1. U.S. Elementary Education : What Parents Need to Know
    Dismiss Notice

Request Help with Information : Moving to Boston

Discussion in 'Indians in Boston' started by Oceangem, Sep 30, 2013.

  1. Oceangem

    Oceangem New IL'ite

    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Gender:
    Female
    Hello Indus Ladies
    There is a possibility that I may move from Bangalore to Boston in late Nov/Dec, for my husband's 1yr assignment. His office is in Cambridge & is very close to the Kendall/MIT. I am looking forward to some information and tips.

    (1) How do I go about finding an apartment? Is it best to work through agents or is it safe to go about it on my own?
    (2) Usually how much do agents charge? And do they help with end-to-end support such as preparing the agreement contracts, etc?
    (3) Is a budget of US$1600 per month unrealistically low or workable?
    My requirements are :
    A safe neighbourhood.
    Walking distance to shops like Grocery stores.
    Preferably walking distance to any public transport.
    1 Bedroom+Living Room+Bath, equipped with furniture such as sofas, beds, a TV, etc., a kitchen with the usual Gas range, etc., and facilities such as Heating and an in-house Washing machine+Dryer.

    (4) Please recommend any good apartments in/around Cambridge.
    Many Thanks.
     
    Loading...

  2. Drpreethis

    Drpreethis Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    3,315
    Likes Received:
    186
    Trophy Points:
    160
    Gender:
    Female
    Hi O,

    I've tried my best to help..:)



    (1) How do I go about finding an apartment? Is it best to work through agents or is it safe to go about it on my own?
    Best to work on your own.. You can look for apartments in websites like rent.com or just Google apartments in ------ ( the name of the place you planning to stay )

    (2) Usually how much do agents charge? And do they help with end-to-end support such as preparing the agreement contracts, etc?
    No idea whether you get realtors for all areas in apartment search..They could help you with condos though. There is no big jazz about agreement etc. The rental company will verify your visa and passport and may call your Hubby's supervisor just to make sure you guys are legally here. That's about it.

    (3) Is a budget of US$1600 per month unrealistically low or workable?
    Its definitely super workable in areas away from downtown. In fact its more than that. Usually, in places away from downtown Boston, the rents for a single bedroom would be between 1000-1300.. Unless you plan to stay walkable distance from your Hubby's office at Kendall.. The rent there would be more than $2000.

    My requirements are :
    A safe neighbourhood. - Do not go close to downtown then.

    Walking distance to shops like Grocery stores. - You will be left with few choices then.

    Preferably walking distance to any public transport. - This is feasible.

    1 Bedroom+Living Room+Bath, equipped with furniture such as sofas, beds, a TV, etc., a kitchen with the usual Gas range, etc., and facilities such as Heating and an in-house Washing machine+Dryer. - Then you need to look for a studio apartment which would have pots and pans in kitchen along with all that you mentioned. Heating will be available in every apartment here, but whether it will be included in your rent or not, you need to check.

    (4) Please recommend any good apartments in/around Cambridge.
    The more nearer you want to be near Cambridge, the lesser the options with Indian grocery being walkable. Closer to Cambridge means -
    More rent
    Walkable to public transport and to smaller convenience stores ( no huge grocery since its more of office and MIT campus in and around. )
    Not very safe

    MA is well connected by public transport. So staying a little away from Cambridge will also work. If you have a kid, not all apartments will allow you to rent a single bedroom.. There is an apartment in Quincy called fax on commons which is like a mini India. Atleast few stores are walkable and it has a hugeee Indian community there. Also, the buses are just a hop away. They aren't furnished with sofa and TV etc though. The heat and hot water are included in your rent.

    Similarly there are places like Woburn and Burlington..which is just a train away from Cambridge. Here you get monthly & weekly rental apartments..which are furnished. It's called Jamison. You have Indian stores walkable if you'd stay on the jamison property of main st.

    Likewise, you find a few places as such. Go to apartments.com or rent.com and look for the ones that fit your budget. Before that, Google out map of MA and figure out where the places are located..will give u a better idea of what is closer to Cambridge and what's feasible for you.

    Once you have a few places in mind, post back here, I'm sure there will be many ILs who will come forward to help you with it. I would too :)

    Take care and be sure to pack your jackets .. Dec is not a pleasant month in this part of the world !!! ;)
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. suhasini22

    suhasini22 Bronze IL'ite

    Messages:
    136
    Likes Received:
    32
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Gender:
    Female
    Op,sorry for derailing you thread but I did not know where to post this,


    dear preethi, looks like you had you second kid,congratulations and best wishes to you ,may god bless you and your family.missing you on relationships forum.
     
    1 person likes this.
  4. Oceangem

    Oceangem New IL'ite

    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Gender:
    Female
    Thank you very much Dr.Preethi. I was so overwhelmed with many doubts and worries. I was beginning to lose hope of receiving any help from the Indus Ladies and then your reply came in. It has helped put me at ease. Thanks for all the information.
    Cheers.
    Oceangem.
     
  5. Drpreethis

    Drpreethis Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    3,315
    Likes Received:
    186
    Trophy Points:
    160
    Gender:
    Female
    O,

    Its very normal to be overwhelmed. Been there, felt that !

    I am sure many wouldve wanted to help in IL but either wouldn't have had enough information or would've missed your post.. Else, help is in abundance here..

    Let me know if you need more help with particular areas.. I will be more than willing to write back.

    Best luck with your house hunting and stay at US .. :)

    Take care
     
  6. Drpreethis

    Drpreethis Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    3,315
    Likes Received:
    186
    Trophy Points:
    160
    Gender:
    Female
    Awww thank you sooo much, Suhasini. Glad to know there are people still who remember me at relationship forums.. :)

    Yes, I had another son this July.. His name is Adhvik. He is going to be 3 months by 15th. Thank you again..
     

Share This Page