Boston First-Time Home Buyers
Finding Your Place In South Boston
When shopping for Boston apartments for rent, you must start by choosing the neighborhoods you like the best. Boston has over 21 distinct districts, each with their own cultural and social atmosphere. South Boston was primarily home to Irish immigrants during the 1800s and 1900s, but now attracts a diverse group of professionals and families. Southie, as the area is called by residents, is home to some of the oldest and most historical Boston apartments in the city.
One of the biggest events in South Boston is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Each year in March, thousands of groups work hard to create beautiful floats for the parade. If you choose the right location, you will be able to watch the parade go by from the balcony of your Boston rental property. Since the neighborhood is built on an isthmus that juts out into the bay, there are plenty of Boston homes for sale or rent that overlook the water. The waterfront area is also home to convention centers, high end shopping establishments and the new Institute for Contemporary Art.
The first building to receive gold LEED certification in Boston is also located in Southie. The Macallen Building is full of beautiful and well-appointed condos, but it is not the only new residential development focused on energy efficiency. The city has invested in Boston property management in the neighborhood with the purchase of unused warehouse space, which will be converted into residential and work areas. If you’re a history buff, the Revolutionary war fort on Castle Island will give you a great place to explore on the weekends. South Boston has something to offer anyone that chooses to rent one of the Boston apartments in this neighborhood.
Boston City Snow Regulations: What You Need To Know
If you are looking to move into the Boston area, but you are unsure what to expect or where to begin your search, allow this to be your guide to searching for an apartment. Searching for an apartment can be a tedious task and one some people do not look forward to. You are stuck having to search different areas to try to find the best one to fit your needs, and wants. It doesn’t have to be as painful of an experience as you would think; allow me to explain how you can make the process as simple as possible.
There are loads of Boston apartments for rent at any given moment. You can scroll through the Internet and choose which Boston apartments have the features that you are looking for in your new home. You want to make sure that you are going to be content and satisfied with everything the community has to offer. Once you know what communities have the amenities you are looking for, you can begin calling them to see if they have availability. Most of the complexes will also be able to send you something through email, so you can get pictures and other information before deciding to make a visit to the community.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of having to call everyone yourself, you could always go through one of the Boston property management companies. They would handle everything for you and give you all the possibilities for Boston rental property that meet your needs and expectations. They take all of the guesswork out of searching for your new home and make it as simple as possible. Locators do everything from making the phone calls, to scheduling you a tour of the property. The best part of this whole thing is that many of them do not charge you anything out of pocket. What more could you ask for? You get to go about your normal everyday life and they do all of the hard work for you. Nothing could be more beneficial to you as the consumer.
Another option is to look into some of the Boston homes for sale. There are multiple real estate companies that can assist you in finding the perfect home for you in Boston. Beacon Real Estate may be able to guide you through some of the properties around town and help you to find what you are looking for in no time. Another great real estate company is Brookline Real Estate. Both of the companies will be able to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and information to help you make an informed decision and choose the best option for your situation. Some of the real estate companies will also have access to rental properties in Boston.
You will never have to worry about the snow in Boston because the City of Boston works all year long preparing for the winter months. They gear up to make sure that their residents are safe and free from the cold snow and ice. The City of Boston tries to make sure that everyone looks out for their neighbors, especially if they are disabled or elderly. Everyone does what they can to make this town one of the best to live in. There are plenty of snow removal crews around town to make sure that you are provided with the best possible commute during the winter months.
It doesn’t matter what type of place you are looking to rent because there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Take the time to check out the local real estate companies, apartment locators and online for your next Boston apartment. You are sure to find the home of your dreams when you come to Boston to live. There is plenty to do and lots of places to see. You will never be bored in your new Boston apartment.
The South End. A Boston Neighborhood
The South End is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts that has a diverse background in culture and the arts. Historical single-family row houses are common in this area. The Victorian brownstones, which were built in the 1800’s, are part of the largest Victorian urban residential area in the United States. The South End has an abundance of restaurants featuring international cuisine, shops, boutiques, and art galleries, making this a fun and eclectic neighborhood to reside in.
