Housing in the Davis Square area?

Aug. 18th, 2007 02:51 am
[identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] davis_square
Hi all.
I currently live in the Dorchester/South Boston area, but would ideally love to move to the Davis Square area if possible.
I have looked on craigslist, responded to a few ads, but haven't gotten much in the way of a response.
I was wondering of perhaps anyone in this community might have any insight as to where to look/how to go about the hunt...

Here is
Okay. I have Section 8. My voucher is FROM the Somerville Housing Authority, which means that if I move to Somerville, my rental allowance would be slightly higher. (The only reason I am in Dorchester in the first place is because my voucher was about to expire and it was a "use it or lose it" sort of thing 5 years ago)

I have 3 indoor cats. All of them are fixed.

I need a place with a full bathroom.

I need a place with laundry IN THE BUILDING. (coin-op is fine)

First or 2nd floor is preferable, as I don't always do all that well with stairs, but depending on the scenario, I'll take a look.

As far as the "rules" go, I have to give my current landlord and the SHA 30 days written notice that I am moving, and I don't want to do this until I have a place secured, obviously, but I also want to get out of this place as soon as humanly possible, as it is not safe in any sense of the word.

I am on a fixed income, so I need a place that doesn't charge a fee (like a realtor's fee)

If utilities are included, that is a plus.

I am not sure of the exact amount they allow for rent, but I know that my voucher is for a one bedroom, or larger that happens to fall into the right pricerange. (which I believe is somewhere in the ballpark of $1100)

Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much.
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Date: 2007-08-18 02:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com
I don't know what to tell you -- with Section 8 and three cats and a cap of $1100, pickings are going to be slim to non-existent in Davis. One-bedrooms are fiercely expensive here. A share might be an option, if SS allows that.

Date: 2007-08-18 05:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
Well, the area in general- near the redline, basically.
Sharing isn't an option for me. :/

Date: 2007-08-18 09:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com
Good luck then. You do know that this is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Greater Boston? The majority of us, even those with comfortable incomes, usually can't afford the luxury of living alone in Davis. It's about as hopeless a neighborhood as possible in which to look for a low-cost, multi-cat friendly, less than 3rd floor, one bdrm or larger, non-shared, on Red Line, laundry-equipped, utilities-included, no realtor fee apartment. Most of us can only dream about that level of luxury, no matter how hard we work to be able to afford living here.

Date: 2007-08-18 10:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
No, I didn't, but thanks for making insinuations about me based on simple ideal preferences anyway.

Date: 2007-08-18 03:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ukelele.livejournal.com
How flexible can you be about the Davis square "area"? You're going to find cheaper stuff if you can look at, eg, Union Square, East Somerville, or Medford -- all of which have bus lines to Davis -- but when you say stairs are not always your friend, I don't know how much mobility concerns are an issue, so I don't know how much bus reliance is an option. At any rate, I would familiarize yourself with the bus lines through Davis (if you're not already) and start looking into areas that touch on those.

Or if roommates are an option, you're fine -- it's not a problem finding something around here for $600ish plus utilities.

I don't think I've ever heard of utilities being included around here...sorry :(.

Date: 2007-08-18 05:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
The "area" is a generalization. I want to be walking distance-ish to the redline, and NOT in Sullivan Square.
I like Union Square... the buses run late enough and all for that not to be too much of an issue..
The utilities thing would be a bonus, but its not a requirement. ;)

Roommates, on the other hand, are 100% out of the question. :/

Date: 2007-08-19 04:31 am (UTC)
From: [personal profile] ron_newman
Union Square has its virtues, but I wouldn't call it walking distance (or even -ish) to the Red Line.

Date: 2007-08-19 05:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
True true...hence why for that one I made rfeferenc eto the frequency/lateness of the buses. ;)
Though not completely ideal, it would be far more ideal than the dangerous and unhealthy situation I am currently in.

Date: 2007-08-20 12:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] julishka.livejournal.com
that's not true, some parts of union square that border on spring hill are walkable to porter. or you can catch the bus to davis/porter/central.

Date: 2007-08-21 01:38 am (UTC)
From: [personal profile] ron_newman
Depends on one's definition of 'Union Square'. I don't really call it Union Square once I get west of School Street.

