We sat down with Tammy V. from Kingston, MA, whose daughter, Jessica, is finishing up her first year at UMass Boston. Jessica lived in the on-campus Residence Halls as a first-year student; now she’s making preparations for her Sophomore year by finding a nearby apartment.

Hi Tammy. How did you and Jessica make your decision for her to live in the Residence Halls for her first year? 

Tammy: We thought it would be a good way for her to meet people, make new friends, and become more active with campus life while living a more independent lifestyle. The time that she saved on her commute allowed her to focus more on her academics, campus job, and social life.

Would you say that the place she would be living played a big part in her decision to attend UMass Boston? 

Tammy: Yes, Jessica grew up on the south shore of Massachusetts and always wanted to attend school in or near a city. UMass Boston provided the perfect balance for her. UMass Boston’s proximity to Downtown Boston allowed her to enjoy easy access to city life.

What was her favorite part about living in the dorms?

Tammy: She enjoyed participating in the activities that the Resident Assistants hosted. The east hall was a great community of people which made it a comfortable place for her to live during her first year in college.

When it came time to start her apartment search, what factors played the biggest role for Jessica? 

Tammy: The distance from campus and price were the biggest factors. Jessica and her roommates did not want to bring cars, so they needed to be able to use the Red Line or be within walking distance. She also still wanted to enjoy the campus life feel, and the two apartment locations that she toured were within walking distance and can be seen from the campus.

Were there any elements of the apartment hunt that had you worried? 

Tammy: There was concern that [apartments] would fill up before we found something. Jessica and her two roommates did their research and made appointments to tour the locations they were interested in. They were a little intimidated with it being their first time experiencing an apartment search, but they got all their questions answered, and all the information that they needed to make their decision. I gave suggestions and guidance, but they really took the lead and did the work with minimal assistance from me.

Tammy let us know that Jessica and her roommates have selected Peninsula Apartments, which is one of the off-campus apartment buildings that are right next door to campus.

Thanks so much for chatting with us! Do you have any final advice for students or parents who are getting ready to start their own apartment searches? 

Tammy: Utilize all the available resources and ask lots of questions. Make sure that your needs are known and start the process as early as possible so that you don’t feel rushed.