Weather & Apartment Fees Questions (Boston: apartments, rental, landlord)

[FashionD]

Ok - so I thought I'd condense my two questions into one thread.

I've never been to the east coast (besides Wash DC), so I really have no idea about the weather. I'm planning on moving to Boston in the next 6 months. I'm really excited and I really hope the weather won't effect me as much as everyone is telling me it's going to.

I have lived in SD and LA (CA) all my life. I am so sick of "Sunny and in the '70s". I want seasons and cold and snow and rain! I guess you always want what you don't have. So, my question is, exactly how is the weather in Boston? What months are the coldest? What months are the warmest? Month by month, how is it?

Also, quick question, when I'm looking for apartments, I see these "no fee" or "fee" listings (especially on craigslist). What does this mean? I'm used to just looking for an apt and them telling me the rent. What are these fees for?

[Stockholmaren]

Originally Posted by FashionD

Ok - so I thought I'd condense my two questions into one thread.

I've never been to the east coast (besides Wash DC), so I really have no idea about the weather. I'm planning on moving to Boston in the next 6 months. I'm really excited and I really hope the weather won't effect me as much as everyone is telling me it's going to.

I have lived in SD and LA (CA) all my life. I am so sick of "Sunny and in the '70s". I want seasons and cold and snow and rain! I guess you always want what you don't have. So, my question is, exactly how is the weather in Boston? What months are the coldest? What months are the warmest? Month by month, how is it?

Also, quick question, when I'm looking for apartments, I see these "no fee" or "fee" listings (especially on craigslist). What does this mean? I'm used to just looking for an apt and them telling me the rent. What are these fees for?

A fee is simply what a rental agent/landlord may collect for getting you an apartment. Normally a fee equals one month rent, and you will also see half fee (half a month rent).

As far as the weather and climate, I would suggest that you look up Boston here on city-data. There is detailed information on there as far as temperatues, snow, rain, etc for each month.

[skytrekker]

Boston has a moderate humid continental climate. Which means four seasons. Summer and winter are the extremes- between cold and warm to hot. Spring is the most transitory season; with Autumn the most sublime, lasting longer then spring, summer and winter.

Most weather comes from the continent to the west- but sea moderation is by no means absent.

Summers begin in late June- and ends in late August- with mild to warm very pleasant Autumn weather extending into mid November. Winter begins around Christmas, and end 3 months later, alternating from cold rainy conditions, to clear sunny days with cold and to snow or sleet. Temperatures average in January around 37 in the daytime to around 20 overnight. There can be warmer weather, with temps in the 40s, 50s and even 60 at times, or colder weather with highs struggling to reach 32 degrees. Nights below zero in central Boston are uncommon due to the moderating affects of the Atlantic ocean; as one goes further west and northwest winter conditions can become more extreme. To the south and south east winters are milder.

Summers are slow coming, due to 'back door' cool air off the Gulf of Maine- but this also retards hot humid weather coming in from the southwest. Summer begins to set in however by late June with sultry warm to hot conditions, that can become very uncomfortable at times.

Springs are slow to come in greater Boston- with chilly days, inter spaced with mild weather. The weather warms more to the west of the city away from the still chilled waters of the Atlantic.

Snowfall varies from year to year- but averages just around 40" a year. Precipitation is mostly equally distributed 12 months of the year-with a slight summer maximum.

Global warming may cause sea rise and flooding in parts of Boston in the future; Also hotter summers and milder winters are now a present day reality.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Very good post skytrekker.

The Boston area has a lot of microclimates. Typically, if you live within Rte 128, you'll have less snow in the winter. However, during May into summer depending on which way the wind blows, it is often as a 10-15 degree difference as it is much cooler on the coast.

On one autumn, I observed fall colors that span the gamut of green leaves, to peak color, to past peak, all within a short commute of 25 minutes.