michpc

Sorry to hear that you're having a hard time with your search. Have you tried talking to a rental agent? They're not the best, but they may have an in with landlords that could help you in your search. I previously worked with an agent at Hammond Realty in Harvard Square, and they don't employ the right of college out of town kids who know absolutely nothing about what they're showing you. Oxford Street Realty on Mass Ave. is another suggestion. Also, have you looked at all in East Arlington? There is a bus that goes straight to Harvard Sq down Mass Ave, and it would also be a quick bike commute. That area has more families and less single YPs, I think, so you may have more luck finding family-friendly housing.

It's just about 5 years now since I graduated from undergrad. I've taken some post-grad courses while out of school, but I am a bit scared I'll be overwhelmed by going back to the full course load plus working to pay cost of living and such. At an open house, I felt a lot of the students weren't straight out of undergrad, and most of the one's who were didn't seem too young. A few who brought helicopter parents along to the visit rubbed me a bit the wrong way, but perhaps they would seem different without mom and/or dad tagging along. This actually kind of boggled my mind. Even if I'd chosen to go straight out of undergrad, I don't think it would have crossed my mind to bring my parents along on any visits.

The only time I enjoy cleaning is when I'm avoiding getting started on some big project/paper . I definitely had to reorganize/clean my office space before doing any applications at home, haha.

I've never heard of this, but I've also never lived in, or had a desire to live in, any sort of apartment complex. I would add that if you give them an application fee, I doubt you'll get that back, as they use it to run your credit and such, which I assume they'd do before adding you to a waiting list.

Seems like a library would be a much better choice...I completed most of my applications at my local public library. It's not having the people around, it's that it's harder to screw around and not get my work done when I'm not at home

If you plan on going the truck route, I definitely recommend Penske over UHaul. I rented from them in the past and all the trucks on the lot were quite new (mine was a current model year), clean and at least appeared to be well kept. I'm currently in the process of figuring out the best/cheapest way to move between two cities while also stopping at a totally out of the way place in between for an annual weekend with friends that I desperately don't want to miss...my cat is throwing a serious wrench in this plan though, as I'm not sure she'd appreciate spending the weekend in a cramped hotel room with a bunch of rowdy rugby players!

Lots of questions, I'll try to cover what I can! You mention public transit...if you want to live by the SMFA, you'll have to make a connection to get to Tufts and it'll take probably over an hour. The SMFA is right next to the green line, however Tufts is a solid 20min walk from the red line, so keep that in mind. Most places near SMFA, Tufts, and in between are quite safe, so I wouldn't worry much about that. Price: $800 inclusive is low. You may be able to find something for that, but it'll be tougher and probably very small, and generally speaking, only heat is included if you live in a large apartment building, while you have to cover electric. Credit: do you have good past landlord references? That may be enough to battle poor credit and keep you from needing a co-signer. Landlords will check credit, but I'm inclined to think that if you have references from past landlords saying you do pay on time and don't trash the place and you can afford to pay the deposits, they may be willing to take you anyway. I haven't had any issues with bedbugs. they are very tiny, and you won't notice them unless you go digging in someone's couch, so it's very hard to tell if a building is infested unless perhaps you do some web searching and find bad info about the building you've been looking at. Bathrooms: in my experience, most tend to be fairly spacious. Clawfoot tubs tend to appear more often in smaller multi-families, but older apartment buildings often have their original early 20th century tubs, which are also fairly spacious. I have not encountered many shower stalls in my various apartment searches, so I think your chances of finding a tub are quite high. If you can't get to Boston, it may be a good idea to hire an independent agent. It won't be cheap, but it could help very much with peace of mind. Either way, good luck with your search!

Another thing to keep in mind is that we're rapidly coming up on the end of the academic year at many universities, and professors/staff are dealing with theses, final papers, exams, etc. I had a similar feeling of "but wait, why hasn't he replied to me!" earlier this week, then double checked my future school's academic calendar and saw that classes end in 2 weeks, so I certainly don't expect to a priority on anyone's email reply list right now!

I envy you...I've been out of school for 5 years and had originally planned on staying around here back when I started buying furniture. There's no way I could recoup even close to what I've spent on Craigslist, and I wouldn't be able to afford a new couch if I sold mine, so I'm kinda stuck with this behemoth that dictates where I can live based on whether or not we can get it in the place...it had to be hauled over and then back off the second floor porch at my last apartment. Lesson to learn: make sure you read how big your couch is on the label BEFORE you sign the final sale clearance item receipt, because they all look the same size in a big furniture store. Now I'm stuck with an 8 foot long couch.

I am dreading my move... - money...great just what I need to be spending! - I despise packing and unpacking - The weekend my lease is up here and I therefore need to be moving is the same weekend I want to be in Upstate NY with friends....I might try to do the PODS thing if it's not insanely horribly expensive as this would allow me to accomplish both moving and being in a different state than either where I am now or where I'm moving to at the same time, haha. I have enjoyed driving a 16 foot moving truck in the past...you feel pretty badass when you can maneuver it down narrow one way streets and into parking spaces to get it off the road. I wouldn't mind driving one again, but I hope the PODS work out. I do love decorating, so I always enjoy that about new places.

