Can you spot the college kid?
Here’s a closer shot!
Images above are of A.J. doing his student orientation virtually!
Personal post! I need some help. Thanks!
We’re looking for a good deal on a small apartment in a nice area within an hour drive of Berklee College of Music – for my son A.J.
Why are you looking for housing now, Tamara?
(Isn’t it a bit late, since school starts this week?)
Up until the beginning of this month (August 2020) A.J. was planning on living in the dorms at Berklee (he had been on the wait-list initially, but then got word he was accepted for student housing!) but then 2 days before we left on this cross country trip (we left on August 3rd!) to take him to college in Boston we found out the dorms were going to be closed because of CoViD-19.
What exactly does he need?
A one bedroom or studio would be great. Anything we find for him needs to be Lead-free (post-1978, newer construction.) He will not have any pets, so that’s not a consideration. Off-street parking for one small car would be excellent too. If there is a two bedroom he would be the primary on the lease and would need permission to find a CoViD-19 cautious roomie. Thank you in advance for any leads or ideas. Student housing may open in the Spring term, so a six-month lease with option to renew would be great, but we could sign a year lease if necessary (& if the price is right.)
How much does he have to spend?
Our budget (including utilities) – based on what he would have spent on student housing… is lowish (especially for the Boston area!) – as we can spend about $800 a month for a studio or one bedroom apartment or $1,600 if he is allowed to have a roomie. (An in-law unit or backyard cottage would be amazing if someone has something like that!)
Special details….
A.J. must be allowed to practice trumpet / play live music in unit (during normal hours – 10 p.m. quiet time is o.k.) A.J. is the most amazing and responsible 18 year old you ever met and he has incredible personal and professional references from as many people as you need! He has played at the Monterey Jazz Fest, at the Satchmo Fest in NOLA, at the PDX Waterfront Blues Fest (4 years in a row!) A real mensch across the board. Please don’t let CoViD-19 ruin his dreams of living in Boston! He’s been planning on this for five years!
Thank you in advance for any ideas you might have!
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
#LeadSafeMama
Picture of A.J.’s cat Midnight for attention! Midnight is staying home in Portland!
I would think Berklee would be responsible for helping to find housing since they created the problem. I live in MA and many of the local colleges are opening up one dorm for students who are “stuck” like your son. Another approach is to appeal to the alumni and see if they have space.
Hi Claudia!
Thanks for commenting. We are working on looking at all the options. It looks like we may have found one… Fingers crossed!
Tamara