Where in the boston area can i find a studio/1br for $1400? or should I stay where I am? (Cambridge: apartment, lease)

[scifiwasabi]

I'm living in a lovely 2br apartment in Somerville with a college friend. The rent is $1400 total so I pay $700 a month. My roommate is thinking about moving cross-country in February to be closer to her family. So I will either need to find a new roommate, move, or stay here and ask my landlord if i can rent the whole place as one person. I've had weird experiences with random roommates in the past, so I'd like to avoid that if I can. With my salary, I can afford staying where I am and pay $1400/mo, which is what I prefer, although I'd need to cut back on other expenses. I'd be in the same situation if I tried moving to a 1br or studio though, as I don't think I can find anything for less that $1400, or even much at $1400. The only reason I would move is if I could find a 1br/studio for less than $1400. I wouldn't move to a place where I'd still need to have roommates, I'd much rather stay in the current apartment that I love, and just get another roommate.

So I am wondering if anyone knows of areas to look for an apartment (1 br or studio) that's about $1400. I need to be able to get to Cambridge via public transit, and ideally it wouldn't be more than an hour for commuting, but otherwise I am open. Also, can anyone think of a reason why a landlord would not want to rent a 2br apartment to just one person? My landlord is nice and I am a responsible, quiet tenant (young professional in my mid-20s). and while I want to stay, I am hesitant to get another roommate if my current one decides to move, so I will have to ask him if he's willing to renew the lease with just me. Previously he has rented the apartment to two people, allowing them to decide how to split the price, and making sure we know that if one person fails to pay, the other is responsible. So theoretically he shouldn't have any issues, and I guess I won't know until I ask, if the situation arises.

[Dm84]

If it were me I'd stay put. I don't think the landlord has any reason to care whether he rents it to one person as long as he gets paid.

[chicagoliz]

I would think it's likely the LL would continue to rent to you, especially if you've been a tenant for several years and have always paid the rent on time. Just like tenants like having good landlords, Landlords like having good tenants -- tenants who they know will pay the rent, won't trash the place, won't hassle them unreasonably, and generally take care of the dwelling as their home.

The only reason I could think of for why your LL wouldn't be willing to rent to you alone is if that $1400 is a large chunk of your monthly income. But I think you'd have that problem anywhere at that same price point if that were the case.

I say just ask the LL, because I think the odds are that he'll rent to you and then you don't have to even worry about it any more.

[kingeorge]

You snooze you lose. Your deal is pretty good, you know LL and they know you. Unless it is hardship to stay alone or you do not like your place, why spend money on movers? Do you have time to go around searching, and competing with other renters? Do you have ready 1st, last, and security?

You could look online for what is available in places like Medford, Watertown, Belmont, and Arlington and decide if it all worth it.

Good luck.

[Space_League]

I would stay

[MrsRosencranz]

Stay and advertise for a mid week roommate. There are people, professionals who want to stay in town mon-thur for a reasonable price because they own a house somewhere else and they have a short term contract. Also advertise or get on the Tufts housing lists for a visiting professor. This way you have roommates for limited times and a set period. Helps you avoid the scary weird roommates.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by MrsRosencranz

Stay and advertise for a mid week roommate. There are people, professionals who want to stay in town mon-thur for a reasonable price because they own a house somewhere else and they have a short term contract. Also advertise or get on the Tufts housing lists for a visiting professor. This way you have roommates for limited times and a set period. Helps you avoid the scary weird roommates.

Reasonable idea. You can find places for less that are nice, I know a few that have gotten them in somerville, the best being a 800 sq wood floor, parquet floor (in part), $1200 heat included place three blocks outside of union sq. Killer deal. But they are few and far between.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by MrsRosencranz

Stay and advertise for a mid week roommate. There are people, professionals who want to stay in town mon-thur for a reasonable price because they own a house somewhere else and they have a short term contract. Also advertise or get on the Tufts housing lists for a visiting professor. This way you have roommates for limited times and a set period. Helps you avoid the scary weird roommates.

A lot of landlords wouldn't be ok with that arrangement. He doesn't own the apartment.

[bostonguy1960]

Quincy and Malden should still have basic studios for much less than $1,800. Even Arlington used to have a basic studio at less than that but I haven't checked Craigslist in months.

[bigfatdude]

$1400 for a two bedroom is a steal, I would keep it if I were you. $1400 a month normally wouldn't even get you a one bedroom in better parts of Dorchester nowadays, let alone more fashionable neighborhoods.