Relocating from Florida to Boston (Franklin, Milton: section 8, apartments, for rent)

[Queen_Anne]

Hello everyone!

I am relocating from Florida to Boston for a new job in Roxbury and would like helpful advice on good apartments. Some of the basics are:

-I'm looking to rent a 2 bedroom for no more than $1500/month (not sure if that's reasonable)

-I'm a single 25 year old female

-I own a car and is willing to commute up to an hour one way

I have never been to Boston so I am unsure what is considered the "good/bad" parts of town. Any advice/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[wolfgang239]

Which part of Roxbury, and what kind of amenities would you like to have around you? Do you like the city or more suburban?

I personally would get roommates and live in Jamaica Plain, but you might have a reason for the second bedroom or like living somewhere more quiet.

[flowbe202]

Originally Posted by Queen_Anne

Hello everyone!


-I own a car and is willing to commute up to an hour one way

FIRST before thinking about areas or the ridiculously low budget--

Are you commuting to work by car and do you have parking at work?

Commuting INTO and THROUGH the city is challenging if you're not a city driver. You've never been to Boston, too. You do realize the city is a bit challenging for suburban drivers, right?


To help you understand what the commute is like with timing...

Depends which part of Roxbury you work at and your hours.

On a TYPICAL 8-4 to 9-5 commute...

* Closer to Melnea Cass, it can take 30 minutes just going from Mass Ave through Melnea Cass depending on the hour.

* Closer to Dimock or Franklin Park, again it can take 20-20 minutes from Blue Hill Ave/Milton or Forest Hills.

If you have off- hours, you'll be better off coming into the city early in the morning and staying under an hour commute.

Leaving the city/Roxbury heading SOUTHBOUND on 93 is horrible from 2pm to 7pm. Add 20-30 minutes to your commute.

[Queen_Anne]

Originally Posted by flowbe202

FIRST before thinking about areas or the ridiculously low budget--

Are you commuting to work by car and do you have parking at work?

Commuting INTO and THROUGH the city is challenging if you're not a city driver. You've never been to Boston, too. You do realize the city is a bit challenging for suburban drivers, right?


To help you understand what the commute is like with timing...

Depends which part of Roxbury you work at and your hours.

On a TYPICAL 8-4 to 9-5 commute...

* Closer to Melnea Cass, it can take 30 minutes just going from Mass Ave through Melnea Cass depending on the hour.

* Closer to Dimock or Franklin Park, again it can take 20-20 minutes from Blue Hill Ave/Milton or Forest Hills.

If you have off- hours, you'll be better off coming into the city early in the morning and staying under an hour commute.

Leaving the city/Roxbury heading SOUTHBOUND on 93 is horrible from 2pm to 7pm. Add 20-30 minutes to your commute.

I'm coming from Miami so I'm comfortable navigating through the city traffic.

[Queen_Anne]

Originally Posted by wolfgang239

Which part of Roxbury, and what kind of amenities would you like to have around you? Do you like the city or more suburban?

I personally would get roommates and live in Jamaica Plain, but you might have a reason for the second bedroom or like living somewhere more quiet.

Thanks for the response. I do not need a 2 bedroom but I called around and was told the waiting list for a 1 bedroom was 3 years. I will look into the Jamaica plain area.

[Cantabridgienne]

Are you applying for Section 8 housing? If so, how would you get a two-bedroom apartment if you live alone?

[Queen_Anne]

Originally Posted by Cantabridgienne

Are you applying for Section 8 housing? If so, how would you get a two-bedroom apartment if you live alone?

No, I'm a RN and make too much for government housing. I called around and was told that Massachusetts is having a housing shortage so I can except to have to wait up to 3 years for a 1 bedroom. I assumed a two bedroom would be more readily available.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Queen_Anne

No, I'm a RN and make too much for government housing. I called around and was told that Massachusetts is having a housing shortage so I can except to have to wait up to 3 years for a 1 bedroom. I assumed a two bedroom would be more readily available.

What do you mean wait for a 1 bedroom? Wait for who or what? There are one bedrooms for rent at all times. What are you meaning. Wait with who?

[Cantabridgienne]

Who did you call, exactly?

[flowbe202]

There are apartments available, just not in your allocated budget for your expectations.

Not all work places have onsite parking for employees. I'm guessing at possible employers for jobs here...
If you're working at BMC, you'll pay $$$ for parking.
If you're at Whittier or Dimock, unclear if they have free employee parking. Dimock- probably. Whittier, I doubt it, but maybe.

Depending where you eork, and if public transportation is an option, living in JP may not be the easiest to commute from. You may be better off living in Dorchester or Mission Hill again, depending on your expectations.

Moving to the city, we have neighborhood/resident parking stickers. If you move to a neighborhood with resident only parking, you will have to transfer your registration over, too. Few apartments in the city offer free off-street parking.