In at Harvard: Class of 2016 Forum

[jselson]

What do you guys consider to be "walking distance"? There are plenty of bedrooms in apartments ~1 mi radius from campus for ~$800. I'm probably taking one of those if I come to H.

I'd consider 20-30 mins as walking distance.

[dcg2120]

What do you guys consider to be "walking distance"? There are plenty of bedrooms in apartments ~1 mi radius from campus for ~$800. I'm probably taking one of those if I come to H.

I'd consider 20-30 mins as walking distance.

Check out Craigslist. They have this sweet new map feature (new since the last time I looked for an apt at least) that makes searching a lot easier. Took me about an hour to find a dozen places that looked good.

[Doorkeeper]

A few considerations for 0Ls trying to find housing:
1) Anything within a 10 minute walk of HLS will run you, at a minimum, $1500-1800 per month
2) You absolutely must be in Boston to find an apartment. Owners are very wary of people renting sight unseen.
3) Brokers are fucking horrible, but you have to use them. Just accept that it's $1,500 down the hole.

I would highly suggest finding a place a bit farther away from campus if you're cool with a bit of a walk/bike.

[Doorkeeper]

A few considerations for 0Ls trying to find housing:
1) Anything within a 10 minute walk of HLS will run you, at a minimum, $1500-1800 per month
2) You absolutely must be in Boston to find an apartment. Owners are very wary of people renting sight unseen.
3) Brokers are fucking horrible, but you have to use them. Just accept that it's $1,500 down the hole.

I would highly suggest finding a place a bit farther away from campus if you're cool with a bit of a walk/bike.

Now I'm confused. In a convo I had with JS she said that being more than 5-10 minutes away from campus during 1L is ill advised.

Don't get me wrong. It's totally great living 5 minutes away from the law school. I live maybe 3 minutes door to door (I'm also spending $1850 a month to do it). All things being equal, do that. But if your finances are tight, I just want to let you know that it's fine living 15 minutes away and saving $200-300 per month. Lots of 1Ls do it without a problem. Don't go living out in Davis Square, but I mean if you're on Arlington St. as opposed to Wendell St., it's not the end of the world.

[wert3813]

A few considerations for 0Ls trying to find housing:
1) Anything within a 10 minute walk of HLS will run you, at a minimum, $1500-1800 per month
2) You absolutely must be in Boston to find an apartment. Owners are very wary of people renting sight unseen.
3) Brokers are fucking horrible, but you have to use them. Just accept that it's $1,500 down the hole.

I would highly suggest finding a place a bit farther away from campus if you're cool with a bit of a walk/bike.

Now I'm confused. In a convo I had with JS she said that being more than 5-10 minutes away from campus during 1L is ill advised.

Don't get me wrong. It's totally great living 5 minutes away from the law school. I live maybe 3 minutes door to door (I'm also spending $1850 a month to do it). All things being equal, do that. But if your finances are tight, I just want to let you know that it's fine living 15 minutes away and saving $200-300 per month. Lots of 1Ls do it without a problem. Don't go living out in Davis Square, but I mean if you're on Arlington St. as opposed to Wendell St., it's not the end of the world.

North or Hastings it is!!!

[Doorkeeper]

Aha, I was specifically thinking about Davis.

I have friends who live in Davis. It's doable for them on bike for most of the time. I guess you could car it too. I think Davis would be a pain during 1L unless you're cool biking in 30 degrees. I would look for something in Somerville that's closer to a 20min walk.

[gertie]

Will you PM me pics of the room? That'd be great!

Just curious -- what are folks thinking in terms of housing? I really wanted to find a studio/1 BR within walking distance of the school, but the prices are just outrageous.

Groupius for me - I guess one of perks of being a K-JD is I'm just super pumped about the prospect of having my own space. Even if it is in a 10x10 closet.

Anyone thinking about joining me? I have pictures of the room I stayed in during ASW if anyone wants to see 'em.

[aredhello]

Just curious -- what are folks thinking in terms of housing? I really wanted to find a studio/1 BR within walking distance of the school, but the prices are just outrageous.

Just out of curiosity... What have you found for a studio within walking distance?

The low end seems to be around $1,500 (give or take $100 or so) for a studio within 15-20 minutes walking distance. HUH studios are also around this range (HUH 1 BRs are closer to $2,000).

I can't go back to dorm life either, but I am fairly concerned about having to find a summer subletter (and with HUH, my understanding is that the subletter must be Harvard-affiliated).

