Temporary Housing/Hotels
If you do not have an apartment when you arrive in the U.S., you could stay at a hotel and search for an apartment when you get here. If you have friends who already live in the Boston area, you might want to try and stay with them for a few days until you find an apartment.
The following sources may be helpful for finding hotels in Boston:
If you reserve your room directly with a hotel, ask if the hotel has any specials or discounts (they will not mention any special rates unless you ask). Be sure that you confirm that the hotel you reserve is actually in Boston or one of the neighborhoods described here, because it can sometimes be difficult to travel into the city from outside the city. If you will stay at a hotel, you should specify whether you want a smoking or non-smoking room.