a) I obviously don't know your financial situation, but be forewarned that apartments in Cambridge and Somerville can be pretty pricey. If you can, I'd suggest looking on Craigslist thoroughly to get an idea of prices and neighborhoods.
b) Also be forewarned that many apartments in the area don't allow pets (not all, it's just something to ask about when renting).
c) There have been lots of posts about this in b0st0n in the past. I'd suggest poking through those, the answers are pretty thorough.
I didn't see an apartment section in the memories, but I'll look through old posts. I probably should try to find a place with roommates because that will probably be cheaper than a studio. I've never lived with people I haven't known before, hopefully I won't get a crazy roommate!
cats are generally much more negotiable than dogs, as cats are smaller and don't tend to scratch up hardwood floors and stuff. they also tend to keep the rodent problem at bay, which landlords usually like.
Ok, this might sound stupid, but how do you find a realtor??
Americorps generally just assumes you can find housing by yourself. I'm hoping to avoid a short sublet if possibly because I know no one in Boston to help me move and don't have a car, so I don't know how feasible that will be.
Did you end up staying in that apartment, or did you find a new place?
maybe start by subletting once you get up there? that way, if it sucks you can apartment hunt and actually see places in person and you aren't tied down to a lease.
My only fear about subletting is that I don't know anyone in Boston, so I'd be a problem moving again. Americorps pays slightly above poverty level, so I can't afford to get a moving truck probably.
RE: adopting a cat, definitely check out the MSPCA located in Jamaica Plain: mspca.org, they are an excellent organization.
And having lived on an Americorps salary in another very expensive location (Hawaii), I'll tell you right now you are going to be living a very frugal lifestyle. Apply for foodstamps, they are basically automatic on an Americorps salary and will help out immensely.
Oh I am FOR SURE applying for food stamps! I know it will be a challenge, but I'm strangely excited for it. How did you like your Americorps experience?
Food stamps are AMAZING, and I didn't apply for them until about 5 months into my term, basically when my savings ran out and I had no other option. I was living on a budget of about $25/week after housing costs. Anyway, I'm glad you are excited for it! What is your job going to be? I was a case worker for homeless veterans with substance abuse problems. It was eye-opening to say the least.
Where are you moving from? I'll echo the praise for craigslist in finding housing, even from a remote location. That's how I secured a place to live when I was moving back from Hawaii, so I did already know Boston fairly well, but I never saw the place before I committed. Basically I just had a really good email relationship with two of the people I was moving in with, and that was more important to me than anything else. Luckily, both the location and house itself were equally awesome, so I'm still here after two and a half years (Jamaica Plain, which is a long-ish commute to Camb/Som unfortunately, otherwise I would recommend it!).
It'll be at an antipoverty agency working with all kinds of issues: undereducation, enemployment, health care, housing. Your job sounds like it was very interesting, and probably pretty stressful. I volunteer at a youth crisis agency at the moment, so I'm excited for the job.
I'm moving from Madison, WI. How long did you find housing on craigslist before moving to Boston? I checked it out last night but all the listings were for January.
Comments 64
(The comment has been removed)
Thanks for replying so quickly, I am very excited, I've only heard good things about Boston.
Good luck with the Kitty!
Reply
Wait, really? I'm impressed.
Reply
Reply
a) I obviously don't know your financial situation, but be forewarned that apartments in Cambridge and Somerville can be pretty pricey. If you can, I'd suggest looking on Craigslist thoroughly to get an idea of prices and neighborhoods.
b) Also be forewarned that many apartments in the area don't allow pets (not all, it's just something to ask about when renting).
c) There have been lots of posts about this in b0st0n in the past. I'd suggest poking through those, the answers are pretty thorough.
Reply
Reply
Reply
cats are generally much more negotiable than dogs, as cats are smaller and don't tend to scratch up hardwood floors and stuff. they also tend to keep the rodent problem at bay, which landlords usually like.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Americorps generally just assumes you can find housing by yourself. I'm hoping to avoid a short sublet if possibly because I know no one in Boston to help me move and don't have a car, so I don't know how feasible that will be.
Did you end up staying in that apartment, or did you find a new place?
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
Reply
Reply
And having lived on an Americorps salary in another very expensive location (Hawaii), I'll tell you right now you are going to be living a very frugal lifestyle. Apply for foodstamps, they are basically automatic on an Americorps salary and will help out immensely.
Reply
Reply
Where are you moving from? I'll echo the praise for craigslist in finding housing, even from a remote location. That's how I secured a place to live when I was moving back from Hawaii, so I did already know Boston fairly well, but I never saw the place before I committed. Basically I just had a really good email relationship with two of the people I was moving in with, and that was more important to me than anything else. Luckily, both the location and house itself were equally awesome, so I'm still here after two and a half years (Jamaica Plain, which is a long-ish commute to Camb/Som unfortunately, otherwise I would recommend it!).
Reply
I'm moving from Madison, WI. How long did you find housing on craigslist before moving to Boston? I checked it out last night but all the listings were for January.
Reply
Leave a comment