Allston Amenities
Boston Events: PAX East
This year’s PAX East (http://east.paxsite.com) is in Boston, MA! The extremely popular gaming convention will be the site of epic gaming opportunities, including console, PC and tabletop games. There will be both organized tournaments and free play areas where you can put together a game with old and new friends.
Residents of Newton MA homes, Brookline MA homes, Allston MA apartments and Brighton MA homes will have the convenience of being able to attend all three days of the concert without having to pay for a hotel room. A Boston apartment, of course, will allow you prime access to the full PAX experience.
Besides hours and hours of gaming, PAX East will feature panel discussions with fascinating speakers, nerdcore concerts and lots of exciting booths where gaming companies will show off their latest games (and give away sacks of loot!) The highlight of PAX is the Omegathon, a massive elimination tournament that runs throughout the three days of the expo and culminates on the final day in a wildly entertaining live championship round on the main stage. This year’s keynote features Jordan Mechner, creator of the 1980s classics Prince of Persia and Karateka.
Check the PAX East website or follow @Official_PAX on Twitter to stay up on the latest updates and registration information.
New Year Resolution to Find a Better Apartment in Boston
Boston is one of the most exciting places in the United States to live while attending college, starting a career and making plans for the future. Unfortunately, making a New Year’s resolution to find a better apartment in the area might be more of a challenge than expected. Boston has a tight apartment market when compared to other cities, so it will require some preparation to find that great place to live.
Shortlist Locations:
Start the search by making a shortlist of preferred locations. For example, anyone who is interested in living near the Boston Common might look at Beacon Hill real estate or a Back Bay condo.
Having a few areas set aside on a shortlist makes it easier to find that great apartment by searching in only a specific area. Narrowing down the location results in a more limited search around the area.
For those who are unsure about which locations to consider, the best course of action might be working back from commuting or important features your desired area must have available instead. For example, anyone who is attending Berklee College of Music might consider looking at South End real estate to the south of the college or looking for a Back Bay condo to the north. Working around the areas that are within a relatively close commute to school or work is ideal to minimize the amount of time spent in transportation.
Set a Spending Limit:
Boston has a wide range of rental prices available, so having a set spending limit for each month is ideal when looking for a place to stay. In some cases, the amount of money available each month will determine the location because some areas are more expensive than others.
In general, Boston apartments are not inexpensive. The apartment costs might be less than cities like New York and San Francisco, but the amount is higher than many other cities within the United States. Renters should expect relatively high urban rent amount, so anyone setting a low spending limit should expect to look at studio apartments and one bedroom options due to the general price.
Apartments in the Boston area are generally more expensive the closer it comes to downtown. Brookline real estate, Back Bay condos or similar areas that move toward the center of the city are often more expensive than areas slightly outside. For example, it might be possible to find more affordable options in Allston apartments.
Consider a Roommate:
Looking for Boston apartments is difficult when searching alone. Young men and women who are still in college or have recently graduated and joined the workforce are often limited in available rental spending. In many areas, this lower spending amount might even mean that a studio apartment is out of reach. Fortunately, finding a roommate can solve some of these difficulties.
Roommates split the rent, so it makes that Back Bay condo or Allston apartment more affordable.
When working with a roommate, both parties should sign the lease and write out a written agreement regarding what will happen if one or the other defaults on the rent. The written agreement should also determine how the roommates will handle different types of problems that might arise, such as writing names on food or arranging times to use the shower to avoid schedule conflicts.
Finding a roommate in Boston is not challenging since many will advertise in The Boston Globe or through online agencies.
When the neighborhood is selected, the roommate is found and the budget is determined, finding a new apartment in Boston will require some patience. Boston apartments are at a premium because of limited availability. Patience is a necessity when looking for a better apartment in Boston, but it is rewarded when the great neighborhood and reasonably priced rental property becomes available.
The Somerville Theatre Presents The Slutcracker Burlesque Show In Boston
This Christmas, you may not be ready for another rendition of The Nutcracker simply because it’s boring and it’s been done over and over again. But there’s a better alternative this year. If you’re looking for Boston apartments for rent, however, you may be close enough to the action to check out what the Somerville Theatre has planned for everyone who wants more than just a ballet.
The Slutcracker Burlesque Show has opened to rave reviews that take The Nutcracker and the work of Tchaikovsky to a completely new – and inappropriate level. Scantily clad women replace the toy soldiers and the nutcrackers are definitely naughtier than they were in the original production.
