Since it’s been about a zillion years since I lived off-campus in college, I can’t quite remember how this works…
My son and his Berklee dorm roommate were thinking about getting an apartment together for next year (I’m so happy that they’ve become close friends–my son even got to spend New Year’s Eve at his roommate’s family’s beach-house in Peru!).
I know that there are a lot of off-campus buildings in Boston that cater to students (including the one that caught fire a while back ?). What I don’t know is whether or not it’s possible to just get a 9-month lease for the school year, or if we need a year-long lease even if they won’t be there during the summer. Or do people sublet? Any input on how it works would be appreciated!
(By the way, for anyone who followed my thread on my son’s hand problems, etc., he tested negative for Celiac but started going gluten-free shortly after returning to school after winter break. He also continues to take iron and D supplements, and when he’s home next week we’ll follow up on those levels and the reasons for the deficiencies. BUT he’s playing guitar and piano again–still taking it very slowly, but there has been definite improvement! Coincidence? I think not, although a doctor may say something different 
)
I doubt you’d get a 9 month lease in Boston except maybe if it’s a private dorm which couldn’t find one yet… most major state schools have private dorms close by to campus… there is an article of a London, UK based firm that’s developing the concept
Good luck with housing in Boston… was there over Thanksgiving checking out BostonU… in 1992 thought off campus housing was expensive until I checked the rates now… crazy
That’s what I was afraid of, @airway1 ! And I agree on the cost of housing-yikes! I think my entire off-campus house in Portland when I was in school was probably about $600 a month, and there were three or four of us living very comfortably there!
@asmother that’s why we pushed him to consider other schools… on campus at BU is around 16k while my eldest at Michigan State pays 10k … Boston is just getting more pricy… I love it though there and his mom badly wants him to go to Boston
It is an awesome place to go to school! If my son continues on to grad school, I’m hoping that he goes to NYU or something (although I wouldn’t turn up my nose at Yale!)–we’re just across the river from Manhattan, and he can/will live at home! I think Boston might be even MORE expensive than NYC, if that’s even possible…
@AskMother my S moved off campus sophomore year and has stayed in the same apartment (with the same roommate) for the past 3 years. I don’t remember if 9 month leases were available but I don’t think so (they were available n St Louis when my daughter attended WashU, although the monthly rate was then a little higher). Anyway, he’s in Jamaica Plain surrounded by other students with convenient access to the Orange line which brings him right to NEC and close to Berklee. He actually ends up driving most days because of all his instruments and because he teaches private students.
That sounds great, @drummergirl ! I think my son’s father lived in Jamaica Plain as a kid. Are you able to give me a sense of what rents are like there? My son’s roommate’s parents aren’t keen on spending $1200 a month or so in rent when he’s not even there (neither am I!), but if the rent is lower a little farther out maybe they’d agree.
Usually, students must sign a 12-month lease, and then they sublet for the summer months.
That’s what I was thinking, @glassharmonica . I also just suggested to my son that maybe he could find a cool, music-related job at Berklee or something for the summer and stay there.
Yes, 12 month leases with sublet in the summer. $1200 with one roommate is cheap for Cambridge and parts of Boston- but possible. JP may be more affordable in certain sections not others. The best way to get the rent down is to join or create a household with more roommates. Check out the style of apartment labelled “one bedroom split” which has a large foyer and then a bedroom on either side. It is technically called a one bedroom. For examples, see Chestnut Hill realty listings.
Thanks, @compmom (and hi!). I think they want to try to keep things simple and just have two people in the apt. They already know they get along, after sharing a tiny dorm-room all year! I figured that a 1-BR should be fine–one in the bedroom, and one in the LR–it would still give them more privacy than what they’ve had, and I assume they’ll be too busy with school to do much entertaining.
I was just looking on Zillow at 1-BR listings in Jamaica Plain. There were a lot for around $1700-1800/month (as opposed to Back Bay, where they were closer to $2500/month). But of course I know nothing about which neighborhoods are which up there!
One humble suggestion would be to factor in the commute as well. If they can lease in an area with a direct T line to Berklee they would save time getting to/from school. Boston winters are not fun to commute especially if you have to change lots of trains and carry guitars etc.
@AsMother my S’s apartment is $2100 a month total for 2 bedrooms, big eat-in kitchen, one bathroom and a large living room. Some of his friends fit 3 within the same space (turning the living room into a bedroom). My S is also a guitarist and has recording equipment, guitars, pedals, amps, etc so the extra space is great. We didn’t have to pay a realtor finders fee (which can be 1 months rent) so that helped a little and the apartment and roommate worked out so well we didn’t have to spend money/energy moving him every year. PM me with neighborhoods and I can check them out (as I live in the area) and/or ask my son.
Parts of JP are gentrified and expensive and parts aren’t. A lot of NEC folks I know live in JP. But on the wrong side of the T tracks so to speak. Still close to Orange Line though. Mission Hill is nearby: Dorchester / Savin Hill tends to be relatively affordable. Somerville rents have gone up but better than Cambridge. I think the trick is finding affordability but in a safe area. Rents can vary widely. It might be worth checking airbnb’s for nine months if you look early. I also know of some houses that rent double rooms (the “gray house” in zcambridge is an example).
Thanks, everyone! @HereWeGoAgain2018 , you make a very good point. I’m sure that commuting in Boston is about as expensive and frustrating as it is in NYC (if that’s possible!)–and no fun in winter.
@drummergirl , another good point about space for amps, guitars, pedals, etc.! They practically need their own apartment! (And I appreciate your offer to help with getting to know the neighborhoods–it’s hard being here when he’s there–with no experience in apartment-hunting!)
I sent you a PM, @compmom .
He is going to apply for on-campus housing again as well, just in case. But I get the sense that Berklee prefers that upperclassmen find their own housing. It would be more expensive, but less complicated and nerve-wracking (for me!).
@AsMother — there is an unofficial Berklee parents FB group that has lots & lots of discussion re: off campus housing and leases etc. with a lot of good information. If I can figure out how to DM you a link, I will do that, in case you aren’t in it already
@GagasMom , thank you (and thanks for the message with the link). It would be great to be part of that group (it’s been suggested to me before), but I don’t do Facebook or any other social media. If I could JUST be in the group, it would be great, but FB doesn’t really allow one to be very selective!
I do appreciate it, though.
Here’s a general consideration as musicians graduate or move away from university practice rooms and into apartments: Is practicing allowed? Are there quiet hours that need to be observed? Some housing may be more musician-friendly than others.
You all bring up really good points. Now I’m almost starting to think he should stay on campus if he can, especially as he and his roommate are hoping to do Berklee’s program in Valencia the following year, so it would be even more complicated to hang on to an apartment.
I guess we’ll just have to see what happens.