Can you afford to live in the Boston area off of a 30,000 job

[RiverBird]

Originally Posted by bears0909

Hi. Thanks for getting back to me. For the time being it will be 2 people off of $30,000 (We only have 1 car). It will probably be that way until I can get a $50,000+ job to afford another car. The South Coast area seems to be pretty spread out so I doubt there will be anywhere for my GF to work at where she can walk, drive. Not to mention we will probably be stuck living in a dangerous area where I wouldn't want her walking to work. If she happens to find a job in the same exact area as me for the same hours then we might both be able to have jobs as we can drive together for work. But for the time being, it will just be $30,000 for me unfortunately. I am currently in the process of looking for higher paid positions (this one is just temporary) and also starting several of my own businesses in which she is putting in the time while I am working.

If it were me (and I did live in Boston many years ago), I would rent a studio apt or do a house share in a better safe area rather than rent a single apartment in a more unsafe area - especially if your job is as you say temporary. You probably know that in a regular apartment of your own you will have to pay first month, last month, AND a month's security deposit (the last one you get back if there is "found" to be no damage on your vacate). With a cost that high, and a temp job, go for the cheapest share you can find in the best area. In a house share, you may not have to come up with those extra months of rent on entry. You could also find a permanent job out further from Boston, so be sure not to sign on for a year lease. You cannot get out of that lease, it is legally binding, and you are liable for payments for the full year even after you move out.

[bears0909]

Does anyone have any other good sites other than Craigs List. I just viewed an apartment Friday night and its already rented out. I told the lady that I wanted the apartment and she told me I could come in Monday to sign the lease. She said she wasn't get any commitment on the place and today when I call she says that it is gone. This is so frustrating!

[bears0909]

Found a great apartment on Ballard Street - thanks everyone for their help. It's in a nice quiet location and I got a great deal! Now the problem is my job - the guy I was supposed to be working for flaked out on me after moving all the way out here!!! He is avoiding all my phone calls and I haven't even started working for him yet! He answered my call once basically telling me I should start looking for other jobs. Does anyone know of any jobs I can get quick in the area? either Fall River or surrounding areas to Providence or Boston? I am willing to take anything. I have a Master's degree and no one is contacting me back from Indeed or Craigs List.

[miu]

Are you looking in all sections of the Jobs craigslist? Or are you targeting specific types of work? What about tutoring work? And this time of year, look for seasonal work also. Many retail establishments are starting to hire for the holiday season.

One year, my dad worked for UPS during the holidays doing the graveyard sorting shift. So see if UPS or Fedex is hiring for the holiday season also.

If you are outgoing and good with people, check out jobs as a brand ambassador and do in-store tastings and demos at grocery stores and places like Costco.

You have to be very openminded and evaluate all your possible job skills.

Is your apartment on a bus line? Maybe your gf could get some full or part time retail work in your area. Or be a waitress. Just because the two of you don't each have a car, doesn't mean that only one of you can work. Or find jobs at different times where the two of you can share the car. And maybe, she'll find a full time job before you, but she ought to be looking for work right away, instead of waiting for a second car to happen.

[miu]

If you search Boston craigslist job for "Thanksgiving", a ton of seasonal job offerings come up. There's even a tutoring job that pays $35 an hour for certain subjects. And Kelly temps is hiring for seasonal Fedex delivery work.