BU Class of 2014 Forum

[dakatz]

I live in BU owned grad housing. The least expensive options are suite-style setups, which is what I have and its been excellent. My apartment has 2 common bathrooms and a shared kitchen, with 6 individual bedrooms. There is no central living room or anything like that. Everyone lives individually in their own place. The common areas are just the bathrooms, kitchen, and the connecting hallway. I live 5 minutes from the school, and can go home for lunch, walk back from the library in minutes, etc. Prices aren't exactly cheap for these. I was lucky to have a stipend for first year, but it will be pretty steep if I wish to keep this apartment next year (which I will likely do, since it is so convenient). I can't imagine how much the more expensive options (i.e. studios, doubles, etc.) must be.

[Naked Dude]

...

[FiveSermon]

I live in BU owned grad housing. The least expensive options are suite-style setups, which is what I have and its been excellent. My apartment has 2 common bathrooms and a shared kitchen, with 6 individual bedrooms. There is no central living room or anything like that. Everyone lives individually in their own place. The common areas are just the bathrooms, kitchen, and the connecting hallway. I live 5 minutes from the school, and can go home for lunch, walk back from the library in minutes, etc. Prices aren't exactly cheap for these. I was lucky to have a stipend for first year, but it will be pretty steep if I wish to keep this apartment next year (which I will likely do, since it is so convenient). I can't imagine how much the more expensive options (i.e. studios, doubles, etc.) must be.

Thanks. I have a 10k stipend for first year and this sounds like the perfect option. Single room but suitemates so you don't become too lonely.

[Naked Dude]

...

[Naked Dude]

What do you mean suite-style? Like a dorm? Is it really cheaper than a multi-bedroom apartment? FiveSermon I have the same stipend, if you or anyone else want a 2 or 3 bedroom pm me.

[dakatz]

I live in BU owned grad housing. The least expensive options are suite-style setups, which is what I have and its been excellent. My apartment has 2 common bathrooms and a shared kitchen, with 6 individual bedrooms. There is no central living room or anything like that. Everyone lives individually in their own place. The common areas are just the bathrooms, kitchen, and the connecting hallway. I live 5 minutes from the school, and can go home for lunch, walk back from the library in minutes, etc. Prices aren't exactly cheap for these. I was lucky to have a stipend for first year, but it will be pretty steep if I wish to keep this apartment next year (which I will likely do, since it is so convenient). I can't imagine how much the more expensive options (i.e. studios, doubles, etc.) must be.

Thanks. I have a 10k stipend for first year and this sounds like the perfect option. Single room but suitemates so you don't become too lonely.

Right. I'm not gonna lie and say that it is exactly a social place. Most of the other people there are PhD students. I'm the only law student of the 6 people in my apartment. Doors are almost always closed, because everyone is very busy with their work. Makes of a very quiet atmosphere that is conducive to both sleep and study.

One disclaimer about that 10K stipend that I did not realize: they only pay for the months of September through May. June through August are NOT covered. Every BU lease is a year long, so they will give you up at 10K for the 9 months of school. So if you find a 1K/month apartment, they are only giving you 9K out of the possible 10, and you have to pay the other 3K yourself during the summer. Just figured I'd give you the heads up on that.

[FiveSermon]

I live in BU owned grad housing. The least expensive options are suite-style setups, which is what I have and its been excellent. My apartment has 2 common bathrooms and a shared kitchen, with 6 individual bedrooms. There is no central living room or anything like that. Everyone lives individually in their own place. The common areas are just the bathrooms, kitchen, and the connecting hallway. I live 5 minutes from the school, and can go home for lunch, walk back from the library in minutes, etc. Prices aren't exactly cheap for these. I was lucky to have a stipend for first year, but it will be pretty steep if I wish to keep this apartment next year (which I will likely do, since it is so convenient). I can't imagine how much the more expensive options (i.e. studios, doubles, etc.) must be.

Thanks. I have a 10k stipend for first year and this sounds like the perfect option. Single room but suitemates so you don't become too lonely.

