Boston is known as a college town with great transport infrastructure, lots of shops and cafes, and exciting opportunities. Lots of students come here to study and look for good neighborhoods to settle in. 

Luckily, they have many options to choose from. If you are one of them, this guide will help you make the search easier. 

Factors to Consider

Before you start looking for apartments, it is important to evaluate all the factors that influence this decision. This might take some time to research, but it is worth it. It is also useful to go to the neighborhoods you like and see them for yourself. 

Surely, students might say that they do not have much time for this. They are usually busy with endless assignments, projects, and college papers. Those are important, of course, but looking for a place of residence is equally essential. It will become your home for some time, and you need to feel comfortable there.

So if you need some free time, you can consider the WritePaper platform, which offers help with academic writing. Here you can find expert writers that can tackle any type of college paper, whether it is an essay, thesis, or research. They provide immediate help, fast response, and excellent results. Meanwhile, you can look for apartments in Boston. 

When choosing the neighborhood, pay attention to: 

• your budget; 
• proximity to the college; 
• infrastructure (if it is close to the train or subway stops, it will be easy to get almost anywhere); 
• shops and cafes around; 
• opportunity to find roommates; 
• personal preferences (a lot of sunlight, a quiet street, etc.).

Remember that you might need to compromise on something. For example, choosing a cheaper district might mean longer commuting. But in any case, there are a lot of renting offers to find the one you like. 

Best Students Neighborhoods in Boston

Allston and Brighton

These are two different neighborhoods, but they are very close to each other. That’s why people often see them as one location. It is one of the most affordable areas of the city. And it is densely populated by students. 

Here are located: 

• Harvard Business School; 
• Boston College; 
• Boston University. 

You can also easily travel to the Colleges of Fenway via the Green Line of T stops. If you are going to MIT or Harvard University, you will have just enough time to read a book since the commuting will take about 25-40 minutes to make it to the campus. 

This area features traditional architecture and a lot of different restaurants, bars, and cafes. Students will love many affordable eating-out options as well. There is also a lot of live music everywhere here. The average rent for a studio in Allston/Brighton is about $1,600, and for 1 bedroom apartments, it is about $1,900. 

Jamaica Plain

This is one of the most affordable areas students can live in. It has several T stops on the Orange and the Green Lines, so commuting is quite easy. Yet, it will be a bit longer for some campuses. The closest institution here is the Fenway, so a lot of students choose Jamaica Plain (12-20 minutes ride). 

You can also easily travel to Northeastern University, Simmons, Mass Art, Emerson College, and Boston University from here. MIT and Harvard will take about 30-40 minutes to go to. But if you are tight on the budget, it is a good option anyway. 

This is a very diverse neighborhood with lots of entertainment around. There is a botanical garden nearby, Jamaica Pond, and a good variety of restaurants. The average rate for a studio here is $2,400, but a 1-bedroom apartment costs about $1,600. 

Fenway and Kenmore 

These two areas are also close and often combined together. Boston University buildings are located in Kenmore, and Fenway is the home of Northeastern University. 

Also, if you study at the Colleges of the Fenway, it is a perfect option. The closest ones are:

• Emmanuel College;
• Simmons;
• Wentworth Institute of Technology; 
• Wheelock College;
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design; 
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

And Harvard Medical School is also in proximity. The areas have the Green Line T stops for easy travel around the town. If you are into sports, you’d love to know that it is also the home of Redsox. Because a lot of students live here, the prices are quite affordable for Boston. And there are plenty of bars and cafes to visit. 

A studio in Fenway costs about $2,200, and a one-bedroom apartment costs $2,280. Kenmore is more affordable. A studio here goes for about $1,400, and a one-bedroom apartment costs $2,000. 

Dorchester

Dorchester is on the affordable side of the city. And it is the home of the University of Massachusetts Boston. Those who visit other schools can travel via the Red Line to their campuses. With a train one can get to MIT or Harvard in 20-30 minutes. 

This is a comparatively small area with a comfortable charm and neighborly atmosphere. If you have a car, it will take only 10 minutes to get downtown. Of course, if there is no heavy traffic. 

The average studio costs about $1,800, and a one-bedroom residence comes at $1,700 here. 

Brookline

This area is located between Jamaica Plain and Allston/Brighton. The population here is quite young with students and new families. It is on the quieter side, which some might appreciate. There are restaurants and shopping options here. And it is the birthplace of John F. Kennedy. 

You can easily get to the campuses of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Emmanuel College, Boston College, and Boston University. There are several T stops on the Green Line here, so the transportation is easy. The average studio rent is $1,880, and a one-bedroom apartment costs about $2,480. 

Malden 

This is a suburb in the north of the city. It is a valid option for those, who are looking for cheaper apartments. It is a residential area with access to the Orange Line. It takes about 30-40 minutes to get to the Fenway schools and Northeastern University. 

This might not be for everyone because it offers a suburban lifestyle. But the rent here is great with a studio going for $1,500 and one-bedroom apartments costing $1,600 on average. It is one of the cheapest areas one can live in.

Roxbury

On the east of Jamaica Plain is Roxbury. It offers affordable rent and many options for students. It has a couple of the Orange Line stops. And from some parts of Roxbury, you can get to the Colleges of Fenway and Northeastern University by foot. 

So if you study in one of them, it is an excellent opportunity. Also, the area has a highly-developed bus infrastructure. The studio here costs about $1,700 to rent. One-bedroom apartments are priced at around $1,730.

In Summary 

These are the best neighborhoods to look into when moving to study in Boston. Sure, there are other areas like Cambridge or Chestnut Hill, but they are a bit more expensive. 

When looking into the rental market, consider the proximity of your school and how easy you can get there. Also, think of your budget and preferences as to what lifestyle you prefer. 

In any case, it is a big and welcoming city to explore and love.