For the art student, Boston offers a stimulating environment in which to work and study. It is a leading center of educational and artistic resources. Finding a place to live in a major metropolitan area such as Boston can seem overwhelming, especially with the multitude of neighborhoods and wide differences in rental units. No matter where you look, the search for housing in Boston can be intense, with thousands of students, young professionals, and families seeking a limited number of rentals. Don't wait for people to call you, or hope they will call you back. Be aggressive, without being rude.

MassArt often receives information on apartment shares, sublets, and students needing roommates. These listings are referenced by date and posted for you on a bulletin board outside of the Student Development office on the second floor of the Kennedy Building.

You may also want to stop by the Housing office and fill out an information card to list yourself if you are searching for a room in an established house of other students.

• Be prepared to make a number of calls and visits.
• Stay organized. Keep track of your information on a small notepad or index cards.
• Don't rule out "possibles" you aren't sure of before calling and visiting.
• Inexpensive and nearby listings are taken quickly. Concentrate on the most recent listings.

If you reach an answering machine, don't hang up. Be sure to leave your name and a phone number you can be reached at. Feel free to check in our office with any questions you might have. Listings can be provided by fax or email.

Websites

bostonrealtyhub.com

bostonapartments.com

boston phoenix(newspaper)

rent.net

boston.com

roommateconnection.com

mapquest.com

MassArt has no affiliation with the listed groups and their presence on this page should not be considered an endorsement. Users do so at their own risk.

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Boston Neighborhoods

In choosing a community to live in, there are many factors you may want to consider, such as the distance from MassArt, the ease of the commute, public transportation, and the type of housing available. All of the following areas house MassArt students and are accessible by subway, bus routes, or both:

• Allston
• Back Bay
• Beacon Hill
• Brighton
• Brookline
• Cambridge
• Dorchester
• Fenway
• Jamaica Plain
• Kenmore Square
• Mission Hill
• Roxbury
• South Boston
• South End
• West roxbury
• Somerville

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Roommates

Many students cannot afford studio or one bedroom apartments. Therefore, you may be in the situation of looking for a room in an already established house or apartment, or looking for others who would like to join with you as roommates to find an apartment. The Off-Campus Housing bulletin board on the second floor of the Kennedy building lists both people without housing looking for others to search for an apartment with, as well as those who are looking to fill a vacancy. Feel free to list yourself on this board. To do so, simply fill out a card in the Housing Office.

Take your time to find the right situation. It's better to be careful and thorough than to rush into a decision and regret it later. Be honest and open about your needs, concerns and expectations.

The following areas are some of the most common sources of conflict and most important to consider in choosing a roommate. Gather as much information as you can on each area. Find out the prospective roommate's feelings and personal style as well as communicating your own:

• Cleanliness and housework expectations for the shared space, and personal style regarding cleanliness.
• Smoking habits
• Dietary concerns - there may be issues regarding vegetarianism, shared food, joint meals, etc.
• Lifestyle choices - this can cover many areas including alcohol / drug use, noise level, music, and sexual orientation.
• Hobbies and interests
• Pets
• Issues around security
• Attitudes toward privacy
• Work schedules, how much others will be in the apartment, hours entering or leaving.
• Financial stability - it's helpful to be reasonably sure your roommate will be able to pay the rent and bills each month.

Telephone bills for long distance calls are a common source of conflict. Some roommates keep a "long distance log" next to the telephone in which the date, the number, and the caller's initials are written.

If at all possible, it is suggested that each roommate establish her / his own phone service (even though there may be an additional cost).

There may be furniture or appliances a roommate would want to bring into a household and keep in a common area. Find out about this ahead of time to determine if there is space in the apartment, and what the attitude towards sharing would be.

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Safety Tips

Apartment living in a large metropolitan city such as Boston can create special security issues. By becoming more security conscious and following a few preventative steps, you will improve your chances of remaining safe.

• Do not open your door to anyone unless you know who it is. In the case of sales people, service people, or police officers, ask to see identification.
• Keep emergency phone numbers posted near the phones.
• Report any suspicious and / or obscene phone calls to the police.
• Ground level windows are especially vulnerable. They should be closed and locked when you are not at home and when you are sleeping.
• Get to know who your neighbors are. Choose a neighbor to trust in case of an emergency.
• Plan the fastest escape routes out of your apartment in case you have to exit quickly.
• Always lock your car, and never leave valuables in plain view.
• Always lock your bicycle, even if it's only for a minute.
• When walking to and from your car or a T stop, stay in well-lighted areas.
• Keep your apartment door locked both when you are out and when you are home.
• Avoid traveling alone if possible. Be aware, confident, and know where you are going.
• Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, your own intuition can be your most reliable guide.

Utilize MassArt's Escort and Shuttle Services. These programs are run by the Office of Public Safety. A Public Safety Officer will escort you to the T stop on Huntington Avenue, to your car parked in the MassArt lot, or to any of the streets in the area. In addition to the escort service, the Public Safety Office provides a shuttle service in the college van to areas around Boston. For more information, call the Public Safety Office at 617.879.7810. They are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

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How to Choose

The following questions are provided as a guide to aid you regardless of the exact type of accommodation you are looking for. Being thorough and thoughtful before you sign a lease will save you possible problems in the future.

You might want to make a list of the essential, desirable, and not too important aspects of your ideal apartment to help you think about your search in an organized way. Your answers to these questions may help to clarify your priorities for your living situation.

Question List

• How close is MassArt to the apartment?
• How will you commute - public transportation, walk, bike, car?
• How long will it take you to commute to campus?
• How much per month will transportation cost?
• Do you feel comfortable in the neighborhood?
• Is there actually enough space for you and the others who will live there with you?
• How well maintained is the building?
• Is there a laundry room in the building? Is there a Laundromat nearby?
• Does the front door of the building lock? Are the hallways well-lit?
• How many flights of stairs will you have to climb? Is there an elevator?
• Is the apartment well-ventilated? Is it sunny?
• Does the apartment have adequate closet space? Does it have any storage space?
• Are a stove and refrigerator included? Is there enough kitchen cabinet space?
• Do the bathroom and kitchen fixtures work? Is there adequate hot water supply?
• What are the bathing facilities? (Is there a shower? A bathtub?)
• Who is the landlord? Is the building owner-occupied? If so, do you feel comfortable dealing with this person? If not, is there a telephone number where the landlord or a superintendent can be reached?
• Is the apartment near a supermarket? A drugstore?
• What is included in the rent? Remember to ask about heat, hot water, gas and electricity.

If you are looking into an established apartment or house with current tenants, be observant. Be sure you know exactly who is living there. Meet all the tenants and learn about their living habits before you give them a check or sign anything committing yourself to moving in.

Feel free to investigate the condition of:

• kitchen appliances
• bathroom sink, tub, shower, toilet
• water pressure in kitchen and bath
• electrical outlets
• water stains, cracks, crumbled plaster (may indicate leakage)

Checklist: