So you are on your way to Boston to attend college. While you’re getting ready for your new classes, you also have to consider where you will live. Will you being living in Boston University housing, or find a nice quiet neighborhood nearby and commute to classes? Will you be living alone, or share your BC apartment rentals with other tenants?
Apartment hunting in Boston can be an easy and enjoyable experience if you know what you are specifically looking for and perform the proper research. When searching for college housing, you’ll find that many college students prefer the Boston neighborhoods of Allston and Brighton. These places are close to numerous colleges including Harvard and Boston University.
So if you are searching for Allston apartments or Brighton rentals, use these helpful tips to find the apartment that’s right for you.
- Write down all your preferences in an apartment. Are you looking for a place with off-street parking, laundry facilities in the building, or is pet-friendly? Make sure to always ask the landlord concerning all apartment amenities, including available public transportation.
- Always ask when can you move into the apartment. Some apartments may not be ready because the current tenant’s lease period is not over yet or the apartment may be undergoing construction. Choose an apartment that will be move-in ready before you start classes so you don’t have to worry about moving and unpacking while trying to study.
- Pick an apartment that fits into your finances. This might mean you are not choosing the most fanciest place with top-notch amenities. But if you will be paying for both your college tuition and a place to live, you need to make sure you can afford it.
Hunting for Boston college apartments won’t be a hassle if you research for one that’s right for your preferences and for your budget.
Ah, college bound! There’s nothing like packing the car up and heading out on that new adventure to a new place to further your education. When your adventure lies in Massachusetts, you are eager for the chance to improve your education in places like Hebrew College, Mount Ida College, Boston College, and Lasell College.
Yet there is more about going to college than the classes and new friendships. You want to have a social life outside the university walls. You want to enjoy the shopping districts, recreational parks, and other activities. So locating affordable Boston university housing that’s close to easy public and pedestrian transportation is definitely a must for you.
Nestled in Middlesex County, Massachusetts about 7 miles west of Boston lies a relatively quiet neighborhood of Newton. Named the Third Best Place to Live by CNN Money in 2010, Newton has thirteen individual villages in its city with each having its own entertainment and shopping amenities in their downtown areas. These villages comprise of Oak Hill, Waban, Newton Centre, Newton Highlands, Thompsonville, Auburndale, Newtonville, Newton Corner, Chestnut Hill, Nonantum, West Newton, Newton Lower Falls, and Newton Upper Falls. Students who have northeastern university apartments can conveniently get to downtown Boston via subway, train, or express bus in 45 minutes or less.
With residential parks like Chestnut Hill Reservoir and quiet pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, Newton offers a place to stay for individuals, families, and college students with BC apartment rentals. Enjoy the country clubs by engaging in a bit of golfing, or take your furry dog friend for strolls around Norumbega Park. Above all else, study uninterrupted without the loud noises of traffic and other distractions when you have Boston college housing in the city of Newton.
Although Newton can be on the pricey side of accommodations, with homes ranging over $550,000, Newton has many affordable housing resources through organizations aimed to make the housing process easier for you. Seek your Boston college apartment today in Newton to receive the education you desire while living in a safe and friendly neighborhood.
The crack of the bat booming in the stadium. The crowd roaring as the ball made of cork, yarn and leather flies overhead as the player runs to tag the bases. Baseball season has arrived, and with it the sights of the game, the sounds of the pitches and tastes of the stadium hotdogs and French fries.
As a kid who lived in Boston, you loved attending a Red Sox game at Fenway stadium. Because traffic and finding a parking space was always a hassle, you took public transportation as you and you father left your Brookline apartments and hopped on the T-Subway toward 4 Yawkey Way in the heart of Boston. Riding the T to the Red Sox game was just about as fun as watching the game, as you studied all the many locals and visitors riding the subway who had stories to tell about the neighborhoods where they lived.
Now you are a professional businessman who wants to relive your memories of attending a Red Sox game this season, or you may now have a son who wants to learn all about baseball. Although your old childhood home is long gone, you now have the opportunity to purchase a brand new home in the Boston area.
