Boston

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend good rental sites for Boston apartments?
TIA

[Anonymous]

Boston real estate agents have a stranglehold on the rental market there. It's also very seasonal, moving with the school year.

I used Zillow, Trulia and Craigslist when I was looking. Finding a rental there is not easy. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations for realtors ?

[Anonymous]

I was lucky enough to rent via a friend of my sister in law. They had lived in the apartment 10+ years and they basically "handed in" my application with their notice to vacate. It was definitely beneficial to me (I paid well below market rate and able to live alone), and I think I wore down the property manager calling every day for an update. Maybe they just didn't want to deal with me anymore and gave it to me.

Are you renting for yourself? Your child? Your family?

If you're renting solo - do you have any colleagues that can help get you a lead, start there. I'm not sure if you're planning on roommates, but there ALWAYS seemed to be a roommate situation available - maybe you could do that for a year and see where you want to be after that. That's not a bad strategy given the Boston commutes, trains, etc.

Depending on your duration there, and depending on the number of people renting (based on the question above), you might consider a one bedroom apartment. After I had been in Boston three years, I was shocked that I could have purchased a one bedroom with parking (HUGE) and then sold it when I left. A lot of parents do that for college students.

I'd also see if there's a Next-door or similar type group in your targeted area and start there.

Good luck! I loved my time in Boston!

[Anonymous]

really depends on where you are looking. Within Boston, and if so, any specific neighborhood? Surrounding towns? (e.g., Cambridge, Somerville). If you have specific locations in mind it may be easier to help.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all of the helpful responses so far.
This would be for two roommates, possibly three, for at least a year.
Not students
Areas could include Back Bay, South End, or Coolidge Corner

[Anonymous]

Areas could include Back Bay, South End, or Coolidge Corner

I'm the PP who asked about Roommates/Duration, etc.

Back Bay will be the most expensive, hands down. Coolidge Corner will be competition with Boston College kids. South End is amazing, but will be small and might compete with Northeastern students. It sounds like the job or daily destination is in/near the Prudential Tower or John Hancock building.

I think you'd get the most space nearer to Coolidge Corner. I think a 2 or 3 bed in the South End or Back Bay would be astronomically expensive. There is a large building, Church Park, right across from the Christ Scientist Church there - and it looks like they have a website. There are also some smaller buildings behind Church Park, but that is definitely walkable to Back Bay. Brookline and The Fens/Fenway is also another area to consider.

You can look along the "D" line of the MBTA Green Line. I lived at the corner of Comm Ave and Chestnut Hill Ave in Brighton and my door to door commute was 25 minutes (longer when the Red Sox played ha ha), entering and exiting the D line's Cleveland Circle stop. C line of the Green Line will take you right into Coolidge Corner (the final stop), and there are a lot of absolutely beautiful buildings along that line. If you're not into competing with BU students for rent, I'd avoid anything along the B line. They tend to be very run down.

Other things to consider in your search - Boston is old. And things that we take for granted (AC) are definitely not the norm there, or will charge you an arm and a leg. Also, most of the buildings will be walk ups.

[Anonymous]

Boston is a very different rental market than DC. Most buildings do not go through management companies like here. We mostly used Craigslist and contacted landlords/supers directly. I echo the PP who said things we take for granted are not the norm in Boston. Most apartments will not have central AC or laundry. The kitchens will be much older. There isn't a ton of updating/maintenance done between tenants. Just keep these things in mind when looking so you aren't shocked that you're going to pay just as much or more than you're paying in DC for a "worse" apartment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Areas could include Back Bay, South End, or Coolidge Corner

I'm the PP who asked about Roommates/Duration, etc.

Back Bay will be the most expensive, hands down. Coolidge Corner will be competition with Boston College kids. South End is amazing, but will be small and might compete with Northeastern students. It sounds like the job or daily destination is in/near the Prudential Tower or John Hancock building.

I think you'd get the most space nearer to Coolidge Corner. I think a 2 or 3 bed in the South End or Back Bay would be astronomically expensive. There is a large building, Church Park, right across from the Christ Scientist Church there - and it looks like they have a website. There are also some smaller buildings behind Church Park, but that is definitely walkable to Back Bay. Brookline and The Fens/Fenway is also another area to consider.

You can look along the "D" line of the MBTA Green Line. I lived at the corner of Comm Ave and Chestnut Hill Ave in Brighton and my door to door commute was 25 minutes (longer when the Red Sox played ha ha), entering and exiting the D line's Cleveland Circle stop. C line of the Green Line will take you right into Coolidge Corner (the final stop), and there are a lot of absolutely beautiful buildings along that line. If you're not into competing with BU students for rent, I'd avoid anything along the B line. They tend to be very run down.

Other things to consider in your search - Boston is old. And things that we take for granted (AC) are definitely not the norm there, or will charge you an arm and a leg. Also, most of the buildings will be walk ups.

NP, I lived near there too--not a bad place to watch the marathon. I agree with the advice here.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all of your responses. This is very helpful!