Living in Boston (MGH and BIDMC)?

[LolaAnesthesia]

I know Boston is an expensive city. Any info from residents with families at MGH or BIDMC about where they live and about how much I would be expected to pay? I have a family, so I am looking for a 2BR, at the least.

Thanks in advance for the help.

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[jennyboo]

I know Boston is an expensive city. Any info from residents with families at MGH or BIDMC about where they live and about how much I would be expected to pay? I have a family, so I am looking for a 2BR, at the least.

Some websites that might help you get an idea of pricing:
http://boston.craigslist.org/aap/
http://hotpads.com/

Some tips:
1) You need 3-4 months' rent up front. Save up before you move there. You will need 1st month's rent, last month's rent, +/- deposit (another month's rent), +/- real estate agent's fee (another month's rent) = up to 4 months rent!
2) A real estate agent will cost you a month's rent. Most landlords do not pay agent fees, but if you are limited by time (like, traveling from out of town for just a weekend to rent a place) it's really worth it -- craigslisting for an apartment will save you the fee but it much more stressful.

Expensive areas -- I'm guesstimating these figures off the top of my head but I think they are fairly "average" for 2 bedrooms:
- Back Bay ($2100+ and that may be underestimating)
- South End ($1800+)
- Beacon Hill ($2300+ and this is probably an underestimate)
- Cambridge ($1800+)

Less expensive alternatives:
- Allston/Brighton
- parts of Brookline
- Somerville ($1400+)
- Arlington ($1000+)
- Medford

The longer a commute you are willing to tolerate, the less money you'll pay in rent. Commutes do take longer for the same distance in Boston than in other parts of the country -- traffic is very dense.

 

[nycitygas]

I know Boston is an expensive city. Any info from residents with families at MGH or BIDMC about where they live and about how much I would be expected to pay? I have a family, so I am looking for a 2BR, at the least.

Thanks in advance for the help.

How do MGH and BIDMC pay?

 

[cs124park]

BIDMC's GME office has a Lease Guaranty Program:
http://www.bidmc.org/MedicalEducation/GraduateMedicalEducation/LeaseGuarantyProgram.aspx

and here is the the payscale for BIDMC next academic year
http://www.bidmc.org/MedicalEducati...comingHousestaffApplicants/SalaryStipend.aspx

 

[Sparkymd]

I know Boston is an expensive city. Any info from residents with families at MGH or BIDMC about where they live and about how much I would be expected to pay? I have a family, so I am looking for a 2BR, at the least.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Did you interview everywhere, Lola? 🙂

You seem to have mentioned a lot of places on these boards. We did interview at a number of the same places... maybe we will be working together.

 

[doctor712]

Some websites that might help you get an idea of pricing:
http://boston.craigslist.org/aap/
http://hotpads.com/

Some tips:
1) You need 3-4 months' rent up front. Save up before you move there. You will need 1st month's rent, last month's rent, +/- deposit (another month's rent), +/- real estate agent's fee (another month's rent) = up to 4 months rent!
2) A real estate agent will cost you a month's rent. Most landlords do not pay agent fees, but if you are limited by time (like, traveling from out of town for just a weekend to rent a place) it's really worth it -- craigslisting for an apartment will save you the fee but it much more stressful.

Expensive areas -- I'm guesstimating these figures off the top of my head but I think they are fairly "average" for 2 bedrooms:
- Back Bay ($2100+ and that may be underestimating)
- South End ($1800+)
- Beacon Hill ($2300+ and this is probably an underestimate)
- Cambridge ($1800+)

Less expensive alternatives:
- Allston/Brighton
- parts of Brookline
- Somerville ($1400+)
- Arlington ($1000+)
- Medford

The longer a commute you are willing to tolerate, the less money you'll pay in rent. Commutes do take longer for the same distance in Boston than in other parts of the country -- traffic is very dense.

