Fenway Apartments
Upcoming Events In Boston
Boston is home to a variety of exciting and entertaining events, with new opportunities for outings each month of the year. Moving into one of the many Boston apartments currently available will give you a perfect base for attending all some of the events that are taking place this January and February. Pick Brighton apartments for quick access to the biggest cultural centers, or choose one of the fine pieces of Beacon Hill real estate for a well-appointed place to return to after a night out on the town.
The January calendar of events in Boston kicks off with a live perfomance from singer-songwriter Aimee Mann at the Somerville Theater on the 19th. She will perform some of her most popular songs and new material. The 21st Annual Boston Wine Expo will take place on the 21st at the Seaport World Trade Center. Taste some of the best wines from around the world without leaving your new home town. Choose an apartment from the South End real estate market to be close to the Seaport Center when the event takes place.
Foodies and aspiring home chefs should attend the January Boston Food Swap on the 22nd to trade homemade treats and meet friends for dinner parties or community gardens. On February 2nd the world renowned Blue Man Group visits Boston at the Charles Playhouse. Modern dance fans should go ahead and buy tickets for the Stephen Petronio Company’s performance of Underland on the 10th. Back Bay condo residents will be able to walk or bike to the event at the Institute of Contemporary Art. To wrap up the shortest month of the year, Flogging Molly will perform their racuous brand of Irish rock on February 21st at the historic Boston House of Blues near Fenway Apartments.
Understanding Condo Fees and Monthly Rates
If you are in the market for a condo in the Boston area, it is important to understand what all of the condo fees and monthly rates mean for you. Choosing to purchase a condo rather than renting Boston apartments means you will likely be responsible for paying some additional monthly fees over your regular payments. Knowing exactly what these fees are and what they cover will help ensure that you aren’t left in the dark when making your purchase.
Condo Fees
The condo fees charged by a Boston property management company will vary depending on the company and the amenities provided by the condo complex. When you rent Boston apartments, you only need to pay to use your living space. There may be some community areas you can use, but it is up to the owner of the apartments to maintain these areas. When you live in a Back Bay condo, for instance, the principle is much the same. Your mortgage payment covers your living space. Many condos, however, also have common areas and exterior expenses to cover. Unlike an apartment, though, there is no owner to pay to maintain these areas. The condo fees charged cover these expenses.
How Much
The amount of money charged for condo fees varies and is normally calculated by the homeowner’s association (HOA). In the Boston area, these fees can range between $100 and $700 per month. These HOA fees often cover expenses, such as mowing the lawn, planting and maintaining landscaping, pool maintenance, painting in community areas and to cover other services provided at the condo complex. The amount may also depend upon where the condo is located. For instance, condos in the Brookline real estate area may charge a different amount than a condo with the same features in the beacon hill real estate market. In some cases, if an HOA runs out of money, they may conduct a special assessment, which can increase the monthly fees you must pay to accommodate the needs of the condo complex, just as an apartment manager may raise the rent.
If you choose to find a condo in the Boston area, rather than renting from one of the numerous Boston apartments, it is important to know what HOA fees are involved and what they cover. Because each HOA sets its own fees based on amenities offered in the complex and the needs of the community, you must ask about any monthly fees required before agreeing to purchase a condo. These fees are charged on top of your mortgage, so you must ensure you can afford them. It is also important to prepare yourself for the possibility of a special assessment. Putting aside extra money in the event of this type of assessment can save you in the future.
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.
Moving into your Student Apartment? Don’t Forget These Simple Tips
Moving into your new apartment as a student is an exciting time, but before you get to all the fun, make sure you take care of a few simple things.You will be glad you did later!
Tips for Moving Into Your Student Apartment
For security, check that all of the windows that can be opened also have locks, especially if you are on the ground floor. If any of the windows cannot lock, tell your landlord immediately.- Think about a fire escape plan and discuss it amongst your roommates. Know all of the doors and windows suitable for a safe exit from the apartment in the case of an emergency. Make sure that fire-escape windows are not screwed or stuck shut. If they are, have your landlord make them openable immediately.
- Learn where the gas and water shutoffs are. In the case of an emergency or a pipe burst, knowing exactly where to go to shut off gas or water can save lives or at least costly damage to the apartment and your personal property.
