I think I'll Move to Boston (Quincy, Newton: hardwood floors, real estate, apartments)

[thawkth]

Hi everyone - been poking around for about a week now and I finally decided to post. I've gained an incredible amount of knowledge from reading a multitude of posts! Thanks already!

My story - My current roommate and I are both 20 and living in Chicago. We're both originally from southern CT (Killingworth, for those familiar - Middlesex county).

Anyway, I left first to attend college in Elmhurst, IL (A suburb reasonably near Chicago - about 20 minutes to Chicago on a good day (ha!)). It was private school and my family was unable to help financially. Last semester, I was forced to leave because I couldn't afford tuition and was kicked out midsemester. My roommate had moved to Chicago and was attending a different school on his own (unfortunately, he ran into a similar problem and while he was able to finish the semester, was unable to return this semester).

The two of us and a third friend found an apartment and began true independance as best we good. We started working full time, etc etc. For a while, all we could do was work and try to pay back rent and bills. Now that we've stabilized things for a few months, and paid everything off, we're both feeling ill at ease.

You see, Chicago doesn't really hold an attraction for us. We both got into decent schools here and wanted to go somewhere different - but now we really just don't like this city. It strikes me as flat, lacking and identity I can relate to, etc.

We've both visited Boston several times and love it - I especially love the character, the history, the personality.

On top of this, we miss home. Our families are all in CT, and we never get to see them (unable to afford trips home even for most holidays!) I NEED to be closer to my family, and Boston is just a few hours away.

Anyway, we both plan on returning to school when we can afford it, but right now just want to find a place to call home. While Boston is expensive, many areas around it seem somewhat more affordable. Right now each of us pay 450/month for a 3 bedroom. We're looking for a 2 bedroom in the 1k range with a max of $1100 or so. Cost of living is higher in Boston!

Right now, Allston seems like a great area and more affordable. Anyone know about the area? Or other areas to check out? Any affordable schools nearby (even community colleges for now). Also, anything we should keep in mind about the move?

Ah, to be young. It can be extremely exciting - but oh so terrifying!

Oh, I also have no license or car. I'm working on my license right now (in a chicago winter...HA!) but a car is not likely. My roommate has both. Public transit would be nifty as well.


Sorry this is so long! I thank any kind souls that would like to lend a hand, an ear, advice, etc!

[bgrasser]

Check out craigs list: Brighton 2BR, No fee, Heat & Hot Water included.
$1250.00 mo. Sounds like a deal. All the best,enjoy Boston.

[CityGirl52]

I personally would stay away from Allston. Parts of Brighton are okay I suppose. I saw a stunning 2 bedroom in Brookline, MA with hardwood floors, HEAT included and 2 parking spaces for under $1200 a month. Go to Metro Realty Corp dot com to see what I mean.

If you go to Boston dot com then click on Real Estate then "Renting" do a search that way with the different neighborhoods around Boston and the vicinity.

The rents are really much much higher than what you want to pay here. I hope you are both really aware of this, before you even get here. The North End's lowest rent that I could see anywhere in that neighborhood was $1800 a month as the lowest and that's without heat, that's pretty ridiculous I think. So we're talking some serious serious $$$ to have to come up with every single solitary month and the 1st of the month comes around awfully fast if you ask me. Most of the landlords want deposits too of first and last month rent or they want their security deposits up front.

Some times the further away from Boston you live? The cheaper it is, BUT not all the time. You might want to see if you could get something in one of the suburbs right near the "T". This way you'd be in downtown Boston any time you want, any time of the day, up to about midnight any way, you'd just have to behave in those bars and remember to take the T around midnight that's all!

Check out wicked local dot com because I saw a 2 bedroom with heat included on the MBTA line in West Quincy for $1195 a month.

Have you thought about getting a 3rd roommate? A lot of people will do that if you really really want to live right in Boston proper and it sounds like your mind is made up, isn't it! You might have to with the way the rents are here. I don't see them going down any time soon!

North of Boston has some apartments for under $1200 a month. I saw one in Woburn just now, it was a 2 bedroom, a deck, laundry hookups for $1000 a month, now that wasn't too bad at all. The commuter rail was right near this apartment. That's what you'd take to get in to downtown Boston's North Station, where, from there, you could go anywhere in Boston you want in no time. If you don't have a car, the best thing to do is to not stress out over the high rents. Live to enjoy the city by just hopping on the MBTA's subway, bus or commuter rail. You'll certainly meet plenty of people that way doing the same thing as you, trust me I was one of them not too long ago! You really don't want to have a car, if you live in the City of Boston any way. For one thing, the car insurance is outrageously expensive, what you'd be paying a month for rent is what you'd pay if not more in auto insurance and for another, where would you put this car if you live in this City! It's worse now than ever before trying to find a parking spot ANYWHERE around the City of Boston. I was just in Southie yesterday afternoon as a matter of fact, and I had to move the car three times! You can't even have a beer without running out to move your car! It's a royal pain, let me tell you! SO don't even worry about not having a car, you'll enjoy living around Boston without one, that is if you end up IN or AROUND the greater Boston area! Don't just narrow it down to a neighborhood within Boston okay? Think outside the box. Eventually you'll be glad you did, especially when you see what you'll get for your money every month as opposed to what you WON'T get for your money where you're thinking of living now!

Remember this site wicked local dot com, or the metro realty corp dot com OR boston dot com they're all very good ones for doing rental searches. Good luck! If you don't see these sites, then just send me a private message and I'll email them to you, that's all. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask, I'll be happy to help answer them.

Good luck and keep going to school when you get here! That way, you'll be buying a place instead of renting it around here AND before you know it? You'll be the one looking for tenants for YOUR place you own because you'll be in your bigger and better house some where else!

[smarty]

Allston is close to Boston with lots of students. Hence, the rent is not that low. You may want to check out other towns on the MBTA subway route. Especially the ones mentioned by Citygirl like Qunicy, Braintree, etc.

Moving during the winter months may get better deals if the apartment is available. There are also many apartment available in May/June time frame as student graduates and leave. You can forget about August and September when students return 100+K of them.

[bgrasser]

Stick with Brighton if you want to be close to college scene, and night life, with affordable rents.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by bgrasser

Stick with Brighton if you want to be close to college scene, and night life, with affordable rents.

Good idea. It is more fun in Brighton.

They just have to look really really hard for a $1100 2-bedroom (nothing is impossible). Most of what I see is ~$1400 for Brighton. Quincy is more in their price range. Checkout Graigslist for apartments.

Right now each of us pay 450/month for a 3 bedroom. We're looking for a 2 bedroom in the 1k range with a max of $1100 or so. Cost of living is higher in Boston!

[vter]

Also check out the area around Newton Corner. It's a little corner of Newton with Watertown to the north and Boston (Brighton) to the east. I lived there for 2 years and loved it. It's on the Express Bus Line, or if you feel like driving into the City, it's easy access on/off the Pike.

[thawkth]

Thanks for all the help so far!

Anyone have any Chicago experience that they can compare to Boston? Just curious!

[aushra]

I love boston and i hope i will move there one. It has so much of european spirit, for me it is like being at home. Unfortunately i am traped in maine. terrible state. I love mass...