Like anyone interested in purchasing or renting Boston real estate, you need to do your research and select the right Boston apartments that fits into your budget. Sure, the closer you live to Fenway Park, the better. But you need to explore all your options, appraise the house or apartment, and negotiate closing costs for ownership or sign the leasing agreement.
If you live out-of-state or your work schedule simply doesn’t allow you to look for the new home you want, your best option may be to get in touch with some Boston real estate agents. They can locate homes in your price range in popular Boston neighborhoods. The real estate agent might find the right Brighton housing, Brookline condos, or Fenway apartments that is perfect for you.
Over the years, apartment searches in Boston have become more than just walking the neighborhood, eyes vainly searching for the elusive read and white sign posted in the window of an available apartment for rent. More and more people are utilizing the Internet to conduct apartment searches in their nearby neighborhoods.
Where To Begin?
Choose popular apartment search websites that disclose as much information as possible about the apartment rental, the landlord, and about the lease agreement. Sites that have mapping features are ideal and can make your Boston university housing search easier.
When conducting apartment searches in Boston, you need to consider several factors to make your search a success. Start by deciding if there are certain neighborhoods you want to live in. Base your decision on the types of transportation you want to use to get to college classes, downtown shopping areas, and recreational spots. Will those Allston apartments get you to your classes quicker, or would a Fenway apartment have the best public transportation?
Once you decide on a location, decide on the size. A one-bedroom or a studio pad? Also consider whether you will be living alone or have other people also renting the same apartment to cut down on costs.
Continue to narrow down the search results, using factors such as price and features. Is there onsite laundry facilities and parking? How close are the grocery stores and other eateries? Use your personal preferences in the search results until you have a list of apartments that would work out great for you.
Always keep a lookout for the ever-present scammer. It may be someone using legitimate rentals of Boston college apartments but has different contact information to get your money. Or it could be a landlord painting a picturesque perfect apartment that is actually a rundown, decaying mess.
Always check out the apartment before signing the lease agreement. Even if there is a photo of your Brighton apartment rental, you never know how long ago that photo was taken and changes could have been made that can have an effect on your decision.
Many attractions cause people to fall in love with Boston. The mid-sized city is pedestrian friendly, and it has a mixture of history, stunning architecture and culture. With so many attractions, you may have trouble deciding what to do, but art enthusiasts can’t go wrong by spending an afternoon, day or more at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
Permanent collections in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston include sections on ancient Egypt, Asia and Oceania, the Americas and Europe. The MFA has collections of jewelry, musical instruments, prints and drawings and textiles and fashion arts. There is a modern art section, too. The MFA has programs for children.
The MFA has amenities including a coat check, strollers, an ATM machine and visitor guides in seven languages. You can choose from dining options ranging from a coffee shop to a sandwich and soup cafeteria to a full-service restaurant. Courtyard dining is available during the summer. The MFA has three gift shops.
The MFA is located in the heart of downtown Boston. You can get there on the Green Line “E” train or the Orange Line train “Ruggles.” Students in university housing, such as Boston University apartments, Brighton apartments and Allston apartments, are within a stone’s throw of the MFA. If you’re coming to Boston from out of town, the MFA partners with local hotels to offer hotel packages that include MFA entry.
The museum is open 10:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-9:45 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday and 10:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Regular admission is $22 per person, children under six years get in free and children from 6 to 17 years get in free on weekends and public school holidays, and after 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. Your admission ticket is good for return trips within ten days of your first visit. Entry is free after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and on Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day and the MFA Fall Open House. Members get in free.
Once becoming a resident of Boston, one of the most interesting places to spend time is the House of Blues Boston. Here you will find a music culture so deeply rooted in America, it spans centuries. Listen to Rhythm and Blues while you swing to the down home Rock and Roll. Stop in and listen to Martin Sexton, Brit Floyd or Mutemath. The line up of shows for spring activities will offer plenty of evening activity after a busy day.
