One-bedroom apartments are the most popular type of housing in Boston, making them hard to come by and often more expensive. It’s important to do research before you move to Boston to better understand how apartments are in the city.
Why are one-bedroom apartments the most popular type of housing in Boston?
Boston is known for its high-quality and cost of living. Many young, single people move to Boston to attend university, pursue a career, or start a new life. Understand more about why one-bedroom apartments are the most sought-after type of housing in this city.
Affordable price
This is often the most important criteria for future tenants. Budget is something that cannot be compromised for many. Usually, the fewer square feet an apartment has, the cheaper it’ll end up being. It also greatly depends on which neighborhood you’re in as well.
With a one-bedroom apartment, you have the benefit of your own private space and separated bedroom, and it’s easy to not have to worry about finding a roommate or paying for extra space unnecessarily. One-bedroom apartments in Boston are typically affordable for a single person.
It’s generally believed you should spend no more than 30% of your income on rent. You’ll have to calculate this for yourself and see where your salary allows you to live.
The larger and more conveniently located a property, the pricier it’ll be. But sacrificing size or location can drastically lower prices and expand your options.
Boston is a big city with many different types of neighborhoods. It’s important to learn more about the market and understand why some apartments cost more – or less – than others.
Utilities and Maintenance Costs
Keep in mind you’ll usually be paying more for housing each month than just the flat cost of rent. Utilities vary depending on the building, so it may be higher or lower depending how many costs are placed on tenants.
You could have to pay for electricity, heating, water, gas, internet, or cable, raising your monthly living expenses. Living in a one-bedroom apartment means you pay rent on just your own utilities, not having to worry about another person’s usage.
Boston is cold in the winters and humid in the summer, requiring heat or AC during much of the year. Discuss the cost of utilities before you commit to a property, and be sure you know exactly what utilities you’re paying for.
See if there’s any utilities that are optional, to make sure you can choose to buy what you actually need. Before you commit to the perfect one-bedroom apartment, make sure you know how much extra you’ll be paying monthly.
Privacy Advantage
Having a one-bedroom apartment is awesome because you have space to yourself but also get a little more privacy than a regular studio apartment. In a studio, your dining, living, cooking, and sleeping spaces are all in the same room.
With a one-bedroom apartment, there’s an entire room separated from the living area, allowing more privacy. This makes a one-bedroom apartment ideal for a couple. With two whole rooms, there’s more privacy, great for two people to live comfortably, making one-bedroom apartments more popular.
Having a one-bedroom apartment is also a fantastic option for someone looking to live alone. Living with roommates can be difficult; it’s hard to find a good fit. Renting a one-bedroom apartment all by yourself allows you privacy and independence. For those who can afford it, it’s an excellent housing option.
How to find a one bedroom apartment in Boston?
- Contact an agent who works specifically on rental properties in the neighborhood or area you’re interested in. Finding an expert to guide your search is an efficient way to find a great property.
- Search for properties using the internet, using keywords like “one-bedroom apartment” and any specific locations of interest. You’ll receive thousands of searches to dig through, the more detailed the search, the fewer and better options.
- Ask around your network and see if anyone has information that’ll be useful to your search. Did your cousin’s friend just graduate from Northeastern and is looking for someone to take over their lease on their apartment? Sometimes all you’ve got to do is speak up and the opportunities will come to you.
- Find a neighborhood you like – maybe it’s for the price or location – and search specifically in that area for available properties. This narrows your search and makes house hunting a little less overwhelming.
- Be specific with what you want. This may actually be helpful, as it’ll give you fewer options and can make your decision easier. If there’s something you want, search for that specifically or communicate this to your agent.
- Accept opportunities as they come! Sometimes you’ll get bumped to the top of a wait list and get an offer for your dream apartment. Make sure you’re ready to sign the lease, pay your security deposit, and begin moving in.
Criteria to Keep in Mind
Every corner of Boston is different, so it’s crucial to be specific about what you want your life in Beantown to look like. Make sure to either communicate this to your agent or use it in your searches online. In the end, being specific will help you find the best one-bedroom apartment in Boston quickly and efficiently.
Public Transportation
Public Transportation is awesome in Boston – if you live near a train stop. The MBTA runs multiple lines through the city and the suburbs, but there are dead spots far from any train stations. Don’t let this discourage you, as many parts of Boston have excellent bus systems that can connect you to an MBTA stop.
If public transportation is a major aspect of your life, prioritize it. If you commute to work on the train every single day, make sure to be selective when presented with one-bedroom apartments. Living near a train stop or bus line can be essential for some prospective tenants. This will help you find the best apartment in Boston.
Food & Dining
What are your dining habits? If you cook a lot, you’ll probably want to live near grocery stores, especially if you don’t own a car.
And if you’re not a chef, you probably order or dine out a lot and want to be near great restaurants. Food is one of the most important parts of daily life. Ensure you find housing that’s compatible with your eating routine.
Schools & Universities
If you’re living with children, you’ll probably want excellent schools for them to attend. These neighborhoods are usually full of other families and children. Many people specifically move to these areas because of the schools, and this can raise the price on property in the area.
Universities also attract residents as well. Students, of course, usually want to live near campus and their fellow students.
But also professors, faculty, and staff usually attempt to reside closer to their workplace, since many who work at universities have intensive jobs with long hours. Since there’s such a high demand for housing in this area, it can often be difficult to find, especially apartments that are one-bedroom.
Museums & Cultural Centers
Boston is a huge, international city with an incredible array of events, activities, and performances. You can see the Celtics or Bruins at TD Garden, the Patriots at Gillette Stadium or the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Or, view exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts or the Institute of Contemporary Art.
Maybe catch a professional show in the Theater District. Walk through one of the incredibly well-maintained public gardens.
Living near any of these incredible sites results in higher rents. These areas can be super fun, as they’re usually close to other amazing restaurants, shops, and areas of town. It’s extremely convenient to live so close to the heart of Beantown.
Nightlight
When you’re a young, single professional in Boston, you want to be in the heart of what’s happening. Boston’s an incredible city, known for its young and educated population.
Living in parts of town where you can walk out your door and go to incredible restaurants, bars, and nightclubs where you can have fun and enjoy yourself is something that results in, unsurprisingly, much higher rents.
On the other hand, if clubbing is not your scene, living away from loud, rowdy parts of town may be essential. Usually, the further away from the center of Boston, the more suburban and residential the city will be. There’s a variety of areas for everyone in Beantown.