There are many resources available to find Boston apartments for rent. Various Boston real estate and rental assistance companies can help in finding the perfect South End apartment. They have extensive databases to assist in locating the right property. A lot of properties are located on Tremont Street or surrounding it, so restaurants, bars and theaters are in walking distance.
One of the venues located on Tremont Street is the Boston Center for the Arts. Various galleries, art studios, exhibitions, and live performances are housed here. Tremont Street is considered to be Boston’s Restaurant Row. There is a classic oyster bar that offers take-out, as well as private dining. Picco is an Italian restaurant that also serves different varieties of ice cream as a specialty. Tremont 647, Addis Red Sea, and Hamersley’s Bistro are just a few of the many other delicious dining establishments on Tremont. There are also fantastic restaurants that extend beyond Tremont and into the surrounding area on Shawmut Avenue and Washington Street.
The Sowa Open Market is an outdoor indie and art market on nearby Harrison Avenue. Farmers, vendors and artists all have individual booths that sell hand-made accessories, Indie clothing, art, paintings, jewelry, and most importantly, fresh food. They host many popular events in the neighborhood such as the Sowa Holiday Market, Sowa Winter Market and the Sowa Food Truck event.
Harrison Avenue is also home to many trendy art galleries. A lot of new artist have art displays and exhibits in some of the galleries. The Boston Sculptors Gallery is the best place to see contemporary art with a three-dimensional angle. The Chase Young Gallery is a newly opened art gallery that exhibits contemporary paintings and photography. The Samson Gallery introduces up and coming artist through exhibitions of abstract and contemporary art. Other modern galleries on Harrison Avenue are the Kingston Gallery, Jules Place Private Art Gallery, and the Howard Yezerski Gallery.
Scattered about between the areas of Tremont Street, Washington Street, and Shawmut Avenue, are tons of shops and boutiques. Boomerangs thrift stores offer a wide assortment of vintage, gently-used and new clothing and accessories. They also sell housewares, furniture and books that may be either new or used. Ars Libri is a seller of rare and out-of-print books that is located on Harrison Avenue. They have the largest collection of art books in this category. The books cover a wide spectrum of art, like art history and decorative arts. J.E.M. is another shop in this area that sells unique items such as furniture, art, jewelry and home décor, all from independent designers.
With so many choices in entertainment, dining, art and shopping, the South End in Boston is an ideal residential location. Whether it’s a Boston rental property or a South End condo, it will be in the middle of an exciting neighborhood that’s trendy and thriving.
Five Tips for Finding a Boston Apartment
Apartment tips 101
You have decided to find a new apartment in the Boston area. Now what? Where do you start? Finding the best Boston rental property depends on your price point, your social preferences and your transportation options.
Tip #1-Planning for your move.
Before you start looking at individual properties, make a list of the “must have” items for your new home. Decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms you must have in your new home. Do you need a garage? Do you need extra large closets? Do you prefer an upper floor or a lower floor?
This step should include all of the minimum requirements for Boston apartments or homes you will consider renting. It is a good idea to set budget limits during this planning stage, too. Also, define your move in window, which is your planned range of moving dates.
Tip #2-Choose your neighborhoods.
Select two or three neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle. Read local real estate blogs or reviews online to find a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle. Talk to friends at work or people who you have classes with to get their recommendation. Do some research. To get you started, here are a few pointers.
If you want to live near Boston Common, you might consider the Back Bay condo region. For $1800, you can get an apartment with paid utilities and easy access to the Copley T station.
If you want to live on the waterfront, looking for Boston apartments in the North End near the harbor are going to be more along your liking. Keep in mind that these areas are beautiful, but may be a little pricey for some college students and “twenty-somethings” just starting out in a new career.
South End real estate is affordable and offers many choices for shopping and dining. There are great places to eat and bars that offer a fun nightlife atmosphere. If you need easy access to public transportation, South End and Allston apartments are great choices.
