If you are like me and chose to spend the summer in Waltham, then you might have signed a lease to rent an off campus house. This cheap and uncomplicated living option provides you with an easy opportunity to stay local for the summer to work, intern, take classes, or to do a combination of all three.
This is my third straight summer living in Waltham and I have experienced everything— from living with friends in a messy house with a filthy kitchen, to living on campus forced to buy a meal plan with awful dining hours, and to this summer living in my own leased home (with a clean kitchen) amongst both friends and strangers. Below I have compiled a list of rules and suggestions that you should consider in order to not only survive but also enjoy your summer in Waltham.
1) Living Off-Campus is a must
From June 1st to August 8th on-campus housing will cost you $2,350. This expense does not even include the meal plan you are required to purchase. The cheapest meal plan option is $900 and gives you 14 meals per week for five weeks. If you are staying until August 8th then that will total ten weeks and $1800. Enjoy eating the same food for ten weeks straight during those wonderful hours—let me tell you that it will be an experience you will definitely not forget. Off-Campus housing could save you up to $800 on living expenses alone. In terms of food, you need to exercise some self-control and monitor how much you spend.
2) Do not order in for every meal
My issue the first summer I spent in Waltham was that I lived too close to Prospect Cafe. The place has sandwiches, subs, and Italian cooking. My theory was that it took far less time for them to A) make the food and B) that they could prepare better food than I could. It was my first time living on my own without some sort of structured meal plan and I was by all means going to take advantage of that fact and the wonderful food that Waltham has to offer.
If there are two points I want to urge this summer then it would be these:
1) Sublet a place with a usable kitchen
2) Prepare as many meals you can yourself.
3) Where to food shop?
Is that even a question? The obvious answer is to find someone with a Costco or BJs card. Costco lunches first of all are the best options ever. I suggest going to Costco around lunch time, eating as many samples as your heart desires, and if still hungry getting a hot dog and drink for $1.50 or a giant slice of pizza for $2.00.
More reasons why Costco is the happiest place in the world…. I like to buy two pounds each of packaged deli meats and cheese. I use both to make sandwiches for lunch for up to ten days. The total pricing was $20 for both, which translates to $2 a meal. Lastly if you have the luxury of knowing someone with a grill or are willing to pay $20 for a charcoal grill to last the summer, then I suggest buying in bulk, frozen burgers. For about $20 I bought 18 1/3 pound burgers. It really does not get any better than that. If you are unable to locate someone with a membership to a warehouse store, then you can always go to Hannafords (which is the closest to campus), Russo’s (if you want to buy fresh local produce), Star Market, or Trader Joes (in Newton).
4) How to stay busy
- I discovered two years ago that for $15 for one hour I could kayak on the Charles River. The Charles River Canoe & Kayak has five locations throughout the Boston area and has one location right down Nurembega, just two miles away from Brandeis. It is one of the best ways to stay active outdoors. It can be used as an arm workout or simply for leisure.
- On Sunday July 7th for $13 come enjoy Boston’s 32 annual Chowderfest. You’ll be able to sample and vote for your favorite clam chowder soup. Although the weather tends to be extremely hot during this period, it is worth chowing down on so many great “chowders.”
- If you are looking to hit the beach, then find someone with a car, which should not take much convincing because let’s face it—who doesn’t love a relaxing day on the water? Beaches, and I use that word loosely because of the first, worth visiting are: the infamous Walden Pond, Crane Beach on the north shore, 1st Beach in Newport, RI, and just about any Cape Cod beach.
- Go to Boston and do all of the touristy activities. Just because you now “live here” does not mean you should not be able to enjoy the Boston Duck Tours or walking the Freedom Trail. In just 2.5 miles you can see 16 of Boston’s most historic landmarks.
- Finally every college student in the area should go to at least one Red Sox game before they graduate. If you can get to Riverside Station (which is a few highway exits away from Brandeis), then take the T directly to Fenway and get off at either the Fenway or Kenmore stops. Look online and you should be able to find tickets to a game for around $20. It is definitely worth the trip to the legendary ball park.
- Lastly, I always suggest following LivingSocial Boston. Oftentimes you will find cheap deals on activities you never would have thought of, but would absolutely partake in. Daily Candy is also a great website to peruse for some creative ideas especially when figuring out what to do over the weekend. They have a “Weekend Guide” that comes out every Thursday and is always filled with awesome suggestions.