Date: 2007-08-21 01:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] julishka.livejournal.com
from where i am, that's a difference of two blocks. it's totally walkable to porter. about the same as walking to davis from clarendon hill.

Date: 2007-08-18 04:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thetathx1138.livejournal.com
Try closer to East Somerville; when I first lived here, I was on Winter Hill and was living in a one-bedroom with someone at a cost of $1050 a month. Davis was just a ride on the 89 bus for me.

Date: 2007-08-18 05:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
I said the area. I want to be close to the redline as opposed to Sullivan Square is the gist of it. Cambridge is fine too,its just that the rent cap would be higher in Somerville since that is where my voucher came from, so I figurd I would start there, you know?
But yeah, as long as I am close to the redline, if its on a busline that runs frequently and late, I'm good. :)
That still doesn't help me with the finding a place option as far as craigslist goes, because when I type in "somerville" I often get apartments that very march are NOT (lynn, salem, swampscott etc)
Kind of why I came here for suggestions (and I thank you for yours!)

Date: 2007-08-18 05:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thetathx1138.livejournal.com
>SHRUG<

There are also some enormous office-tower-type apartments on the end of Broadway (1300 block). I don't know pricing/availability, but it could be something worth checking out.

Date: 2007-08-18 05:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
Good to know, thanks.
I will try looking that up on the T and seeing if I can find out who the management company is!

Date: 2007-08-19 12:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] masslibrulgirl.livejournal.com
They're called the Clarendon Hill Towers. I don't see an official website, but this site has some info (http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/MA-Somerville-Clarendon-Hill-Towers.html)

Date: 2007-08-18 11:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ukelele.livejournal.com
You might also look into Arlington near Mass Ave -- the 77 runs frequently (Harvard Square to Arlington Heights). I used to live in a place in East Arlington that was convenient to both the 77 and Alewife.

Date: 2007-08-18 11:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
Thanks!

Date: 2007-08-18 08:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
Thanks very much!
I hadn't seen the 1st one, I'll drop them a line.
The 2nd one is a studio AND doesn't allow pets, so that's a no. Oh well.
The 3rd one I have e-mailed and called but got no reply... I'll try again since it is obviously still there. ;)

Date: 2007-08-19 12:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] masslibrulgirl.livejournal.com
Wow, your icon has both Rent and Rocky! Awesomeness! :)

Date: 2007-08-19 05:36 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
Hehe yeah, I got it in one of the RENT communities ages ago, I think.

Date: 2007-08-19 02:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sly-salkie.livejournal.com
North Cambridge is cheaper and nice, and very very close to the red line either by Alewife or Davis Square.

Investments Limited, our realtors, offered us the cheapest apartment in existence.. 1425 for a 4-bed. They are rumored to have cheap everything.

Their phone number: 617-547-0026

Date: 2007-08-19 05:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magickcat.livejournal.com
Thanks! I'll give them a call!

Date: 2007-08-20 12:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pearlythebunny.livejournal.com
Other places near the Red Line you might want to consider are Quincy and Braintree. You can get 1-bedroom apts. there in the $800 to $900 range. Perhaps not exactly the location you are looking for, but probably better than where you are now.

Date: 2007-08-20 01:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sundaisy-summer.livejournal.com
I just wanted to say that it is very possible to get an apartment like what you described not far from Davis, you just have to know where to look! I live on Highland Ave about a mile from the square. I am right next to the bus stop for the 88 and 90 that run at least 2-3 times an hour during the busier parts of the day. Porter is also a short walk. I live in a building that welcomes both cats and dogs (there may be a cap, but perhaps flexible.) We have laundry in our building. I live on the 2nd floor and feel very secure in my building. Our rent is only $1100, including heat and hot water. The apartment is kind of old looking and smallish (for two people, it'd be perfect for one), but everything works so I don't particularly care. I don't know of any openings, but just offering proof that what you want is in fact out there. I would think of any of the streets that run buslines to the square, like the Ball Square, Teele Square areas or up Somerville Ave (though with all the construction that might not that desirable) would offer slighly lower rents, still with the convenience of Davis nearby. Elm near Porter might be nice too, I believe at least the 87 runs up it. I imagine once September 1st passes, landlords might start to lower rents too since it's hard to rent after the Summer/School starting rush.

Good luck! It is possible to find what you want!
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