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Archive for the ‘Massachusetts Institute of Technology apartments’ Category

Save money on apartment utility bills, go green! You’ve probably heard about all the wonderful things that homeowners can do to “go green” and save money on their utility bills, from putting in a tankless water heater to adding rooftop solar panels. Those answers are fine for someone who has a house, but what if you live in a Boston apartment? From the Allston apartments to Boston University apartments, it doesn’t matter where you live–there are things you can do to save money and go green.

So if you’re living in Boston university housing, you’re probably wondering what you can possibly do to go green. How about unplugging unused appliances and electronic devices? Some estimates indicate that as much as 10% of the average household’s energy bill is the result of the drain of appliances that are off, but plugged in. Try grouping your devices onto power strips and turning those strips off at night. Turning off lights in rooms that you are not in can also help trim the energy bill.

Odds are if you’re living in a Fenway apartment, your landlord isn’t going to let you change to more energy efficient windows, but he may let you put up your own window treatments. Nice energy efficient drapes can keep your apartment cooler in summer and warmer in winter. One thing landlords will usually help with is repairs, and fixing a leaky faucet can save you a lot on your water bill.

Finally, most modern apartments like Allston apartments or Brighton rentals will have a programmable thermostat, but if they don’t it’s worthwhile to get permission and install one. The added control can save you big on your heating bill. It can be difficult to go green while living in an apartment, but it’s not impossible!

Tips to get your apartment gleaming.Spring is almost here, and with it comes the need for spring cleaning. If you live in Boston College Housing, Boston University Housing, Fenway Apartments, Brighton Apartments or Northeastern University Apartments, you may also be required to clean your apartment based on the terms of your lease. There are a few easy things you can do in a short amount of time to get your apartment in tip-top shape this spring.

Windows

Cleaning the windows will instantly brighten up your apartment. Use a good glass cleaner, or if you are on a budget, vinegar and newspaper are an old-school method that does the job nicely. Clean the windows thoroughly, then go back over with a clean paper towel or sheet of newspaper to remove streaks.

Walls

Wipe down walls with warm soapy water, and use a stain remover on any marks or stains. This is a great way to freshen up your apartment if you lack the time or money to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls.

Floors

Rent a carpet shampooer for your carpets if you have them. If you have hardwood, tile or linoleum floors, use a bucket of warm soapy water with a clean mop and remove all dirt. Let the area dry well. This will brighten up your apartment instantly.

Clutter

Remove all clutter from surfaces and put belongings in their places. Shred old paperwork and throw away or recycle old newspapers, magazines, phone books and other items. This makes your apartment seem larger and cleaner. Use accent pieces sparingly and decorate with a few well-placed throw pillows or rugs.

There are many things you can do with very little time or money investment to clean your apartment. Enjoy your spring!

Featured community - Cambridge MA apartmentsCambridge, Massachusetts takes its name from England’s renowned University of Cambridge. It is fitting, considering this Cambridge is home to its own respected schools of learning, Harvard University and neighboring Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The area has a youthful vibe and there is a passion for the great outdoors. Bike pathways along the Charles River take in views of the busy harbor and historic Boston on the far shore. The Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path overlooks Harvard Stadium and some of the nearby Boston university apartments.

Students often find Boston college housing and then commute to Cambridge. A good percentage of Cambridge residents walk to work or school. The Weeks Bridge is pedestrian only and spans the Charles River, connecting Boston with Cambridge at the foot of Dewolfe Street.

Cultural endeavors abound in Cambridge and throughout the Boston area. Museums include the Fogg Art Museum and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology, both on the Harvard campus. Collections of public art, such as the large bi-plane-like rotating sculpture called “Gift of the Wind” are a common site on campus and throughout city streets. Some Boston college apartments and Cambridge-side residences have these artistic treasures within steps of the front door.

Catch a football game at Nickerson Field, home to the Boston University Boston Terriers or watch the Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. Both of these sports venues are an easy ride or drive from Cambridge. Some of the Fenway apartments are a draw for students and the young at heart.

On the Cambridge side of the Charles River, Allston apartments offer living space near trendy restaurants with names like Basta Pasta and Alive & Kicking Lobsters. The main Harvard campus is just a few blocks north and MIT is to the south, fronting the Charles River.

Cambridge has several “squares” rather than one downtown core. One of the busiest is Harvard Square, not only because of the university but because it holds the largest shopping area in Cambridge and is a major Red Line transfer point. Inman Square in Mid-Cambridge is party central, home to restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and boutiques. The area has a Victorian flair, dressed up with period street lights and strategically placed park benches. Inman Square even features an old fashioned ice cream parlor.

