Affordable rental for graduate student at Mass General Hospital (Boston: apartment, homes)

[Lorema]

Hi,
I will be attending a program close to Massachusetts General Hosp, Cambridge MA, early next year. My budget for a 1br/1bath apartment is $1400- $1700. I prefer to live by myself. At the moment, I want a short term up to a 1 year lease. So far Natick and Framingham are areas I have researched. I prefer a modern or updated apartment. A furnished apartment would be great.

I prefer little to no hassle when commuting. If I need to take a train, I do not want to hop on more than 2 trains. If possible, I would prefer my commute by road, to be 30minutes or less with and without traffic. Safety is a must for me as well. I would love to live at most 40minutes (without traffic) from a local or international airport in (Boston) Massachusetts.

What cities/neighborhoods should I consider when doing my research? Do I need to increase my budget to realistically get what I want? Thanks!

[yesmaybe]

Is it actually in the West End or in Cambridge? Kind of different.

[queerfaith]

there are some innovative housing initiatives which match grad students with senior citizens living in their own homes. Folks who need a little bit of help and occasional companionship. It might be something to look into. Less distracting than living with traditional roommate peers. An occasional shared meal, helping with some household chores (taking garbage out, perhaps laundry in basement) that have become difficult for an elder-but not actually eldercare. Your dollar amount is not likely to find you a one bedroom apartment by yourself/with parking within 30 minutes drive/easy commute. MGH is in Boston...but you say Cambridge.

[queerfaith]

Cambridge, Alston, Waltham, Watertown, Belmont, Somerville, Malden, Medford, perhaps Chelsea. These communities are all fairly close/on transit lines close to Cambridge. Not all parts of each community are close to main transit lines! And not each transit line is an easy connection to whatever unknown part of the community to which you are trying to get!

[timberline742]

I think your budget for what you want is a bit out of whack. You can probably get a short term efficiency for what you're willing to pay, but not 30 minutes from work. Make it an hour. You want updated and furnished too? Yeah, not so sure about that as well. And you need to be more specific about where your are working for more solid help.

[MassVt]

In all honesty, you have far too many "demands" to have all of them met, especially with the commute time. Try for a studio apt, or perhaps getting a roommate, if that will cut down on travel time...

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by MassVt

In all honesty, you have far too many "demands" to have all of them met, especially with the commute time. Try for a studio apt, or perhaps getting a roommate, if that will cut down on travel time...

Roommate is the way to go, esp as a student. It's the norm throughout ones 20s and usually 30s in the area.

[matrix5k]

OP you're asking for a lot, may I remind you that you are a poor student? I shared a 3 bedroom $1,000 apt and ate ramen noodles in grad school 5 years ago, now I live in a 750k house. Just focus on school, live like a student and then you can live luxuriously once you start working.