What to look out for while apt hunting in/around Boston (hardwood floors, apartments)

[nesu]

Hi there,

Thin walls (bad sound proofing) is a common problem to look out for in SF Bay Area apartments, particularly in older buildings and/or in buildings with hardwood floors. Is there a similar issue in Boston?

Anything else to look out for?

If I move out to Boston, it would also be my first time living with snow and humid summers. How does that change the way you look for a home?

Thanks very much for your help.

[missionhill]

Boston is full of older buildings of wood-frame or wood and brick bearing wall construction. The walls aren't so thin, usually, but the sound carries easily through the wooden floors to the unit below. This is especially true in the many wood-frame two and three-family houses, also originally single-family houses now subdivided into apartments. Something to consider...

[eevee]

some general tips from me:

-if you are looking at apartments in a triple decker (common in Boston), always choose the 3rd floor apartment if possible. 1st floor can be a security risk in some neighborhoods, tend to be smaller than the upper floors due to stair placement, and you won't have a private deck like the upper floors may have; 2nd floor is hell-the folks upstairs will be making a ton of noise and the folks downstairs will accuse you of making too much noise; 3rd floor offers less noise, private deck if the building has them (though in some buildings, the 3rd floor deck may not have a roof, exposing it to rain/snow) and even a bit of storage option at the top of the stairs (so long as the stairs themselves aren't blocked. it's a good place to put a bike though). it's warmer in the summer though, so prepare the AC

-avoid electric and oil heated apartments if you have to pay for heat. from what I've heard, these two are the costliest to heat in the winter. in fact, always try to get a place w/ heat included (prepare to pay more in rent and for that luxury though, not to mention the competition you'll face)

-make sure you aren't being overcharged in deposits. You'll need to find the exact wording online, but in MA, if I remember correctly, the total deposits can't exceed more than 3x the rent (so basically first, last, and security deposit all equal to the monthly rent). don't believe realtor fees count in this, so again, you'll need to track down the exact wording of that law

-make sure snow/ice removal by landlord is listed in your lease and make sure they clear the walkways when it snows