Twitter and Facebook feeds were crammed last Saturday night with the cries of Emerson upperclassmen who’d just heard the untimely news: They’d been kicked off campus. Since the recent unveiling of both the Paramount and Colonial buildings—two new living spaces that students expected to solve the problem of very limited housing—new rules and and regulations for housing requirements have come about or changed with each incoming freshman class. Although initially scary, the opportunity to live off campus has opened doors for students who’ve never lived completely on their own before. Her Campus Emerson writers and other Emersonians are here to help you consider your next step.
The most popular neighborhoods for upperclassmen are those on the Green and Red Lines, but they often come with high price tags. Senior Lauren Landry explains, “I just wanted to stay on the Green Line, but as close to downtown as possible without totally breaking the bank.” Landry lives in the Fenway, a popular spot for Red Sox fans. “I can sometimes hear ‘Sweet Caroline’ during the seventh inning stretch if I open my window. I love that. I’m a huge New England sports fan, so it’s great to be in a neighborhood full of fellow fanatics. There’s a lot of life in the Fenway, a powerful energy that’s hard to describe.” Living there may set you back a bit in the money department, but the commute rounds out at about 20 minutes. Most options in the neighborhood range from studio apartments to one-bedroom splits.
Near the opposite end of the Green Line is the North End, conveniently located near Haymarket and Faneuil Hall. Boston’s own Little Italy has often been said to be one of the best neighborhoods to live in because of its tight-knit community. The amount of pastry shops doesn’t hurt either. “Lots of Italian food, pastries, cappuccinos, and gelato,” says junior Marissa Ericson. “I love it because it’s a very cute and quaint neighborhood where everyone seems to know everyone.” Ericson’s apartment, located above a small cigar shop, is a mere 20-minute walk away from campus.
Senior Nikki Fig lives a couple of stops away from Emerson on the Red Line in Boston’s famed neighborhood, Beacon Hill. “I’ve known since freshman year that I wanted to live in Beacon Hill,” she says. “After looking at several apartments, I could tell that this was definitely the best option in price, location, and overall value.” Out of the neighborhoods mentioned thus far, Nikki’s is the closest to campus. You can actually see Beacon Hill from all three dorms on Boylston Street. Still, the commute sets you back about 15-20 minutes, whether you walk or take the T.
But junior Priscilla Patterson seems to have the best of both worlds: She lives on the block directly behind the Little Building. While Patterson lives off campus, she says she still feels close to the Emerson community without the overbearing feeling of dorm rules. “You can’t beat the commute. This apartment building is closer than the Paramount building to campus,” Patterson adds. “I can leave for a 10 a.m. class at 9:55.” On the downside, Patterson’s apartment is in the middle of two late-night hot spots. “I live in the apartment building in the middle of Blue Man Group and Rumor,” she says. Though it’s the closest you can get to on-campus living without actually living in a dorm, she describes the vibe as being anything but peaceful. “It’s either drunk people stumbling out of the club loudly with the cops behind them, or groups of small children, also loud, exiting Blue Man Group,” Patterson says.
Whether your new housing opportunity takes you to nearby Allston or out to beautiful Cambridge, keep in mind what you want your living situation to be like. Landry, Ericson, Fig, and Patterson each have only one roommate, while apartments in Central and Davis Square can fit up to four or five roommates comfortably, like Catie Colliton’s place in Davis Square. “When you live in a dorm, you’re surrounded by a community of people who want to get to know each other,” says Colliton, alumna of Emerson. “When you live on your own in Davis, it’s just calmer and reminds you of being home with your family.”
Seize the opportunity to live with your closest friends, raise your own little Boston family, and get excited about the first steps toward the graduate life. Happy home hunting!
Photo credit: Lauren Landry