Cheap rent is to be found in Boston, if you know where to look. For example, I live right in Davis Square, a pretty vibrant neighborhood just north of Harvard, and I only pay $400. There are five of us in the house, but it's the whole house and the rent includes (I shizznit you not) a cleaning lady that comes twice a month. I definitely got lucky, but I saw several places in the same price range. Just use Craigslist and set the upper limit for rent to be $400 and you'll definitely find a couple places. And by "places," I do not mean crapholes. Actual decent apartments.