The various Brighton and Allston MA apartments and nearby rental properties are the perfect place to call home in time for the holidays. Living in Boston has always been a dream of many, but when there are such productions as the Slutcracker, it makes the urge to move into the city that much greater.
You can find a Boston luxury property that is within minutes of walking distance from the Somerville Theatre so that you can buy tickets and find out what everyone is talking about. Sure, the tradition of taking the train into New York to see the Nutcracker on Broadway will be broken but there are too many Boston apartments that have residents raving about the bawdy Slutcracker that it simply cannot be missed.
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the various weeks of December, the show goes on with one of two casts, with the final performance taking place on Christmas Eve. Upon seeing the show, you will have the infamous Nutcracker music stuck in your head, but the images that will be scrolling through your mind will be anything but innocent.
When you rent in the Boston area, you will be able to quickly get back home after the show in order to call all your friends to tell them about the spectacular show that you just watched. There are a number of Boston homes for sale, so after seeing this show, you may decide that Boston absolutely must be your next new home.
No other city offers the Slutcracker Burlesque Show and everyone is talking about it. Fox, the Boston Globe and everyone else has given it five stars to encourage people to go see it around the holidays. The Nutcracker may be traditional but the burlesque show is so much more fun. The actors and actresses are top notch and dance like their lives depend on it with raunchy moves that leave the crowd howling.
Whether you live or rent in the Boston area, you simply cannot pass up the Slutcracker. Anyone who is at least 18 years of age will be able to get in to see the show. Tickets are selling out fast as everyone learns about the show through friends and reviewers that have already seen all the performers in action.
Tickets are only $25 per person and the show times are predominantly at 8 in the evening, though there are one or two performances done as a matinee in case you’ve already got plans at night.
The costumes will be reminiscent of the original Nutcracker that you grew up with, except they will be much shorter and some of the tops will be replaced by pasties. And as for the Nutcracker and the dancing, don’t expect anything tame from this group of performers. There is thrusting, twirling and everything else that makes a good burlesque show.
While it may not be a traditional way to say ‘Happy Holidays’ it will soon become a tradition that many people won’t be able to pass up. The Boston apartments for rent nearby will get you into the seats a lot faster, so if you’re still deciding, think about all that you could be missing out on when Boston isn’t the place that you call home.
The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Boston’s Faneuil Hall
There’s nothing that quite says “Christmas” like a Christmas tree. It acts as a holiday decoration and sees over the gifts in a home. But it also has a place beyond the home. More and more cities and municipalities are getting into the holiday spirit with community trees and special ceremonies that accompany the lighting of such trees. One such east coast city is Boston. In it’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace, a massive Christmas tree is lighted annually. Located at 75 State Street in the heart of downtown, the marketplace is just a short commute from any Boston rental property and a manageable drive from several suburban locations, such as your Allston apartment and Brookline real estate property, where it will take you about 15 minutes to get into town.
The 2011 Christmas tree lighting at Faneuil Hall Marketplace took place on Saturday, November 19 and annually occurs on a Saturday in mid to late November. It’s a day full of holiday entertainment in downtown Boston. In addition to the big countdown at 5 p.m. and the 5:30 p.m. ceremonial tree lighting, it’s a day packed with shopping, food and drinks, Christmas caroling, dancing and more. Performers take to a community stage to entertain the crowd throughout the day. Even Santa Claus gets in on the fun by making a special appearance at the event. He’s even on hand before and after the festivities to take pictures with those in attendance and to put a smile on the faces of all the little ones in attendance.
The event begins at 11 a.m, and the fun isn’t over when the 300,000 lights are flicked on to illuminate the buildings and trees within the marketplace. A Capella groups, choir groups, dance groups and characters from the Boston Ballet Nutcracker are also scheduled to annually attend and perform. Other special surprise celebrities also make it down to the annual lighting to take part in the big day, but you’ll have to be in attendance to see who shows up each particular year. All in all, the event ends at around 6:30 p.m., allowing you plenty of time to hit up some other local establishments for more Boston themed nightlife before you head back to your Boston apartment or commute back to your south end real estate home. But just because 6:30 p.m. arrives doesn’t mean that the tree goes dim. You’ll have plenty of time to admire its beauty before it’s time to go home.
