Can a Student Live on $2,600 a Month in Boston without Dorm Housing? (house, neighborhood)

[boston2denver]

$2600.00 monthly allowance is Boston makes living very easy for a college student.

[Huckleberry3911948]

if you are getting 2600 a month why work or go to school?

[HenryAlan]

Originally Posted by Cantabridgienne

I think someone asking if a college student will be okay on only $40K a year is part of the reason there is a fair amount of disdain for the college kids in this city.

I'm honestly astonished by the question even being asked. What's wrong with this person if she thinks it's even remotely possible not to live on $2,600 a month? How does somebody who can afford that for their child end up so clueless about the cost of living?

[mdovell]

The only thing I can say in defense of this thread would be the following:
1) The housing bubble didn't exactly pop in boston and the north east in general..yes it's down but to compair it to florida or las vegas would be a laugh
2) some think that the place is filled with expensive private schools
3) some might think like nyc that we have rent controls (we don't)
Yes it is quite easy to live off of that amount..and why would you need to work if that was given anyway?
In all honesty if you want to keep things on the cheap just commute. Or just rent a room from someone.

[Sock Gnome]

Uh yes. Dear god yes. I bring home less than that a month after taxes, working 40 Hours a week. I'm so glad I spent four years in college now. $2600 a month is far more than $40K a year take home. Closer to $48 I'd say.

[eevee]

my biggest question is where is a 19 year old kid getting a $40K+ "allowance"? seriously, if mommy and daddy are rich enough to give their son the equivalent of a yearly salary, why bother going to college, unless it's for law, medicine, or some other "big money" major? most people who graduate from college and end up working in a NPO or some cubicle job would kill to make as much as this kid is getting for "free"

but yes, it's possible, unless you're thinking of trying to rent Manny Ramirez's old apartment or something similar, then you may run into a snag

may I add that it may be best for your son not to flash around the fact that he's got over $2K to spend monthly. even at a pricey Boston university/college, there may be some poor college students struggling to make ends meet who may not appreciate a wealthier student pulling out wads of cash from his pocket and boasting about living in a fancy apartment

[Highwyre237]

And I thought I was lucky in college when I was making 14 an hour at a hotel, working 35 hours a week, and doing a few overnights, while going to school full time...

[Tombstoner]

The OP asked an honest question--I really don't see the need for some of these derisive responses. Apparently the answer is "yes, easily." That would suffice.

[ogre]

I tend to agree with Tombstoner, at least up to a point. It does seem that someone might have to be a little out of touch with the world to have any question about whether the amount of money quoted would be enough for a college student to live on anywhere. On the other hand, people could hear enough about how high the cost of living is in Boston that it's understandable that someone unfamiliar with the area really might not be sure what it takes to live here.

[lrfox]

The thread should be locked. The OP got the answer they were looking for (a resounding, "yes"), so mission accomplished. The negativity is unnecessary. While posts like this may be evidence as to why some natives get annoyed with college students, the responses from many are perfect examples as to why many outsiders think Bostonians are so rude. It was a simple, albeit, obvious question and a simple "yes" will be just fine.