- Inspect the apartment and make sure that everything is as you expected and matches the contract. It is good to catch any problems that you may not notice immediately. It is not uncommon that a landlord did not tell you about a problem, either because they wanted to get a tenant or they did not know. If anything is unsatisfactory or does not match the contract, make a note of it and contact your landlord.
- If you and your roommates pay for utilities independently from the rent, record the meter readings as soon as you move in. Tell the utilities companies the readings and the dates you moved in. You would not want to pay for extra utilities that were used when you were not even occupying the apartment. While you are at it, give all of the names of the apartment’s occupants to the utilities companies to avoid any confusion with billing.
Back to School in Boston
Labor Day weekend in Boston is always classified by hundreds of college students moving into dormitories or apartments throughout the city. If you walk along the streets in Brighton, Brookline, Fenway, or Kenmore Square over the weekend don’t be surprised to see a lot of U-Haul trailers and students carrying all of their b
elongings into their new buildings.
There are more than 100 colleges in the Greater Boston Area contributing over 250,000 students to the city’s population just in Cambridge and Boston alone. The city’s biggest universities include Boston University, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, and Boston College. The influx of students in the fall attending these schools significantly contributes to the city’s economy – an estimated $4.8 billion annually. Not only do these students add to the economy of the area they also add to the atmosphere of the city. Despite being one of the country’s oldest cities, Boston has a very youthful feeling. Boston is the perfect place to live as a young professional.
If you’re planning on moving to the city contact a Phoenix Realty agent today to help you find the perfect Boston apartment!
Summer 2011 Blockbuster Reviews
One activity always associated with summertime is going to the movies. Boston in the summer can be a little stifling at times and getting out of your hot, city apartment and into the cool, air-conditioned movie theater can be quite refreshing and, depending on the movie you see, a really enjoyable experience.
Summer is one of the biggest time periods for movie releases and 2011 has been no exception. While there are still a few weeks left of summer, let’s review a few of the biggest blockbusters over the past few months.
Transform
ers: Dark of the Moon ($337,892,000) – The third chapter in the Transformers series has grossed the highest amount for the summer movie season up to this point. The reviews for the third movie were much better than those of the second – its special effect and 3-D shots really brought the action scenes in this movie to life. A few of the criticisms about the film were that the run time was too long (2 hours 30 minutes) and that the script and character development were mediocre. However, if you’re an adrenaline junkie the last 30 minutes of this movie are well worth the wait.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 ($318,460,000) – Although the final chapter of the Harry Potter series was only released two weeks ago it has been the second highest grossing movie for the summer thus far. The midnight premiere alone grossed over $43.5 million, beating the previous midnight premiere record set by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Potter fans have been raving about the finale saying, “It was the perfect ending.” Even if you’ve already read the books, this action packed movie will have you on the edge of your seat wondering how it all ends.
The Hangover Part II ($252,628,017) – There were big shoes to fill with the release of the sequel to The Hangover. The biggest criticism of the film was that the plotline of the second movie was almost identical to the first, just in a different city. While there are definitely a few classic lines in the movie and some laugh-out-loud funny scenes, overall the second movie fell a bit short. Although the sequel was a bit of a letdown compared to the first film, The Hangover II has grossed the third highest amount so far this summer.
So if you haven’t gotten the opportunity to do so already this summer, get out of your Boston apartment and head over to Fenway or to the Loews Theater on the Boston Common to enjoy this summer’s biggest movie hits!
High Temperatures and High Humidity Expected, Beat the Heat!
Info + Tips and Tricks to Beat the Heat
Boston is amidst a serious heat-wave that is expected to last for a few more days. In Massachusetts, a heat wave is defined as three consecutive days with temperatures over 90 degrees. Alan Dunham, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Taunton, spoke regarding today saying, “It’s mainly just going to feel miserable.” A heat advisory is in effect for today, July 21st, from noon until 9 pm. Temperatures will be in the 90s, but combined with the high levels of humidity, the weather is expected to feel as if it’s 104; this will be 105 tomorrow.
