Feasible to get rental housing w/in 10 days in late August? (Boston: renter, live)

[kestrel89]

How feasible is it, in the current Boston rental market, to get a room or studio within 10 days?

• Timing will be late August. (I know that's crunch time).
• Am looking for a room/share or small studio - needs to be 1100 or less.
• I have ten days of short-term housing lined up, so that I can search in person.
• Need to be in Waltham, Acton, Watertown, Cambridge, Somerville or close by those places.

I live across the country and it's almost impossible for me to get to Boston to search in person more in advance. Is this a realistic plan?

[kestrel89]

I should add that I am not in my 20s or 30s - most craigslist ads says they are seeking a renter within that age range. So I'm a little concerned my age might make securing a place harder in the student market that is Boston....

[bostonguy1960]

Not many apt. listings in Waltham despite the large population, at least according to Craigslist ads. Well, actually, there are several upscale apt. complexes, but likely $1500 min. for a 1 br. Action has a few one bedrooms on CL within your range. Forget Somerville/Cambridge...

It's untrue that all of the Boston area is student central. Just seems that way! Acton should be nice by giving some breathing room away from student ghettos.

Quincy may be too far, but they have realtors, and you may get a basic 1 BR for $1000 or less. Definitely a basic studio at that price, and likely less competition for it.

[kestrel89]

Thanks very much bostonguy1960, that's helpful. I hadn't considered Quincy, but the commute sounds doable, and the more I read about Quincy, the more I like it. ( If I can get even a little bit close to water, I'd be more than willing to spend more time on public transit.)

Thanks again - it's not easy to find such info. elsewhere (and at a distance).