Is 55K - 60k enough? (Boston, Newton: apartments, for rent, house)

[CareerMove]

Hello,
I'm trying to get an idea of what type of salary it takes to survive in the Boston area since I've heard cost of living is high!

Would 55K suffice for a single 30 year old female:
- clean, SAFE, 1 bdroom apt (where would I have to rent?)
- heat & hot water hopefully included in rent
- other utilities i.e. electricity
- groceries
- cell phone
- cable
- parking
- gas
- public transit (price depends how close I live i.e subway or commuter rail)
- entertainment
- miscellaneous

...did I miss anything else?

Your help is appreciated

[DaveV]

Of course! Other than your rent, everything else is not much dif than most places. It's all about being responsible and managing your cash flow.

[jeffw]

I moved back to Western Ma from Boston 3 years ago. I lived there for 4 years, and it was tough. What area are you looking to move to? The cost for rent alone is outrageous really anywhere in or around Boston. I was making close to 60/yr and was okay. I was paying 1300/month 20 minutes from Boston. If you are good with money you should be okay...

[artichoke63]

Originally Posted by jeffw

I moved back to Western Ma from Boston 3 years ago. I lived there for 4 years, and it was tough. What area are you looking to move to? The cost for rent alone is outrageous really anywhere in or around Boston. I was making close to 60/yr and was okay. I was paying 1300/month 20 minutes from Boston. If you are good with money you should be okay...

Hey Jeff,

How do you like living back in Western Mass? I'm in Los Angeles now but I'm thinking about moving back to Northampton. I notice rents have gone up quite a bit in the area though. It's almost as expensive as Boston!

ARtie

[NY'er lost in MA]

$55K will get torn through if you live in the city pretty easily. To be smart and budget you should consider areas like Newton or Somerville. And since you have a car, you will need a place with parking (Newton). Somerville is horrible- especially in the winter. Check into West Newton/Auburndale areas. Take care and good luck!

[Parsec]

I would second the suggestion of living in Newton if you want a safe place to live and require easy parking. The train is less than 30 minutes from Newton Centre to Government Center. I'm currently paying $1225 for a 2bd w/heat and hot water, so I'm sure you can find a 1bd for around $1100 w/hhw included. We're not making much more than you are and we're easily supporting a family of 3.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by Parsec

I would second the suggestion of living in Newton if you want a safe place to live and require easy parking. The train is less than 30 minutes from Newton Centre to Government Center. I'm currently paying $1225 for a 2bd w/heat and hot water, so I'm sure you can find a 1bd for around $1100 w/hhw included. We're not making much more than you are and we're easily supporting a family of 3.

Please tell me your secret! We are a family of three hoping to move back during the summer, want to live in a safe family area,good high school and the least amount of rent possible to be able to save to buy. How did you find a place for $1225? I have been told to stay away from West Newton,Newtonville area? What's up with these areas and what can you suggest to look into? We would love a yard for our dogs but not sure how sharing a multi-family house works which seems to be what is available. HELP!!

[NY'er lost in MA]

West Newton is actually very nice. I lived in Auburndale for 2 years- the part of Newton abutting West Newton. Very convenient area! Try this website:
http://www.bostonapartments.com/class.htm

or craigslist.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by puffle

Please tell me your secret! We are a family of three hoping to move back during the summer, want to live in a safe family area,good high school and the least amount of rent possible to be able to save to buy. How did you find a place for $1225? I have been told to stay away from West Newton,Newtonville area? What's up with these areas and what can you suggest to look into? We would love a yard for our dogs but not sure how sharing a multi-family house works which seems to be what is available. HELP!!

That's true. What works for me and CareerMove might not work for you. Our place is tiny -- 2 bedrooms are 11x11 and 10x8 and livingroom is 15x15 w/an e-i kitchen. Since you have a teenager and dogs, you'll probably need a detached single family w/a yard. Most property managers for multifamily units only allow 1 small cat or dog, but I recall you have 4 large ones. Only thing I can recommend is to speak w/some realtors and see what's out there. I remember seeing a 2bd cottage a few months ago being rented for $1250 w/no utils on craigslist so the properties are out there... you just gotta get look hard and maybe get lucky.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by Parsec

That's true. What works for me and CareerMove might not work for you. Our place is tiny -- 2 bedrooms are 11x11 and 10x8 and livingroom is 15x15 w/an e-i kitchen. Since you have a teenager and dogs, you'll probably need a detached single family w/a yard. Most property managers for multifamily units only allow 1 small cat or dog, but I recall you have 4 large ones. Only thing I can recommend is to speak w/some realtors and see what's out there. I remember seeing a 2bd cottage a few months ago being rented for $1250 w/no utils on craigslist so the properties are out there... you just gotta get look hard and maybe get lucky.

Thanks Parsec, but I actually have four small dogs that total 50 lbs. but still a challange for renting.