Although the entire marketplace is lit up at the annual tree lighting, the crown jewel of the lighting ceremony is Faneuil Hall’s 75 foot Christmas tree. It towers over the rest of the marketplace and weighs more than six tons. The tree is a Norwegian Spruce that’s some 70 years old. Originally grown in New York’s Rockland County, the tree was transplanted and installed at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Of the estimated 300,000 lights that are annually flipped on at the lighting ceremony, this tree is decorated with over 20,000 of them. It’s also decorated with 1,500 ornaments. There’s nothing else like it in the area to get you into the holiday spirit. Take a date, tag along with your friends or round up your family and head downtown for the day of Christmas fun. Just because the big holiday is still over a month away doesn’t mean you can’t get into the holiday spirit. In Boston, this event serves as the unofficial kick-off to Christmas.
Five Tips for Finding a Boston Apartment
Apartment tips 101
You have decided to find a new apartment in the Boston area. Now what? Where do you start? Finding the best Boston rental property depends on your price point, your social preferences and your transportation options.
Tip #1-Planning for your move.
Before you start looking at individual properties, make a list of the “must have” items for your new home. Decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms you must have in your new home. Do you need a garage? Do you need extra large closets? Do you prefer an upper floor or a lower floor?
This step should include all of the minimum requirements for Boston apartments or homes you will consider renting. It is a good idea to set budget limits during this planning stage, too. Also, define your move in window, which is your planned range of moving dates.
Tip #2-Choose your neighborhoods.
Select two or three neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle. Read local real estate blogs or reviews online to find a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle. Talk to friends at work or people who you have classes with to get their recommendation. Do some research. To get you started, here are a few pointers.
If you want to live near Boston Common, you might consider the Back Bay condo region. For $1800, you can get an apartment with paid utilities and easy access to the Copley T station.
If you want to live on the waterfront, looking for Boston apartments in the North End near the harbor are going to be more along your liking. Keep in mind that these areas are beautiful, but may be a little pricey for some college students and “twenty-somethings” just starting out in a new career.
South End real estate is affordable and offers many choices for shopping and dining. There are great places to eat and bars that offer a fun nightlife atmosphere. If you need easy access to public transportation, South End and Allston apartments are great choices.
Somerville, in the Davis Square area, is known as a “hip and happening” neighborhood. Most residents are in their mid-twenties to early thirties. This is a safe, affordable neighborhood with access to public transit. It has an artsy kind of atmosphere.
Tip #3-Contact a real estate agent or rental guide.
Working with a Boston rental property professional can save you time and money. Property managers, real estate agents and professional lease consultants all have insider information. These professionals can use your list (from step one) to find properties that fit your budget and your lifestyle. Working with a professional is faster than searching internet and newspaper ads. A lease consultant can put you in contact with decorators and give you tips on negotiating rental rates.
Tip#4-Look at several properties before you sign a lease.
Look at several apartments and then chose two or three that fit your lifestyle. Re-visit those locations at a different time of day. Sometimes a neighborhood is peaceful and quiet during the day and energetic and lively at night. If safety is a factor, consider Newton, MA real estate offerings. This suburb was named one of the safest communities in the nation! You can check with local law enforcement to ask how frequently they are called to a particular complex.
Tip#5-Negotiate your lease.
Remember that everything is negotiable. Whether you choose a neighborhood that is hip and energetic or friendly to young families, negotiate a price and terms that you can live with. With some planning and guidance, you will find a great apartment in Boston to call home.
Come Visit Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA this Thanksgiving Season
Pilgrims enjoying a hearty meal
It all began way back in 1620 when the Pilgrims completed their overseas journey from England to America. The Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts and America spread out from there. Today, Plimoth Plantation is an authentic recreation of the historically significant colony that was made up of the original first settlers of the new land.
Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on our history and there is no better place to take in the meaning of the moment than Plimoth Plantation. Located approximately 40 miles south of downtown Boston along Route 3 in Plymouth County, the area attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and vacationers every year. From the time the Pilgrims sat down to the first thanksgiving dinner up until today, it is a joy to follow the early history of our country.
One can see how tough a life the early settlers had to deal with. There were no modern conveniences, very little infrastructure and you had to have a true pioneer spirit and be able to fend for yourself if you wanted to survive. That same hearty stock still exists in Americans, but it is always good to remind ourselves of our humble beginnings.
