living in Boston

Just stay out of Roxbury and Dorchester...trust me on this!

It depends on how much you have to spend and what kind of atmosphere you like.  If you have lots to spend my favorite neighborhoods right in the city are Beacon Hill and Back Bay, but they're both super expensive.  I lived in Charlestown and loved it.  It's more blue collar (although that is changing fast) and very Irish.  All of those neighborhoods are full of young people.  You can't really go wrong anywhere in Boston if you're looking for young people!  South Boston is also more blue collar and is really starting to get trendy - much cheaper than the other neighborhoods I said.  Southie (the South End) is cool and it's a quick walk to the Back Bay.  The North End is the Italian neighborhood - the best restaurants around.

I would say if money isn't an issue Back Bay probably covers most of what you're looking for - young, nice and lots of nightlife.

You really just described the whole city!

Seriously, I lived in Beantown for almost two years...Cambridge/Brookline are very nice.  As is downtown.

I'd stay out of South Boston.  Allston and Brighton are more college-sceney than Cambridge/Brookline but definitely have night life and tend to be a bit cheaper (and thereby lower class).

If you want ease of transpo, stay on the RED line or the faster green lines.  The Green B line takes FOREVER to get anywhere. 

Somerville.

I was going to say Somerville but I thought you wanted to live right in the city.  If you don't mind living just outside the city Somerville is great.  I lived in Davis Square for a year and loved it.  I could walk to the Red line, I was right by Tufts (so if I had liked running back then it would have been a pretty area) and there are some great restaurants.  in fact if you like BBQ you need to go there for a visit anyway just so you can eat at Redbones.

My brother lived in Allston and owns a house in Brighton but he didn't love it.  It was an OK area but he felt too far removed frm his friends in the city.  He now rents out his house and moved into Beacon Hill.  He also likes walking to work instead of driving or taking the bus.

South Boston (Southie) is good...as mentioned. You have Land M street beaches and Castle Island to run around.   This is not the same as the South End which can be a bad area.

I grew up in Dorchester...lol.  Its actually better now than it was in the mid 70's when we moved. Some parts are still very bad. You have to know where you are going.

Somerville, Brighton, Allston are all good too.  

Somerville, walking distance from a Red Line stop.  If you can afford it, Davis Square.  Or walking distance from Porter Square (those are close, and both on the Red Line.)  Slightly tighter budget, Inman Square.  it's about a 15-minute walk from the Central Square Red Line stop.

I lived in those areas 1997-2001 and loved it.

Have fun!  Also: get thee out to Walden Pond to swim whenever possible.  It's glorious.  If you don't have a car (don't need one for much else really), join ZipCar for this purpose.  Trust me. 

I'm partial to Cambridge and Somerville.  Unlike (most of) the rest of the posters, I actually live here still and love it.  All advice to stay on the Red Line T is good. 

Parts of South Boston are OK, but none are what I'd call great.  No good nightlife to speak of without going into the downtown.   The South End, however, is very different and right in the city but has the distinct disadvantage of being A. expensive and B. on the Orange Line T.  It's somewhat slow (though not Green Line slow), old and junky...not good.

Areas to look at:  Harvard Sq (expensive but worth it), Kendall/MIT area, Porter Sq, Davis Sq, Teele Sq, and Ball Sq (sorta).  It's a buyer's or renter's market right now, so dive in!

Cheers, -Sunny

I think you guys need to go visit for a few days to get the feel of the city.  Living anywhere outside - Allston, Brighton, Somerville - is going to be cheaper, but if you want a lot of night life you might decide you want to be right in the city.  Do you know where you'd be working yet?  If it's right downtown it is so nice to be able to walk to work.  What kind of bars do you like?  You'll have to go hang out in the neighborhoods  alittle to get the feel for them.  Good luck! 

Yeah they sux so bad they have the best record in baseball right now.  I can't believe you went there!

Yep they won again last night. 

Dice is pitching tonight.  SANSHIN!!!!

Back to the original post:  I have been living in towns along the "128 belt" for the past 10 years.  Living inside the city wasn't practical (plus I couldn't afford) as my jobs are in the north suburbs.  Waltham, Watertown, Belmont, Arlington, Medford, Quincy etc are full of young professionals, although the night lives may not be as good as in the city. 

OK my Georgia friend, in a few years let's talk about a trade...

I'll need some warmer temps by 2010 and there'll be a cute condo for being listed sale in Cambridge.