Hi! I plan on doing some scientific research this Summer with an MIT professor, but I require some form of housing in July and August in order to commute to the lab. Since I’m only in HS, I can’t stay in a dorm on campus. What are cheap ways I can stay near MIT? I can/will have a parent living with me. Thanks!
Housing in Cambridge is very expensive. There are no cheap ways to stay near MIT. Your parents might look into short term apartment lease in Boston if they will be staying with you. Public transportation is excellent in Boston.
Are there any sites where I can search for short term apartment leases in Boston? Thanks!
Many of the MIT off campus fraternities, sororities and living groups have open beds or rooms during the summer. Contact the FSILG (https://studentlife.mit.edu/fsilg) to learn more.
Another option is to sublet from an MIT student, which they can sometimes do to MIT affiliates, which you may qualify for.
Ask the prof if anyone in his lab/dept can give you recommendations. Often, it’s through word of mouth where something reasonable pops up: “I know someone who needs a sublet and it’s $XXX /month”
Post on the parent Cafe. I know one parent rents out a room, and others live in the area.
Thanks so much to everyone for responding!
No knowledge of Cambridge, but in general Craigslist and Air B&B are good sources.
Airbnb is a good option. Reasonable rates, much cheaper than hotel, and good deals on long term rentals.
[QUOTE=""]
I can/will have a parent living with me.
[/QUOTE]
@Rojobot:
I missed that when I replied earlier. That rules out the empty summer beds in the MIT off-campus living groups (frats, sororities, coed living groups, etc).
@jpm50 I will only have a parent live with me if it is required. However, if it’s not required, then I may just dorm by myself. Do these FSILGs allow for minors to dorm by themselves? Do you know what typical monthly rates are? Thanks!
[QUOTE=""]
I will only have a parent live with me if it is required.
[/QUOTE]
Having a parent in one of the FSILG residences would make for a very awkward summer. Definitely a non-starter.
[QUOTE=""]
However, if it’s not required, then I may just dorm by myself.
Do these FSILGs allow for minors to dorm by themselves?
[/QUOTE]
Call the FSILG office to get their sentiment on what the residences might say. Most or all of the off-campus residences make that decision on their own. Often you make friends with the rest of the folks in the residence during the summer, and they’ll be a mix of MIT students and summer sublets.
Some places will likely decide no minors, for good reason.
[QUOTE=""]
Do you know what typical monthly rates are?
They used to be mostly lower than market rates. You’ll need to do some legwork to find out what they are now.
[/QUOTE]
The opportunities for these tended to now show up till later in the 2nd semester.
@jpm50 Thanks so much!