Intense heat combined with high humidity can be more than just uncomfortable. It can be unhealthy. This combination of factors causes significantly higher than normal ozone levels in the air, which is not healthy for anyone. Those especially at risk are persons with asthma and other respiratory problems, children, and the elderly. People have been advised to check on senior citizens in their community throughout the day.
Beating the Heat:
Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day. Your body cools itself down as perspiration (sweat) evaporates from the skin. When humidity is high, your perspiration evaporates at a much slower rate, making your natural cooling techniques much less efficient. Your body compensates by increasing perspiration, which can quickly dehydrate you. One should always try and stay hydrated, but during weather like this it is especially critical.
Stay cool. If you do not have air conditioning or access to a cool place, try seeking out one of Boston’s “cooling centers.” Mayor Tom Menino announced that Boston and some surrounding areas are keeping public pools open late and opening a series of cooling centers when people can refresh themselves.
Try a non-outdoor activity. Sure, you may feel guilty not enjoying the outdoors during the summer, but you do not have to feel guilty when the weather is like this! Try catching a movie or going to a museum. These activities almost always involve environment-controlled, air-conditioned spaces.
Still too hot? Maybe you need air conditioning or a cooler place, contact Phoenix Realty today!
Settling into Your First Apartment? Read this for some Useful Tips!
You’ve finally taken the ultimate step in independence, you’ve moved out of your parents’ house and into a new apartment all on your own, congratulations! This is a very exciting event, one that you should be proud of- and prepared for whether you’re moving into the college-student-friendly Allston, the prestigious Back Bay neighborhood, or the attraction-rich Fenway area. Here are a few helpful ways to make the entire process a smooth one.
1. Do Your Research
Before signing your lease or agreement, find out what, if any, utilities are included in each month’s rent. Basic expenses include water, electricity, and heat, and then there are the luxuries such as cable and Internet. Do some research beforehand to see the typical monthly cost of whatever neighborhood you want to live in and contact your cable/Internet provider to see if there is a cheaper package deal you can purchase. Another little hint: if you have a cell phone with adequate service, skip the land line cost altogether!
2. Create a personal budget.
How much will you be earning each month? How much are your bills going to be? Is your income going to cover your bills, food, and entertainment costs? Once you create a realistic budget, stick to it! Too often, many young people get so caught up in the excitement of their own place that they end up ignoring all the responsibility that comes with it and end up right back where they started- their parents’ house. You can avoid this by keeping your budget in sight, whether it’s posted on your fridge, set as a reminder on your computer, or written in a planner.
3. Don’t Waste Your Money
There are several things you can do to keep your apartment from becoming a money pit. Turn off lights, fans, televisions, etc after you leave a room to cut your electricity bill. If you’re not home during the day, lower the heat! Cover your windows with plastic during the winter months to keep the heat in and the cold draft out, and try to lower your water bill by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth, filling the sink instead of letting it run while doing dishes, and keeping your showers short.
4. Furniture, Appliances, Lighting
Chances are your apartment will not come with furniture, appliances, and lighting, things that you wouldn’t normally have to worry about if you were still at home. Ask family members if they have any old furniture you could have or check out flea markets, yard sales, and secondhand stores for bargains, just be careful to inspect pre-owned furniture for unsightly rips/tears or more serious problems such as bedbugs. If there is no washer/dryer in your apartment, check to see if there is a communal laundry room or a nearby Laundromat. Find out if each room comes with lighting fixtures, and if they don’t purchase lamps to light the rooms that don’t.
5. Making Your Apartment a Home
Once you’ve covered everything else on the list, decorate! Before spending your hard-earned cash (remember your budget!) see if you have anything from home or college that you can use in your new apartment. Try adding frames to posters to create a neater look or filling your apartment with pictures to make it feel like home. Curtains can make a room something special, and they don’t have to be really expensive, you can even make them yourself!
While moving into a new apartment can be stressful, it should also be exciting. By spending your money wisely, doing your research, and dealing with responsibilities as they come, your new apartment should be ready in no time! Phoenix Realty has lots of great listings in the Boston area, so contact an agent today to schedule a viewing and find your new home!
Top 5 Reasons to Live in Boston
1. Getting Around
Boston has great, cheap, and safe public transportation provided by the MBTA. There are multiple MBTA subway lines, as well commuter rail trains with a farther reach than the MBTA trains, and a multitude of buses to choose from when planning your travel route. In addition to the fine public transportation available to city residents and visitors, Boston is also known as one of the most walkable cities in the U.S., earning the nickname “America’s Walking City.”
