Top 4 Places to Live Near Boston University

If you are planning on or are attending school at Boston University, you probably already know it's a world class educational institution. It offers all sorts of undergraduate and graduate programs, great education, employment opportunities and entertainment for just about any personality. Their campus is also incredibly big and offers a lot of options when it comes to accommodations; but living on campus isn’t for everybody. Maybe you would rather have your own apartment near Boston University for a little more freedom and independence.

So, if off campus living is your preference, here are the Top 4 best places to live near Boston University?

1. Living in Fenway
   Let's start with the neighborhood where Boston University is located...Fenway! Fenway is one of Boston's most iconic neighborhoods, made famous by the ball park that the Boston Red Sox call home. Fenway has a huge student population, as other major local Universities such as Northeastern and the Colleges of the Fens are very close. Apartments in Fenway aren't cheap, but the pandemic and remote learning has caused a massive spike in vacancies in Fenway. Prices have come down about 7% and many landlords are offering reduced move in costs to incentivize renters, meaning there are deals to be had in Fenway.

2. Living in Downtown Boston
   One of the best option if you can afford it, residents of Downtown Boston enjoy abundant nightlife and some of the best cultural offerings of Boston. .Rent has come down for small apartments in Downtown by about 20% due to a big spike in vacancies caused by the pandemic, but rent is still steep at around $3,600 per month on average. The commute to campus is short (around 20 minutes). If you want the best that Boston has to offer and you doing mind paying for it, this might be the best option for you!

3. Living in Cambridge, MA
   Apartments in Cambridge MA are a little bit pricier with the average rent at roughly $2,500 per month, but it is much bigger and the nightlife is much more abundant, if that is your thing. This cultural hub has roughly 120k people and it is a much more cosmopolitan, cultural place with many great restaurants and a lot of cultural entertainment options. The commute can vary from 10 minutes to 36 minutes to BU depending on what part of Cambridge you pick, but public transportation is abundant.

4. Living in Chelsea, MA
   Chelsea might very well be one of the best afforable places to live near Boston University. Rent prices for apartments in Chealsea, MA average at around $2,000, making it much more reasonable from a cost of living standpoint. Your time commuting to campus from Chelsea is less than 20 minutes away, and it's very well connected when it comes to public transportation. It is also full of amenities and entertainment including malls, gyms and movie theaters.