Accepted at BU - Moving to Boston (Cambridge, Newton: environment, insurance)

[Stockholmaren]

I recently got the good news that I was accepted to grad school at Boston University, and even though I'm still waiting for responses from other schools (including Boston College) it looks like we're heading to Boston.

Would any of you have any suggestions on where to start looking for apartments, and which neighborhoods would be good? By good, I mean neighborhoods from which it would be easy to commute to BU, and besides that just the regular stuff, safe, nice community, etc.

It's just my wife and I, so schools aren't important at this point, and we will probably look at renting a 1-2 bedroom apartment. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[bgrasser]

Search craigs list to get an idea of rents.
I would look at Brookline, Cambridge, and Brighton, in that order. If you want to go further out look at Newton first.
All are on public transportation lines.
All the best!

[smarty]

Bgrasser's suggestion is good. It really depends on how much you want to spend.

Allston/Brighton area.
One bedrooms and studios range from $800-$1200
Two bedrooms usually range from $1200-$1800

Brookline easily adds $200 per month to start. A 2 bedroom in a nice apartment building with parking can easily be up to $3000.

BU is right in the middle of the city. Just follow the GREEN line. CHeckout MBTA.com for where the train stops. If you are on the "B - Boston College" line, you can go to either BU or BC.

[Stockholmaren]

Thank you bgrasser and smarty for your input. I started to look at those areas on craigs list to get an idea of what apartments are available and what the typical rent is, and it does not seem to be too unreasonable.

Besides Newton, are there any areas further out that you would recommend? Thanks again!

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by Stockholmaren

Thank you bgrasser and smarty for your input. I started to look at those areas on craigs list to get an idea of what apartments are available and what the typical rent is, and it does not seem to be too unreasonable.

Besides Newton, are there any areas further out that you would recommend? Thanks again!

roslindale and west roxbury area near the vfw parkway. they all have excellent public transportation.

[smarty]

When looking on Craigslist. Beware of very low rent. They are usually agents pulling you in. Of course, by the time you get there the apartment is gone and they have something else a little more expensive for you. Typical bate and switch sales tactics. Allow enough time so you will not get stuck.

The other thing is if you can get the apartment in May/June instead of August that will help tremendously. As I previously mention, you are fighting with thousands of students coming between Aug15-Sep15. Every college overbook their dormitories. Students are put in hotels for 2 weeks while the college is sorting/figuring out who is not returning. You will probably have to overbid the asking rent to get in an apartment for those weeks unless you want to keep paying $150 a night hotels.

As to other towns further out, it will depend on if you need public transportation or willing to have a car. If you have a car, you can go fairly far. Pretty much you can go to the 2nd loop(Rt495). If not, you will have to depend on the subway (or T). See mbta.com for the towns that the subway touches (orange, green, blue and red). I would not suggest commuter rail (purple) due to not very flexible schedule (run 1-2 times an hour). If you miss one, you will have to wait an hour. It is really for people who work in Boston and have to stay there a full 8-12 hours.

[Stockholmaren]

Thank you for the tips Smarty and Maggie!

I just got the news that I was also accepted at BC, so now I have to make the decision which one to go to, but I assume the same areas would apply for living since they are fairly close to each other?

Do you mean that you should get an apartment in May/June instead of later since there are so many students coming in the fall? Does that mean you have to start renting at that time or do you just mean to secure an apartment for later? Ideally we would want to start a lease Aug 1, but Jul 1 could also work unless you really do have to start a lease earlier.

Right now we have two cars (we're in the midwest), but we're planning to just keep one car once we move so further out would be ok for us, even though I would prefer a shorter commute that doesn't make you having to depend on a car.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by Stockholmaren

I just got the news that I was also accepted at BC, so now I have to make the decision which one to go to, but I assume the same areas would apply for living since they are fairly close to each other?.

Yes. You may want to live further away from Boston if going to BC.

Originally Posted by Stockholmaren

Do you mean that you should get an apartment in May/June instead of later since there are so many students coming in the fall? Does that mean you have to start renting at that time or do you just mean to secure an apartment for later? Ideally we would want to start a lease Aug 1, but Jul 1 could also work unless you really do have to start a lease earlier..

Yes. Jun/Jul offer more choices. Try secure an apartment by Aug1. If you have not secure an apartment by Aug22, you may have caused yourself unnecessary stress.

Originally Posted by Stockholmaren

Right now we have two cars (we're in the midwest), but we're planning to just keep one car once we move so further out would be ok for us, even though I would prefer a shorter commute that doesn't make you having to depend on a car.

Car insurance is set by the state and is very high compare to midwest. Major factors are driver's age, coverage, town you live in, driving record, ... etc. I think most people average $1000-1500/car. Great idea to have less car.

[NY'er lost in MA]

BU- check into Brookline
BC- check out Newton

Congrats!

[b_alt]

I have lived in Cambridge, Newton and Brookline. Here are some thoughts:

Newton: Next to BC. Very nice suburban environment. Mostly big single family homes. Not too diverse. Limited subway access to Boston on the D line. Few apartments, except in converted houses. Very green and pretty.

Brookline: Near BC and next to BU. Similar to Newton, but more urban and diverse. Expensive parking, no overnight on street. Many brick or stone apartment buildings bewteen Beacon Street and Commonwealth. Coolidge Corner area is like a small town with bookstores, movie theater, restaurants. 1/1s and 2/1s are abundant and cheaper than in Newton, but generally smaller. Also some quite expensive big houses mixed in. South Brookline is much like Newton, but far from BC and BU.

Cambridge: Cambridgeport area is close to BU, with lots of duplex and triplex apartments in wood houses. Generally, access to BC from Cambridge is more difficult. More diverse and urban than Brookline, but less plush except around Harvard Square/West Cambridge. Some crime. Lots of restaurants, cultural opportunities. Pockets of green, pockets of big city, and pockets of decay here.

Allston/Brighton: Close to BU (Allston) and BC (Brighton). Least plush choice. Fewer academic professionals, but lots of college age people. More ethnic diversity. Cheaper. Some crime. Quite a few bars and restaurants. Not as green, except near Newton and Brookline borders. Some high-rises and smaller brick and wood apartments near BC.

Newton and Brookine have the best public schools. Not that it matters to you, but it makes these towns more family-oriented. Brookline has an overlay of young professionals and graduate students, with some undergrads. Cambridge and Allston/Brighton have more grads and undergrads, with non-academic types mixed in. West Cambridge/Harvard Square is very academic and more Brookline in appearance. All towns would claim to be liberal, with Cambridge shouting the loudest.

Also, BU is urban and BC is a suburban campus. Good Luck.