Buzz
This article is part of a series aimed at fostering openness about housing expenses and income in the United States. If you'd like to help break the stigma around discussing money and housing, consider completing this form to share your story.
Housing expenses, rent prices, salaries, and earnings — we all deal with these, yet we seldom talk about them openly. However, in a world where housing, rental, and even grocery costs are skyrocketing, greater transparency could benefit us all.
I understand why we avoid these conversations — money has always been a taboo subject. Whether it's employers discouraging pay discussions (I’ve experienced this firsthand), feelings of shame, fear of comparison, or simply wanting to maintain privacy, the reasons are valid. But wouldn’t life be simpler if we had more clarity?
Let’s take it step by step. We’re launching a series focused on transparency in housing and finances, where we’ll highlight people’s living spaces, their monthly payments, their income, and other intriguing details — like their unique rock collection, the most valuable item in their home, the priciest possession they own, and, above all, their personal stories.
This week, we’re introducing Kaitlin (Kait) Murray, a 28-year-old who lives in a Boston studio apartment. Here’s a quick overview:
Age? 28
Pronouns? She/Her
Location? Boston, Massachusetts, originally from Kentucky. Currently residing in the Seaport/Fort Point area of Boston.
Occupation? Self-employed in marketing and brand strategy, part-time dog-sitter, and former full-time employee at TikTok.
Own or rent? Rent
Rent cost? $3,200/mo
Roommates? "Just me, myself, and I!"
Utilities cost? "Water is included in the building fees, but I cover electricity and Wi-Fi. My electricity bill averages $35 monthly, and I pay $60 for Starry Wi-Fi."
TOTAL: $3,295
Salary? Previously earned $130k annually at TikTok, including base pay and bonuses. Currently relying on an emergency fund and side gigs for income.
Other streams of income? "Honestly, the $130k wasn’t enough to comfortably live in this area and enjoy life, so I began dog-sitting several times a week or month. This side hustle sometimes brings in an extra $1,500–$2,000 monthly! I also earn small amounts from TikTok posts and my Amazon storefront, though it’s not significant. My parents run Murray Promotions, and I’ve taken on freelance projects for them, along with a few small client jobs."
"To be completely transparent, I’ve mostly been living off my emergency fund recently, and I want to emphasize that it’s okay to rely on it during tough times. If you have an emergency fund, consider yourself fortunate — it’s all about perspective."
# Beds/baths/floors? "I live in a studio with one bathroom, in-unit laundry, and high-end appliances."
Square footage? 450 sq. ft.
Amenities? The building offers a rooftop deck with grills, a pool, cozy outdoor seating, a state-of-the-art gym, four co-working spaces, a movie theater, a chef’s kitchen/event space, and two guest suites available for rent at around $200 per night for visitors.
Favorite amenity? "The cold brew on tap. According to my calculations, I save about $14 daily by drinking it instead of buying coffee elsewhere. But the real gem is the community — people from diverse backgrounds, careers, and life stages. Moving here alone, I never imagined finding such incredible friends and mentors in an apartment building. It’s going to be incredibly hard to leave."
Alright, now that you have the background, let’s dive into the apartment — here’s what Kait sees as soon as she steps through the door. Pretty impressive, right?
Here’s a look at her bathroom and how she optimized the storage space:
Kait explained, "The storage situation was terrible. I bought a shelf from Ikea, some organizers from Amazon, and repurposed a small stand into a basket holder."
Here’s her kitchen area, where she added an island to expand the counter space:
"The island wasn’t included with the apartment. I bought it on Amazon, and it’s a great alternative to the Crate & Barrel version that costs around $2,000," Kait mentioned.
And here’s the rest of her kitchen, without the island:
Next up, her bed area — which isn’t a separate room and somewhat blends into the kitchen space:
"Most people might find it odd to have a bed in the kitchen, but in a small space like this, you don’t have much choice," Kait explained.
Here’s the view from her bed (and another look at the kitchen):
She’s made the best of it, though! Her dad helped her install a swivel mount for her TV, so she can watch it comfortably from bed:
After passing through Kait’s kitchen-bedroom area, you step into her living room, which features a cozy fireplace TV setup, a storage table, coffee essentials, and a mini bar:
...and the dining "room":
"I wanted a dining area that could also serve as a hangout space... The benches can be pulled out and used as ottomans for the couch," Kait explained.
...and office:
Kait mentioned, "This is my least favorite area. Since leaving my corporate job, this spot just gives me bad vibes."
It’s essentially a multi-functional space...maybe even four rooms in one? The couch converts into a bed (guest room, perhaps?):
She also has a beautifully arranged bookshelf and a large mirror perfect for selfies (which likely helps make the room feel more spacious!):
Alright, time for some fun details!
"I don’t own many high-priced items. I’ve never splurged on designer goods, to be honest. My most valuable possession is probably my bed. I gifted it to myself for my 27th birthday from Crate & Barrel, and it’s become a defining part of my space. I think it cost around $2,000."
"If there were a fire, the one thing I’d save is a box of letters my family and friends surprised me with when I decided to move across the country to Boston. I read them almost every week," Kait shared.
In her video tour, she explained, "My favorite part of the apartment is this letter wall. When I moved here, I bought a one-way ticket and sold almost everything I owned. My parents came a few days later to help me with a U-Haul. After setting up my furniture, I found a box of letters from my parents, siblings, and family. I read them whenever I feel homesick."
