rent is definitely a larger portion of your paycheck here. while the CoL is obviously higher here in general, rent/housing costs have sky rocketed in the last year.

I'd try and look at the 3k range with your salary. also keep in mind - will you have a car? is that included in your price of 2,700? parking will be ~200/ month unless you just want street parking. also, when renting at most places you'll pay upfront: first, last, security, & brokers fee.

>I'm wondering if rent is the main thing that sucks money in Boston because I would like to save as much as possible.

Why not have a roommate(s) then? Your quality of life will be better social and financially. And having roomies in your 30s here? You’re farrrr from alone.

there are plenty of decent to nice spots within 10 miles of the city in areas like Malden, Revere, Everett, Medford, Melrose that have public transit and have 1BR for such a budget.

On Craigslist, it looks like you have dozens of options for <$2700 1 bedrooms in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline… can you specify what you’re looking for, if those options aren’t decent? Do you want a managed or luxury building? Also, while 25% gross is a respectable and responsible budget, plenty of us do spend more and are still able to save in other ways.

if you like to save and can live only on the basics why would you move to a city? let alone a city that costs as much as this one

you can live pretty comfortably on 130k, but if youre intent on saving youre not going to take much advantage of what the city offers.

take into account we have the highest electric bills on average in the country and some of the highest gasoline/natural gas costs in the country and its really not a great place to save

You definitely can find more places especially in the towns and cities within 40 min commute 100% listed below

What are you looking for in an apartment? There are plenty of 1BR apartments available for that price. Are you limiting yourself to neighborhood amenities? Building amenities? Do you have certain expectations that youre limiting your criteria to?

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https://www.apartmentfinder.com/Massachusetts/Boston-Apartments/1-Bedroom/q/?cd=t1r75o2trHon3pghK&nr=1500&xr=2500

You can live extremely comfortably alone on your salary practically anywhere so long as you don't limit yourself to new buildings. Those are bare-minimum $3K.

$2,700 seems reasonable for a 1BR, where have you been looking that you haven't found one?

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For example, if your limitations are that it has to have a garage or something like that, you'll be SOL.

This really depends on your idea of "decent" and where you're commuting to. If "decent" means a new building with off street parking and amenities then you're going to have trouble finding that for less than $2700, but there are plenty of 1bds within 40 minutes of downtown for that price.

That said, everything is expensive in Boston, and frankly it's the wrong city if your primary goal is to save money unless your $130k salary is significantly higher than elsewhere. You can certainly live on your own and save money at that salary, but step 1 would be to settle for a place that's less than $2700/mo.

LMAO, you'll be fine as long as you don't have a $500 a week cocaine habit.

And even if they do have a $500 a week cocaine habit they could still get by

Yeah, I guess that's only around 25k a year.

I have a brand new 3bd 2ba unit ready for occupancy Dec. 15. Rent is $3700 and it’s in East Boston 5 minutes to the train. If you grab a roommate or two you can have your own floor and bathroom (it’s a 2 story apt) for roughly $1200-1850/mo. Even if my place isn’t for you, try East Boston - best bang for your buck in the city. Nice one beds under $2700 there. My other unit in the same building rents for $1950/mo to a guy who makes a lot more than you.

NGL I kinda feel like this is a humble brag. Plenty of people get by with much less salary

Goddamn turkeys hoarding all the good stuff

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Look in the suburbs West of city. The rents in Boston are obscene.

You’ll be fine. Don’t let the boston attitude get you down. People here love to complain. I’m curious why you have no intention of finding a romantic partner. Very unusual

Uhhh... you're making a six figure salary. You can live comfortably here on a fraction of that... I'm doing it. Granted, I'm in a studio, but I walk to work and am paying somewhere around 25% or so gross. Particularly if you're not in the city center, that's fine for a salary. I have friends making 70s who have their own condos.

Posts like this where people are worried about COL with some salary putting them in the top 5% of earners really do come off as humble brags. I'll assume it's unintended in this case but it can really come off as obnoxious

You shouldn’t be worrying about anything with a 130k salary anywhere in this country. You gotta give yourself a mental reset.

> My definition of decent is any area that is generally safe, and that is within walking distance to the subway. It does not have to be quiet; I don't mind being in a lively area. And I don't want to deal with rats and cockroaches. Nothing outlandish.

First, most areas that are walking distance to the subway are generally safe, and clean. So what comes down to is where you work that will decide the best spot to live.

> not be able to get anything decent for $2,700

There are plenty of great places for under $2700, stop looking at the newly built "luxury" places. Check /r/bostonhousing

> rent is the main thing that sucks money in Boston

It is. Save more money and get roommates if you want, or give up on the 40 min commute idea to save more. But at your salary you will be fine.

Just because you can afford higher rent and be able to live in places by yourself no roommates in Southie or seaport or south end doesn’t mean you should. Why not opt for cheaper rent so that you can save money.

OP should be worrying about one thing... Should be worried that the new employer figures out that you are making that salary but can't figure out a simple one person living budget.