Affordable housing for an Introvert in Boston? (Cambridge, Somerville: house, schools)

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by bigfatdude

$800-900 won't get you a ROOM in decent parts of Boston nowadays, let alone an entire apartment. Heck, even better parts of Dorchester and Roxbury have two bedrooms routinely going for over $2,000. Realistically speaking, you need to be making at least $70K a year if you want to live alone, be able to save and not eat ramen every day.

Lets not get crazy. Everyone I know with roommates living in Davis Sq, Union Sq, Central Sq (Somerville/Cambridge) are paying less than $850 for their rooms.

[Bruins_Fan]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

It really was. Sometimes reality isn't friendly.

I'm just tired of people with anti-social tendencies saying they're "introverts." Makes us all look bad, but it's simply not the case. I mean, would it be awesome to live in the city for 850/month without roommates? Definitely! But that's just so unrealistic. And I think to say "oh well then I'm not going to advance my career/life because I might have to see someone else when I am making my coffee in the morning", that's not introverted, that's sad.

Anti-social tendencies? Bit strong. So now you're the OP's therapist? Let's just gang up on the OP a little more. Jeez.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Bruins_Fan

Anti-social tendencies? Bit strong. So now you're the OP's therapist? Let's just gang up on the OP a little more. Jeez.

Not overly so. The OP when on to attack people that were trying to be helpful.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by Bruins_Fan

Anti-social tendencies? Bit strong. So now you're the OP's therapist? Let's just gang up on the OP a little more. Jeez.

The person said they're totally unwilling to have roommates and will absolutely sacrifice their career opportunities for it. What do you call it?

[bigfatdude]

I've been out of the rental market for quite a while but based on what I've seen recently most two bedroom apartments are going for $1,800 or more, especially if heat is included. Clearly, one can still slum it up in a four bedroom/one bath in a triple-decker that hasn't been renovated since the 1960's old-school Slummaville style for under $850/month, but more "adult" living arrangements are more expensive, even if roommates are involved.

Originally Posted by timberline742

Lets not get crazy. Everyone I know with roommates living in Davis Sq, Union Sq, Central Sq (Somerville/Cambridge) are paying less than $850 for their rooms.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by bigfatdude

I've been out of the rental market for quite a while but based on what I've seen recently most two bedroom apartments are going for $1,800 or more, especially if heat is included. Clearly, one can still slum it up in a four bedroom/one bath in a triple-decker that hasn't been renovated since the 1960's old-school Slummaville style for under $850/month, but more "adult" living arrangements are more expensive, even if roommates are involved.

These places have been renovated and look quite nice to me.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by bigfatdude

I've been out of the rental market for quite a while but based on what I've seen recently most two bedroom apartments are going for $1,800 or more, especially if heat is included. Clearly, one can still slum it up in a four bedroom/one bath in a triple-decker that hasn't been renovated since the 1960's old-school Slummaville style for under $850/month, but more "adult" living arrangements are more expensive, even if roommates are involved.

Not convinced of this.

I live in Brighton Center. Our house has 2 floors, 2 bathrooms. 4 people total (including me) live there. We are all mid to late twenties (no students). All expenses in a typical month for me add up to probably 675. My girlfriend lives in Washington Square, Brookline. She pays 650/month for rent, living also with 4 total people (including her). No, neither of us has central air conditioning, or fancy counters or whatever, but total acceptable amenities, no doubt. I guess I don't consider either of our places to be in bad neighborhoods, not adult, or whatever else. Sure, I'd love to have really nice things and live in a single bedroom or something, but is that a 100% necessity? No, definitely not. I barely spend any time at home anyway.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Not convinced of this.

I live in Brighton Center. Our house has 2 floors, 2 bathrooms. 4 people total (including me) live there. We are all mid to late twenties (no students). All expenses in a typical month for me add up to probably 675. My girlfriend lives in Washington Square, Brookline. She pays 650/month for rent, living also with 4 total people (including her). No, neither of us has central air conditioning, or fancy counters or whatever, but total acceptable amenities, no doubt. I guess I don't consider either of our places to be in bad neighborhoods, not adult, or whatever else. Sure, I'd love to have really nice things and live in a single bedroom or something, but is that a 100% necessity? No, definitely not. I barely spend any time at home anyway.

Heck, some of the places I see of my friends and its 30 somethings mostly and it is new stainless steel appliances, stone countertops, and all that jazz etc for $700-800 a bedroom.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

The person said they're totally unwilling to have roommates and will absolutely sacrifice their career opportunities for it. What do you call it?

Not good at living with other people? No need to get into why or get on his or her case about it. I've certainly had roommates that shouldn't ever have roommates, so it's totally possible that is a wise decision.

Am I only the only person who saw the OP quickly snapping at paternalistic advice as perhaps indicative that the "no roommates" request was probably reasonable?

[Bruins_Fan]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

The person said they're totally unwilling to have roommates and will absolutely sacrifice their career opportunities for it. What do you call it?

I call it making personal choices. People make choices everyday that may negatively impact their careers, so what? Some will move for a promotion or better job, some won't. Some are okay with roommates, some aren't. The list goes on...