"I chose this place because it was the most affordable option in the neighborhood I wanted to live in. The building stood out for its welcoming vibe, which was perfect for meeting new people. I was eager to build a community and connect with as many people as possible during my time in Boston! If you’re moving to a new city where you don’t know anyone, I highly recommend an apartment complex with plenty of shared spaces."
Overall, Kait shared, "This space is ideal for one person. Sure, I sometimes wish for more room, but I’ve made the most of it." She also emphasized that while she could afford this place with her previous job, it was still a financial stretch, and she prioritized a nicer living environment and community over other expenses.
And if you’re still wondering how she’s spending over $3,000 on a studio, let’s rewind a bit. When Kait moved from Louisville to Boston, her rent started at $2,650.
She told Mytour, "At the time, I knew it was a lot, but I was willing to make sacrifices if it meant meeting more people by living in a large building rather than a walk-up. I also sold my car, so being in a walkable area was crucial. I planned to do it for a year, make friends, and then move on."
By May 2022, Kait’s leasing office increased her rent to $2,900. Since she loved the community she’d built in the building, she decided to stay and started dog-sitting to earn extra money each month.
Then, in May 2023, her leasing office left another lease renewal on her door... This time, the rent was $3,200. Kait said, "I told myself, 'One more year, enjoy it, and then move on. Take on more dog-sitting gigs if you love it this much.' That’s how I convinced myself to re-sign."
Kait told Mytour, "Looking back, I do regret re-signing from a financial perspective. However, 2023 turned out to be one of the most confusing, mentally taxing, and draining years of my life, so in a way, I’m grateful I stayed and was surrounded by amazing neighbors and friends. Seeing familiar faces in the lobby, elevators, and shared spaces truly saved me, and it’s something I’ll miss the most when I leave."
According to RentHop, the average studio in Boston’s Seaport District costs $3,149. The average studio across Boston is $2,720, making the Seaport significantly pricier (though Boston remains expensive overall). Rents in the Seaport have skyrocketed over the past three years, with a 49.61% increase in median studio rents from 2021 to 2024 (from $2,273 to $3,400).
While paying over $3k monthly for a studio sounds shocking, it’s not unusual in Boston’s Seaport, one of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods. Kait’s rent hikes align somewhat with the area’s median increases (though this doesn’t justify the rise — it highlights the broader issue of soaring rents).
In one video, Kait said, "It’s one of Boston’s nicest areas. I get that. I live in a high-rise, a luxury building, but that doesn’t justify the prices they’re charging, in my opinion." In another video, she added, "There’s a serious problem with price gouging. Rent shouldn’t jump by nearly $1,000 in just three years."
And now? Kait’s leasing office has sent her another rent increase notice — this time, it’s $3,444.
Kait said, "I did some quick girl math, and it turns out I’d essentially be paying the equivalent of a $120/night hotel every single night for the next year. I love Boston, but it’s not New York. This is ridiculous."
So, Kait’s decided to move out. She told Mytour, "I just can’t keep up with this. Even if I were earning well over $200k a year, spending this much on rent at my age just doesn’t make sense."
In another video, Kait explained that the leasing office refuses to negotiate, and breaking her lease would cost $11,500, as it ends in mid-June. "You need to give a 60-day notice, and then you’re required to pay two months’ rent after that, so it’s essentially four months of rent."
"At this point, I don’t want to leave Boston abruptly. I’d rather finish my lease, so I’m planning to take on a serving job. I’m grateful for some projects with my family’s business and a few freelance gigs. Salaries in Boston for marketing roles, unless I’m searching in the wrong places, just aren’t enough to live alone."
She added, "Also, I’ll be 29 in September, and I really don’t want a roommate. But the US is in a tough spot right now, and I see so many people moving back in with parents or roommates, which is disheartening. As much as I love my friends...I don’t want to have to do that. But honestly, single people might not have a choice in the next few years."
As for her next steps, Kait told Mytour, "If I find a fulfilling job in Boston before my lease ends, I’ll move in with a roommate I’ve already lined up. We’ll be in a building again because we value the community aspect. Our goal is to keep rent under $4,200–$4,500, split evenly. (So $2,100–$2,250 per person.)"
She told Mytour, "Part of me feels nervous sharing my story because I know the cost of living, job market, and economy are in rough shape. I recognize how fortunate I’ve been to live the life I’ve had over the past three years."
"However, as I’ve openly shared my feelings of being lost lately, the challenges of being 28 and striving to stay independent while sometimes feeling incredibly lonely, and figuring out my purpose and career direction [in my videos], I’ve received countless comments from people of ALL ages sharing similar experiences and expressing how much it resonated with them," Kait said.
She added, "I guess the message I want to leave is that it’s okay to feel lost, make mistakes, or ask for help if you’ve found yourself in a tough spot or are dealing with mental health struggles. There’s no such thing as a wrong decision or rejection — only redirection."
"You don’t have to have everything figured out; you can try new things, explore, move, end relationships, spend your savings, make new friends, quit your job, or switch careers… If we knew exactly how life would unfold, it would be incredibly dull. You’re not alone, and whatever choice you make, know it’s for a reason! You’ve got this."
