Renting a Loft in Boston Area (Lowell, Cambridge: apartments, rentals, lofts)

[Sean9]

I'm a Northeastern student looking to rent a loft apartment somewhere in the city or surrounding area but it's seemingly impossible to find so I turn to you folks for some assistance. Currently, I'm just looking for some precursory information or some places to look into before contacting any landlords or brokers but it's proving difficult. Buildings would be ideal but neighborhoods and areas within them would be useful too (I'm pretty familiar with most of them but more information definitely wouldn't hurt).

Just some further information...

A true loft would be ideal but not a necessity

I'm a student so I'm not made of money. Looking for it (ideally) to be less than $1000 per person (I will have roommates). So 1 bedroom/studio < $1000, 2 bed <$2000 and so on but I want a max of 4 people, one roommate would be best case scenario (so 2 bed).

I don't mind a long commute but I'm looking for the easiest possible. I would prefer public transportation but I can bring my car if it's an easy drive and there's easy parking.

The hipper the neighborhood the better but I don't expect Williamsburg (or even anything close - this is the lowest priority, I'm not expecting much). It's fine if it's a rough neighborhood.

I don't know if this is even possible or what the situation as far as lofts in Boston are like. I assumed there would be a lot of places in Chelsea and the likes (even though that would probably a bit too rough of a commute in practice) but I am having trouble finding anything at all. So far my best bet looked to be Oliver Lofts on Terrace St but it's pushing the upper limit of my budget, wouldn't mind seeing other places. Seems like there's also a lot of spots in Roslindale but I'm not super familiar with the area. How would the commute be? Geographically it seems like it shouldn't be too difficult. Thought there would be more in Roxbury to be honest.

Let me know if you need anymore information and I'll be happy to oblige.

[eevee]

Lofts aren't that common in Boston, especially in areas that would be considered "hip" and are popular with students. There are towns like Lowell, Lynn, and Chelsea that would have more lofts (esp. Lowell), but these aren't the best areas and the commute wouldn't be ideal. The commute from Roslindale wouldn't be impossible, depending on where in Roslindale you're looking at. If it's near the Roslindale commuter rail stop, you could take the commuter rail into Ruggles and be at school in about 15-20 minutes or less. Otherwise, you'd have to take the bus to the Forest Hills stop then hop on the Orange line. note, Roslindale is far from "hip", IMHO, and more popular with families than students

I also think your budget is a bit too low for a true loft apartment. Most studio/1 bedroom lofts are going for over $1500/month, based on some Craigslist ads I've seen. A lot of the "lofts" on CL are really just regular apartments with high ceilings, so there's the additional hassle of looking for legit lofts.

I'm sure you have your reasons for lofts, but I'd warn you now that they are INCREDIBLY expensive to heat properly. If heat is not included in the rent, be prepared to pay as much as 50-100% of your rent towards heat. I'm not sure where you're coming from or if you're already in Boston, but be mindful of how cold it gets in the winter

[Sean9]

Like I said it doesn't have to be in a hip area. I'm well aware that my budget forces me farther away from many (any) of the hubs. The few that I've found that are not in Boston proper or a little ways from downtown have mostly been within my budget. Oliver Lofts is really convenient, true loft and within my budget - I find it hard to believe that's the only place.

Lynn and Lowell and the likes are a bit too much of a commute. If I had to commute I would much rather commute from the south than the north.

I am from Rhode Island but have lived in Boston the past few years. I know the winters well but still definitely appreciate the warnings about the heat.

[shiver]

Piano Craft Guild - Loft Apartments in Boston's South*End

The Piano Craft Guild lofts are on Tremont St. near Northeastern. It's Tremont St. on the Northeastern side (not the South End side) so it's a little grittier of a neighborhood than you'd on Tremont across Mass Ave. I believe there are undergrad students there too.

There are some lofts on Harrison St. in the South End, but those are pricey. Also there are lofts the Seaport District/South Boston, the Glass Factory Lofts in Cambridge and at least one building in Charlestown. There are some in Dorchester as well (e.g., The Chocolate Factory Lofts). The problem is that lofts are trendy and often pretty expensive. Some of the buildings are condos so you have to be on the look out for rentals.

[TX transplant]

I live in a loft (old converted factory) in Lynn and within a 20 mins commuter rail ride from North Station.

Our current rent is $1400 for a 2bdr/1bath in Central Sq, with everything nearby and within a 5-10 min walk to the beach (Lynn/Nahant).

I've returned from work very late at night with the last train without ever feeling threatened. The police presence is visible and constant which is always reassuring.

It's a very pleasant city with its ups and downs but I don't find it to be much different from Boston in that regard.

If you need suggestions, I could ask around. There are always lofts for rent here.

[Heyabbot]

What about the leather district near South Station? I remember going to a few loft parties down there years ago.