Is Boston a good place to start a new life? (rent, loans)

[allenk893]

I'm totally fed up with the way my life is currently going. As soon as I graduate HS, I'm contemplating starting a new life somewhere. I'm looking at Boston. It's been on my mind for quite awhile. I realize how expensive it is. I'm thinking of just renting a room from a shared house. I was also thinking about attending UMASS Boston. It's relatively cheap for out of state students. I plan on getting a job to pay the bills and groceries. Basically I just want to start my life anew with new people, new sights, new sounds. Is this a feasible plan? I could do all this in FL but I don't want to be in FL anymore because that's where all my problems have been. Part of them is family. And I don't want family to have easy transportation to me as cruel as that sounds. I love them but I need a break.

[Cantabridgienne]

Going to a different state for college isn't exactly a novel concept. It's certainly feasible, but you really need to make sure it's financially viable for you. Moving without a job or a significant savings will be tough, though. Do you have enough saved for tuition/housing?

[teachertype]

It's tough being a teenager especially if your family situation isn't good. I sort of think you have a good plan as long as you don't do anything impulsive or self destructive, like run away.

I think you're showing good judgment by knowing you definitely have to finish high school and plan for college. Boston is very expensive. It's a great city but there are major dangers in store for a young person alone on limited funds and without adult protection. What about applying to colleges in Boston that have dorms and spending vacations with your family?

It's easy to get depressed and overwhelmed when you're teen. For most young people the cloud lifts some by college age. Is there some adult you can talk to who cares and would help you? A favorite teacher, an aunt or uncle, older cousin? You need to talk to someone.

[JeffPersons]

Interesting question.
My first reaction was "Don't you know its between your ears?" but I'm 62 now and I really KNOW this at my age. When I graduated from high school in a small NH town at the age of 17 however I moved into Back Bay and it was like being reborn. I blamed my small town for everything, as life went on I found out that most of the problems came to Boston with me. I did experience a brand new life and I had so much fun!!! I felt like a new person.
Boston is a great place for a young person to reinvent their life. You will be lonely at first of course but there are so many young people that won't last long.
After about a year I went back home for a visit. I felt completely different. I was bigger, smarter, more autonomous. What a great feeling! Moving to Boston at the age of 17 was the absolute best thing I ever did!
So shake off those FLA blues and find something small in one of the downtown neighborhoods. Its a bit scary but I have found that the only way to have new experiences is to do the scary stuff.You can still find a studio in the basement for about $800 per month.
Really hope this helps you to get out of your home town.

[shiraziman]

Yes. Yes. Yes.
DO IT!
Don't let the expense scare you.
If you're good at studying, if you're self-disciplined and self motivated, this is the best place for you.
You have a ton of options for college. There are more than 50 colleges and universities here and they are ALL good colleges.
Furthermore, salaries here are higher than other places in the US. In fact, Boston workers are the highest paid in the nation.
Boston is a great place to start a new life, and I personally regret not moving here when I was done with high school.
It is diverse, tolerant, intellectual, beautiful, and the people are very helpful to new comers (my personal experience).
You really don't need a car here. The T and bus takes you almost everywhere you need to go.
And bout family, aren't we all like that? LOL! But don't take your family as your enemy (unless if they've done unspeakable things). Sometimes it is good to be away from family, but do keep ties.
Good luck to you.

[xS☺B☺s]

It worked for me. Sure dude, why not? It's a nice town, and if you're willing to show up, you can get a job. It's not easy to start from the ground up and Bostonians don't send a welcome wagon. Due to the transience of the city, it will take a while before you are adopted, but if you work hard and do your best, you're likely to find opportunities. Just speaking good clear english and having good manners will take you a long way in Beantown.

Yeah dude, if it peaks your interest, chances are you will love it just like so many of us did.

Try finding someplace in Southie. Some nice old Irish folks will probably treat you real well as long as you just do your best.

[altlover85]

I say do it. Just be wary of Northeast winters.

Have you applied to any schools in the area? Would you consider dorm living? How are your grades?

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by allenk893

I'm totally fed up with the way my life is currently going. As soon as I graduate HS, I'm contemplating starting a new life somewhere. I'm looking at Boston. It's been on my mind for quite awhile. I realize how expensive it is. I'm thinking of just renting a room from a shared house. I was also thinking about attending UMASS Boston. It's relatively cheap for out of state students. I plan on getting a job to pay the bills and groceries. Basically I just want to start my life anew with new people, new sights, new sounds. Is this a feasible plan? I could do all this in FL but I don't want to be in FL anymore because that's where all my problems have been. Part of them is family. And I don't want family to have easy transportation to me as cruel as that sounds. I love them but I need a break.

Everyone plans on getting a job, but what does that mean? Nothing. I planned on getting a job when I moved here. My roommate planned on getting a job, too. Nada for both of us so far. But hey, we planned on it. So it is cool, right?

UMass Boston is not that cheap for out of state students. It's $26, 396 a year for non-resident students. That does not include a dorm room (UMB has no dorms), books, etc. Federal Financial aid for first-year students is going to max out at around $7,500, which includes max amount in loans. You would need to get scholarships, a Plus Loan, or private loans to cut it. Honestly, it is cheaper to attend a private college, even though the price tag is higher. I would suggest applying to Suffolk University. SU does not command the same level of prestige as other universities in the area, but it is not a bad school, has relatively easy admissions, and they offer pretty good in-house scholarships if you graduate from HS with at least a 3.0.

Two other schools to look into are Tufts and MIT. Don't believe the hype that you need to graduate in the top 1% of your class to enter into these schools. Both do admit students with 2.X GPAs and below average SAT/ACT scores. Unless you took a lot of science courses, you'd have a better chance at Tufts. Anyways, both of these schools meet financial need 100%, and do so in a way to minimize loans. They also both consider room and board as part of financial need, so that means that your financial aid package will also cover rent if you choose to live off-campus.

You should also keep in mind that your financial aid is going to be based on your parents income. Even if your parents refuse to give you a dime, if they make $$, you are SOL.

You can also look into attending community college for a year or two.

No one can tell you if your plan is feasible or not as no one has a way to predict how things will turn out for you. The more money you bring with you, the better, and honestly I would not suggest moving to Boston with little money. If you do go to college, it won't really matter, but if you decide to try and live on your own or with roommates, it can be a stretch.

I did something similar after high school and while it was fun and new and exciting, it was also really hard. Took me a solid year just to get on my feet, then again, I did move 1500 miles with only a back pack, duffle bag, and $60. It worked out for me in the end, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who does not possess an adventurous spirit-which I had at the time. I will say that now is the time to do this sort of thing, so if you are going to do it, then go for it!

Don't know what else to say. Good luck.

[Cantabridgienne]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

You should also keep in mind that your financial aid is going to be based on your parents income. Even if your parents refuse to give you a dime, if they make $$, you are SOL.

Is this still true is the parents no longer claim their child on their tax returns as a dependent?

[Tombstoner]

I agree with the gist of teachertype's response--it sounds like you are a very young person fed up with life at home and thinking of a radical change (all of that very understandable). But if you don't have friends in Boston that you can pose these questions to, rather than post on a forum with strangers, that's not a good start. Can you think of some intermediate step where you can establish some sense of community closer to home (but not too close) and then, with some more life experience under your belt, head for the big city (be that Boston or elsewhere)? Lots of kids are making bad decisions--you may not be one of them, but getting random advice over the internet like this is not a good way to decide on a major life move. Sorry to be such an "adult." Best wishes to you.