WELCOMING FRONT PORCHES grace nearly every home in the neighborhood where my son lives in Somerville, Massachusetts near Tufts University.
Likewise, second floor balconies front nearly every home.
Both are necessities in a neighborhood with minimal green space, not enough to call a lawn or a yard by Minnesota standards. I would be surprised if many homeowners have lawnmowers. Bushes, plants and even artificial turf fill the slim lines of land between houses and sidewalks.
![I noticed signs like this around Powder House Square.](https://mnprairieroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/neighborhood-321-military-honors-street-sign.jpg?w=800&h=533)
I noticed signs like this around Powder House Square. Words printed in the blue circle read: “Municipal Freedom Gives National Strength, Somerville, Mass.”
There are no boulevards. Narrow sidewalks trace next to the street. Asphalt circles trees. The lack of land, of space between homes, is especially evident to me, a rural Minnesotan used to lots of elbow room. Everything feels cramped in this neighborhood of old homes.
Noticeably absent are FOR SALE signs on these mostly three-story aged houses, many of them parceled into apartments. Up until recently, my son was paying $850/month rent for the second and third floors of a house apartment shared with three other college students. He’s now subleasing a place nearby for $700/month for the summer.
A local noted that houses in the neighborhood are passed down from generation to generation. He lives in his in-law’s house; they live in Florida. I suspect families are hesitant to sell because such a decision means they could never afford to live here again.
Most of the homes in this area between Tufts and Powder House Square are similar in design. The barn-like roof lines present a comforting, welcoming and homey appearance. At least to me, a farm-raised woman.
![Residential streets in my son's neighborhood are one-way. I can't fathom how residents managed in the recent winter of record snowfall.](https://mnprairieroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/neighborhood-300-residential-street.jpg?w=800&h=533)
Residential streets in my son’s neighborhood are one-way. I can’t fathom how residents managed in the recent winter of record snowfall.
But I didn’t feel welcome here when I learned that my husband and I couldn’t park our van on the street in front of our son’s apartment for three days without a permit. After driving nearly 1,500 miles from Minnesota, parking rules were the last thing I wanted to encounter. But I suppose such regulations are necessary given the lack of space in neighborhoods. Residents are discouraged from owning a second vehicle. Parking is a challenge in this densely populated area.
The son reminded me several times that “It’s not like in Minnesota where you can drive right up to a store.” Or someone’s house. Many residents rely on their own two feet, bikes or public transportation—the “T” or the bus—to get them places.
Could I live in the Boston metro? Maybe if I was 20-something. But now? No. I need space.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
It is interesting how we get used to what we are used to, isn’t it? Micah and Wendy love love love living in the city and have no need or desire for a car. They rent one occasionally when they take a trip but for the most part they are happy to take the subway or cabs or Uber wherever they need to go. I would be lost without my car and it would take a huge adjustment to do the city life thing but I am sure I would be able to whittle down my possessions a bit if that was the case and that may not be a bad thing. Love the house pictures in this post.
I know, aren’t those houses great?
Young people really do embrace mass transit, which is a good thing. It’s wonderful when major cities have such great public transportation systems.
In the words of a Billy Joel song.. “…son, move on out to the country…..” There is still public transportation (the “T” commuter rail) and most of us have lawns, lawn mowers, snow blowers and two + cars and anything else a suburbanite would care to own.. It’s a whole different world out here in the “burbs”. lol
I think I would like your burbs.
I think so too!
Beautiful homes but that second to last picture is enough to send me running to the country.
Yup, I feel the same.
I think you & your Husband would get a kick out of this place. I’ve been there several times.
Thanks for the link. Yes, we would love this village.