Follow up to "when to start looking for an apt."

[yankeeyosh]

Well, I decided to start looking today for an apartment. I only looked at one place, but I really liked what I saw. It would be a roommate sitaution, but he seems like a really pleasant fellow (he is actually on the same bus as me). Rent is $800, which includes EVERYTHING (so I would save more than $500)...it's on the same street I live on now, so I don't have to worry about a new neighborhood. It's a tenant-at-will situation, so no leases. It's also in a new complex, so I don't think I have to worry about rodents, which is my major fear. Plus, the same amenities I have here are there as well. The only downsides are that I have to share a shower and it's deeper on my current bus route (although given all the $ I am saving, I might just park my car at the 'T' stop instead of relying on the bus).

The thing is, I guess I should look at more places. But I won't be able to look until after Presidents' Weekend since I will be in R. I. next Saturday and home the folowing weekend. So what should I do? Not to mention that I *may* be moving back to N. Y., but have no idea when. It's first come first serve, obviously...I told him it might take a week or two to make a decision, but I am really bad at making a decision, and I am scared of screwing myself over.

[AshleyJordan]

Well you don't know about NYC but you *do* know for sure that you'll need a roof over your head, and as far as you can tell, that would be in Boston. And it's a good deal, and you like the guy, and you'd have the flexibility to leave whenever. You haven't posted any reason (and I can't think of any) why you shouldn't take the share, so I say go for it. . .

[yankeeyosh]

What's with the angry face? Is it because it's "common sense" and I don't get it? If so, I'm sorry...I am really nervous with these situations.

[AshleyJordan]

LOL, no, sorry, it's a typo! The icon found its way in there. . . I'll edit it out. Total accident.

[yankeeyosh]

LOL, no, sorry, it's a typo! The icon found its way in there. . . I'll edit it out. Total accident.

That's all right :) Thanks!

[SpaceMonkey]

I'd probably take it, but I don't know how competitive the rental market is in Boston in February.

[yankeeyosh]

I'd probably take it, but I don't know how competitive the rental market is in Boston in February.

It's not too competitive...at least here outside of the city.

Look...all I care about is that I'm not sharing my place with Mickey Mouse or Rizzo the Rat. I am scared to death of those things.

[wordsmith]

You do know that you can ALWAYS get a mouse in your apartment, regardless of how you keep it, right? It's not fun, but it's really not the end of the world.

[yankeeyosh]

You do know that you can ALWAYS get a mouse in your apartment, regardless of how you keep it, right? It's not fun, but it's really not the end of the world.

It's much less likely in a place built in the last ten to fifteen years than in a Victorian, which is standard fare in the boston area.

[wordsmith]

It can happen anyplace you're sharing a building with other people, though (or anyplace you're not, for that matter, but more likely if you've got other people and their varying levels of protecting against that sort of thing to contend with).

[yankeeyosh]

It can happen anyplace you're sharing a building with other people, though (or anyplace you're not, for that matter, but more likely if you've got other people and their varying levels of protecting against that sort of thing to contend with).

This is a condo building...pretty much all professionals. I would seriously doubt they would go for being slobs and thus bringing in the rats.

[wordsmith]

You don't have to be a slob to get a mouse in your apt. All you have to have is a spot they can get in.

Also, as an aside, I actually lived with a professional who was an INCREDIBLE slob. So you never know.

[yankeeyosh]

You don't have to be a slob to get a mouse in your apt. All you have to have is a spot they can get in.

Also, as an aside, I actually lived with a professional who was an INCREDIBLE slob. So you never know.

Well I'll take my chances with this building than in an old Victorian. I cannot live five minutes in a building that has a rodent problem.

Somehow, I went to high school in one. But I didn't live in it.

[winneythepooh7]

It sounds like a really good deal. Especially not having a monthly lease. I think you should take it!

[AshleyJordan]

Ok, for the record, I've never had rats (thank God) but in my last two apartments I had mice pop up every once in a while, and I'm sure it will happen here, too. I don't even have much food in the house, and none of it is out, and my apartment is always clean.

The mice actually ate my books. They nibbled on my sweaters. They came in through little cracks in the wall from neighbor's apartments. Mice are standard pests in urban environments, and from what I understand, rural environments sometimes, too. it just happens.

[yankeeyosh]

Ok, for the record, I've never had rats (thank God) but in my last two apartments I had mice pop up every once in a while, and I'm sure it will happen here, too. I don't even have much food in the house, and none of it is out, and my apartment is always clean.

The mice actually ate my books. They nibbled on my sweaters. They came in through little cracks in the wall from neighbor's apartments. Mice are standard pests in urban environments, and from what I understand, rural environments sometimes, too. it just happens.

