housing

Finding an apartment in the Boston area can be difficult. To help facilitate the process, we have provided a list of websites below that may contain potential housing options for you.

• www.boston.craigslist.org
• www.bostonforrent.com
• www.bostonapartments.com
• www.boston.com (The website for "The Boston Globe," a local Boston newspaper)
• www.bostonherald.com (The website for "The Boston Herald," a local Boston newspaper)

Another option could be to find the local Boston e-group/website of your country and post your need for an apartment and/or a roommate on this site. The following listings are some of the e-groups that might suit your needs:

• INDIA: http://www.sulekha.com
• FRANCE: http://www.bostonaccueil.org
• JAPAN: http://www.asagao.com
• KOREA: http://www.bostonkorea.com

You may also want to contact your specific department to see if any students in your department are looking for a roommate. Also, International Student Services maintains a list of available apartments - many that have roommates looking for roommates.

Recommended Living Locations

The following cities are all conveniently located for Lesley University and Lesley College students attending classes at Lesley's Cambridge campus:

• Cambridge
• Somerville (10 - 25 minutes walking)
• Arlington (25 minutes by bus)

The following areas are all conveniently located for AIB students attending classes at the Art Institute of Boston (700 Beacon Street, Boston), and are also near public transportation (both subways and buses):

• Allston
• Brighton
• The Back Bay

Tips to keep in mind when looking for an apartment:

• Ask questions about safety, grocery stores, shopping, libraries, public transportation, maintenance, etc.
• If you are considering renting a room with roommates, make sure your lifestyle is compatible with theirs (smoking, cleaning, use of shared bathroom, kitchen, etc.). Sharing an apartment may be ideal if you have financial restrictions, since it will reduce expenses by at least half.
• Be prepared to pay first and last month's rent, as well as a deposit often equivalent to one month's rent.
• Be prepared for a credit check. You may have to provide financial information that proves you have sufficient funds to pay for your accommodations, otherwise you may need a co-signer (someone who agrees to pay any costs you cannot afford to pay) or you may be charged a higher security deposit.
• Make sure you have everything in writing, including a copy of the lease, receipts of your security deposit and rent payments, etc. Make sure you fully understand your lease before signing.
• Apartments closer to Lesley University in the Cambridge area and AIB in Boston may tend to be more expensive than those that are further away (six to ten blocks away, or in the next town), however, it is possible to find places to live that are still convenient and less expensive.