Finding an apartment in Boston is one great adventure. After all, the city is bustling with vibrant energy, an assortment of restaurants, and a thriving cultural scenery which are always excellent crowd-drawers. People flock here from all over the country to either study or work.
Because it’s population is constantly growing, hunting for a place to stay in Boston can also be daunting. Here are a few tips you might want to consider:
Decide on where to find an apartment in Boston
Boston is a big city with prominent neighborhoods, each of which has something unique to offer. Before starting your apartment hunting adventure, it is best to determine in which of these areas are you most likely to fit in. Among the neighboorhoods that are popular to Boston renters are Cambridge, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and South End.
Another thing to consider is whether you plan to walk to work, as Boston is a highly walkable city. If you do, you will need to find a place which is just a stone’s throw away from your office. Otherwise, you might want to settle somewhere near The T, so commuting to and from work will be a lot more convenient.
Utilizing apartment hunting websites
Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic has also made apartment hunting in Boston very challenging. That is why it is also wise to check out related websites and apps to help you look for a perfect place for you and/or your family. These sites contain comprehensive information about prospective apartments to scout in the area, including their basic details, unique features and amenities, as well as details about the surrounding neighborhood. Relying on these apps and websites will considerably cut your physical search, thereby limiting the time you need to spend on actually checking one apartment after another.
Zumper.com, for example, even has a very convenient feature where you can submit renter requirements and apply for an apartment online. It even provides real-time alerts on quality listing regularly added to their inventory.
Prepare your requirements
It would pay to be ready to snatch a place as soon as you find one, so make sure to go on your hunt prepared. Bring all your requirements during your apartment search. Ready your cash or credit cards for deposits and fees, as well as your IDs and other pertinent documents, including your employment history and credit score. A renting referral may not be required, but it would also come handy so make sure to keep a copy in your bag, just in case.
Determine your budget and and stick to it
Although Boston rents are down by about 4% at this time compared to last year, renting an apartment does not come cheap in this area. The average rent for a studio apartment in the Boston neighborhood is about $2,500. You must carefully set a budget to work around and stick to it during your search for your penultimate Boston abode. You may also want to consider sharing an apartment, instead of renting your own so you can slice your rent expenses in half.
Apart from your monthly rent, you will also need to include in your budget calculations the additional expenses you will incur while renting in the city, including security deposits and additional fees for pets, parking, and other amenities.
Schedule your apartment hunt
Looking for an apartment in Boston is challenging as more people are moving to the city regularly for an assortment of personal reasons. It is also one of the most populous cities in the United States for its very strategic location and more apartments are being leased each day. It is advisable that you time your apartment hunting very carefully to land the best place you can get within your budget.
Remember that apartment rental market is slower from December until February so may want to start hunting for a place around this time. However, bear in mind that more viable options are available in the summer, as more leases end around this time. Depending on your need, you may want to schedule your search for your ideal Boston apartment around these times.