Take a tour at Boston's Harpoon BreweryAnyone who has attended Boston University or the nearby Newton Campus of Boston College will agree that he got much of his education after class. Both campuses are located close to one of the most sophisticated cities in America.  An area that teams with fascinating things to see and do. Those who live in Suffolk University apartments or Berklee  apartments are fortunate to be near Chinatown, the Theatre District and, of course, just a short cab ride to the famous Harpoon Brewery.

The Harpoon Brewery is within blocks of several South Boston apartments which provide great UMass housing opportunities for students. When you get some time away from the books, take a ride down to this famous brewery. They love visitors and will happily give you a tour of the place.

The brewery is only open for tours on the weekend and visitors are encouraged to get their tickets early, because the tours sell out fast. That’s right, this place is so popular that you have to buy a ticket to get in. Saturday tours begin at 10:30 a.m., and a group is allowed in to start their tour every half hour until 5 p.m. However, the tickets are often sold out by 2 p.m. On Sundays, tours launch every half hour from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. While you are waiting for your turn, you can visit the nearby Institute of Contemporary Art or lounge at a neighborhood pub or restaurant.

Tickets for the tour are $5.00, and the cost is well worth it. Your guide will take you through the brewery and explain each step in the beer-making process. No brewing or bottling is actually taking place on the weekend, but that gives you a chance to get close to the equipment. The best part is at the end where, if you are over 21, you are given a free souvenir glass and invited to indulge in some of the frothy stuff you just learned about.

Tasters are given samples of Harpoon’s two premium brands: UFO and Harpoon. Harpoon does not have an open bar; the tasting is part of the tour. It is narrated so that you will acquire a better understanding of what you are drinking. You will learn to appreciate the flavor of fine beer and to tell the difference in quality.

The tasting room is spacious and can accommodate up to 80 people at a time. It features a Brewhouse platform overlooking the brewery. For those who wish to see the factory in operation, Harpoon encourages visitors to come to their weekday tastings held Monday through Fridays at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. These events are free and include complimentary samples of Harpoon and UFO beers. These samplings are also narrated, and include a history of Harpoon and an explanation of the brewing process. Free beer is, of course, very popular with the local college crowd, so come early.

Whether you are taking the tour, or attending a tasting, Harpoon encourages anyone who can to come by public transit since parking spaces in the area are limited. This is convenient for those who are fortunate enough to live in the vicinity. If you want to be a part of the downtown culture of this vibrant, exciting city, browse through available  Boston neighborhood apartments through Warren Rentals and contact one of our expert real estate agents today!

Bike sharing programs have already been successfully used in major European cities for many years.  It is surprising that none have arisen in a city as bike-friendly as Boston until now.  Officially operational since July 28, 2011, The New Balance Hubway is Boston’s bike share program. Bike-sharing is a great option for students, commuters, tourists, and anyone looking for a casual day-activity.

Boston New Balance HubwayHow does it Boston’s New Balance Hubway work?

It’s easy for anyone to ride! Just go to a Hubway terminal, which are located all over Boston’s Downtown area, and follow the instructions at the terminal or insert your membership key.  A bike will be released from one of the slots at the Hubway terminal.  You can ride it for as long as you like, although it may cost extra to use it for an extended period of time.  When you are finished, you can deposit the bike back into any empty slot at any Hubway terminal.  It will automatically lock the bike into the terminal and you are done!

How much does it cost to use Boston’s New Balance Hubway?

If you intend to use the Hubway for regular transportation, you will probably want to get a membership, which includes a bike-release key that allows you to unlock bikes instantly without using the terminal.  The membership will eventually cost $85/year, however New Balance Hubway is currently offering an introductory rate of $60/year. Without the yearly membership, riders can get a “Casual 3 day” pass for $12 or a “Casual 24 hour” pass for $5.

Boston New Balance Hubway Station MapEach time that you release a bike for use, the first 30 minutes are free, but your credit card will be charged extra for every 30 minutes after that, and it’s not cheap.  With a casual membership, it costs $2 for the second 30 minutes, $4 for riding from an hour to an hour and a half, and $8 for every half hour beyond that.  Extra time is cheaper for those with registered yearly memberships, but not by too much.  The good news: Hubway stations are very easy to find if you are riding in the Downtown area of Boston, and if  you simply re-insert a bike into a Hubway station and take another out every 30 minutes, you can ride free as long as your membership permits!

The New Balance Hubway is a cool, fun, new part of Boston, so go check it out today!  It may just be the way you get around the city from now on.

Don’t live somewhere where you can take advantage of Boston’s Hubway?  Maybe you need a new apartment or condo closer to the action. Contact Warren Rentals today for information or help finding the perfect home for you!

