Apartment woes

[judecorp]

It's starting to hit me that we're going to have a hell of a time finding a place in the Boston area. We have so many things that we want/need: cat-ok, near public transportation, within a certain price range, at least 2 bedrooms, washer/dryer hook-ups. The last is SO important to me because we just bought a brand new washer and dryer last July that we're still paying for, and there's no way we would get our money back if we sold them. It seems like w/d hook-ups are hard to find out there, even though cat-ok places are so easy.

I wish I knew more people that knew people, so I would have, you know, connections. I'm sure there is a place up there that has everything we want/need at a price we can (sort of) afford, but I've become so damned spoiled out here, apartment-wise. Argh.

I am becoming addicted to craigslist. I should stop looking at it, since we won't actually be looking at apartments until May.

Comments

[murnkay.livejournal.com]

I don't think I still know anyone in Boston from when I lived there but I'll poke around and see for ya.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

*monkeyluv*

[jwine.livejournal.com]

haha. before i read your last line, i was going to tell you to look on craigslist. i think the biggest mistake i made when moving to nyc was hiring a broker and not going the craigslist route, for example. there's so much stuff you can find through something like that.

you guys will find something :). i wish both of you luck.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I know we'll find something. I just hope we find something with w/d hookups, yo, because I Looooooove my washer and dryer!

I mean, worst-case-scenario is we sell the things at a partial loss, or have my dad store them until we're ready to move somewhere with hookups, but it's just so exhausting.

I love to move, but I hate moving, if you know what I mean. :)

[prettyvacantone.livejournal.com]

If you guys do end up doing the "selling the W&D" route, let me know! jason and I need a set for next year, and depending on how much yours cost new, we could probably buy them off of you for pretty close to what you paid.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I will certainly let you know. I know we paid extra to get a 3-year Best Buy service plan thing, but I'd have to check on the actual amount. I'm pretty sure it ended up being $700ish. Ouch. :(

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I don't know where you're looking, but I would think that a lot of places in my general area--Davis Square in Somerville--would fit that general description.

We are paying $1500 for a really fab place. I know it's a lot, but it's what things cost. :/

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we were doing the math, and I'm not sure we can pay that much. I mean, it depends on what we have for jobs, that's for sure.


*sigh*

[geniusorafool.livejournal.com]

Are you opposed to living outside the city on the commuter rail?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I'd have to research costs to see if it's worth it.

Maybe we'll know where we're working, so it would be easier to decide where to live. Aie! I am such a planner.

[iansha.livejournal.com]

Yeah, apartment hunting is a challenge down there!
The suckiest thing for me was the start-up costs... First, Last, Security AND we paid a fourth month as a 'realtor' fee. Hopefully, Craigslist will save you from that!

Perhaps looking more West, like Framingham, where you can still get on the commuter rail or something will work better price-wise? Or anything along the commuter rails might help! :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I suppose it would partially depend how much it would cost to take the commuter rail daily, to see if it's worth the savings in rent. Otherwise, I could /not/ sell my car and we could live further out (but I don't really want to do that) - it will just be a challenge to get two cars and a uhaul out there! ;)

[iansha.livejournal.com]

A point to think about, too...
the closer you live to the city, the less likely you are to have off-street parking, if you DO keep one of the vehicles. It's a pain in the ASS.

Keep us updated!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I don't need off-street parking. It's a luxury I'm willing to do without. :)

[oxlahun.livejournal.com]

Since jadefu hasn't posted one yet, I'll put in the obligatory plug for not-Boston. Massachusetts is not a big state, but it's big enough that people live outside the primary metro area (unlike, say, RI). I know you know this, but it's a compulsion that Western Mass residents have to post stuff like this anyway. :)

There's a chance that at least one of you should find a job first, then worry about finding an apartment that's convenient to it/them. Don't know if that's the best way to do it, but it's worth considering. Also (see "compulsion" above) cost of living is much lower the farther from Boston you get.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Of course we're going to be looking for jobs first. I mean, we both hope to have jobs when we move, but decided that we didn't want to wait here until we had jobs. If we have to, we'll go to temp agencies to make money in the meantime, because otherwise we'll just keep postponing the move. And it's harder to get a job somewhere when you're not living there, which is a total pain.

We haven't totally eliminated Western Mass yet, but the jobs just aren't there, which is a shame. And you're not there either - what if you guys leave??! :)

[jadefu.livejournal.com]

Actually, there are social worker jobs here. Health care type jobs are about the only things there are, though. :/

$1500/mo is more than double what we pay for our 2 bedroom now. Ouch. And we even have a garden.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Mama, if you can give the hook-up to some swank social worker job, I'll certainly try to get it. :)

[oxlahun.livejournal.com]

A tip:

Find some friends in various parts of the state and use their addresses for local contact info. Makes scheduling interviews a little weird when you have to explain you don't actually live right down the road, but it saves you from being tossed in the "too far away to bother with; why are they applying here?" pile.

