of course, a history of racial tension (moreso than the rest of the city), but it's becoming more mixed in some areas. It's right next to the harbor, so you can get some nice non-car dodging biking with some beautiful views.

i thought Brighton and JP WERE Boston proper.

they are.

you must live in boston proper to work for the city, and those two are on the list - as is charlestown, and roslindale.

As are West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Dorchester but I wouldn't call any of them Boston Proper.

Residents of the Financial District, Chinatown, North End, South End, Bay Village, Kenmore/Fenway, Back Bay, Southie and Beacon Hill (and maybe Mission Hill/Northeastern) write "Boston" on their mail. I guess that group constitutes Boston-"proper".

But how this relates to fixed gear/SS riding is beyond me....

Exactly. Brighton is not Boston proper.

Dude just go around the city like in Downtown Crossing or Davis Sq. Somerville

What are you talking about?

I am equally confused

My guess is that he was talking to me, suggesting that I look at those areas. I will. Like I said, I'll be there Sunday.

Near 17th and Q.

My then g/f and I lived in the Cairo many years ago... now I can understand your willingness to spend 2K a month

I spend 2k to live in a rowhouse. I wouldn't spend 2k to live in the Cairo. The building's got a neat history though.

i would say for the most pleasant commute, stick to cambridge or somerville. but don't live in east cambridge, or your rides will be over almost before they've begun!
and like everyone else has said, 2k will get you just about anything anywhere. you probably don't even need to spend that much around here to get what you want!