Right. I'm not gonna lie and say that it is exactly a social place. Most of the other people there are PhD students. I'm the only law student of the 6 people in my apartment. Doors are almost always closed, because everyone is very busy with their work. Makes of a very quiet atmosphere that is conducive to both sleep and study.

One disclaimer about that 10K stipend that I did not realize: they only pay for the months of September through May. June through August are NOT covered. Every BU lease is a year long, so they will give you up at 10K for the 9 months of school. So if you find a 1K/month apartment, they are only giving you 9K out of the possible 10, and you have to pay the other 3K yourself during the summer. Just figured I'd give you the heads up on that.

That's...not cool.

[dakatz]

What do you mean suite-style? Like a dorm? Is it really cheaper than a multi-bedroom apartment? FiveSermon I have the same stipend, if you or anyone else want a 2 or 3 bedroom pm me.

No, not like a dorm. Each individual bedroom is particularly big (i.e. each bedroom is like a mini apartment but without its own bathroom/kitchen). My room is big enough for big screen TV, couch, dinner table, lots of chairs, I have a fireplace (that I can't actually use, but it looks nice), etc. My bedroom is very large, and has 5 big windows since it is in the corner of the building. Its not like a dorm room at all since it is so large. The only caveat is that there is a central hallway with 2 bathrooms and a kitchen at the end. There is no central living space because all the individual rooms are where the living goes on. You are probably thinking of undergrad style suites, which have tiny bedrooms and lots of shared living space. That is very different.

By the way, I looked it up, and 2 bedrooms start at $1,900, but you would want to start searching pretty fast if you want that price. All that will be left later in the summer will be the much more expensive 2 and 3 bedrooms.

[dakatz]

I live in BU owned grad housing. The least expensive options are suite-style setups, which is what I have and its been excellent. My apartment has 2 common bathrooms and a shared kitchen, with 6 individual bedrooms. There is no central living room or anything like that. Everyone lives individually in their own place. The common areas are just the bathrooms, kitchen, and the connecting hallway. I live 5 minutes from the school, and can go home for lunch, walk back from the library in minutes, etc. Prices aren't exactly cheap for these. I was lucky to have a stipend for first year, but it will be pretty steep if I wish to keep this apartment next year (which I will likely do, since it is so convenient). I can't imagine how much the more expensive options (i.e. studios, doubles, etc.) must be.

Thanks. I have a 10k stipend for first year and this sounds like the perfect option. Single room but suitemates so you don't become too lonely.

Right. I'm not gonna lie and say that it is exactly a social place. Most of the other people there are PhD students. I'm the only law student of the 6 people in my apartment. Doors are almost always closed, because everyone is very busy with their work. Makes of a very quiet atmosphere that is conducive to both sleep and study.

One disclaimer about that 10K stipend that I did not realize: they only pay for the months of September through May. June through August are NOT covered. Every BU lease is a year long, so they will give you up at 10K for the 9 months of school. So if you find a 1K/month apartment, they are only giving you 9K out of the possible 10, and you have to pay the other 3K yourself during the summer. Just figured I'd give you the heads up on that.

That's...not cool.

Its not cool at all, and I'm sure it fooled a few people. But the housing stipend letter said "stipend for the school year", so I guess its technically my fault for not reading close enough, but it seemed a bit screwed up to me.

[Naked Dude]

I live in BU owned grad housing. The least expensive options are suite-style setups, which is what I have and its been excellent. My apartment has 2 common bathrooms and a shared kitchen, with 6 individual bedrooms. There is no central living room or anything like that. Everyone lives individually in their own place. The common areas are just the bathrooms, kitchen, and the connecting hallway. I live 5 minutes from the school, and can go home for lunch, walk back from the library in minutes, etc. Prices aren't exactly cheap for these. I was lucky to have a stipend for first year, but it will be pretty steep if I wish to keep this apartment next year (which I will likely do, since it is so convenient). I can't imagine how much the more expensive options (i.e. studios, doubles, etc.) must be.

