Navigating Housing and Transportation as a Grad Student in Greater Boston
For me, one of the most stressful parts of starting grad school was finding housing. Since I applied to Heller late and received my decision letter in late May—just three months before moving to a new country—many good housing options had already been rented, which significantly limited my choices.
Researching Housing Options
Once I confirmed my move to Massachusetts, I immediately began researching the Greater Boston area to determine the best place to live. My key considerations included:
- Location: Proximity to Heller for convenience.
- Transportation: Access to reliable transit options.
- Safety: Ensuring I lived in a secure neighborhood.
- Pricing: Understanding how costs varied based on factors such as proximity to campus, location, number of roommates, housing structure, etc.
To streamline my search, I used the Brandeis off-campus housing website hosted by Apartments.com. This platform allowed me to filter housing options by location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, price range, and preferred amenities. One essential feature for me was having in-unit laundry so I wouldn’t have to leave home for clean clothes.
I also decided I was comfortable living with other female graduate students. Using the website’s “roommates” feature, I created a profile and connected with other students in the area who were searching for shared housing.
The First Apartment Search
After browsing listings, I found an affordable place near Moody Street, one of Waltham’s main streets, where the Brandeis shuttle has several stops. The apartment had five bedrooms and three bathrooms, meaning I’d be living with four other girls. While I wasn’t completely thrilled about sharing with that many people, it was the most practical option at the time.
Two girls had already visited the property, and the landlord connected us. Going forward we would need to find two more roommates to join. Once we assembled our group, we attempted to start the leasing process—but quickly realized the landlord was reluctant to share details and unclear about lease requirements for domestic versus international students. This created ongoing uncertainty, and we experienced roommate turnover until, just two weeks before our move date, the landlord abruptly informed us that the property renovations wouldn’t be completed on time and suggested we start looking elsewhere.
Finding a New Place
With time running out, we had to reassess our housing search. Only three of us decided to continue looking together—one of my current roommates is also from Heller, and the other is from Bentley University. Since all of us needed easy access to our university shuttles, we worked with a broker to find a new apartment quickly.
Thankfully, we secured a three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment just a few streets away from our original choice. This new place still met all our key needs: located near Moody Street (with a Brandeis shuttle stop at the end of our street and just three streets from the Bentley shuttle). Additionally, it has in-unit laundry (which was non-negotiable for me!). Lastly, it is in the same price range per person as the previous option.
Though the process was stressful, everything worked out in the end! My biggest advice for incoming students would be to start looking for housing early—before properties get booked up—and to have a clear understanding of your priorities and non-negotiables.
Transportation in Waltham
For commuting, I primarily rely on the Brandeis shuttle, which is free for students. Luckily, there’s a stop just a two minute walk from my apartment. The service runs weekdays from 7 AM until midnight, stopping every 40 minutes, while a campus route operates on a 20-minute rotation.
Over the weekend, Brandeis combines its Waltham and Campus routes, increasing the wait time to about an hour but still providing students with mobility options. Additionally, the university offers a Boston-Cambridge route for students wanting to explore neighboring cities.
While some students choose to buy a car, it’s unnecessary for campus access if you live in Waltham. Owning a vehicle comes with added responsibilities such as securing a U.S. driver’s license, arranging insurance, and navigating the expensive parking situation in Greater Boston.
For trips outside shuttle service areas, I turn to MBTA transit options, which are accessible and reliable. As a last resort, when I need to get somewhere quickly, I opt for Uber.
Finding housing as a grad student can be challenging, especially when moving to a new country with limited time. Through trial and error, I learned the importance of starting early, clearly defining priorities, and staying flexible when plans change.
Additionally, it’s crucial to seek out reliable services and knowledgeable resources (the Brandeis Office of Graduate Affairs is great for that!) that can help navigate the search process. This ensures that you make informed decisions and protects you from potential issues, especially as a newcomer unfamiliar with local housing and transportation practices.