2. Historical Destination
Boston is one of the most culturally rich cities in the United States, being dubbed “America’s Athens” with its centuries-old architecture and historical sites including the Freedom Trail and the site of the famous Boston Tea Party. It is also the unofficial “Capital of New England” for its economic and cultural impacts as one of the oldest cities. Boston also has a variety of excellent walking tours and trails to explore throughout the numerous neighborhoods.
Boston is a great place to look at when choosing a college or university; it is one of the largest college oriented destinations in the United States. There is a great range of four-year and two-year schools, medical, business, vocational, and law schools, and schools for the performing or liberal arts. The city is also home to the iconic Harvard University, Boston College, and Boston University. Phoenix Realty can help you find a Boston apartment in close proximity to your school.
4. Amazing NightlifeThere are lots of fun things to do at night in Boston with a great variety of restaurants and nightclubs that cater to different groups including upscale lounges for those in their mid-late twenties, low-key sports bars for Red Sox and Celtics fans, and great ‘dive bars’ for the younger college crowd. Boston is also home to numerous convention centers, theaters, and other entertainment venues, to ensure you’ll never have a boring night!
The Red Sox won the World Championship in both 2004 and 2007, creating an even more loyal fan base than they already had, with fans flocking to historic Fenway Park to cheer on their favorite baseball team to even more victories. The communal nature of the Celtics and Bruins fans also adds to the charm of the city.
If you’re looking for a Boston apartment to rent or a Boston home for sale, contact Phoenix Realty to schedule an appointment today.
Beware the Bait and Switch!
It is a well understood fact that apartment searching is often stressful. Because of its usability and ease of access, Craigslist is often a starting point for renters. When it works, this is a great way to start – as long as you keep your guard up and know what you are looking at. There are some brokers and agents that intentionally place misleading advertisements just to get you to call.
So the photos look amazing, the description sounds ideal and you can afford it – anyone would call! So you call the broker and he sets up an appointment to show you the place. When you meet up, he will tell you that your dream apartment was had been snatched up by someone else, but that he luckily had a few similar apartments to show you. These apartments will be smaller, more expensive, or slightly less desirable than the original. Assuming that were to happen, you will have witnessed the bait and switch. The bait and switch is often used to move undesirable apartments; it is rare that the realtor will have something “just like it” to show you.
We at Phoenix Realty have seen this tactic used on sites like Craigslist constantly – and it drives us nuts! When you are looking for your dream Boston apartment – whether it be a Back Bay condo or a Brookline home – you should be given the respect of knowing that what you see is what you get! We have compiled some tips to help you avoid the bait and switch by helping you identify bait apartments.
1. Analyze the photos. If the provided pictures are of apartments filled with modern, stunning furnishings, you are looking at a model apartment – not the real deal. This is probably the nicest apartment in the building and chances are it was rented eons ago. If the photos are of unfinished apartments, play a quick game of “find the inconsistency.”Are the windows different in what is meant to be the same room? Is the hardwood floor a different color or pattern in different shots? Does the layout seem to change? If you find any inconsistency like those, the broker may have just compiled the best images from a few different apartments just to get you to call.
2. Call and ask. Even if you think the photos are legit, still be sure to ask the agent directly when you call if the photos are from the actual, real life apartment. If he says that they are pictures of a typical apartment in the building, beware. Maybe he did not have a chance to get to the actual apartment and take photos, or maybe he is trying to bait and switch. Either way, use your best judgment and go with your gut.
3. Watch out for vague descriptions. If there are no photos at all, odds are it is not real or the agent has not been inside it. Vague adjectives (stunning, cozy, elegant, huge) are often thrown around on ads that lack photos. These ads can describe many Boston apartments – take care to ask for specifics when you call the phone number listed. Even asking for something as simple as the cross streets and interior descriptions will help you determine the legitimacy of the apartment.
The best way to ensure that you are working with a legitimate, honest real estate agency is to choose one with a great reputation. Browse our listings of Boston apartments for rent or contact us to begin the process of finding your dream apartment.
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