$70K+ in the museum/library/non-profit space is a pretty tall order unless you're going to be managerial/director level. Check glassdoor and negotiate as best as you can.

I moved here almost a decade ago from Upstate NY and the sticker shock is very real. You might pay twice as much for half the space.

As well, I didn't understand what a 'housing crisis' actually looked like. You won't have time to 'think' about an apartment you just saw. You either submit an application same day or someone else will take it the next. Plus there may be broker fees.

$50K is not enough to live on your own. Any job that offers you that is taking advantage of your naivity. But it might get you in the door... Anyways, you will certainly need a roommate.

Even if you're earning $70K-$80K, I would still recommend living with a roommate because you'll have more disposable income and you'll be able to afford a better location and probably get more overall space. The reason people like living here is because Boston will be your backyard. If spend all your money on rent, it's harder to enjoy living here.

It's very normal to live with a roommate through one's 30s. You basically do so until you shack up with a significant other.

Other thing that's hard to do is ditching the car. If you ever want to try to live on your own, it's the way to go. Insurance rates are higher. Yearly excise tax exists. Street parking is limited, private parking is hundreds of dollars a month. Your money is better spent on Ubers instead of parking garages.