Hello guys, I am 22, currently working in Paris (not in finance) and I am moving to Boston next year for MS in CS at Northeastern University. I never been to the U.S and I am really excited. I am going to borrow money for tuition fees and use saving for living expenses. I can't spend more than 1500$/month in living expenses.
I was really concerned about the housing and I recently found a very cheap large room 1.9 kilometers away from the campus (25 minutes commute to the school and only 10 in bike). The room is large and 5 people grad student are currently living in the house but there is only one bathroom (the guy told me it was not an issue but I doubt it because 2 girls are moving there..). It's also a bit far from the T line (1.5 kilometers) and apparently not many students are living here (I used to live in poor areas so I am used to).
I am currently living 7 kilometers away from my work in Paris and living in the ''worst'' area but I only spend 250$ per month for a large studio. I bike to work every day (6 kilometers) and that's fine for me, perhaps it's only because the weather is hot right now. So for me, biking to school every day in Boston is not a problem. But Boston seems much more colder, especially during winters and I probably won't be able to bike for months due to the snow.
I really want to save cash but at the same time I want to be 100% focus on my studies. I can't spend more than 900$ in housing + utilities so maximum 800$ for a room.
I am fucking stressed about it and the landlord of the 600$ room wants an answer by the end of this week. I am also quitting my job on August 17th so I can move to Boston in late August, book a cheap room in a Hostel and organize visit so I can be sure I will live in a decent place. However, I guess there is not so much opportunities left in late August.
If you were in my case, what should I do?
Someone told me that, but I think that's too much :
''I have no experience with the area, but as a former grad student, I should point a few things out:
-1 mile is considered a long way in this city. Commuters will scoff at this, but for a student who will be traveling back and forth at odd hours, that one mile is going to feel like forever. Double forever if it's raining, snowing, or at 1 am. Triple forever because you really only have one bus route to get you to school.
-If it's your first time living here, you'll want to live a 10 minute walk from the T. There's so much to see and do that you will be riding the T everywhere your first year. Living in a place that's serviced solely by bus routes is for experienced Bostonians or people who don't mind feeling somewhat isolated.
-You'll want to live near your new friends. Mentally and psychologically, grad school is rough. Even introverts will need someone to latch onto. If you live far away, your new friends won't visit you as often and you won't want to visit them; you're setting yourself up for depression and loneliness. Most Northeastern students live within a 10 minute walk of Huntington Ave. If you're looking for someplace somewhat cheap, check out Mission Hill or anywhere along the Orange Line. You may still end up a mile away, but it'll be an easy mile with lots of friends nearby, not a hard mile like in Roxbury.''
In my experience, Paris winters are pretty mild. Boston winters can be brutal for someone who's not used to it. You'll definitely not be able to bike to work from December-March -- the worst thing isn't even the snow, the worst thing is the slush and the ice. Especially if you live in a poorer neighborhood, snow removal trucks can take forever to clear your street. Another thing is how safe your neighborhood is. You mentioned being able to live in poorer neighborhoods back in France, but sometimes in North America, poorer neighborhood = more dangerous neighborhood, and for someone who didn't grow up here, you might not understand the subtle cues that sh8t's about to go down. Especially if you're white and living in a neighborhood with more racial minorities. I'm not saying it's not doable, I'm just saying that you need to do your due diligence when you come here in a couple weeks.
thank you @buzzkillington"
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