Fall in Boston is punctuated by the thousands of college students that return to the city for another school year. Thursday evening the Museum of Fine Arts opened its doors to all of these young people with its annual “College Night.”

College Night at the MFA in Boston

A Night of Fun, Food, and Art!

Music blared from the steps of this iconic building as masses of college students from around the area flooded its doors.

Tempting poor college students with free food from Chipotle and Pinkberry was just one way the museum lured hundreds of young Boston residents to come and experience all the fine art that the MFA has to offer. The event also featured live music and activities throughout the evening and, of course, art!

Although there were no exact numbers, the event appeared to have a great turnout which bodes well in the mind of Herbert Jones, the museum’s coordinator for volunteer and intern programs. He hopes that students had a memorable experience and that they will want to return to the museum throughout the year. “I want this to be a resource for students,” he said. “I want it to be a destination in the school year.”

Boston is a great place for college students to experience cultures from around the world – the MFA is one of these great cultural hubs in the city. If you want to experience all that Boston has to offer contact a Warren Rentals agent today to help find the perfect apartment for you!

So you’re moving into an apartment with all of your friends?  Great!  However, there are some things you should think of before or as you move in that most students overlook.

As Soon as you Arrive to your new student apartment…

  • Student Apartment Move In DayCheck the condition of the house. Make sure that everything is satisfactory and matches the contract.  This includes cosmetic aspects such as clean walls and floors that are in good repair.  It also includes functional elements.  Make sure that all of the appliances and fixtures are working properly.
  • Report any damage or unexpected conditions to your landlord immediately.
  • If you are paying for your own utilities, check the meter readings.  Contact the utilities companies and give them the meter readings and the date you moved in.  This can save you from paying for extra days of utilities that you did not use.  Also, if you are splitting utilities between roommates, give the names of all of the members of your apartment to the utilities companies as well.
  • Locate the gas and water shutoffs. This can save lives in an emergency, or save your stuff and a huge hassle when a pipe bursts and floods the whole apartment.
  • Create at least some kind of a fire escape plan.  Understand the different places you can enter and exit the apartment.  Make sure than any windows appropriate for use as fire escapes are not painted or screwed shut.
  • Ensure that all of the windows that can be opened also have locks, especially if you are on the ground floor.  Contact your landlord immediately if any of the windows cannot lock.

This checklist should help make your time in your student apartment safer and easier.  Have a great school year!

Don’t have an apartment yet? Check out the great listings on WarrentRentals.com or contact WarrenRentals today!

Stay Cool and Save Money!

This summer has been an especially hot one, and it’s only expected to get worse.  If you are lucky enough to have an air conditioner, you have probably been coping with the heat, but you have also probably noticed a hefty spike in your utility bill.  There are many ways to reduce and even eliminate your need for AC without living uncomfortably.

Fans and Ceiling Fans

A Ceiling fan left can reduce the temperature of a room by 6-7 degrees.  Also, if left on for 12 hours a day everyday, a ceiling fan will only add about $10 to your monthly bill.  Even if you still want to use your AC, you can at least turn the thermostat up 7 degrees and save a lot more than $10 a month.  Portable fans are also a great idea and can be aimed right at you for maximum cooling, but ceiling fans are the most efficient way to cool an entire room.  Note: During the summer, ceiling fans should be set to push air downward.

Boston Heat WaveShades, Drapes, or Blinds

Using shades, drapes, or blinds reflects light away from your condo or apartment that would otherwise help heat the interior.  The only cost of these items is purchase and installation, the upkeep is free! You might be very surprised just how much cooler a room or even your whole house can be with the blinds drawn even halfway.

Reduce Internal Heating

A lot of heat in your condo or apartment may be coming from inside rather than outside.  Electronics, especially computer and AV equipment, can heat up a room very quickly.  Activities like cooking and using appliances also can heat up a room significantly.  Try and minimize your use of appliances and electronics during the hottest hours of the day.

Strategic Plants/Shading

If your air conditioning unit is in direct sunlight or a hot place, it has to work much harder to cool air.  Do everything you can to keep your air conditioning unit cool, and you may notice a drop in your utilities bill.  For a standalone outdoor air conditioner, try placing plants nearby to shade it without blocking its airflow.  For a window-mounted AC unit, try installing a small awning above the window.

Can’t get cool enough?  Maybe you need a new condo or apartment.  Contact Warren Rentals today!