Politics and boating are hot topics in this college town. Boston has its conglomerates but it is filled with quaint establishments ringing of history and culture. The House of Blues Boston is an intricate part of this community and its history. People meet and chat while musical notes float on the air of food and conversation. The House of Blues Boston welcomes visitors and residents, new and old to this city that plays host to education and culture.
Brighton Apartments are placed in a convenient setting. Close to shops and local places to eat. These apartments are within steps of the busy after hour spots including the House of Blues Boston. Starting out in the city of Cambridge, the House of Blues Boston is the place for meeting friends. Sit and listen to the mix of jazz, rock, and blues. Talk about the day’s activities and make plans for the future.
Not far away you will find Boston University Apartments and Fenway Apartments; favorites with students attending college in the area. Northeastern University Apartments offer many variations on apartment living, very convenient with great opportunities for social activities. Apartment Allston are lovely rentals with many additives; apartments with fireplaces, wood flooring and great locations. This quaint town with redbrick streets that whisper the first Congress is meeting is a wonderful place to live and study. Brighton Apartments are located in a great area granting easy access to transportation and college facilities.
When you’re a broke college student, Boston can be a tough place to live because it is so expensive and there are so many fun things you want to do in the city, but there never seem to be enough money for it all. Boston college apartments are notoriously pricey, but with some creativity, you can make living in and enjoying Boston work, even on a really tight budget.
One of the best tricks is to find a couple of roommates from your school to help you share the cost of living. Once you’re looking together for Boston University housing or Allston apartments, you can split not only the rent, but also the utilities. This adds up to significant savings for all of you, plus it’s more fun because you always have some friends around.
After that, the other main thing you can do is to look a little further away from the usual housing spots. Head a few blocks out and see your rent drop dramatically. For example, rather than looking for Boston College housing right off campus, search for Brighton apartments in general. As long as you have a bike to get around, you’ll hardly notice the extra distance, but your budget will definitely see the difference.
Beyond just the tips related to college apartments Boston students can use several other strategies to stretch their budgets. For example, rather than eating in the cafeteria on campus or in restaurants nearby, shop at the grocery store for basic staples and prepare them yourself in your apartment kitchen. You can also keep your thermostat at a reasonable temperature to minimize your cost on utilities. Just a few degrees can make a big difference, especially in the winter.
Boston is a vibrant city that takes pride in its multifaceted music scene. There are a lot of neighborhoods in Boston that are conveniently close to college campuses, as well as lively music clubs. When looking for apartments in the Boston area, it is great to know that there are so many music clubs with fantastic live bands to check out when you are ready for some excitement. The music scene caters to all musical tastes, so the Boston clubs have something for everyone. Although there are a ton of great clubs in Boston, here are 5 of the hottest live music clubs, along with additional info on apartments that are near them.
O’Brien’s Pub- O’Brien’s Pub is located in the countercultural neighborhood of Allston. Near many Allston Ma apartments, O’Brien’s Pub serves as a platform for new and established artists. The venue features live bands that cover all genres and styles of music for all to appreciate. The club is conveniently located near many restaurants, antique stores and music gear shops, making the neighborhood of Allston a great moving destination with lots to offer. The O’Brien Pub is located at 3 Harvard Avenue, Allston MA 02134-Phone 617- 782-6245
Great Scott- Great Scott is a music club that hosts live music, as well as DJ events. They are also located in Allston, which is good to know when looking for Allston apartments. The venue is open to all creative artists and musicians that want to perform live. Great Scott was mostly known for showcasing Ska and cover bands, but has since transitioned over to a more Indie and underground crowd. This venue gives back to the community by holding various fundraisers and benefits, such as the yearly Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless.Great Scott is located at 1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston MA 02134-Phone 617-566-9014
The Cantab Lounge-Whether you’re looking for apartments in Cambridge or Harvard University apartments, this venue is conveniently located right in the neighborhood.The Cantab Lounge features an entertaining open mic night for aspiring singer-songwriters who want to showcase their talent. Other nights host Poetry Slams, Classic Soul night, bluegrass jam sessions and accomplished fiddlers, which makes this venue a very eclectic and unique live music club. The Cantab Lounge is located at 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139-Phone 617-354-2685.