Among the many attractions in and around Plimoth Plantation is the Plimoth Rock, supposedly a monument to the spot where the Mayflower touched land for the first time. There are also numerous historical monuments and statues paying tribute to some of the more famous officials of the early Colonial period.
Plimoth Plantation is close to many of the Boston area colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. In fact, there are 52 institutions of higher learning including research universities, junior colleges, 4 year colleges and specialty institutions. Among the most famous are Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern. Students have a wide choice of housing options in and around the Boston area. If you go to school in Boston, you might want to look for Boston apartments. As most students are on a limited budget, they may need to consider sharing an apartment with several roommates. You can choose to live just outside of Boston and perhaps get an apartment for a little lower rent.
Brookline apartments are just outside of Boston and very close to the Chestnut Hill location of Boston College. Other nearby Brookline colleges include the liberal arts college, Pine Manor and the New England Institute of Art.
Students who may attend Wellesley College or Babson College about 12 miles west of downtown Boston can find excellent, modern Newton Ma homes and apartments for rent or sale. The more suburban setting is often preferred by students and young people who like the wide, open spaces that are hard to find in the middle of Boston.
No matter whether you choose to rent a Back Bay Condo near Fenway Park or choose one of the nice Allston apartments convenient to your school or place of work, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock. While you might be able to find a small, nicely furnished or unfurnished one bedroom for about $1200 per month, that is considered the low range in the Boston rental market. If you are on a tight budget, you may look to rent a room from a private homeowner or consider rooming with several others and splitting the rent.
On average, expect a 1 bedroom apartment to run between $1500-$2000 per month, a 2 bedroom around $2200, 3 or 4 bedroom close to $3000 and anything bigger or in a prime location can set you back $4000 or even more.
Top 5 Burger Joints in Boston’s Allston and Brighton Neighborhoods
That is a tasty burger.
When looking to rent a Brighton, MA homes or Allston, MA apartments, the first question on your mind might not be where to find the best burger, but the question might be high on your priority list when you move in and can’t find your kitchen gear. Here are five burger joints in the Allston and Brighton neighborhoods that will delight your taste buds and have you planning your return visit before you even pull out of the parking lot.
U Burger
U Burger, located at 1022 Commonwealth Avenue, is a funky little burger joint similar to a 5 Guys with absolutely the best burger selection conceivable, including veggie burgers, a spicy jalapeno burger and ever condiment you could wish for. The U Burger also offers take out and delivery to Allston apartments and homes.
Porter Belly’s
Porter Belly’s is a favorite among Brighton, MA apartment dwellers. Located at 338 Washington Street, Porter Belly’s is an Irish bar and local hang out for college students and young locals. While you wait for a mouth-watering burger and a beer, enjoy the live music, open mic night or watch a game on the plasma TV’s. Try the Buffalo Burger if you love hot sauce and blue cheese.
Eagle’s Deli
Eagle’s Deli at 1918 Beacon Street, is the home of the Eagle’s Challenge Burger. This is one huge burger and not for the faint of heart. Weighing over five pounds and topped with 20 pieces of bacon and 20 slices of American cheese, no one leaves hungery, and just in case the burger isn’t enough, it comes with a five pound side for fries. This is a must-visit place for Brighton, MA homes visitors and residents alike.
Moogie’s Sandwich Shop
Boston College students love Moogy’s Sandwich shop is a favorite for breakfast, burgers and sandwiches. Located on South End real estate, this restaurant has a cool chill vibe and prices that won’t leave you broke for the rest of the week. Not sure what kind of burger you are in the mood for? Try the Dumpster. The Dumpster is a third of a pound burger smothered in barbecue sauce, bacon, American cheese and chili. Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and condiments come on the side.
Brighton Beer Garden
Nothing goes better with a burger than beer. The Brighton Beer Garden, located at 386 Market Street, is a sports bar offering a nice selection of beef, veggie and turkey burgers as a part of its full menu. Non-burger lovers will enjoy their Big Salads and Mexican dishes, and eclectic sandwich selections. Go for the food. Stay for the trivia, karaoke and live music.
Begin your search for a favorite burger joint in the Allston and Brighton Neighborhoods with a trip to these five spots, then expand your search through the dozens of other restaurants available to area residents. You’ll have a great time and might be surprised by the unique variety of burger recipes out there.
High Temperatures and High Humidity Expected, Beat the Heat!