Somerville, in the Davis Square area, is known as a “hip and happening” neighborhood. Most residents are in their mid-twenties to early thirties. This is a safe, affordable neighborhood with access to public transit. It has an artsy kind of atmosphere.
Tip #3-Contact a real estate agent or rental guide.
Working with a Boston rental property professional can save you time and money. Property managers, real estate agents and professional lease consultants all have insider information. These professionals can use your list (from step one) to find properties that fit your budget and your lifestyle. Working with a professional is faster than searching internet and newspaper ads. A lease consultant can put you in contact with decorators and give you tips on negotiating rental rates.
Tip#4-Look at several properties before you sign a lease.
Look at several apartments and then chose two or three that fit your lifestyle. Re-visit those locations at a different time of day. Sometimes a neighborhood is peaceful and quiet during the day and energetic and lively at night. If safety is a factor, consider Newton, MA real estate offerings. This suburb was named one of the safest communities in the nation! You can check with local law enforcement to ask how frequently they are called to a particular complex.
Tip#5-Negotiate your lease.
Remember that everything is negotiable. Whether you choose a neighborhood that is hip and energetic or friendly to young families, negotiate a price and terms that you can live with. With some planning and guidance, you will find a great apartment in Boston to call home.
Come Visit Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA this Thanksgiving Season
Pilgrims enjoying a hearty meal
It all began way back in 1620 when the Pilgrims completed their overseas journey from England to America. The Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts and America spread out from there. Today, Plimoth Plantation is an authentic recreation of the historically significant colony that was made up of the original first settlers of the new land.
Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on our history and there is no better place to take in the meaning of the moment than Plimoth Plantation. Located approximately 40 miles south of downtown Boston along Route 3 in Plymouth County, the area attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and vacationers every year. From the time the Pilgrims sat down to the first thanksgiving dinner up until today, it is a joy to follow the early history of our country.
One can see how tough a life the early settlers had to deal with. There were no modern conveniences, very little infrastructure and you had to have a true pioneer spirit and be able to fend for yourself if you wanted to survive. That same hearty stock still exists in Americans, but it is always good to remind ourselves of our humble beginnings.
Among the many attractions in and around Plimoth Plantation is the Plimoth Rock, supposedly a monument to the spot where the Mayflower touched land for the first time. There are also numerous historical monuments and statues paying tribute to some of the more famous officials of the early Colonial period.
Plimoth Plantation is close to many of the Boston area colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. In fact, there are 52 institutions of higher learning including research universities, junior colleges, 4 year colleges and specialty institutions. Among the most famous are Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern. Students have a wide choice of housing options in and around the Boston area. If you go to school in Boston, you might want to look for Boston apartments. As most students are on a limited budget, they may need to consider sharing an apartment with several roommates. You can choose to live just outside of Boston and perhaps get an apartment for a little lower rent.
Brookline apartments are just outside of Boston and very close to the Chestnut Hill location of Boston College. Other nearby Brookline colleges include the liberal arts college, Pine Manor and the New England Institute of Art.
Students who may attend Wellesley College or Babson College about 12 miles west of downtown Boston can find excellent, modern Newton Ma homes and apartments for rent or sale. The more suburban setting is often preferred by students and young people who like the wide, open spaces that are hard to find in the middle of Boston.
No matter whether you choose to rent a Back Bay Condo near Fenway Park or choose one of the nice Allston apartments convenient to your school or place of work, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock. While you might be able to find a small, nicely furnished or unfurnished one bedroom for about $1200 per month, that is considered the low range in the Boston rental market. If you are on a tight budget, you may look to rent a room from a private homeowner or consider rooming with several others and splitting the rent.
On average, expect a 1 bedroom apartment to run between $1500-$2000 per month, a 2 bedroom around $2200, 3 or 4 bedroom close to $3000 and anything bigger or in a prime location can set you back $4000 or even more.
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