Thanks. I have a 10k stipend for first year and this sounds like the perfect option. Single room but suitemates so you don't become too lonely.

Right. I'm not gonna lie and say that it is exactly a social place. Most of the other people there are PhD students. I'm the only law student of the 6 people in my apartment. Doors are almost always closed, because everyone is very busy with their work. Makes of a very quiet atmosphere that is conducive to both sleep and study.

One disclaimer about that 10K stipend that I did not realize: they only pay for the months of September through May. June through August are NOT covered. Every BU lease is a year long, so they will give you up at 10K for the 9 months of school. So if you find a 1K/month apartment, they are only giving you 9K out of the possible 10, and you have to pay the other 3K yourself during the summer. Just figured I'd give you the heads up on that.

So for the summer you would just have to take out more in federal loans as indicated in the budget? I hear it's easy to spend a good amount less than 1000 (no biggie if BU pays for it, but for the summer rent), but that was not in reference to BU owned. How much do you pay a month if it's not too personal? I know apartments vary but do you know the average 2 bedroom?

Also, how do BU apartments work? I know that in my current setup, my friends got the lease a while before I came in. I wonder if BU would be different in that you wouldn't be in the hole for your nonexistent roommates rent like in a regular apartment. Around Boston no doubt in my mind I'd find a roommate, but I dont know if BU owned fills up a much.

Also, do you know if BU guarantees you *something* if you have a stipend? I won't be starting my search for a while so that's by I ask. Sorry for all the questions...

[aliarrow]

So for the summer you would just have to take out more in federal loans as indicated in the budget? I hear it's easy to spend a good amount less than 1000 (no biggie if BU pays for it, but for the summer rent), but that was not in reference to BU owned. How much do you pay a month if it's not too personal? I know apartments vary but do you know the average 2 bedroom?

Also, how do BU apartments work? I know that in my current setup, my friends got the lease a while before I came in. I wonder if BU would be different in that you wouldn't be in the hole for your nonexistent roommates rent like in a regular apartment. Around Boston no doubt in my mind I'd find a roommate, but I dont know if BU owned fills up a much.

Also, do you know if BU guarantees you *something* if you have a stipend? I won't be starting my search for a while so that's by I ask. Sorry for all the questions...

You can't take out federal loans for the summer if you don't take classes. You have to either take a class or find a paying job (or sublease).

[krad]

I'm planning to borrow the full amount come fall/spring (even though I have some $ in savings), but live very frugally so that I can have a safety net for the summer if need be... The finaid lady said this is what some students do. If they don't need it in the summer, they pay it back.

[FiveSermon]

Still waiting on 1 other school but it's looking like BU atm. Anyone want to live in one of those grad housing suites together?

[krad]

Are the suites coed? <- random, I know.

SO has offered to keep my cat for the year if I find a good deal housing-wise...

[dakatz]

I live in BU owned grad housing. The least expensive options are suite-style setups, which is what I have and its been excellent. My apartment has 2 common bathrooms and a shared kitchen, with 6 individual bedrooms. There is no central living room or anything like that. Everyone lives individually in their own place. The common areas are just the bathrooms, kitchen, and the connecting hallway. I live 5 minutes from the school, and can go home for lunch, walk back from the library in minutes, etc. Prices aren't exactly cheap for these. I was lucky to have a stipend for first year, but it will be pretty steep if I wish to keep this apartment next year (which I will likely do, since it is so convenient). I can't imagine how much the more expensive options (i.e. studios, doubles, etc.) must be.

Thanks. I have a 10k stipend for first year and this sounds like the perfect option. Single room but suitemates so you don't become too lonely.

Right. I'm not gonna lie and say that it is exactly a social place. Most of the other people there are PhD students. I'm the only law student of the 6 people in my apartment. Doors are almost always closed, because everyone is very busy with their work. Makes of a very quiet atmosphere that is conducive to both sleep and study.