T.T. the Bear’s Place-This venue has live music from local and national artist seven nights a week that range from rock to hip-hop. The small 270-capacity club has three stages, a restaurant, and an array of wonderful pool tables, for all around entertainment and enjoyment. Well known for its 80’s nights, the DJ spins a nice selection of old-school Indie Pop and New Wave music. This is a great music club to keep in mind if you are looking for Boston University housing, because it is also located right across the river from the school.T.T the Bear’s Place is located at 10 Brookline Street, Central Square, Cambridge MA 02139-Phone 617-492-0082
Club Passim-Another live music club that is located near a variety of Boston University apartments, is Club Passim. Considered mostly as a jazz and folk club, this venue has seen the likes of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. The club also is behind the Passim School of Music, which teaches musician and songwriting classes to over 500 students a year. Club Passim is located at 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge MA 02138-Phone 617-492-5300
In 2000, five guys got together and thought it would be a hoot to get into the holiday spirit by running around Boston wearing only Santa hats and Speedos. The men ran through Newbury Street, a part of Boston known for its high-end stores, carrying a boombox playing the Muppets Christmas Carols. Surprised to see what a positive reaction they garnered from the crowd, this became the unofficial first Santa Speedo Run in Boston.
Charitable Causes
Over the years, the number of runners has increased exponentially. The 2011 Santa Speedo Run expects to attract hundreds of runners. Each participant enlists sponsors in order to raise money for charities that help children. Charities in the past that received money from the Boston event include the Play Ball Foundation, Cradles to Crayons, the September 11th Children’s Fund and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Area Participants
Runners come from all areas of the city. Participants arrive from Boston University apartments, Brighton rentals and Allston Apartments. Running groups are formed in Brighton apartments and Fenway apartments. Put up signs in your development to see if anyone would be interested in raising money for this worthy cause.
Registration
To get started, register as an individual or a team online through the Santa Speedo Run website. You can join a team or run on your own. Besides paying the $30 registration fee, you must commit to a fundraising goal of at least $400. Donations can be made online or given directly to you.
Don’t forget to read over the waivers and cancellation agreements before you register. The waiver acknowledges the potential dangers associated with running in only your bathing suit in freezing cold conditions. Other hazards include tripping, slipping on icy roadways and getting hit by a vehicle as you cross roadways. You also agree to provide the charity with adequate notice if you plan to cancel. The run only allows a maximum of 500 participants and keeps a waitlist in case of cancellations.
Required Attire
What do you wear? No shrinking violets in this humorous event. A Speedo like bathing suit is required to run in the event. However, keep those thongs at home. No need to flash the crowds of holiday shoppers. Besides the swimsuit, runners wear a Santa hat or beard and sneakers. Bring along a bag to change into warmer clothes once the run is done. Also, don’t forget to bring along your registration paperwork and any donations you’ve collected.
Event Details
You must be 21 to run in the event and the festivities kick off at 10 am on December 10, 2011 when the doors open at Lir Tavern at 903 Boylston Street in Boston. After check-in and plenty of time to gather some liquid courage, the run begins at 1 pm. The one-mile jog heads down Boylston Street until the runners reach Berkeley Street. Newbury Street is used as the return route and participants finish back at the Lir Tavern. The post-run party starts at 1:30 pm and continues into the wee hours of the night.
Students in college apartments in Boston will not regret getting involved in this exciting annual event. The drinks flow freely as you get into the holiday spirit and raise money for a good cause. Expect to see some interesting swimwear and festive accessories as you race through the city. The fun doesn’t stop after the race as you get dressed and mingle at Lir Tavern.
Become a Fan
Follow Us
So you are on your way to Boston to attend college. While you’re getting ready for your new classes, you also have to consider where you will live. Will you being living in Boston University housing, or find a nice quiet neighborhood nearby and commute to classes? Will you be living alone, or share your BC apartment rentals with other tenants?
