I Want to move to Salem, But.... (Boston, Lynn: apartments, leases)
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I'm a twenty-four year old college student and desperately want to move away from the tiny little town in Kentucky where I currently reside. I started researching places that sounded interesting and I figured I would do some research on Salem. I did this honestly just for fun (I am Wiccan, yes, the Witch "history" of the place appealed to me). After reading everything I could find and viewing every picture I could find, I fell in love with the town. Yes, the Pagan and Wiccan groups attract me, but that's not all: the bay, the charm, everything. My only problem is that I would only have an Associate's degree by the time I wanted to move. Meaning it would probably be a smaller, minimum wage job for at least my first couple of years. I found the apartments' prices in Salem to be ridiculous; in my town, an expensive townhouse rents for $400/month. I plan on having at least 15k saved for the move, so that I can live comfortably while job searching. Will I be able to afford it in Salem? Is base pay proportional to the cost of living? I tend to keep to myself and live very simply, but I'm not sure if I can swing $1,000/month just for rent! Any and all information you could send my way would greatly help. Also, I'm sure Peabody, Danvers, and Beverly are very nice communities; but I would like to live in Salem.
I'm a 41 year old mom of three girls, happily married, and I fell in love with Salem when we visited there. I am also Pagan, but the primary things I loved were that my own little town here in southeastern Indiana (Milan) has nothing to offer...and Salem has things to do around nearly every corner! The ocean is just beautiful! I love how walkable a town Salem is, how I could take a train to Boston if I wanted to, and there are so many fascinating things within a day's drive....yep, I fell in love.
But the realities of the move from our area of the world, since KY is a lot like southeastern IN, is that it's a lot higher cost of living. The rent, as you pointed out, is amazingly high compared to what we're used to. In order to move there and be comfortable, we have to prepare for that change in cost and be ready for it in as many ways as we can.
I am an RN, but I have an associates. I will not move to Salem until I have my bachelor's, and possibly my master's in nursing home administration. The economy is going to have to have picked up A LOT so that jobs will be available for both my husband and myself, so that we can sell our home for a decent amount of money, etc. Also, we will have to have a pretty good sum of money saved back to cover us while we're getting settled.
Because you are younger and don't have a family in tow, it will be easier for you. But I would still suggest that you get your bachelor's degree before you even think of such a big move. Research jobs in that area and see what they want in their candidates, and do all of it! Also, could you possibly share an apartment with someone and split the rent?? Maybe with a student who is going to Salem College? Just an idea! Salem and New England in general are wonderful, but you pay for all those wonderful things dearly...our cost of living our here is great but we have very little to do or opportunities for advancement.
Don't give up on your dream, but prepare and plan, and don't be in a hurry. Salem will wait for you!!! We're planning years down the road to move there, and I wish it could be sooner but I don't want to get there and create hardships for my family because we didn't plan.
One more thing...never plan a move to somewhere you've never been! We've gone to Salem once, and I really loved it, but we are planning several more trips at different times of the year to see how we really feel about it before we make a big move there!
Thanks so much. I've tried to take everything into consideration. As you obviously know, the lack of anything to do around here was the deciding factor in wanting to move. I am a certified hypnotherapist (problem is everyone in this general area does not want a hypnotherapist), I wonder if there is a market for that up there? I just started my Associate's, so like I said it'll be about two years before I would even consider moving (lack of jobs here are also spurring the move). I have not been to Salem, yet. I'm planning at least a few trips up there (maybe five, to check out each season and another closer to move in date to look for housing). I did stumble upon an apartment last night that costs $650 a month for a studio; I think I could probably handle that.
I'm originally from Boston, and moved to Swampscott (town adjacent to Salem). Salem is one of my favorite town to go too (bars, restaurants, atmosphere - especially around Halloween time). I'm not a wiccan or into wicca, but like fall and halloween.
It's a fun place...
What sucks about Boston and the suburbs - high cost of living, rent for a pretty lousy apartment can be close to $1000, depending on the number of bedrooms.