One disclaimer about that 10K stipend that I did not realize: they only pay for the months of September through May. June through August are NOT covered. Every BU lease is a year long, so they will give you up at 10K for the 9 months of school. So if you find a 1K/month apartment, they are only giving you 9K out of the possible 10, and you have to pay the other 3K yourself during the summer. Just figured I'd give you the heads up on that.

So for the summer you would just have to take out more in federal loans as indicated in the budget? I hear it's easy to spend a good amount less than 1000 (no biggie if BU pays for it, but for the summer rent), but that was not in reference to BU owned. How much do you pay a month if it's not too personal? I know apartments vary but do you know the average 2 bedroom?

Also, how do BU apartments work? I know that in my current setup, my friends got the lease a while before I came in. I wonder if BU would be different in that you wouldn't be in the hole for your nonexistent roommates rent like in a regular apartment. Around Boston no doubt in my mind I'd find a roommate, but I dont know if BU owned fills up a much.

Also, do you know if BU guarantees you *something* if you have a stipend? I won't be starting my search for a while so that's by I ask. Sorry for all the questions...

I'm not taking out any loans yet since I'm using what I have saved up to cover for the remainder of what I owe first year, so idk too much about loan budgets or the financial aid portion of things. It is more certainly NOT easy to spend less than 1000/per month if you are talking about housing. The suite-style setup (what BU calls a "room", as opposed to a studio) is the cheapest option they offer, and I pay just under 1K/month. They start at $625 a month if you are talking about a very very tiny one that is in the basement of a building, but those go insanely fast, since most people who have them keep them anyway. Anything on the low end for rooms will go super fast. I went to search for housing in May, and the cheapest option left was around 900, but I paid a bit extra to get a better location and an August 1st start date (though this shouldn't be an issue for you guys since they are starting school a week later to avoid move-in conflicts).

2 bedrooms start at $1,900, but like rooms, these will go very fast since they are the cheapest in their bracket. If you wait too long to search, you will only have expensive 2 bedrooms left, and I don't even want to think how high the prices could go. But $1,900 is what BU lists as the cheapest 2 bedroom option. Since I live in a solo room, idk how it works with 2 bedrooms and what happens if the other half is vacant. I'm sorry I can't be of more help with that, but I don't want to give you the wrong info. Call up BU Office of Rental Property Management and they can help.

You aren't guaranteed anything unfortunately, at least I don't think so, but again, I'd ask BU admissions about this. Thats why its smart to start searching as soon as possible, because the best options and cheapest options will be gone very quickly.

[dakatz]

Are the suites coed? <- random, I know.

SO has offered to keep my cat for the year if I find a good deal housing-wise...

My suite is co ed. The room next door is a PhD student and his wife.

[krad]

Are the suites coed? <- random, I know.

SO has offered to keep my cat for the year if I find a good deal housing-wise...

My suite is co ed. The room next door is a PhD student and his wife.

...so there may be more people than the # of rooms sharing the kitchen/bathroom areas?

Also, are there any parking options with these? I am planning to put my car at my parent's house down in FL, but I was just wondering.

[dakatz]

Are the suites coed? <- random, I know.

SO has offered to keep my cat for the year if I find a good deal housing-wise...

My suite is co ed. The room next door is a PhD student and his wife.

...so there may be more people than the # of rooms sharing the kitchen/bathroom areas?

Also, are there any parking options with these? I am planning to put my car at my parent's house down in FL, but I was just wondering.

There is an option to get parking, but is absolutely 100% unnecessary. BU is in the most accessible part of Boston, with multiple T lines running both right down campus, and very closeby that can take you anywhere in the city. Unless you plan on making trips outside of Boston, then you won't need a car. Trust me on this one.

Right, so 2 rooms in my suite have a husband & wife sharing. So I guess its a total of 8 people (6 total rooms). Yet I never see anyone or hear anyone. Its sort of odd since its usually so quiet. Everyone has a different schedule so things rarely conflict. Its not like undergrad where everyone has class on the same day and at the same time, so there would be a line for the shower. Its never been at all a problem here, at least in my apartment.

