Cutting down school list, could use input on cities

[witness23]

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I know that living in Boston is crazy expensive so I was thinking of crossing those schools off the list as well (in favor of more reasonable locations $-wise) but was wondering if it is possible to get a nice place for less by moving outside of the city. Is the school in a location where this would be possible?

Also, for Albert Einstein, is the Bronx similar to the other NYC school locations in terms of cost for housing? How is cost and availability of housing, as well as safety?

I asked that to medical students when I interviewed at Boston. I think they were obliged to say that some do commute into the city but most live around in the city itself. It is pretty expensive and I don't think the schools subsidize . The city is beautiful and clean for the most part though. I really liked it, didn't think I would (NYC bias). City closes early but I had fun walking around. There are plenty of people that have lived in Boston and can hopefully comment.

 

[teachmed27]

can someone please comment on the dc/georgetown area?

Georgetown is a really nice area (a little too richy rich and preppy for me) so the housing is more expensive. The metro does not have a stop in Georgetown, but is about a 15-20 min walk from either the Rosslyn or Foggy Bottom/GWU stop (probably a longer walk to Georgetown, the campus). I know that there are plenty of busses that run to Georgetown and for those who are sketched out by riding busses with the commoners, there is another bus called the Circulator that goes around. Just keep in mind that no place is crime proof.

As far as other neighborhoods go, Dupont, Chinatown, Capitol Hill, Eastern Market are nice. Columbia Heights is undergoing a crazy gentrification process. U Street is a hip place to be. Adams Morgan gets pretty crazy on the weekends and fights are a regular occurance there. I'd stay away from SE across the river. H street NE is trying to revitalize, but some people may be sketched out.

For those more comfortable in suburbia, Arlington and Alexandria are also options. Traffic does suck, but the Metro system is clean and safe.

 

[mvenus929]

Also, for Albert Einstein, is the Bronx similar to the other NYC school locations in terms of cost for housing? How is cost and availability of housing, as well as safety?

AECOM has housing on campus, and it can range from a few hundred up to about $1000 for those apartments, depending on what set-up you want and if you share a room.

The students in general said it was very safe... it's in a fairly nice part of the Bronx.

 

[Rach83]

AECOM has housing on campus, and it can range from a few hundred up to about $1000 for those apartments, depending on what set-up you want and if you share a room.

The students in general said it was very safe... it's in a fairly nice part of the Bronx.

Hmmm it sounds like school housing is the only affordable option there too, and with my mutts I guess it's a no-go for me! Thanks for the info.

 

[virusgirl]

I know that living in Boston is crazy expensive so I was thinking of crossing those schools off the list as well (in favor of more reasonable locations $-wise) but was wondering if it is possible to get a nice place for less by moving outside of the city. Is the school in a location where this would be possible?

Also, for Albert Einstein, is the Bronx similar to the other NYC school locations in terms of cost for housing? How is cost and availability of housing, as well as safety?

You can get a place in the Boston suburbs that is somewhat less expensive than an actual Boston apartment, but you won't find anything that is very cheap. Some good places to look at would be Waltham, Newton, Brookline, places in that area... these places are all on the T and are a relatively easy commute (if you trust the green line after recent events). I used to live in Newton and took the T into Cambridge to work every day, and while it wasn't super-quick (maybe 40-ish minutes), it was a nice ride and I got some reading done.

I have never lived in Boston proper, but I've heard of people finding moderately priced housing in the Jamaica Plain area. Dorchester is also okay -- it used to be pretty disgusting, but is enjoying something of a renaissance.

I will reiterate what people have said about Philly -- it is fantastic. I lived in West Philly, which has a somewhat gritty urban appeal, but I did end up liking it very much (there are some sketchy places you should avoid, though). The area around Jefferson is especially nice; Center City is a little more hip and funky than West Philly/U city. If you can afford it, find a roommate and find a place in Old City -- this is hands-down the nicest part of Philly (in my opinion).

I don't think there are any schools there besides U of Colorado, but I want to put in a plug for Denver. Just a really neat, artsy, funky place that I would absolutely love to live in someday.

 

[mvenus929]

I don't think there are any schools there besides U of Colorado, but I want to put in a plug for Denver. Just a really neat, artsy, funky place that I would absolutely love to live in someday.

There's Rocky Vista for DO schools. And if anyone goes to either, I'll be moving into my mom's condo next fall (whether I get into medical school or not) in Aurora, so if you need a place to stay then, look me up 🙂

 

[Rach83]

I don't think there are any schools there besides U of Colorado, but I want to put in a plug for Denver. Just a really neat, artsy, funky place that I would absolutely love to live in someday.