Info + Tips and Tricks to Beat the Heat
Boston is amidst a serious heat-wave that is expected to last for a few more days. In Massachusetts, a heat wave is defined as three consecutive days with temperatures over 90 degrees. Alan Dunham, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Taunton, spoke regarding today saying, “It’s mainly just going to feel miserable.” A heat advisory is in effect for today, July 21st, from noon until 9 pm. Temperatures will be in the 90s, but combined with the high levels of humidity, the weather is expected to feel as if it’s 104; this will be 105 tomorrow.
Intense heat combined with high humidity can be more than just uncomfortable. It can be unhealthy. This combination of factors causes significantly higher than normal ozone levels in the air, which is not healthy for anyone. Those especially at risk are persons with asthma and other respiratory problems, children, and the elderly. People have been advised to check on senior citizens in their community throughout the day.
Beating the Heat:
Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day. Your body cools itself down as perspiration (sweat) evaporates from the skin. When humidity is high, your perspiration evaporates at a much slower rate, making your natural cooling techniques much less efficient. Your body compensates by increasing perspiration, which can quickly dehydrate you. One should always try and stay hydrated, but during weather like this it is especially critical.
Stay cool. If you do not have air conditioning or access to a cool place, try seeking out one of Boston’s “cooling centers.” Mayor Tom Menino announced that Boston and some surrounding areas are keeping public pools open late and opening a series of cooling centers when people can refresh themselves.
Try a non-outdoor activity. Sure, you may feel guilty not enjoying the outdoors during the summer, but you do not have to feel guilty when the weather is like this! Try catching a movie or going to a museum. These activities almost always involve environment-controlled, air-conditioned spaces.
Still too hot? Maybe you need air conditioning or a cooler place, contact Phoenix Realty today!
Taste of Allston
Despite the dreary weather 
this past weekend the Murr Center at the Harvard Athletic Complex was host to the fourteenth annual Taste of Allston. Restaurants from around the area came together to provide people with a sample of the types of food there is to experience in this neighborhood.
Just walking down Brighton Avenue it’s clear that Allston is home to a diverse mix of restaurants. Within just fifty feet you can smell Asian cuisine being prepared at Shabu Zen; classic pub food from the White Horse Tavern; Italian cuisine from Carlo’s Cucina Italiana; and even Mexican food at the Sunset Grill.
The 2011 Taste of Allston this past Saturday was a demonstration of the wide variety of food and culture you can find in the area. It featured food from all over the world – China, Korea, Brazil, Russia, Italy, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Colombia, France, Thailand, India, and of course classic all-American favorites. The event also featured tastings of international and domestic beers and wine, a silent auction, and live music. The proceeds from the event were donated back to the community through Allston Village Main Streets, a community-based public-private partnership aiming to revitalize the Allston commercial district.
To become a part of this distinct and vibrant community contact a Phoenix Realty agent to find your perfect Allston apartment.
Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum Celebrates Four Years
The Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum has two exciting events to share with those who reside in Brighton, MA apartments and Allston, MA apartments during this dreary winter season.
On Saturday, February 26, the museum will hold a fourth anniversary party at 20 Chestnut Hill Avenue, the address of the museum. There will be a wine and cheese reception held from 1pm- 3:30 pm for Allston and Brighton residents alike to enjoy.
Additionally, the Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum’s latest art exhibit, “Renew” will run through April 9th, so neighborhood residents should stop by to explore the gallery. “Renew” will show 55 art works by eight local artists, featuring landmarks and properties that are architecturally or historically significant through paintings, photographs, and mixed media presentations.
The Boston museum was opened on February 24, 2007 just outside of Brighton Center to mark the official start of Brighton’s year long Bicentennial celebration. The Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum was planned and organized by the Historical Society as a permanent institution to provide creative interpretations of the history of one of Boston’s most diverse and interesting neighborhoods.
The museum has two major exhibitions, including a permanent exhibition in Gallery A that highlights the historical themes that have contributed to the rich history of Brighton and Allston. The gallery is organized around six main themes: Early History, Transportation, Agriculture & Horticulture, Industry & Commerce, Suburbanization, and Institutional History. The second gallery, Inner Gallery, designated “The Winship Gallery” was established for accommodating a series of rotating exhibits.
The Brighton-Allston neighborhood has lots of great attractions and amenities to offer its residents; if you would like to find the perfect Allston apartment or Brighton home, please contact Phoenix Realty. One of our knowledgeable agents would be happy to assist you in your search for the perfect new home!
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