Clarendon Residences

I rented a room, for a short stay of 3 months, here after reading a Craigslist ad in which they offered a room and full utilities for $ 1600.00/month.
When I got there I realized that the other residents appeared to be in regular hygiene conditions and some of them in an altered mental status.
I then asked the manager what was happening and they (only then!) told me they accepted section 8 housing applicants to get a discount in their taxes.
I stated that I didn’t feel safe living there, and that I wanted my money back. They said they couldn’t return me my money.
As an foreign student it was a big hit to me to see disappear $ 1600.00 but nevertheless I found somewhere else to stay because I think that my physical security worths more than 1600.00.
I’m glad I did so. Every time I passed by 140 Clarendon St. during my stay in Boston there were scary looking people entering the place.

The staff here were just so good to me, allowing me to extend my stay beyond my original booking.
My room here was small, but had everything I needed. My floor was women-​only, which was actually really nice considering the shared bathrooms. I’d stayed in two other backpackers accommodations in Boston and this was by far the nicest, although further from the sights.
It’s just a short walk to the orange line (South Station) or the green line, though. And it’s easily walkable to the far end of Newbury Street, and a fun stroll all the way down to the bustling end.
The Back Bay is known for being a kind of gay enclave — I noticed some rainbow flags and gay-​friendly establishments around, lending all the red bricked buildings a cosmopolitan air. What I noticed more, though, was the really obvious female prostitutes on the corners nearest the YWCA most evenings. Johns will drive slowly by, and there’s the occasional cop car looking to bust up the game for the night. But the girls are always back a few days later. Sad, particularly in contrast to the old fashioned wholesomeness of the YWCA.
Back to the building rather than the surrounds, there’s a spacious ground floor open area with sofas, a piano, and a mezzanine reading/​studying area, which is much appreciated.
There’s a dining hall /​cafeteria in the basement that serves a good-​sized meal, set hours.
For a less crowded, more relaxed budget stay in Boston, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the YWCA. Just don’t loiter too long on the corner.