Will definitely be applying there. My sister lives there and I absolutely love the city and the surrounding areas. I probably have zero chance of getting in, but it's too sweet not to try. 🙂

 

[maymee3]

Yay CO!!

I have lived here all my life and LOVE it! I will be sad to move in Aug 🙁

Rocky Vists just opened up I think a year ago.

CU is a great school but strange in terms of what they are looking for... nobody can really figure them out. And they actually love OOS-ers a lot more than most state schools b/c CO schools don't get a lot of love from the gov. I'd give it a shot!

 

[cathyrn]

Okay i will start with San francsico. I completely love it. It is not really worth it to drive around here coz parking is ridiculously expensive however our public transport is great. Crime rates so far are pretty low. The location of UCSF very nice and safe. Think residential!. Livin is EXPENSIVE!!! but there is also rent control so your rent doesn't increase drastically. People are great and friendly. We do have our share of homeless people around the city but they honestly don't bother you( Everyone deserves respect regardless). We also don't really have a summer unfortunately because when it gets hot the fog tends to come in and cool the place down which i actually like. Nightlife we got! Restaurants galore!. I do pray i get to stay at SF! Amen!.

 

[JRock310]

rach,

i live in boston. it is true that the city is pretty pricy, but there are close suburbs that are VERY affordable. i wouldnt really recommend newton, brookline, etc...id recommend woburn and medford on one side, quincy and that surrounding area on the other (although quincy is a bit pricier, but not super pricy). woburn and medford are VERY affordable. like...one bedroom, all utilities included, for $700 something a month. you can find that easily, especially in our economy. my boyfriend actually just got a new apartment in woburn and i helped him look so im really familiar with the boston area/prices.

if you have any questions feel free to message me. dont let the price of the actual city of boston scare you away from school here, though. it is VERY easy to find a good affordable apartment in the surrounding areas!👍🙂

 

[flip26]

You can get a place in the Boston suburbs that is somewhat less expensive than an actual Boston apartment, but you won't find anything that is very cheap. Some good places to look at would be Waltham, Newton, Brookline, places in that area... these places are all on the T and are a relatively easy commute (if you trust the green line after recent events). I used to live in Newton and took the T into Cambridge to work every day, and while it wasn't super-quick (maybe 40-ish minutes), it was a nice ride and I got some reading done.

I have never lived in Boston proper, but I've heard of people finding moderately priced housing in the Jamaica Plain area. Dorchester is also okay -- it used to be pretty disgusting, but is enjoying something of a renaissance.

You get what you pay for in Boston. Jamaica Plain is awful - OK during daylight hours when lots of people are out, but if you are commuting at night, via the T station, oh my...

I suggest looking in Cambridge for rentals for the "happy medium" on prices.

 

[aznb0y129]

The med school's location isn't that great. I'll give you that the main campus is nicely located, but I wouldn't say that the East lower 30's are filled with restaurants and bars for 20-something year olds. Plus NYU just steals people's money in order to buy real estate. Haha

Why wouldn't you say that? NYU is located on 32nd-34th and 1st. If you go over to 3rd Avenue, you'll find more bars and restaurants than you know what to do with.

 

[Rach83]

I submitted my primary to Stony Brook, but am now having second thoughts about spending money on the secondary. My only reservation is the cost of living (on top of out-of-state tuition its a bit worrisome). Does anyone know how expensive housing is there given that it's so close to NYC?? I've eliminated all NYC schools due to housing costs and now I'm wondering if I should have done the same to Stony Brook.

 

[RevivedPreMed]

I have traveled to, and lived in, a bunch of places.

As always, it "depends" because there are parts of cities that are OK and then some that are not so OK. For example, consider NYC...MSSM is in the best location, followed by Cornell...not too crazy about Columbia's location...Einstein gets a bit of an unfair rap because it is not in the part of NYC most people fantasize about...NYU's location is kind of "meh" to me...

Same thing with Chicago. Living near Northwestern is great, near U Chicago is a problem...the others in Chicago, I have no opinion.

But, in general, for big cities with med schools that I am interested in, I rank 'em this way for livability, safety, mass transit / commuting, etc.

Chicago > San Francisco > Pittsburgh > NYC >> DC > Boston >>> Cleveland > Philly >>>>> Baltimore

I have zero interest in "car" meccas like Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, etc.

Chicago is the most amazing place but my heart will always love Boston first. Chicago's transportation system is so easy.

 

[TopSecret]

Go to www.bestplaces.net and do some research.

The patient demographics may also affect your decision. Some people prefer to work with high maintenance, super rich patients who are litigious and others prefer non-English speaking indigent patients who are grateful for whatever care they receive.