As for utilities, it should be noted that a fair number of off-campus rentals do include the cost of heating, which can get really expensive in New England. But HUH is appealing in that they do include ALL basic utilities (including Internet in some buildings). For my first year, I'm strongly considering trying to get a studio in 29 Garden Street (7 minute walk), or maybe even 5 Cowperthwaithe Street or 10 Akron Street despite their distance (18-25 minute walk, but close to the Charles and closer to Central Square). And then I'd try to find 1-2 people to share something off-campus for my subsequent years and hopefully pay closer to $800-$1,000 for my room.

[az21833]

Will you PM me pics of the room? That'd be great!

Just curious -- what are folks thinking in terms of housing? I really wanted to find a studio/1 BR within walking distance of the school, but the prices are just outrageous.

Groupius for me - I guess one of perks of being a K-JD is I'm just super pumped about the prospect of having my own space. Even if it is in a 10x10 closet.

Anyone thinking about joining me? I have pictures of the room I stayed in during ASW if anyone wants to see 'em.

same

[az21833]

anybody know how hard HUH is to get into? especially garden

[Searchparty]

Is Harvard's deposit binding? I realize it's non-refundable, but before I can make a final decision I need to hear about aid from another school. Thanks!

Is that school by any chance Berkeley?
I sent in my deposit to Harvard today w/o hearing from Berkeley aid. I think Harvard is binding, but I didn't read that paper that carefully.
If I get confirmation that they received it before I hear about aid, I'm just going to withdraw, because screw them.

Also, is Harvard University Housing a nice place to live?

Depends on the apartment. Saw Terry Terrace, was nice. Their website does have a decent amount of pictures for each apartment building.

[dcg2120]

Sorry, I'm not in the HUH system yet...can anyone tell me what the standard rate for a private bedroom (in a larger apartment) is in there?

[edgeofthenight]

...

[facile princeps]

Sorry, I'm not in the HUH system yet...can anyone tell me what the standard rate for a private bedroom (in a larger apartment) is in there?

$1850 Seems about average from what I've seen..

[carboncopyx]

Does anyone know how Terry Terrace works? I got approved for HUH housing but the only available apartments listed on it right now are Peabody Terrace...

[aredhello]

Sorry, I'm not in the HUH system yet...can anyone tell me what the standard rate for a private bedroom (in a larger apartment) is in there?

$1850 Seems about average from what I've seen..

dcg2120, do you mean a room in like a 2 BR apartment? Those seem to go for around $1100-1250.

[carboncopyx]

Does anyone know how Terry Terrace works? I got approved for HUH housing but the only available apartments listed on it right now are Peabody Terrace...

You have to wait for the lottery. There will be many more apartments listed in a couple of weeks.

Oh! When's the lottery? The dorm draw is May 2, and I'm still trying to decide between North or HUH, but I'd hate to miss out on a nice-ish dorm because of trying for Terry Terrace.

[carboncopyx]

Shhh... I've been swamped with end-of-term stuff, okay? My e-mail reading abilities have declined precipitously.

[aredhello]

Does anyone know how Terry Terrace works? I got approved for HUH housing but the only available apartments listed on it right now are Peabody Terrace...

The HUH website states that on or after May 3, those of us who applied for HUH housing before May 1 will be offered a "View and Select Window" during which time we can, well, view and select HUH offerings. The view and select windows "begin in early May and generally run through late May or early June" and "approximately 400 applicants will be assigned to each Window period." They also recommend that you have several properties in mind, and that you review all relevant leases/riders prior to your View and Select Window.

I briefly contemplated North Hall, but the cheapest single is $1,197/month and the standard single (by far the most plentiful) is $1,438/month, which is not too far off what a studio would run either off-campus or through HUH. Granted, the rooms in North Hall come furnished and don't require a frantic summer subletter search -- but those factors aren't enough for me to overlook the benefits of a private kitchen.

[bbsg]

Deposit sent! See ya'll next fall.

[edgeofthenight]

...

[dcg2120]

Sorry, I'm not in the HUH system yet...can anyone tell me what the standard rate for a private bedroom (in a larger apartment) is in there?

$1850 Seems about average from what I've seen..

dcg2120, do you mean a room in like a 2 BR apartment? Those seem to go for around $1100-1250.

Sweet, thanks.

[bosmer88]

I really liked what I saw with HUH. So nice! Just submitted an app.

[zabava]

Quick question about HUH - so if I'm thinking of living in a 2 or 3 bdrm, do I first find roommates and then submit the app, or submit the app, get approved and the whole viewing thing, and then find a roommate?

[bob loblaw11]

I loved the HUH options but I'll be moving back to NY every summer and really want a 9-month lease. Very confused about the choices.