Recommendations for rentals (Boston, Newton, Arlington: apartments, condo, townhouse)

[mlm2]

I am starting a job downtown Boston this fall and I am starting to look for rentals now. We are willing to move anytime after 4/1. I have 2 kids, one in elementary school and one in preschool, so we are looking for a place with 2+ bedrooms 1.5+ baths, preferably 1500+ sq ft. Budget is $2200-2700/month. I've been looking for a couple of months, but there isn't much on the market and the things that come up that I do like move quickly. We are AA so we prefer something that is more diverse. We are in Belmont now, but have outgrown our unit and don't feel the need to stay locally. Ideally, we are looking for something with a 30-45 minute commute downtown. We prefer metro west or south of Boston, but there is so little out there that I'm wondering if we need to wait of take something that's more expensive than we'd like before prices get even higher. We would like something that has a bit of yard and prefer a single family or a townhouse.

So far, I've been looking in the following towns: Belmont, Milton, Arlington, Winchester, Needham, Wellesley, Newton, and Sharon. We liked Sharon, but the commute would be too far for my husband. Milton seems great but there just isn't a lot out there and what is there is pricier than I'd like such as http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent..._zm/?3col=true

Should we be waiting a month or two? Will rentals start to come on the market in the late spring/early summer?

[ladyalicemore]

There will be MA RE experts here who will know much more, but it occurs to me as a college teacher that students, as they move away in the summer (having graduated) may open up the rental markets a bit in the Boston area starting in April/May/June?

I am looking at rentals in the Boston area, too, and agree the selection is limited in many of the nicer towns.

[timberline742]

I see no reason to wait. Good rentals get snatched up fast no matter the season. I always tell people to be prepared to write a deposit check on the spot when viewing apartments.

[kingeorge]

There will be usual flood of rentals starting in March or April. That being said, good places do tend to go quickly. If you see something that you like jump immediately.

Good luck.