Apartment Hunting Questions Boston Area (Malden, Peabody: apartments, leasing, condos)

[heather3]

I know there are areas in every town that many people don't feel safe and since I'm not from Mass. I'm hoping you can help with apartment hunting.
My husband is being transferred to Boston and will begin his job in March. The family will follow this summer and we'll move into a house. So, we only need an apartment from March-June. I've looked at the following areas, so if anyone could tell me if these are places to stay away from that'd be great! These places were chosen b/c we are looking at houses in those areas and/or they have flexible leasing options. If you know of a place I didn't list, I'd love to hear about them. Thanks!

Andover: Windsor Green and Andover Place
Malden: Quarrystone at Overlook Ridge
Peabody: Highlands at Dearborn

[tigerclaws]

apartmentratings.com would be a good site to look for feedback. That is what I have used in the past. Just a note that people with negative experience will post more feedback than the other way round.

[heather3]

Thanks! I haven't heard of that site before.

[greenduster]

Heather,
How did you go about finding rentals with flexible leasing options?

[heather3]

I googled just that term. And, the apartment in Peabody actually says on it's site they do 3,6,9 month lease rentals. I also looked on Apartments.com | Find Apartments for Rent, Houses, Condos and Townhomes | Rental Listings and looked at the notes under leasing to see if it said "flexible" or "12 months".

[tikaram]

heather, you can also look for "tenant at will" (you give landlord monthly notice if / when you need to move)