I live in Lynn which is adjacent to Salem. You should expect to pay at least $1000 a month. anything less than that will tend to be in disrepair or in a less than desirable area. Salem is mostly very nice but there are areas to avoid, like anywhere. It is a city with urban problems and crime, you definitely need to visit any place you are going to move.
I'm a twenty-four year old college student and desperately want to move away from the tiny little town in Kentucky where I currently reside. I started researching places that sounded interesting and I figured I would do some research on Salem. I did this honestly just for fun (I am Wiccan, yes, the Witch "history" of the place appealed to me). After reading everything I could find and viewing every picture I could find, I fell in love with the town. Yes, the Pagan and Wiccan groups attract me, but that's not all: the bay, the charm, everything. My only problem is that I would only have an Associate's degree by the time I wanted to move. Meaning it would probably be a smaller, minimum wage job for at least my first couple of years. I found the apartments' prices in Salem to be ridiculous; in my town, an expensive townhouse rents for $400/month. I plan on having at least 15k saved for the move, so that I can live comfortably while job searching. Will I be able to afford it in Salem? Is base pay proportional to the cost of living? I tend to keep to myself and live very simply, but I'm not sure if I can swing $1,000/month just for rent! Any and all information you could send my way would greatly help. Also, I'm sure Peabody, Danvers, and Beverly are very nice communities; but I would like to live in Salem.
It doesn't matter if you can afford 1000$ rent, if you have no job there is no owner who will give you the lease.
Most apartment leases require you to have a job with a minimum income.
I'm a 41 year old mom of three girls, happily married, and I fell in love with Salem when we visited there. I am also Pagan, but the primary things I loved were that my own little town here in southeastern Indiana (Milan) has nothing to offer...and Salem has things to do around nearly every corner! The ocean is just beautiful! I love how walkable a town Salem is, how I could take a train to Boston if I wanted to, and there are so many fascinating things within a day's drive....yep, I fell in love.
But the realities of the move from our area of the world, since KY is a lot like southeastern IN, is that it's a lot higher cost of living. The rent, as you pointed out, is amazingly high compared to what we're used to. In order to move there and be comfortable, we have to prepare for that change in cost and be ready for it in as many ways as we can.
I am an RN, but I have an associates. I will not move to Salem until I have my bachelor's, and possibly my master's in nursing home administration. The economy is going to have to have picked up A LOT so that jobs will be available for both my husband and myself, so that we can sell our home for a decent amount of money, etc. Also, we will have to have a pretty good sum of money saved back to cover us while we're getting settled.
Because you are younger and don't have a family in tow, it will be easier for you. But I would still suggest that you get your bachelor's degree before you even think of such a big move. Research jobs in that area and see what they want in their candidates, and do all of it! Also, could you possibly share an apartment with someone and split the rent?? Maybe with a student who is going to Salem College? Just an idea! Salem and New England in general are wonderful, but you pay for all those wonderful things dearly...our cost of living our here is great but we have very little to do or opportunities for advancement.
Don't give up on your dream, but prepare and plan, and don't be in a hurry. Salem will wait for you!!! We're planning years down the road to move there, and I wish it could be sooner but I don't want to get there and create hardships for my family because we didn't plan.
Much good luck to you!
Cara
the train you said that goes to boston is this like an Amtrak or is it a public transportation
and what is the name of it
I live in Salem and for a one bedroom in a decent area, you're looking at $800-$900. The rents are high but not so much compared to anywhere else on the north shore. I live in an okay neighborhood and my rent is $775. Just stay away from the Point. Salem is a nice place to live. Hope you get to move!
I live in Salem and for a one bedroom in a decent area, you're looking at $800-$900. The rents are high but not so much compared to anywhere else on the north shore. I live in an okay neighborhood and my rent is $775. Just stay away from the Point. Salem is a nice place to live. Hope you get to move!
what jobs have the most openings, if any?
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