most affordable (rent) commuter rail towns? (Boston, Quincy: real estate, apartments, rental)

[abostonmama]

Hello,

I'm currently looking for a job, and my husband commutes to Boston via the commuter rail. We also have a new baby that puts us over the occupancy rules for our current one bedroom rental in Natick. We're looking to move to a less expensive rental, hopefully within walking distance of a commuter rail, and stay for a year or so until I find a new job. Any ideas? We wouldn't really feel comfortable paying more than 1200 per month for a 2 bed, around 1000 per month would be much better.

Also, is this the kind of apartment search I should have a broker for? I've never worked with one before.

Thanks so much!

[unit731]

You don't state where you currently live nor what your current rent is.

Somerville is rated one of the nicest cities to live in presently. Many two/three family homes for rent.

[Bostonmania]

Yeah she did. she said she lived in a one BR apartment in Natick.

[mmyk72]

I've been looking for a apt at or under 1200 and it's not easy unless you move out further than Natick. Also many at that price don't incl heat, which adds 300 easily to the winter months.

You may try Norwood and Walpole, which have commuter rail service and are relatively cheaper in rent compared to other towns. Also try Stoughton and Quincy.

[SoFresh99]

Waltham is 20ish minutes to North Station and v. affordable.

[tikaram]

do a basic search on craigslist. Put in your budget (1200 rent) and size of apt (2 br), then run a search. You will see which towns come up, and what types of places are offered.

You can certainly work with a real estate agent, but in this case there is a finder's fee involved, that is usually a months rent. Some times, the landlord pays the fee to the agent (and these apartments can be found on cl in "no fee" section). If the landlord does not want to pay the fee, then tenant is responsible for it, and these apartments can be found in "apartments broker fee" section. In some cases, landlords are willing to split the fee with the tenant, where you pay half month to the broker, and landlord pays half months to the broker.


First narrow down your choice of towns, then search cl yourself, or find a rental agency in that town and work with them.
Waltham is a good suggestion, by the way. I would also recommend looking at jamaica plain.