However, I still haven't got a cell phone and most alarmingly, I haven't found a permanent place to live. Luckily, I'm residing with two good friends, Lulu and Bing, who moved from Sydney to Boston 5 months ago. They moved for similar reasons to myself, that is, they are both scientists who are doing their postdoctoral research in the US. I did my PhD in the same lab as Lulu and got to know her then-fiancee-but-now-husband Bing over the years. Both are extremely nice and accommodating, and I have no idea how I would have survived The Big Move without their advice, support and of course their generous offer of temporary housing in their enviably nice, rented apartment.
My fishy room-mates at Lulu and Bing's place
Their apartment (or flat, in Aussiespeak - say flat to an American and you'll get a 'What the?' stare in reply) is a one bedroom place, hardwood floors, cool tropical fish tank, many indoor plants and a comfy futon that makes the apartment a pleasant refuge from the cold conditions outside. The surrounding neighbourhood is safe and full of good restaurants within a few minutes walk, and it's the kind of area I'm looking to live in.
Housing in Boston is terribly expensive when compared to the rental market in Sydney. Amazingly, a $100-200 difference makes a huge difference to the quality of the apartment. I know it's not exact to compare across currencies, but I was paying $A600/month for a studio in a decent area in Sydney, while it's about $1200/month for a fairly nice place in Boston. There are plenty of decent studios for less than $1200, but since I'm a stranger in Boston I wanted to have a place that is homely and which offers a bit of comfort when I get home.
Another thing that's different here is the separation of buildings between 'professionals' and 'students/undergrads'. Profession counts in renting and you get asked about your occupation. Some rental groups that manage the buildings only take professionals. Generally, the professional buildings are better maintained than the student blocks.
I spent today running around in the frigid, snowy/sleety conditions to inspect studio apartments and share house options in various Boston locales. This is spring?! My jeans are absolutely soaked and clammy on my skin which unsurprisingly, I'm not too happy about. However, due to my new Boston-bought waterproof boots (thanks REI!), my feet are mercifully dry. Worst of all it's just past 11 pm and I'm writing this at work. I've still got a few things to do before I can go home and I'm writing in the breaks.
The major difference between the Sydney and Boston rental system, is that here, the Realtor gets paid a 'brokers fee' for every apartment they rent out. The fee is 1/2 to 3/4 of the monthly rent and is paid by the tenant or in some circumstances, the landlord. So with a brokers fee + first and last months rent, renting an apartment is an expensive procedure.
Although it's only been a week, I'm sick of trawling Craigslist and calling realtors. Craigslist is almost unknown in Australia as far as I know, but it has turned out to be a great resource here in Boston. You can find share accommodation, rentals, furniture and a bunch of other stuff there.
The good news is that I'm ready to apply for an apartment tomorrow. It's just around from Lulu and Bing's place and close to work. Fingers crossed the application goes through.
It's been a long day; bed-time (finishing this post at home). I'm excited that maybe my next post will be from my new apartment. Later.
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