If you have an apartment in an urban area like Boston, space can be a hot commodity.  It is often difficult to furnish an apartment tastefully without crowding the available space.  Here are some tricks to boost the feeling of spaciousness in your apartment:

Armless Furniture

Armrests on couches or chairs divide space and close their piece of furniture off from the rest of the room.  Armless furniture is more open to the rest of the room.  The feeling that the furniture can be accessed from all sides makes the entire area seem more accessible as well.

Lose the Armrests and Save Space with Shallow ShelvesShallow Shelves

Rather than mounting standard shelves on your walls that are approximately a foot deep, mount shelves that are just a few inches deep.  They still serve most basic practical purposes, and they do not cut into the room as much.  Try setting pictures on them that lean against the wall as a clever way to decorate your space.

Multipurpose Ottomans

It is very easy to find fashionable ottomans that double as storage and/or a coffee table.  This is a simple way to eliminate another small piece of furniture only needed for storage, such as an end-table.  Even if you do not have furniture that a storage-ready ottoman can replace, it can be an easy way to cover up clutter that complicates the room.

Mirrors

A well-placed mirror can create the illusion of increased space.  In a way, mirrors make it seem that there is a whole other room that can be looked into.  A mirror placed between two bookcases create a subconscious feeling of an added window.

Lighting

Make sure that the room is evenly and sufficiently lit.  Ample lighting opens up a space.  If your apartment suffers from a lack of light, you could replace current bulbs with higher wattage ones.  Adding lights is often helpful.  If you are not allowed to install or change built-in overhead lighting in your apartment, look for space-efficient floor or surface lamps.

Still not enough space?

Maybe you just need a new place!  Contact Warren Rentals for information about apartment listings in the Boston area.

Those on the cutting edge of fashion can be divided into two categories.  On one side is the world of runways, models, designers, posh parties, glamour, and exclusivity; on the other are those who pride themselves on their good taste and ability to dress themselves with unique combinations of styles from any number of different sources.  There is an almost hostile polarity between the multi-millionaire fashion designer and the college student that struggles paying their apartment’s rent.  While neither side would ever willingly admit it, both receive significant inspiration from the other.  The world’s top designers are constantly influenced by emerging trends caused by knowledgeable fashion hunters.  The latter, the everyday connoisseurs of chic, often look to second-hand or vintage clothing shops when bolstering their wardrobe.  And any one of them can tell you that Boston’s Allston and Brighton areas are a favorite spot for vintage shopping.  These shops may just have that perfect piece from the perfect era hidden somewhere among the racks.  In this post, we will look at some of Allston and Brighton’s hippest locations to search for some low-priced trendy treasure.

Urban Renewals Vintage Store in Allston, Boston
Urban Renewals – 122 Brighton Ave

A favorite of Boston College and Boston University students, Urban Renewals may be the biggest vintage shop in the Allston/Brighton area.  The store features a massive clothing selection in addition to many other super-discounted house wares and other goods.  The only negative of Urban Renewals may be that the sheer size of their inventory might make the true gems a bit harder to find, but for a true vintage shopper, the hunt is the best part.


Cheap Chic
– 116 Harvard Ave

Cheap Chic has a huge selection of used goods, most of which are marked down to pennies on the dollar of their original price.  This store makes for a great treasure-hunt experience.  Rack after rack of old clothing may just have that perfect jacket or dress for just a few dollars.  Cheap Chic is a must-visit for experienced fashion seekers and casual bargaineers alike.

At the Buzzer Shoes and Hats in Boston's Allston/Brighton area
At The Buzzer – 81 Harvard Ave

At The Buzzer, often referred to as ATB, focuses on vintage sports-related hats and shoes.  The friendly and helpful employees are well known for their knowledge of sportswear.  If you want the coolest hat or shoes of all your friends, you want to check ATB.  And don’t forget the best part, items here are going to be much cheaper than shopping at a department or brand name store.


Vintage Revenge
– 1105 Mass. Ave

Vintage Revenge takes pride in ensuring that its inventory is impeccably cleaned and restored.  In addition to a large women’s clothing selection, you will find a good selection of suits, tuxes, dress shoes, and other types of apparel that most vintage shops may only carry in small amounts.  If you need some formal apparel and you are on a budget, or if you want to find a suit too snazzy to be made today, Vintage Revenge is the store for you.
Allston and Brighton’s selection of vintage shops adds to the already funky and hip feeling of the neighborhood.  The neighborhood’s young attitude also comes from the many Boston University students that dwell in the areas apartments.   If you are interested in renting your own trendy Allston Apartment, contact a Warren Rentals real estate agent today!

Warren Rentals | 138 Newbury St., 4th Floor | Boston MA 02116 | Tel: 800-279-4728, Fax: 617-247-1020 | Email: contact@warrenrentals.com

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