Moving to Massachusetts

Finding affordable housing is one of the most challenging issues facing international students, scholars, and their dependents coming to the Boston area. Boston, including its neighboring cities and towns, is one of the most expensive housing markets in the US. Students and scholars should do research into housing options well in advance - do not expect to find or be given housing immediately upon arrival, unless you have been given on-campus housing through Tufts.

When searching for housing, consider:

• Location near public transportation options that will allow you to reach school in a reasonable time frame
• Lease terms - many apartments will sign you to a lease, often from 9 to 12 months or longer, that obligates you to continue paying rent for that period
• Restrictions on family members, pets, and other considerations
• Location near schools if you are coming with minor children who will go to schools

Tufts has only limited on-campus housing available, with the majority of housing dedicated to degree-seeking undergraduate students. Information about on-campus housing should be communicated to you during your admissions application and acceptance process.

International Undergraduate Students

International undergraduate students are required to live on-campus for their first two years at Tufts (*see the note below regarding SMFA BFA students). You will be provided information once you have been accepted about the process for applying for and obtaining your residence hall assignment. Visit or contact the Office of Residential Life for more information about undergraduate residence halls and communities.

• Note: BFA-only students at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts should read about SMFA's undergraduate housing policies here

International Graduate Students

The majority of international graduate and professional students live off-campus due to the extremely limited supply of graduate student housing. Please consult the Off-campus Housing section for off-campus options.

• Fletcher School degree-seeking students will receive information from the Fletcher School or can consult their web site regarding on-campus housing options available through Blakeley Hall

International Employees and Visiting Scholars

There are no on-campus housing options dedicated specifically to international scholars, employees, and their dependents. Incoming employees and scholars will be expected to secure housing options on their own. Please consult the Off-campus Housing section for options and resources.

Off-campus Housing Resources

Finding affordable off-campus housing can be a challenge for international students, scholars, and their families. Below are links for resources that may be of assistance to you in your search.

• Tufts Off-campus Housing site for all members of the Tufts community (the site is mainly for students, but may be used by scholars as well)
• Download our International Center Off-Campus Housing Search Guide

Cummings School: International students, scholars, and faculty attending the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton live off campus in Grafton and the nearby city of Worcester. For more information, consult the Cummings School housing web site.

Logan International Airport (BOS) is the largest airport in New England and serves the greater Boston area. All major US airlines and most international airlines stop in Boston. Tufts campuses in Boston and Medford / Somerville are relatively accessible from Logan, either through public transportation or by taxi or car service.

Public Transportation to / from Logan: Logan Airport is reachable by the Airport stop on the Blue line of the "T" subway system. From the Blue line, it is relatively easy to reach downtown Boston where you can change to either the Orange or Green lines to get to additional destinations. To get to the Medford campus, you would need to transfer to the Orange Line at the State stop, and transfer at the Downtown Crossing stop to the Red line. Once on the Red Line, get off at the Davis Square stop. For more options, consult the MBTA trip planner.

Taxi and Car Service: Taxi and car service (Uber / Lyft) to and from Logan can be quite costly, depending on the time and day of your trip. Expect at least $20 fares into the downtown Boston area and $30 - $40 fares to Medford / Somerville or other towns and cities outside of the Boston area.

MBTA

Students and scholars should be aware of the high cost of driving and maintaining a car in the Boston area. In addition to the cost of car maintenance, automobile insurance, licensing fees, parking is often difficult to get. Where possible, the International Center recommends using public transportation to commute to and from Tufts

• For information about obtaining a driver's license in the state of Massachusetts, consult our Driving in Boston section
• For information about Tufts parking permits for students and employees, refer to the Parking site maintained by the Tufts Department of Public and Environmental Safety

Boston is considered to have a humid continental climate. Winters are long, snowy, and cold while summers can be hot and humid. Spring and fall are relatively moderate to cool. Below is a chart of seasonal averages

Because of the highly variable seasons in Boston, students and scholars are recommended to bring or be prepared to buy clothing to match.

Fall / Spring: Light to medium jackets, raincoats or rain gear, and scarves may be needed.

Winter: Heavy winter coats or parkas, snow boots, scarves, gloves, and hats are needed to survive the winter! Look for announcements during the Fall semester about our annual Winter Coat Drive!

Summer: Lighter cotton or linen clothing, sunscreen, and hats or caps are recommended to protect you from strong sun and humidity.

The International Center recommends that incoming students and scholars open a US bank account prior to arriving in the US, if possible. If not, opening a bank account as soon as possible after arrival is strongly recommended, as carrying large amounts of cash is not safe. If you need to carry cash, use traveler's checks instead since they can be replaced if lost or stolen.

In addition, opening a bank account will be needed especially if you will be receiving wages, salary, or other funds from Tufts. Tufts directly deposits salary or other kinds of payments through electronic transfer to a bank account - do not expect to receive direct cash payments.

Opening a Bank Account

To open a bank account, you will need the following documents. Also consult with a bank officer to determine their requirements.

• Your passport
• Your Form I-20 or Form Ds-2019 or I-797 Approval Notice
• Your I-94 admission record
• A local address
• You are not required to have a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer ID Number to open a simple bank account; however, you may be asked to complete IRS Form W-8BEN

Choosing a Bank: Questions to Ask

There are many banks in the Boston area that serve international students and scholars. We encourage you to do your own research by asking questions such as:

• What types of accounts does the bank provide, and how much do they charge? Most banks provide simple checking and savings accounts, but some may charge a monthly fee if you do not maintain a minimum balance.
• Does the bank allow you to wire or transfer money from overseas? Ask about services for wire transfers of funds from overseas, and if there are any fees associated with these services.
• Does the bank charge fees for using their ATM (automatic teller machine) to obtain cash? Do they charge fees for using the ATM of another bank? If you expect to withdraw cash on a regular basis, consider researching the location and fees for using an ATM cash machine.
• Will the bank provide a debit card and/or help you obtain a credit card? Debit and credit cards can be useful in helping you to manage your expenses without using cash. A credit card, if used responsibly, can help you to establish a good US credit history which may make it easier for you to obtain other kinds of financial services or products in the future.

Types of Accounts

Most students and scholars will only need to open a checking account or a combined checking / savings account.

Checking accounts: These allow you to deposit or withdraw money and to make payments either electronically or using paper checks. The money in a standard checking account does not collect interest. Checking accounts are also accompanied by debit cards that allow you to get cash from automated teller machines (ATMS). Many basic checking accounts will carry service fees and charges. These allow for easy access to your money to pay bills and make purchases. Most banks charge a monthly fee, so be sure to compare bank rates and fees. Also inquire about the locations of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for your convenience.

Savings Accounts: Savings accounts are designed to allow you to save money and earn interest on your savings. Checking and savings accounts are often linked together, so talk to your bank about options and fees.

Bank Options

The following is a list of some banks that have many Tufts international students and scholars have used. These have multiple branches or ATM locations across the Boston area. The International Center does not recommend or endorse any particular bank.

• Citibank
• Citizens Bank (ATM in Dowling Hall)
• Santander Bank (ATM in Mayer Campus Center)
• Bank of America