I haven't asked jadefu yet, but I suspect she wouldn't care if you wanted to be from Montague when you apply to Western Mass jobs. :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the suggestion, and I may take you up on the offer (or at least ask Ms. Jade).

I am keeping my feelers out throughout the entire state. Something will come up. Either way, we will be in Prime Visiting Range for you guys!!

[volumeat11.livejournal.com]

You're breaking my heart, girl. All you have to do is ask. I *am* the guy who knows people.

And someone -- I'm awful with names -- posted a good question: could you live outside of town, but within distance to a commuter rail stop? Here, check this shit out, G, and get back to me...

http://www.mbta.com

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

As I said to D (geniusorafool), I don't have a problem living along the commuter rail /if/ the additional money/time spent commuting equals or is less than the amount saved on rent. Also, the further out of the way we go, the more likely it is that I will have to keep my car, which means the more difficult it is to get out there (two cars + one uhaul + two cats = super stressful).

I've already checked the mbta website a billion times, looking to see where we could maybe move that I haven't thought of. We'll work something out. I'm just concerned about my washer and dryer.

[volumeat11.livejournal.com]

oohhhhh...two CATS. My bad.

Welp, keep me in the loop anyway, and if y'all need a place to stay whilst hunting for stuff and things, just let me know. If you need any periodicles or newspapers or anything also, again, just let me know. If you need a place to stash stuff for a bit, like a washer and dryer and anything else, just let me know -- we have a two car garage with a loft (it's old and the best) that mostly empty.

Am I still talking? Time for bed...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I will certainly keep you in the loop. Thanks so much for everything!

[vorpalbla.livejournal.com]

My friend Kristen lives in Boston. I haven't heard from her in a while. But if you bug me about it, I'll try to get in touch and ask her about apartments.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Ask her where all of the good, cheap apartments are hiding and why they don't want me to find them!! :)

[supurrkitten.livejournal.com]

I have some friends in boston. go to my frinds list and check out Meadbh7's lj and browngirls's lj they are both in boston so is being_homeless. ask them for advice.
GirlCat

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I will definitely check them out (I actually occasionally read browngirl already.), I just wish I knew people who knew landlords. I mean, I already know a bazillion people in Boston, but I'd rather rent from a private owner instead of a big realty company, and wish I knew some landlords.

Thanks.

[calledmara.livejournal.com]

we used to read/mock the SF craigslist all the time at my job out there; the random jobs, the free or for trade ads, the personals (especially the ones offering to trade either speed or money for $ex). Hours of entertainment!

I would offer to ask my two friends in Boston, but they are dirty punk kids and would not know of housing up to your standards.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I would offer to ask my two friends in Boston, but they are dirty punk kids and would not know of housing up to your standards.

This is seriously one of the funniest things I've read in a while. You are so freaking cute. :)

[katishna.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, 2 things (and forgive me if I didn't see that they were already mentioned, i'm reading fast today :) - You can live as far out as Worcester and still get commuter rail service and pretty darn good public transport. Within Boston, you can't swing a dead republican without hitting at least a bus, if not a T station. No problems.

Second (and way off topic) - Patti suggested I ask you where to donate some maternity clothes, nursing bras, and random clothing to some sort of women's shelter. I'd like them to go to people who can use them and won't have to pay for them (unlike goodwill).

BTW I'm Kate, and we've been to lunch like ONCE with Patti and Fisher at Max n Erma's :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. Thanks for the tip! We may move out along the commuter rail (or at least out of the middle of everything) for lower prices, but I think if we do that we'll probably end up bringing both cars back to the East Coast. Otherwise the commuter rail would get really pricey (and my car's all paid for).

2. Well, there are two homeless shelters for women in Columbus - there is Faith Mission on Long Street and Rebecca's Place (which I think is run by Friends of the Homeless). There is also Choices, the domestic violence shelter in Columbus, and the Interfaith Hospitality Network on Broad Street across from Spaghetti Warehouse (which is run by the YWCA and serves homeless families). There is also some sort of Maternity Resource Center run by Grace Baptist Church near Westerville, and they help people with pregnancy supplies and might like donations. I think if it were me, I'd probably go to IHN or Choices first.

3. And of course I remember you, duh. How are you? How is Evan?

[katishna.livejournal.com]

Just making sure :) Evan's doing well, he's getting over an icky cold but I guess I am going to be saying that a lot for the next 10 years. He's gnawing on a frozen washcloth right now as if it's some sort of delicacy. And he's HUGE!

Thanks for the info on the donation places. I will do some calling around this week and find out if anyone is accepting stuff.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Someday I would like to see you and Evan again. I want to see your super-short hair! :)

[katishna.livejournal.com]

It's growing! I waffle on the hair thing, i got tired of Evan yanking on little handfuls so i'm making it long so he can yank big handfuls.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Heh. Growing hair out is such a pain! :)