I totally got the "told you so!" response as well. Can't remember the others, other than "congrats".

Cambridge will definitely give you the big city living situation...there's tons to do here and it's a quick subway or bus ride to various parts of Boston over the river. In addition, it's a pretty easy trip out of the city to do things like hiking and skiing if you're into that sort of thing. However, if you are very not into cold weather, it's something to think about. It will rarely ever get truly bitterly cold, but the winters are definitely cold, and it is windy here year round (the average wind speed each month is over 10mph). Also, I find the early springs to be grey, rainy, and depressing (but it seems that most people think I'm crazy in that respect), however the falls are vibrant and beautiful. So, something to think about.

oh my gosh, right there with you too! I've spent the past week+ after visits feeling completely overwhelmed and conflicted. I was in the same boat as you...didn't think I'd get accepted anywhere, so I didn't let myself have a top choice, and then they came rolling in and so did the panic! I think after lots of hemming and hawing, pulling at my hair, hours in front of my laptop screen trying to find every minute detail that might help me choose, I've made a decision. Haven't sent my deposit or other rejection letters yet, but I think I'm done. and yeah, it still feels weird.

I applied to 8 and I regret it. I probably wouldn't have had to spend the past month agonizing over my decision, and would have saved myself some cash! oh well; live and learn!

I don't think the GRE is the THE most important thing. So I would just say to study for the test, meaning: know the formulas they use, know how the computer based test works, know the writing format they want, and then just relax and do your best on text day. Relearning math is the key for Q, vocab for V, and format for Analytical Writing.

From experience, regarding papers, the first writing assignment will be a little like pulling teeth, but once you get to the second you'll be back in the groove, so I wouldn't sweat it too much. If you want, ask your adviser if there's anything they think you can do to prepare before the start of the semester, and have fun this summer, like others said. I worked for 4 1/2 years with little vacation time, so I'm looking forward to enjoying myself this summer and RELAXING (you can bet my tan will be much deeper than the last several years!) because I know as soon as school starts I'll be back to working full time, but this time in school.

Ask your school...they certainly weren't free at my undergrad! however, they were cheaper for students and there were generally priority student seating areas. I think season passes were also quite reasonable.

From experience, and including walking, it will probably be closer to an hour from Davis to BU except on days when you have amazing luck at hitting train connections perfectly. That said, I'm biased towards living north of the Charles since I don't really dig the apartment stock or parking situation to be found closer to the Back Bay, and sitting on the subway is a GREAT time to get studying/reading in. One disadvantage is that you'll probably want to spend all day on campus, and won't have a chance to go home because of that commute, and if you want to do something like hit the library on a weekend, you'll have to deal with that 1 1/2-2hr commute as well, so that's just something else to think about.

I would assume slightly less formal attire than older kids, as you're naturally going to be moving around and stooping down more. If the teachers at your school dress more casually and you want to dress more nicely, I don't really see a problem with that. As long as it's not "scrubs" vs. suiting attire. I think when you're teaching little kids, your comfort is going to take a slight precedence over professional appearance, save for events like parents' nights and open houses, etc.

I do love Somerville, but the commute will be at least 45min (on good days). I used to work in the Prudential Center, which is just down the street from Northeastern, and lived in Cambridge and Somerville. So, if 45min to an hour is OK with you, then by all means, check out Somerville.

I don't know much about the buildings themselves, but I can certainly recommend the location, and it seems like the place is family oriented, so that could be a good choice.

I'm also a Syracuse alum and will second this wholeheartedly! If you're closer to campus it's loud and the apartments are dumps. Downtown is also worth looking into if you want adult nightlife and again there is bus service to campus.

Canadian dollars :-)

If you're looking for a June-June lease you'll see some now, but a lot more pop up in the coming weeks. Most leases I've had have 60 day clauses, which means the tenants have to notify the landlord within 60 days prior to the end of their lease whether or not they are staying, after which the landlord can start showing the unit other potential tenants. Therefore, June 1 leases will become abundant after April 1. There's no real date you NEED to sign by, but the Boston area market is always competitive for "affordable" rentals, so generally the ones that are nice and well priced go fast. I would start to sweat if you're getting well into May and haven't sign a lease yet. Thanks to the water and the lovely Northeast Expressway, the Navy Yard is a little secluded. It's not an awful walk from the Orange Line though, but not terribly short either if you're not a big walker or have physical issues that would make it tough. There are buses that go from Davis and other areas in Cambridge/Somerville to Sullivan Station, where you can transfer for Charlestown and the Navy Yard, but obviously that won't be the shortest commute around. Living in Charlestown is also a viable option if you look around and are willing to live with roommates...you don't mention that. And of course it would be the easiest and most convenient as a student. It sucks if you have a car though (parking). If you're asking me, I think Davis can occasionally have a bit of "fratty" vibe, but there is enough of a mix of young professionals and families that it's not really an issue. It's a fun place to live and relatively affordable, for sure, plus pretty easy to get downtown and to Cambridge.