Looking for apartments in Boston (renters, buying a house, safe neighborhood)

[pegjud]

Moving to Boston in a couple of months, and already have an appointment set up with a renting agent to look. Am I locked into looking with this one agent, or can I go to different agencies and look with them? Not sure if you are locked into one like if you were buying a house. Thanks!

[Ozzie1]

Originally Posted by pegjud

Moving to Boston in a couple of months, and already have an appointment set up with a renting agent to look. Am I locked into looking with this one agent, or can I go to different agencies and look with them? Not sure if you are locked into one like if you were buying a house. Thanks!

You're only locked if you sign a contract so stating.

[seldomseen]

Don't bother using an agent to find an apartment in boston. Just goto craigslist. Keep in mind that 99% of the apartments are overpriced, miniscule, old, mediocre, junk!!! Don't think you will find anything new, or very nice within the $1,000 - $2,000 range!!! Boston's rental market is highway robbery, and one of the most mediocre I've seen. All of the "nice" apartments will typically exceed $3,000 per month!! lmao....

Good Luck!! and Don't give up!!

[Stockholmaren]

I wouldn't put it that harshly. We were just apartment-hunting and found a great place for 1350 that includes all utilities, about 1,000 sq ft, and quite nice I have to say. We did see 20 different places in a couple of days though, and most of them were not impressive, so hang in there and you'll find something to your liking!

[seldomseen]

I don't think I'm being harsh, I'm merely stating the harsh reality of the Boston rental market, and It seems that you're recent experience in apartment shopping supported my point 1 out of 20 isn't what I'd refer to as anything remotley close to good. This poster should be given the truth about the Boston apartment rental market.

It's pretty much common knowledge that Boston market for apartments isn't very stellar, in comparison to other major cities--especially for apartments in the $1,000-$2,000 range.

[Stockholmaren]

I didn’t say that only 1 out of 20 was good, you can only live in one apartment at the time, so we had to choose one. However, I would say that out of the 20 apartments we looked at 7-8 were good, and rest weren’t too impressive. These were all apartments within the 1,000-1,500 range. I’m sure most people are aware of the fact that Boston is a relatively expensive city and that isn’t as easy to find an apartment in the city. I also wouldn’t say that 99% of the apartments are overpriced, if people weren’t willing to pay the rent asked, the landlords would have to lower the rent, it’s all about supply and demand.

[seldomseen]

As a matter of fact rental prices in Boston have been dropping, and or landlords are offering concessions--just to get thier properties rented. Prices aren't always indicative of supply and demand all the time either. If people are will to pay the high prices, then people will ask for high rental prices; factors such as location, amenties, size, features, etc play a role in rental prices too. The bottom line pretty much is, that in Boston Metro $1,000-$2,000 really isn't going to afford a person anything really "nice". And this is primarily because the majority of rental properties in Boston are older tenament/row-housing types dwellings. Some of these type apartments have been nicely remodeled on the inside/outside, but the majority of them are just sheer yuck! lol Not knocking the Boston rental market...just stating the reality of it for the majority of renters in this market terrirtory.

[Zauberberg]

You want to try for Beacon Hill. More professionals, fewer students, safe neighborhood right in the center of town. You can get "nice" for around $2000, but yes, it will be a 'rowhouse.' John Kerry lives in one.

[seldomseen]

Just check out craigslist.com for apartments in Boston. The Boston apartment market sucks! Just about everything you that will be available will mainly be small, old, decrepid, overpriced apartments in crappy/seedy parts of town, that people consider sought-after! lol Consider getting an apartment in an abutting town outside of Boston...the rents will be cheaper, and you will have a better chance at getting more for you money too.