With holiday shopping upon us in Boston and the surrounding areas, I thought I'd take the opportunity to bring a little more local cheer to my blog.  One of my favorite things about living in the Greater Boston area is the commitment to local shops, artists ...

1. Understand what you can afford.  Some people are better at managing their finances and stretching budgets in specific areas based on their needs.  So even if you have a very specific budget in mind and sense of what you can afford, this can hinder your search if it ...

If only moving were as fun as movies and TV shows made it seem--sure, no furniture yet so let's just order a pizza and crack open a bottle of wine and lay on the ground in bliss.  Too bad the struggle of that first wave of unpacking goes ...

1. Amazing Public Schools - At the end of August, Boston Magazine published a list of the "Best Public School Districts in Boston".  Newton came in at #7 of the ranking of 125 districts in Greater Boston. With some of the highest enrollment numbers in the state, the city still ...

1. Lots of Greenery. Jamaica Plain hosts Jamaica Pond, the Arborway, Arnold Arboretum, and Franklin Park. With ample trails throughout the Arboretum and a 1.5 mile loop around the pond, JP is ideal for runners and dog owners who need a little breathing room from the hustle of the ...

1. Work with one rental agent. It may be really tempting to hit craigslist and message 30 different agents about apartments you found online, but ultimately it creates a lot more confusion and stress for you. Sure, you may have more control in the timing and scheduling, but what you ...

When I moved to Watertown from Jamaica Plain a little over 4 years ago, I went kicking and screaming. I did not want to leave the quiet convenience of a neighborhood just 3-5 MBTA stops away from the heart of the city, all while having the space and greenery of ...

Just last year, a neighborhood analysis by Niche ranked Brookline the #1 suburb in America to live in.  The town is adjacent to Boston and has access to all of the amenities of a city but still holds that "small town" vibe close to the vest,

1. Highly-Ranked Public ...

Getting top rent may seem like a passive activity in the Greater Boston area, but rents are starting to flatten in general. With an influx of luxury apartment buildings coming  throughout the city, many individual condo owners are having a harder time maintaining consistent tenancy through transition periods.  Some landlord ...

Ready or not, the tax man's coming. Filing your taxes yourself may not be your idea of a fun night at home, but even so, it doesn't really have to be that bad. Yes, even if you own a home. Even if you itemize your deductions. Even if you ...