KTG--if you're truly trying to de-clutter, get rid of them. I can't imagine that it would be worth dedicating precious closet space to storing them, and I don't know about leaving them out in the open, either. If you've got a garage or shed or somewhere you can put them and REALLY think you'll use them again to move, then keep. But I don't see why you couldn't just use regular boxes (if for eco-friendly purposes, you could always re-use boxes). The footprint of them in a small space is not worth it!

A question for everyone: where can I find a fake tree in the city? I know it's kind of tacky, but I'd prefer a fake that I could reuse over the years to a real one. I know that Urban Outfitters has a few, but they're all metallic and small--I'd like something in the 4' range. Any ideas? Target?

lostinprojection,

I think you can get fake trees anywhere, even Home Depot, certainly Target.

There are also quite a few on craigs list, but most are 6 to 9' tall. Here's a post with some "apartment sized" trees:
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/art/938443060.html

Good Luck!

Thanks immaterialgal! I hadn't even thought of Home Depot. I'm sure they'll have plenty.

immaterialgal -- I saw some at CVS and walgreens too, which may be easier to get to if you're in the city!

I heard on WROR this morning that Seasons Four in lexington have fake trees. http://www.seasons-four.com/

Not only does Home Despot have "realistic looking" fake trees, they also have trees in colors and materials. We picked up a cute, metallic red tree, complete with white lights, at the Despot in Watertown last year.

If anyone is just off Cape, the Falmouth Farmer's Market is holding a special "winter market" today (12/6).

There's supposed to be squashes, root vegetables, holiday greens, baked goods, lobsters, Massachusetts cheeses and smoked fish.

http://www.falmouthchamber.com/more/calendar/event/2388

what's a good price for a 2' or 3' grocery store tree? how long before they start discounting them?

KTG - if you do choose to keep those crates, over on oh dee doh there's a post there linking to a tutorial on how to slipcover a plastic milk crate:

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/how-to/how-to-undercover-crates-070808

I say keep them if you have kids or you do a lot of crafting.

GOSSIP!!! I was at the Crate and Barrel furniture store in Chestnut Hill last evening and the salespeople told me that after both C&Bs in Harvard Square close a CB2 will open in the Mass Ave site of the furniture store!! projected to happen withing 2-3 months!

K T G--

I find it semi-hilarious that for all your usual highly-opinionated comments and your ranting and ragging on editors for lame posts, you ask this community about whether or not to SAVE MILK CRATES.

Thanks for the laugh! I needed that!

Not laughing at the issue of whether to save them or not, just at your seeming to suddenly trust the opinion of a community you so often ridicule and berate.

Um, ok.

Just wondering how everyone is doing after the ice storm on thursday...

We still don't have power! Did any one else get hit badly?

I am moving to Boston from KC in February or March and my boyfriend will be working in Woburn, and I will be finding a job when I get there. Where should we live? We will have one car, love the urban lifestyle, but probably won't be able to afford anything like Back Bay or the North End at first. And we have two dogs, so proximity to a trail or dog park would be great.
I am hoping to get a job in the architecture/interior design industry doing marketing or as an assistant as I will be (hopefully) continuing school for interior design. Any suggestions on a great place to work? Thanks!

hi sleggo, welcome to Boston!

Woburn is slightly west of the city and just a little toward the south. One place you might want to check out is Davis Square, Somerville. Its close to Boston, has a university nearby (Tufts), is on the red line subway and a short hop from Harvard Square and Boston, and has some cool coffee shops and a nice movie theater. Its young, casual and fun and has a lot to do. There is a bike path for you to walk your dog (used to have an off-leash area at Tufts but I' almost positive you need a leash there now). Its got good local restaurants and bars, as well as music. For your boyfriend to get to work, he would just take a right up Mass Ave, and then another right in Arlington Center toward Woburn (back roads).

I lived there for 15 years and its gotten a bit built up lately but its still fun and has some great people and an artsy vibe.

I'm sure other AT readers will have more suggestions, but you should add it to a list of places to check out. Here's a link:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/davis-square-somerville

Hi Sleggo,

It all depends on if whether you're going to rent or buy. If you're trying to stay in the urban area of Boston, Somerville is a good area. Rents can be fairly high for what you get in return, but the proximity to downtown is great, and there are tons of things to do, and usually within walking distance, or a couple of T stops.

Alternatives to that might be just north of the city, still on the T, but much more affordable, and with lovely woods and parks areas for your dogs to hike about. Melrose is 70% park land, huge Victorian homes, and still on the T...about 15 minutes to Boston, too. Malden has some nice areas, and is also on the T, as is Stoneham. All the mentioned towns have been attracting a large number of young couples who've been priced out of the Boston area, but still want to be near the city. As a result, the face of the towns is changing, and more interesting restaurants, shops, and events are cropping up.

Good luck, and have fun setting up your new home!

Thanks for the encouraging words and suggestions. It sounds like Somerville, Melrose and Brighton are three areas we need to check out. We will be renting as we want to make sure we like the area we live in.
Also, do you know anyone who has done the master's program at the BAC for interior design? I am thinking about starting that, but don't know too much about it.

Hi Sleggo: I'm really happy in the Cleveland Circle/Brighton area, but it will be a long commute out to Woburn. I wouldn't recommend it unless you were definitely working in the area or in Boston (or if your partner did not have 9-5 hours).

Davis Square in Somerville would be a good compromise, because you can take the Red Line into the city easily (its also hooked up with buses). There isn't a lot of green space in walking distance, which is probably why you see everyone walking their dogs on Tufts campus. Medford (near Medford Square) or Arlington are definitely more suburban, but you'd still be able to use public transportation (bus) and pay less in rent.

Malden is an option, too. You get more 'apartment' for your money, but its a trade off with Davis Square's walkability.

Hope this helps!

That does help a lot. It sound like Davis Square/Somerville area will be our best bet to start out. We don't need a ton of room, just enough so the two of us and our two 45 lbs dogs don't walk all over each other!