I just did Boston rental living for 6 months last year I hate to say it, but those expensive areas look more familiar at 1BR prices. I had a STUDIO on Columbus (back bay/south end) and that was (while furnished) $1800/month. Thing is, you're as close to MGH in Back Bay as you are in Cambridge. Add 10 mins and you're in Watertown. Yes, you can get those prices, but you're not going to get fancy or fun at all. As for the family, remember, as I recall, schools are by lottery, so you can live in Back Bay, and the kids can get bused across town, and vice versa. This is for Boston proper. Places like Watertown, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, Newton, Lexington, have their own school districts and if you're in the zone, you're in. Keep that in mind.

Thought: if you match at MGH, live WEST of MGH on the RED LINE. That will put you from Cambridge, to Watertown, Somervile, etc. If you have a car, it's all good, pick any direction.

If you're at BIDMC, think a little further south. More Brookline or South Shore.

If you're willing to go a little outside of Boston proper, you can get a home rental for 2500, I checked and priced this out as late as last fall. If you NEED to be in Boston proper, things get pricey fast. Especially near the major fun areas. Also keep in mind, the metro up there really is pretty good, you can go from MGH (which has its own stop on the red line) to Watertown burbs in what, 15 mins flat?

Check out, JUST for reference as I'm not suggesting you live there, Avalon Copley Place, 2BR, I bet it's 2500+, at least. Convenient, but way overpriced for an apt midtown if you ask me.

GOOD LUCK!

D712

 

[IlDestriero]

Find a way to beg, borrow or steal to rent in Charles River Park if you go to MGH. It's probably close to $3000/month for a 2 BR now, but your commute will be less than a 5 min walk door to door. The location cannot be beaten.
I think those averages listed above are a little low. Most places in Beacon Hill will probably be more than Charles River Park, and less convenient.
Good luck. Boston's an expensive city, accept it.

 

[AegriSomnia]

I lived and worked as a paramedic in and around Boston for quite sometime. For those hospitals the areas with the easiest commute and reasonable rent would be Arlington, Watertown, Somerville, and Medford. Arlington will probably have the highest rent and Watertown is OK (not a big fan.) Medford will have the longest commute (only a couple of minutes more) and Somerville is a cool place undergoing gentrification. Be careful with Somerville and Medford as some areas are good and some are rough. Arlington is generally a nice town. There are other nice areas to consider as well but I think you want to have the shortest commute possible. Also, Parters Healthcare ahas some other hospitals on the north shore and if you are going to have to go to them as well these areas above aren't exactly close to them.

IlD mentioned Charles River Park and it is right across the street from MGH. The one thing about that, besides the high rent, is that its right on Leverett circle and that place is a traffic nightmare at rush hour if your wife has to go to work or take you kids to school or whatever. Just FYI. I would still probably live there if you could afford it though. Forget about Beacon Hill unless you're independently wealthy. I had a friend that lived in a 400 or 500 square foot studio there and was paying 1300/month without utilities.

 

[Sergio99]

When I was in residency, I lived in Malden from 1976 through 1978. Not the best neighborhood, but not the worst, either, and much more affordable than the ones mentioned above. Commuting time was not much different from other places. Had a good bus system and access to the subway.

I don't know whether the crime rate has increased now, or what other changes there may have been, but it could be worth exploring.

P.S.: I had coworkers who lived as far as Peabody and Worcester, where they had found very good prices for rent or even buying houses.

 

[sevoflurane]

Been a while since I lived there, but when I did, I lived off of Mass Ave. and next to Symphony Square. The T makes things pretty easy to get to. A 1 bedroom apt. with a nice view of the city cost me $1800/month. This was 10 years ago.

Boston is a fun city and yes... very expensive. I loved my time there. Excellent place to spend 4 years IMO. I was single back then so things may be different for you. 🙄

Lot's of great music. A lot of talent from Berklee's School of Music would play some amazing Jazz/Funk at Wally's- a little hole in the wall that has had it's share of phenomenal musicians. One of the many hidden jems of Boston. Check it out if you get a chance....

You can find some prety good deals in South End and Back Bay. Brookline is also good. Make sure you have easy access to the T.