robreed wrote at 2008-02-27 22:04:

That place you mention sounds shitty. South End is trouble. I haven't ever seen a decent place there. Basically, if the place is in the South End I don't expect much. I understand people say it's nice but a) people generally don't know what they're talking about and b) you're not buying a seven figure condo, you're renting. They what should be three condos turns in into 6, each a 3 bedroom and then charge a ridiculous amount of money for what could have been a decent one bedroom. And that's the good part of the South End. That area you're talking about is kind of trash. I wouldn't be too worried about the location as far as safety goes though I'm there would be times when you wouldn't want to be walking around by yourself over there. But if the building isn't great forget about it. Actually, it sounds like a place we looked at. Apt sounds ok though so it's too bad but I'd completely put it out of my mind if I were you.

Try not to settle but be reasonable. Just don't take a shitty apt you're not happy with for 1200.00 a month.

The money part of it sucks. You would think that a bunch of poor people like us would learn to get along (something we have some control over) to save money (something we don't have much control over) but I guess not.

Anyway, I would say stay because Cleo is comfortable there and it's close to where you work, but it doesn't sound like you want a roommate. Also, I'm pissed that she's raising the rent by $100 a month.

You can find a place for one person and a small/med size dog in a decent area for 1200.00 a month.

You're a doctor working at MIT and you have good credit so you shouldn't need to worry about not getting a place you see that you like.

So I say don't settle but jump at the anyplace you see that you like (don't drag your feet). Of course read the lease and any other paperwork you have to sign. Don't make any assumptions. Finally, don't get your hopes up about any particular place until you've signed the lease. We've gotten snaked out of a of a lot of places over the years. That has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the fact that almost everyone alive is a complete asshole.

The rule is quantity. Look at as many places as you possibly can. It only takes one. Try to find a place you can be in for as long as you want so you can avoid this situation in the future. That means that you should stay away from owner occupied and one-off (people renting single condos) situations and prefer buildings if you can.

heather martin wrote at 2008-02-27 22:05:

wow, look at that, i found a rr. so maybe it's a waste of my time to look at the studio in beacon hill for $1100 w/ a dorm fridge?

heather martin wrote at 2008-02-27 22:05:

and though i don't want roommates i would consider but i don't really want to stay there either w/ her raising the rent. i've been looking at other roommate things for way cheaper near MIT, though not sure if they'd take a dog.

Jenn wrote at 2008-02-27 22:05:

I know exactly what place you're talking about on Beacon Hill. I wouldn't say it's a total waste, we were going to look there too. But, if it's the high-rise on Beacon Street I'd say the downside is it's all condos so it's probably just some person who owns a condo and is renting it.

I actually was going to go see a different studio there and the woman called me last minute to say her niece had "decided to rent it". I don't trust that she wouldn't have backed out of a lease with us for the same reason.

But what RR said is right, see as many places as you can and unfortunately you just can't assume it will work out until you have a signed lease.

I wouldn't say you should cross it off your list.

I've recently seen a lot of places advertised that look like nice studios around the Symphony area of Back Bay but when I contacted a guy about one of them he said only one person could live there - though the did take pets - not two people, so we had to cross it off the list.

robreed wrote at 2008-02-27 22:06:

There are basically four things: 1. size 2. cost 3. location 4. quality.

Cost - is fixed, at least the max you can pay is set.

Location - I say don't compromise on location but because you have to have a t-pass anyway you can get pretty far in 20 minutes (but you need to at least live near a t station - and realize that if you live too far away you won't be able to get around when the trains stop running).

No further out than Kenmore and near a T station,

Into the north end but not across the bridge into Charlestown,

Stay out of Cambridge unless it's right near your job and that makes sense to you for some reason or in a couple of key spots but basically Cambridge is a mess,

Beacon Hill, Bay Village are good,

Back Bay is mostly crap at $1200.00 (and inconvenient),

the South End is a waste,

All the way over to Fort Point Channel is ok toward the waterfront.

The whole area in between these areas is fine.

Otherwise I'd say look for a place much further out and < 5 minutes walk to the T (not commuter rail which is expensive).

Size - I say give up size. You don't have a lot of stuff anyway. You would do better in a small studio then a two bedroom with a roommate (which means you'd be stuck in a bedroom which will be smaller than the smallest studio).

Quality - Don't worry about stuff like new appliances. As long as they work and it's clean/tidy looking that's all you need. Seriously, set your sights on looking for a nice box where everything works. Oddities (weird angles and flourishes) are always chintzy in the types of apt you're probably looking for.

A utilitarian looking little box in a good location and a nice building is the type of place you should jump at if you ask me.

I say don't immediately reject the dorm fridge place. Is it seriously a dorm fridge (something that would sell for $49 at target) or is it just a very small fridge (counter height)? I wouldn't be so concerned about the fact that there is only a dorm fridge but it does beg the question, 'why is there only a dorm fridge.' The answer to that question may mean that the place is no good.

Honestly you can find a place if you just don't get bogged down. Be depressed about the experience after you get a place.

You have to compartmentalize it.

Part 1: Look at as many places as possible without worrying about whether they work out or not. Any day you're looking at a place is a good day.

Part 2: Fill out applications for places that you like without worrying about whether you'll get it or not. It's good whenever you fill out an app for a place you like even if it doesn't work out.

Part 3: When you find a place that works decide if you want it or not. Finding a place that works is good even if you decide not to take it.

Part 4: Worry about the move. Moving sucks but at least the rest of the stuff is resolved.

Each of the parts is independent of the others. You can't stay positive about looking if you're too busy being miserable about the fact that every other place you've seen isn't good.