Apartment Hunting

"Umm... No, I won't be renewing my lease for another year."

With these fateful words, I realized that I will be homeless by the end of August and would therefore need to look for another place to stay. My factors for renting a place:
1. Ideally offers month to month rent -- since I might be going home after a month or two...
2. Price range is less than $1000 -- my rent now is too expensive... and that's just rent. Wala pang utilities, cable and mobile. Especially since I'll be out of school by end of August, it seems ridiculous to pay so much if I won't be doing anything.
3. Studio sana but willing to share space -- Not too sure how I feel about roommates. I decided that if I absolutely must, I draw the line at having one or two roommates. Why? Because more often than not, apartments have only one bathroom which means you have to share and CLEAN other people's icky-ness. AND who likes living with strangers?! I think... that would be weird.
4. Location -- place where I live right now is so convenient and is really in a great location (hence the expensive rent). I don't have to look over my shoulder when I walk home, grocery is walking distance, the Charles River is a block away, and getting to public transportation is like 5 mins walk. And it's pretty here. Since I want to pay less, I'll have to look into moving away from this place... I might even have to live near Boston University or Boston College... which means old apartments that students have used. Which equates to run down and worn out. Oh well. We'll see. Also, I consider whether it's near a T stop (i.e., subway) or if there are nearby convenient stores/ grocery. Sucks to have to ride the train just to do your groceries.

I started looking on Craigslist for possible apartments... taking a look at two of them today. Went to an open house yesterday for studios near my current area. Price range was within my limit but the units were so small. Like, one third of my room in Manila-- comes with a bathroom and kitchenette (two burner stove and mini ref)-- and rent is at $1095. I mean, really?? I am NOT that desperate to stay in this neighborhood. I really felt claustrophobic too. Hoping that the ones I see today (which are cheaper and bigger but farther away). Will take pictures and share them with you guys! haha.