As I said before, great news, Memsie!
About the apartment and pet rules- you may have to check with individual landlords as in most cities out this way it's up to them if they allow a pet or not. You have more luck with a small indoor only pet but you may need to pay a special additional fee or deposit or both. Also, I would check with the US customs people about bringing her in, there may be quarrantine laws that make her have to stay at the port of entry for a certain amount of time or you may need a file drawer full of certificates and proofs of immunizations/spaying etc.
Boston's a big enough city, dear! Some parts are wild, some are dignified and stodgy and a lot is in between. Have to admit I've not been in ages so I don't have much specific info for you but I'm betting someone here will. Isn't Chewbacca in the Boston area?
I've got a few friends who were in Boston not long ago but moved...I'll see what I can find out.