Where can i live while making $35K in Boston? (Cambridge: apartments, rent)

[wraaaa]

I may be taking a job in Boston in September. The job would be downtown and paying around 35K before taxes. I don't have much in terms of loans and I live modestly so I figure I can afford up to $1000, and I actually prefer to have a roommate. First of all, is that in and of itself a reasonable plan? I would be spending nearly half my paycheck on rent.. Well either way, I'm looking for a neighborhood with a good amount of young adults or college kids, and close to a subway stop. Live music venues and hipster-ish dive bars in the area would be ideal. I'd also prefer a building to an apartment in a house but that's much less important. Is this realistic for ~$2000 for a 2BR?

[FinkieMcGee]

If you look in Cambridge you can find it for sure. I have 4 friends that live in a townhouse and I think they pay around 700-800/month depending on the size of their rooms.

If you don't have/need a car it might be doable. That seems like a lot to spend on rent (I believe the baseline is 1/4 to 1/3 of your salary on rent), but considering there are no other expenses (car payments, insurance payments, etc.) that knocks off like 400-500 or so per month. If I was you I'd list out what my expenses would be with a lot of cushion and see if it's doable.

You won't be hitting the bars too often and it might be time to bust out the Ramen, but it's doable depending on how many roommates you have.

Dive bars and stuff will be close no matter what since you can always take the T. The one thing I will say is that generally Boston is going to ********* on drinking. I don't remember going anywhere except maybe Redbones in Davis Sq to get a beer under 5 bucks, and the only thing I could get were tallboys of Schlitz. Our House is also okay since they have 2 dollar Brubakers.

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by wraaaa

I may be taking a job in Boston in September. The job would be downtown and paying around 35K before taxes. I don't have much in terms of loans and I live modestly so I figure I can afford up to $1000, and I actually prefer to have a roommate. First of all, is that in and of itself a reasonable plan? I would be spending nearly half my paycheck on rent.. Well either way, I'm looking for a neighborhood with a good amount of young adults or college kids, and close to a subway stop. Live music venues and hipster-ish dive bars in the area would be ideal. I'd also prefer a building to an apartment in a house but that's much less important. Is this realistic for ~$2000 for a 2BR?

Yeah, like the PP said, your game plan fits Boston real nice. If you wanted a two BR with a backyard in a quiet hood away from college kids, I'd say forget it, but since you want to be right in the action, you got your choice.

The way Finkie described Cambridge is right on, and his description also fits for Allston, Fenway, Brighton, even Back Bay if you search hard enough. From what you describe though, you wanna party. Best choices for you are Cambridge near the Red Line or Boston the Green Lines. That's where the action is. Right the B line once or twice - I think you'll like what you see.

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by wraaaa

I may be taking a job in Boston in September. The job would be downtown and paying around 35K before taxes. I don't have much in terms of loans and I live modestly so I figure I can afford up to $1000, and I actually prefer to have a roommate. First of all, is that in and of itself a reasonable plan? I would be spending nearly half my paycheck on rent.. Well either way, I'm looking for a neighborhood with a good amount of young adults or college kids, and close to a subway stop. Live music venues and hipster-ish dive bars in the area would be ideal. I'd also prefer a building to an apartment in a house but that's much less important. Is this realistic for ~$2000 for a 2BR?

$1000 with a roommate/$2000 for a 2BR sounds reasonable. Just be aware you won't have much disposable income, after paying Boston rent.

[ProvGuy]

Very doable with no car and roommates. I know a few people who live in Back Bay and the South End who pay around 700-800/month splitting 2-3 bedrooms with roommates. South End would be less college kids, Back Bay around Northeastern and Wentworth would be more.

[TTJenLynn]

I am moving to Boston in 2 weeks, so I have spent the last month looking for apartments online. I have only looked into 1 bds, so I'm not sure what rates are for 2 bds, but I can tell you to look on craigslist. You are also moving the busiest time of the year in Boston, which is good and bad. Good because you have a lot more selection, but bad because you will be competing with college students for an apartment. Also, when creating your budget know that Boston has a 5% state tax on top of your regular federal income tax. So if you are making $35k, the state tax will deduct about $1,700 a yr. from your gross salary.

Hope this helps!
Jen