Boston University Student Housing
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!
How to Save Money While Renting
While the cost of living and renting in Boston is not nearly as high as it is New York City or San Francisco, let’s face it- for a young adult trying to get by, it can get pretty pricey. Add that with student loans to pay off and low starting salaries, and the costs can seem overwhelming.
Here are some ways you can get creative to cut down on your rental costs and save some money.
Find the Right Agent
Phoenix Realtors are also experienced negotiators. Sometimes there is a sense of urgency on the landlord’s part to get their space rented as soon as possible. If this is the case, he or she may be more willing to negotiate on the rent price or even give the first month’s rent free in exchange for a longer lease. Not all landlords are willing to negotiate, but Phoenix Realtors are very experienced in the Greater Boston real estate market and its trends, so we can help you negotiate a fair rent within your budget.
Consider Location
Location is also important because it is typically less expensive to live near colleges and universities. For example, apartments that are located in Kenmore, Allston, Brighton, and Fenway are near Boston College, Boston University, and Northeastern, and therefore will not cost as much to rent as an apartment Back Bay or Beacon Hill.
Our agents can help answer all your questions about various neighborhoods and access to public transportation. We’ll make sure we help you find an apartment that fits your lifestyle and needs.
Rent with Friends
You and your friends can also rent a ‘Split’ style apartment to save money. Split apartments have a layout in which the living room can be used as an additional bedroom due to extra entrances/ exits in the apartment to give each roommate access to their bedroom without entering their roommate’s private space. So for example, a ½ split apartment would have two bedrooms, but no living room.
Be a Good Tenant
You also want to make sure you can get a good reference from your landlord for when you move to your next apartment. Paying your rent on-time and being courteous to your neighbors will help ensure your relationship with your landlord is a positive one, and having a good reference from your current landlord may help you save money on your rent in the future.
Phoenix Realty is committed to helping you find the perfect apartment that won’t put a hole in your wallet. Use our Rental Search Tool to browse our impressive selection of Boston apartments or contact us to speak to one of our experience agents!
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