Oyster families: where can people live moderately in Woodley?

[Anonymous]

It seems like the only way into Oyster if you are not spanish-dominant is a million dollar house or cramming a family into a tiny apartment. Any insider tips or recommendations on how people make it work?

[Anonymous]

Well, you seem to have hit on the options available in Woodley. Pay up or double up. I can assure you that there is no secret reasonably priced housing for a family.

[Anonymous]

I figured. Thanks for even responding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, you seem to have hit on the options available in Woodley. Pay up or double up. I can assure you that there is no secret reasonably priced housing for a family.

Generally true, with the exception of a few (but not zero) rent controlled, pretty large two bedroom apartments, mostly in the buildings along Connecticut. Because of their scarcity and value, very few are ever available, and if they are, they are snapped up very quickly. Also note that the dividing line between Oyster and Eaton is Cathedral Avenue. There are some large buildings that are just on the north side of Cathedral that have a number of reasonably priced 2 bedrooms, but they are on the Eaton side. Mostly luck to get one of the available 2 bedrooms in the Oyster zone.

[Anonymous]

How many kids do you have, OP? I was recently deciding between moving into the Oyster or Ross school boundaries and found a few tiny 2-bedroom options in-bounds for Oyster for around $2,500. But most on the low-end are near the $3,000 mark. I was looking over the winter and did notice that rents seemed to be cheaper in the winter. Many of the larger apartment buildings were running deals for first month free, no security deposit, etc, or even posting rents that were several hundred dollars lower than the rent range given on their websites. If you do want to move into the Oyster district, I'd suggest doing it in late winter/early spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many kids do you have, OP? I was recently deciding between moving into the Oyster or Ross school boundaries and found a few tiny 2-bedroom options in-bounds for Oyster for around $2,500. But most on the low-end are near the $3,000 mark. I was looking over the winter and did notice that rents seemed to be cheaper in the winter. Many of the larger apartment buildings were running deals for first month free, no security deposit, etc, or even posting rents that were several hundred dollars lower than the rent range given on their websites. If you do want to move into the Oyster district, I'd suggest doing it in late winter/early spring.

2 kids. thanks for the time of year tip!

[Anonymous]

Yes, unfortunately those are the two options. And remember it's for the long haul: if you move out of boundary, you will have to reapply for the next grade through the lottery.

There is a building across from the Omni that is fairly decent in size and very convenient (but has no parking). Some of the units are condos and rent privately. It's worth looking into.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, unfortunately those are the two options. And remember it's for the long haul: if you move out of boundary, you will have to reapply for the next grade through the lottery.

There is a building across from the Omni that is fairly decent in size and very convenient (but has no parking). Some of the units are condos and rent privately. It's worth looking into.

Good luck.

NP here. Is that true about reapplying if you move out? I have never heard that before.

[Anonymous]

anyone get in oyster as english-dom? is that even possible anymore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:anyone get in oyster as english-dom? is that even possible anymore?

all my waitlist numbers are 30-50 EXCEPT Oyster, which is over 100. And I am pk4, so it should be the opposite.

[Anonymous]

what do you mean, the opposite?

[Anonymous]

We live in an apartment but I would not call it tiny. I used to live in NY. Perspective will do wonders for you.

[Anonymous]

sqft?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sqft?

1200. Wouldn't call it Tiny.

[Anonymous]

That is definitely not tiny!