Help on relocating to Boston (Somerville, Harvard: apartment, lease, crime)

[cptafar]

Hello,

If anyone can help I would appreciate it. So here is the deal.

Right now Im in Madrid, Spain at the end of my Eurotrip, prior to this I was living in Bogota, Colombia where I finish college an got my degree in Graphic Design. Now Im looking to relocate to Boston as I find it a perfect fit for me. Im looking to relocate in July.

I want to spend the least amount of money on housing, transportation, food and so on, so here are the questions

How much money should I have minimum to make the move?
How can I find a job (in any field) prior to moving?
Is it hard to find a job once in Boston?
How much are living expenses a month? rough idea

I know is hard to get an entry level job in graphic design, therefore I would like to get any kind of job at first just to pay for living, I have some experience as a Cashier, Retail Salesperson and Waiter. But Im a quick learner and wouldnt mind trying something new. I've searched in different job sites, but most of them, if not all ask for a permanent US address and Telephone, and others just say to go to the place and apply.

By the way I am a US citizen.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

[kharing]

Sounds like you need to get a roommate situation since you don't really have a job lined up. It would be cheaper and you will be able to live in a cool area while you get set up. Check out craigslist or the Phoenix online. Good luck on your move!

[goyguy]

You probably wouldn't have to settle for "grunt work" since 'twould seem you can do business in two languages. (Time spent in Colombia strongly suggests that.) Of course, service work in restaurants does have its appealing side - an upstairs neighbor who's a waiter continuously brings home more in tips than I earn at my "desk job," lol, and he thrives on the social aspect. There are all sorts of jobs in and around Boston which go begging for the lack of qualified bilingual applicants. Visit Boston.com (the Website of the Boston Globe newspaper) and peruse their hotjobs link.

In order to secure housing you'd need a minimum of the equivalent of three months' rent: first and last months' rent, in addition to a "security deposit." Unless you go into a share situation - which I strongly suggest - that could mean as much as $5k or even more. Even in rundown yet popular areas like Allston the monthly cost for a studio apartment often exceeds $1,200. With housemates it's a realistic option to join forces and lease a spacious living space while bringing that cost down considerably. Roslindale, Somerville, Dorchester, Mission Hill, and Brighton are some places where the space:rent ratio would be largest. The expense soars if you "have" to live in a "fashionable" neighborhood like Harvard Square or the South End.

When food shopping, steer clear of the shiny all-night supermarkets such as Shaw's as much as possible. Grocery bargain mavens such as I favor the smaller local chains like Foodmaster and Market Basket. They sell the exact same stuff for sometimes considerably less; you may not see 16 varieties of diet strawberry soda and may need to do your "marketing" before 9 or 10 PM, but so what? Local hole-in-the-wall "ethnic" food shops are great not only for whatever their culinary niche might be but also for the occasional deal on things found "anywhere." A can of Coke for 89 cents, fresh banana for 39? I scored both at an Indian food shop close by me this week. If you pull together the necessary fare, you can go farther afield to a Costco or BJ's ("warehouse" stores) to buy in bulk once a month. Lots of people do that for their non-perishables in order to free up time and money. When you've finished your shopping you can then call for a station-wagon cab to help you cart everything home. Taxis are an indulgence, true, but the warehouse stores are so much less expensive that you'll still feel the savings after you've tipped the cabbie.

A lot's said about crime in Boston, but I think that where safety is concerned you'll find it a refreshing contrast to Bogota!

[cptafar]

goyguy Thank you so much for all the info