nun

When the weather is nicer one of my favourite bike rides is from Harvard Square out through Newton and Wellesley do a loop around Dover and back. I stop off at the White Mountain ice cream parlour, across from the station and town hall, for a great ice cream.

Bob

not been there, might have to check it out in the summer

eepgmik

I've just finished my second Winter here and can attest to a couple of things:

1. Roads are shite in most places. They do resurface them (and I mean just put a new surface on) but they don't last long. I now know why US suspension is softer than European cars

2. Cycling is bigger than you'd think here. I do more road racing here and group training than I ever did at home (mainly out to the west of Boston). Check out Bikereg.com if that's of interest to you.

3. Boston is pretty much the best I've been to so far for public transport. I live in Metro West (Dedham area) and the commuter rail is pretty good but doesn't run very late at night.

4. I love the city - there's plenty to do and lots of lovely restaurants to go to. Parking is rubbish so public transport is wise but make sure to check the times.

5. Taxes can be a nightmare - my wife just became self employed and it was a minefield to get everything filed.

6. Craigslist is your friend - we found our first house to rent, both cars and various household items on it. I also sell stuff on it when I've got bored with it.

Good luck!

Martin

krizzy

I don't find taxes that high in MA...not when I look back at what we paid in the UK...or what we pay in Property tax in FL...

JohnStang

my sister lives in beverly and she hates it. she liked it at first but she says everyone is rude, its isolated, and the food is bad.

nun

Beverley Thats outside Rt128, is there any life out that far?

Once I was at a party in downtown Boston speaking to a woman who lived in the South End. She asked where I lived, I think to gauge my status, and when I said Watertown she thought for a moment, trying to locate it on a mental map and then said in apologetic tones "Oh....., but I hear you can get a lot for your money OUT THERE".

Hiro11

Best ice cream in Boston area:
1. Lizzy's in Waltham on Moody
2. Herrell's in Harvard Square and Allston

That is all.

Bob

It's a big sport...but not seen many do it as a means of transport though...

Bob

Moody Street...there's a good curry house there too apparently...but parking is a munter, and err...yeah, wouldn't leave anything in site in your car out there

But will have to check out the ice cream place

Hiro11

Nah, Waltham's very safe and Moody is very crowded. Waltham is nicer than it looks

Waltham actually has a lot of good restaurants, particularly Italian. Il Cappricio, Campania and Tuscan Grill all do good Italian. IMO, Campania is one of the best Italian spots in the Boston area.

New Mother India on Moody is passable curry (India Paradise in Newton Center right next to the T is probably better if you're in the area).

As an added bonus, Watch City Brewery on Moody is a very good brewpub. Some of their ales are truly tasty.

Bob

cheers for the heads up, we don't live far from newton, so might have to check it out...there's a place in framingham that ain't to bad, well it's good for lunches anyway...

And waltham, there's good pockets and many a dump, without knowing the area, it's a tad hard to get your bearings, which is why we didn't bother with the place after a quick look, but then when your checking as many places out on a weekend like we were doing, we wanted to spread our wings as much as possible...found a bargain of a lovely place in newton though, till we found out it was opposite the fire station

nun

Best ice cream in MA is Steve's in Northampton, he started it after he sold Herrell's. FYI Northampton is the best town to live in in MA.

I rode a bike to work for 5 years and I pass lots of bicycle commuters in the morning between Harvard and Watertown Square.

Hiro11

Other way around, he started Herrell's after he sold Steve's. The ice cream place in Thorne's Market in Noho is a Herrell's.

Also, I grew up in Amherst. Northampton is indeed excellent, especially if you're a gay woman .

janj

I have a question for Hiro or nun who seem to know the Northampton/Amherst area

I have to find somewhere out that way for a small family reunion - 2 nights in October for 7 people ages 15 to 70 (we're celebrating my Dad's 70th and the need to be in that area is to see my daughter who starts Umass Amherst this Fall). I'd love to hear any suggestions for nice places to stay.

Thanks

PS Sorry to hijack your thread popcorn - but you might want to explore this area too - if only for the ice cream at Steve's

nun

You're right on both counts,the best is which ever one invented the "shmushing"

FYI NoHo is good whatever your inclination is