Hi future Legal Eagles,

I’m so excited you decided to join us this Fall. BC Law has truly been the best decision I’ve ever made (so far), and I’m sure many of you will share my sentiments.

But let’s talk logistics.

You’re moving to Boston, and if you’re anything like me (coming from a place like Southern California), there are a ton of things to be aware of.

First, housing—because that should be at the forefront of your mind right now.

Key note: The law campus is in Newton. Newton!! Although it’s not far away, it is not the same as the Chestnut Hill campus. Please write that down when you’re looking for housing within a certain radius or near transportation.

Speaking of transportation: to bring a car, or not to bring a car. Totally up to you. But here’s the reality: parking is limited, you need a permit, and it can be expensive. Boston will tow, ruthlessly—and when you go to pay and pick up your car, you’ll likely find a ticket waiting as a cherry on top.

So be careful, be aware, and if having a car matters to you, try to find a place with included or reliable parking. As someone who uses my car frequently and loves the freedom, this was a priority for me.

If you’d rather not deal with that, look for places close to the T (Boston’s subway). Ideally, one that gets you to BC’s Chestnut Hill campus, where you can hop on the shuttle to the Law School. Even though I have a car, my apartment next year is a two-minute walk to the T and I am very much looking forward to having the BC shuttle as a convenience.

Other logistics: rent is expensive. So pick your non-negotiables, and pick your compromises.

I lived with two other girls this year (which I loved but not everyone will), and that allowed me to have AC, in-unit washer/dryer, and a parking space. A setup like that is hard to find in Boston, so more roommates can help keep costs manageable. Think about what you’re willing to compromise on, and find people who value the same things.

I used the BC Law Facebook page to find my roommates, but the school also provides a roommate portal, and there are several Boston housing pages—you can’t really go wrong with any of them.

Benefits of living with other law students: they understand exactly what you’re going through.
Cons: they’re going through it too—so law school is always around.

I didn’t mind this at all. We were able to support each other, but also, the stress follows the same cycle. My favorite part was meeting people in other sections through my roommates, and even hosting get-togethers with our sections at our home. It made it easier to build a real sense of community. But if you want separation from law school, or already have a life here, you won’t be left out if you don’t live with other law students, since the Law Student Association puts on a lot of great events. 

Where to live: My recommendation? Brighton. I’m biased—but for good reason. I lived walking distance to coffee, pizza, a 7-Eleven, and the infamous Last Drop (where my section met nearly every Friday night for a while). It’s about 5-7 minutes from campus and generally cheaper than Newton.

There is also Allston, Brookline, and Watertown (check out the neighborhoods video on the BC Law website). Just make sure you check your morning and afternoon commute, and decide what you’re willing to deal with during 1L. Southie might sound like a great idea, but sitting in 30 to 40 minutes of traffic after a long day of classes, when you should be fixing your memo, may not be the best decision. Time is your most valuable asset—protect it.

Other things to note and maybe the most important if you’re not used to this: You are lucky to avoid automatic broker fees. These are usually equivalent to an entire month of rent. Do not hire an agent unless you’re prepared to pay that fee. Obviously, check before you sign anything!! And guys, you’re going to law school—actually read your leases please, and get anything spoken about, in writing (-;  shoutout to Professor Garcia, and Statute of Frauds.

Also, many places require a cosigner. I don’t know your situation, but if that could be a stressor, get ahead of it and explore alternatives: joining an existing lease, smaller landlords, etc. There are options!!! No hurdle is too big and we’re here to help you out. We want you here, and we want you to get here smoothly.

Other things I wish I knew—well, that’s for another post. I’ll keep you updated as you make this transition.

Again, I’m so glad you’re here. Talk soon.

For those of you, like me, who are afraid of leaving your state:

“It is so hard to leave—until you leave. And then it is the easiest goddamned thing in the world.”
― John Green, Paper Towns

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
—Plato

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”
—Jim Rohn

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Zoe Arvanitis-Dalpe is a first-year law student at BC Law. Contact her at arvanit@bc.edu.