Need Housing Advice

[V-G-1 1]

Hi folks.

I'm starting to get concerned about housing.

I asked my landlord if my fiancee can live with me when she arrives and they said no, because my Studio's square footage doesn't allow for a 2nd occupant.

Thus starts my housing search.

A home is out of the question because i cannot afford it in Massachusetts

A condo is a doable, however, we decided that a big purchase such as a condo should be done together.

Thus I need to go back into the realm of apartment searching for a 1 bedroom that could accomodate both of us.

I found a few but all have one issue or another- smoking from neighbors, or train tracks, or negative address googlry, but i finally found one, but the issue is she would be stuck in the apartment as its in the boonies, and the bus is practically useless, as it takes 1.5 hours to get to Boston. The only benefit of the apartment is that you can walk 10 minutes to a nice Simon Mall, Barnes and Noble, and Shaws supermarket. Basically, we would have to get a 2nd car, and//or she comes with me to t work and i drop her at the train to get to Boston. I will tell her this tomorrow, and see is she is ok with that (She is used to being in a country with a nice metropolitan flavor, people, activity, etc etc).

However, there are 2 big positives on this: Its month-to-month (which would be ideal for us --since we would use it as a base to search for a condo), and there are no adjoining walls with neighbors--only 1 below and thats it, so no threat of smokers moving in etc.

Here is my issue. I'm afraid if i don't move on this apt., i won't find one later (with the 2 benefits above) when the crunch time comes when Petition is approved, and i'll be forced to rush into one that has smokers, domestic violence, etc.

Furthermore, I am afraid that by the time she files DS-156k, I wont have a new address for her to use. Finally, I'm really afraid she arrives, and she can't live with me, then have to deal with proving Lease/Deed for AOS interview, etc.

So: Move on the Apt? or wait and risk it?

Please advise:)))

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life in America as post concerns housing options in America.

And to the OP -- best of luck. I'm sure you'll land on your feet!

[V-G-1 1]

Hi folks.

I'm starting to get concerned about housing.

I asked my landlord if my fiancee can live with me when she arrives and they said no, because my Studio's square footage doesn't allow for a 2nd occupant.

Thus starts my housing search.

A home is out of the question because i cannot afford it in Massachusetts

A condo is a doable, however, we decided that a big purchase such as a condo should be done together.

Thus I need to go back into the realm of apartment searching for a 1 bedroom that could accomodate both of us.

I found a few but all have one issue or another- smoking from neighbors, or train tracks, or negative address googlry, but i finally found one, but the issue is she would be stuck in the apartment as its in the boonies, and the bus is practically useless, as it takes 1.5 hours to get to Boston. The only benefit of the apartment is that you can walk 10 minutes to a nice Simon Mall, Barnes and Noble, and Shaws supermarket. Basically, we would have to get a 2nd car, and//or she comes with me to t work and i drop her at the train to get to Boston. I will tell her this tomorrow, and see is she is ok with that (She is used to being in a country with a nice metropolitan flavor, people, activity, etc etc).

However, there are 2 big positives on this: Its month-to-month (which would be ideal for us --since we would use it as a base to search for a condo), and there are no adjoining walls with neighbors--only 1 below and thats it, so no threat of smokers moving in etc.

Here is my issue. I'm afraid if i don't move on this apt., i won't find one later (with the 2 benefits above) when the crunch time comes when Petition is approved, and i'll be forced to rush into one that has smokers, domestic violence, etc.

Furthermore, I am afraid that by the time she files DS-156k, I wont have a new address for her to use. Finally, I'm really afraid she arrives, and she can't live with me, then have to deal with proving Lease/Deed for AOS interview, etc.

So: Move on the Apt? or wait and risk it?

Please advise:)))

I forgot to mention 3rd Benefit is heat and hot water are included

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life in America as post concerns housing options in America.

And to the OP -- best of luck. I'm sure you'll land on your feet!

Well my initial advice would be to move away from a place that decides your wife can't live with you. I would move if I had to ask.

Ok, past that. For what it is worth, you don't NEED a lease or deed in both names for AOS. We did not. In fact we were never asked for any such thing. You only need to be able to demostrate you are married and live together. Both receiving mail, drivers lisences etc., cell phone bill in her name mailed to your address, her being listed on insurance policies (life and health) are all acceptable. So if that makes your decision easier or gives you something less to worry about, I hope it helps.

Good luck

[Thai Rath 1]

I live in the Boston area and when my fiance arrived I had to move out of my studio for the same reason you're having to. I agree, it's very difficult to find "affordable" rental housing in this area without living way out in the boonies and yes, I worried about living out in the middle of nowhere and my fiance getting bored. The result? We just accepted that we were going to have to pay a bit more to live closer to the city so that he a)wouldn't be bored, and b)could learn to take public transport and get used to getting around the city -- both so important for new arrivals to get acclimated. I also took a second flexible part-time job to pay for it. My fiance (now husband!) and I both now work and enjoy reminiscing about the "difficult" days and both agree that it was worth it for both of us. I feel for you - this area isn't cheap - but I think you'll find what will work for both of you. Good luck!

[Thai Rath 1]

[sorry, it wouldn't let me edit my previous post...]

I live in the Boston area and when my fiance arrived I had to move out of my studio for the same reason you're having to. I agree, it's very difficult to find "affordable" rental housing in this area without living way out in the boonies and yes, I worried about living out in the middle of nowhere and my fiance getting bored. The result? We just accepted that we were going to have to pay a bit more to live closer to the city so that he a)wouldn't be bored, and b)could learn to take public transport and get used to getting around the city -- both so important for new arrivals to get acclimated. I also took a flexible part-time job (on top of the full-time one) to pay for it and he had savings and could contribute, albeit not that much. We also didn't want to have to get a car. My fiance (now husband) and I both now work and enjoy reminiscing about our "salad days" but we both agree that it was worth it for both of us. Oh, and we found the place on craigslist, would definitely recommend you take a look; Malden, Roslindale, Roxbury still have some decent rents if you dig a little bit.

I feel for you - this area isn't cheap - but I think you'll find what will work for both of you. Good luck!

[Thai Rath 1]

[sorry, it wouldn't let me edit my previous post...]

I live in the Boston area and when my fiance arrived I had to move out of my studio for the same reason you're having to. I agree, it's very difficult to find "affordable" rental housing in this area without living way out in the boonies and yes, I worried about living out in the middle of nowhere and my fiance getting bored.

The result? We just accepted that we were going to have to pay a bit more to live closer to the city so that he a)wouldn't be bored, and b)could learn to take public transport and get used to getting around the city -- both so important for new arrivals to get acclimated. Not having a lease (month-to-month) is good, but if you're thinking about buying a condo and doing it together, she'll need to know the area, right? Living somewhere centrally located would help to that end and also help her learn her way around...not to mention help her prepare for if/when she starts working.

My fiance (now husband) and I both now work and enjoy reminiscing about our "salad days" but we both agree that living close to the city was worth it for both of us.

I feel for you - this area isn't cheap - but I think you'll find what will work for both of you. Good luck!

[SunTiger 0]

For address purposes, you can always get a PO Box--they only run a few bucks a month...

Edited April 4, 2009 by SunTiger

[Imua 0]

For address purposes, you can always get a PO Box--they only run a few bucks a month...

Is that a problem when looking for work - giving a PO box as your address? I am thinking of renting one to use as our mailing address.