Well, this is suburban :)

[LaFille]

You don't have to be a slob to get a mouse in your apt. All you have to have is a spot they can get in.


my cat snuck mice into the house on multiple occassions back in the day... sometimes dead sometimes alive! they are pretty crafty at finding their way into places-- it's their survival mechanism.

back to the original topic, i know it seems weird to take the first place you look at, but i find that this kind of thing happens to me a lot and workd out. a couple months ago i bought the first and only used car i looked at, last year i took the second apartment i looked at (similar situation to yours described--roomate already living there) and both worked out fabulously :) sometimes things are meant to be.

[wordsmith]

Mice are standard pests in urban environments, and from what I understand, rural environments sometimes, too. it just happens.

Absolutely. I grew up in a farmhouse, and mice look for a place that's warm when it gets cold and grain is harvested and no longer around for them to eat.

[mishl982]

It sounds like a really good deal. Especially not having a monthly lease. I think you should take it!
Agreed. You should go for it. And if NYC does work out, there's no lease to break!

[yankeeyosh]

I spoke to a friend today, and she told me it was a "rip off". So I don't get it.

[dacrunkest]

you live in one of the coolest, most historic cities in America, and you want to live in a condo in the suburbs? I lived in Boston in the late 90s and I think you might be able to find a neat old place in Charlestown or Summerville.

I want to apologize for the statement above...I don't mean to presume...

When I lived in Boston, I lived near bunker hill and took the T or the bus system everywhere...I didn't even own a car because of the parking situation. But I am kind of a city guy...I thrive in that environment. And yes, I did live with a couple rodents...and those were just my roommates :).

[winneythepooh7]

So how's the search going Mark? Any new developments?

[Deavan]

Mark I havent kept up with your recent threads but if you are looking to save money have you considered East Boston?

[Ciderhillnh]

If you rely on the T and bus system, and want cheap rent....may I suggest Medford.

$800 is a pretty good deal for sharing with 1 other person and all utilities included. I know that if you search on Craigslist there are places similar in Medford (some new construction as well) that are going for $600 or $700.

As far as historic Boston, while the architecture is nice, living in those buildings means HIGH heating bills due to cracks in the walls and drafty windows.

I live in Boston as well and would much rather live in newer construction than a brownstone with character and pay through the nose for heat.

[sundaycomics]

Get a lease of some form from this guy, even if it's a month-to-month. That way he can't try to throw something in before you leave that you didn't agree to when you moved in.

[yankeeyosh]

you live in one of the coolest, most historic cities in America, and you want to live in a condo in the suburbs? I lived in Boston in the late 90s and I think you might be able to find a neat old place in Charlestown or Summerville.

I want to apologize for the statement above...I don't mean to presume...

When I lived in Boston, I lived near bunker hill and took the T or the bus system everywhere...I didn't even own a car because of the parking situation. But I am kind of a city guy...I thrive in that environment. And yes, I did live with a couple rodents...and those were just my roommates :).

The main reason (other than rodents) why I don't want to live in boston proper is my car. Parking is a nightmare, and I refuse to live in a place where it is always tight.

And I am really not too far from the 'T'...once I'm on it, it's a 20 minute ride to South Station.

[yankeeyosh]

Mark I havent kept up with your recent threads but if you are looking to save money have you considered East Boston?

Never thought about Eastie...I don't think it's much better from where I am now...probably more dangerous (and I am not a big fan of the Blue Line).

[yankeeyosh]

So how's the search going Mark? Any new developments?

Everything still depends on N. Y. I am getting very frustrated with it...it's holding everything up.

[yankeeyosh]

If you rely on the T and bus system, and want cheap rent....may I suggest Medford.

$800 is a pretty good deal for sharing with 1 other person and all utilities included. I know that if you search on Craigslist there are places similar in Medford (some new construction as well) that are going for $600 or $700.

As far as historic Boston, while the architecture is nice, living in those buildings means HIGH heating bills due to cracks in the walls and drafty windows.

I live in Boston as well and would much rather live in newer construction than a brownstone with character and pay through the nose for heat.

Medford could be fine, but it's not much more convenient than where I am now in terms of the 'T'.

All in all, I am afraid of mice, rats, and parking.

[yankeeyosh]

Still waiting on N. Y....it's holding me up to no end. I probably lost the first apartment by now, which would have been perfect.

[yankeeyosh]

OK...this is interesting. After reducing the rent from $800 to $775 (I tried to negotiate $725 with him), I told the person I would be living with that I would take the place. But I just checked Craigslist, out of curiosity, and for the last few days, he's been posting the space for $700! So if I take this apartment, I'm gonna be screwed out of $75/month! I haven't given him a deposit yet, although I orally agreed. I don't think I can take it now...what do you think? Should I discuss this with him?

And I'm finding better deals in the same town I'm in...with full bathrooms.