[krad]

There is an option to get parking, but is absolutely 100% unnecessary. BU is in the most accessible part of Boston, with multiple T lines running both right down campus, and very closeby that can take you anywhere in the city. Unless you plan on making trips outside of Boston, then you won't need a car. Trust me on this one.

Right, so 2 rooms in my suite have a husband & wife sharing. So I guess its a total of 8 people (6 total rooms). Yet I never see anyone or hear anyone. Its sort of odd since its usually so quiet. Everyone has a different schedule so things rarely conflict. Its not like undergrad where everyone has class on the same day and at the same time, so there would be a line for the shower. Its never been at all a problem here, at least in my apartment.

That's pretty much why I'm not planning to bring my car Thanks for reinforcing it!

I'm starting to like the sound of these suites... I lived in Oxford for work at the university and my coworkers and I lived this way in some grad housing, it was pretty handy (and it saved $$$).

[dakatz]

Yeah, its definitely the most affordable, as far as BU housing goes. You can obviously find cheaper options off campus if you rent a sublet or share an apartment out in Allston/Brighton, but for sheer convenience, its hard to beat the BU-owned options.

If you guys have any questions about anything else, keep em coming, and I'll try and answer as fast as I can.

[FiveSermon]

Yeah, its definitely the most affordable, as far as BU housing goes. You can obviously find cheaper options off campus if you rent a sublet or share an apartment out in Allston/Brighton, but for sheer convenience, its hard to beat the BU-owned options.

If you guys have any questions about anything else, keep em coming, and I'll try and answer as fast as I can.

You don't have a car? Do you use public transit to go shopping for groceries etc?

[krad]

One person told me that she has her groceries delivered...

I've lived without a car before and it's not the end of the world to walk/transit to the grocery. You just need to plan out your menu a little bit more accurately/hit up the store a little more often.

[dakatz]

Yeah, its definitely the most affordable, as far as BU housing goes. You can obviously find cheaper options off campus if you rent a sublet or share an apartment out in Allston/Brighton, but for sheer convenience, its hard to beat the BU-owned options.

If you guys have any questions about anything else, keep em coming, and I'll try and answer as fast as I can.

You don't have a car? Do you use public transit to go shopping for groceries etc?

No one needs a car in this city, especially not in the BU area. There is a grocery store 2 minutes from where I live on Beacon street. And if you live out in Allston/Brighton, there is a HUGE supermarket on the west end of campus. I live within 1 minute of the subway stop (C line) and 3 minutes from the B line, which runs down the center of BU's campus the entire way, and down into Allston/Brighton. Both the C and B line run all the way into Boston and connect to all the other lines. There is a not a single thing I need that would require a car. Groceries, haircuts, bank, restaurants, etc. Nothing is more than a quick T ride away.

[krad]

Thought of another ?: Can you start the on-campus housing leases (such as the suite-style one) on Aug 1?

dakatz I owe you a drink this fall!

[dakatz]

Thought of another ?: Can you start the on-campus housing leases (such as the suite-style one) on Aug 1?

dakatz I owe you a drink this fall!

Some of the leases start on August 1st, but I'm pretty sure most are September 1st. This past year, it was a bit of a problem, since class started before this date. They gave us the school day off so people could move, but I'm sure it was very stressful. I was lucky enough to find an August 15th move in, which was perfect. It usually starts August 1st, but they needed some time to fix and clean it up from the last tenant. So there are certainly early options, but like anything else, the best things go early. Remember that school starts a week later this year. A September 1st move in date will not at all interfere with school this year.

And I'm sure you will get your fill of me next year. I'm gonna be working orientation, hopefully working as a student advisor to 1L's and, if I get the position, being a writing fellow (what amounts to a teacher's assistant) in the 1L writing program. So I'll be bothering you 1L's (god how I can't wait to now have to be one myself) soon enough.