Looking for a rental home can be a much bigger ordeal than you originally think it’ll be. Digging through the hundreds of options, finding the legitimate offers, and touring potential places can be a time consuming process.
It’s important when you begin a rental process, to find great information that’ll aid your search. If you’re interested in renting your first apartment in Boston and have no idea where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
Before you move to Boston…
Things to research before you commit to renting an apartment in Beantown.
Finding the Perfect Neighborhood
Other than price, this is the most important thing people are looking for when finding a place to move to in Boston. It’s important to keep an open mind when researching neighborhoods to move to. You may be dead set to moving to a certain neighborhood or part of the city, but are stunned when you see how pricey it actually is to live there.
Look around all the neighborhoods of the city and familiarize yourself with what makes them unique and the specific ammentitie they have for residents. Selecting a specific neighborhood can actually make your search simpler, since you’re lowering the number of properties to those you are specifically interested in.
If possible, visit neighborhoods that you’re interested in and see what it feels like to walk through the streets. Are there restaurants you’d eat from? Are people friendly? Does it feel like a place you could live in?
Feeling the atmosphere of a neighborhood for yourself can be extremely informative. Once you visit, it may be apparent which area is the best, and which ones are much different from what you read on the internet. If this isn’t possible, try using Google Street View to “walk” through places you’re interested in, just to get a better feel.
When relying on online information, make sure to diversify sources of your information. Find different perspectives so you can get a holistic view of what that neighborhood is actually like. Check out social media pages for different businesses and organizations in town, or try and contact someone who lives there and ask for their honest feedback.
Budget-Neighborhood Rule
There are certain neighborhoods that tend to be more expensive than others. In Boston, certain parts of the city are much higher than average.
Everyone dreams of having a Victorian brownstone in Back Bay, but it’s important to remember that it’s the priciest part of the city and may not be realistic for most people. The more amenities a location has – great restaurants, well-rated schools, convenient public transportation, beautiful architecture – it’s more likely to be more expensive.
Housing in Boston is, on average, twice as high than the median rental costs in the United States. With all the incredible amenities that are provided by the city, it’s no wonder the cost of living is higher here than in most places.
That’s why it’s especially important to budget yourself carefully when planning your move to Boston. It’s recommended to spend no more than 30% of your salary on rent. The average rent in Boston is $2,200, but this varies depending on what compromises you’re willing to make.
Trade-Offs to Reflect On
If you have a tight budget but are committed to relocating to Boston, consider the following factors. What is essential to your lifestyle, and what are you willing to compromise upon for lower rent?
- Living near public transportation, whether it be bus stops or train stations, usually increases the cost of rent
- Sharing rent with roommates is one of the most common ways to save money and lower the price of housing and utilities
- The further from the center of the city you live, the cheaper rent tends to be. There are some exceptions to this rule, so make sure to check each neighborhood.
- The smaller the home is, either fewer square feet or fewer bedrooms, will result in lower rent.
Boston is a hot real estate market and properties are constantly being taken off the market. It’s important to be prepared to compromise to ensure your housing.
Talk to Tenants & Locals
One of the best ways to learn about a city or neighborhood you’re interested in moving to is to communicate with actual tenants or other locals. You’ll come across a lot of people during your home search:
- brokers
- real estate agents
- landlords
- dozens of other people trying to sell you something.
Your best way to understand what it’s like living there in Boston or a specific building is to talk to someone who actually does.
Ask detailed and specific questions to previous or fellow tenants. It’s important you get an authentic view on life in that building. Ask how the neighborhood is, how well heating and cooling are in, information on the landlord, anything you might want to know before you commit to living there for a certain amount of time. No apartment is perfect, but you want to know exactly what the property is like before you move in.
Be Prepared for Anything
Especially when it comes to short-term rentals, you never know when the perfect opportunity will come. If you’re serious about looking for an apartment in Boston, you’ll be prepared to receive any offers, no matter how sudden. When you’re ready to commit to a place, be prepared to sign a lease, pay a security deposit, and have a background check run on you.
To ensure you qualify for the apartment, make you can provide:
- job and living history
- credit score
- security deposit
These are some of the hoops you have to jump through the get your first apartment, but it’s absolutely worth it for the opportunity to move to Boston.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Once you’ve gone through the basic things – qualification, price, neighborhood – you can focus on what you really want your lifestyle to look like in Boston. Here’s some other important things to keep in mind when researching for rentals in Beantown:
- First and foremost: check if the properties are real. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. If researching properties on your own, double check they’re real apartments on the market for that price in that neighborhood.
- Make sure you understand all the specific rules of your building or property before you move in. Didn’t realize there’s a strict no pets rule and you have a beloved pet cat? Avoid situations like these and ask the tough questions.
- Check for parking. If you have a car, you’ll want a place to store it. Street parking is rare and unreliable in Boston. Look specifically for buildings or apartments with parking if this is crucial for you.
- Contact a professional. If you’re overwhelmed and finding no luck searching on your own, leave it to the professionals. Find a brokerage or real estate agent who can help you navigate the difficulties. It will cost to use these services, but it’ll be worth it when you’re living in your perfect home.
- Double-check all the amenities before you sign on the dotted line. Make sure you understand what you’re paying for. See if there are any fees you can remove, especially ones that you won’t be using.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to navigate the confusing real estate market on your own. By working with a real estate agent, you alleviate the work for yourself and allow a professional to find you the best possible apartment. If you’re looking for a place in Boston, take a look at the collection of apartments and let us know what you think. With our high-quality tours, you can find the best
