Best Boston Suburbs to Rent an Apartment
The numbers are in, and the suburbs are red hot in the Boston metro area. The pandemic hit the housing market hard over the past 12 months, causing widespread vacancies throughout the City of Boston. The vacancy rate for Downtown Boston apartments spiked to over 20% in September of last year, and it has been slow to absorb the excess inventory. Meanwhile, some of the top performing rental markets in Greater Boston are out in the suburbs, which indicates that the best places to live in Boston may be shifting.
So if you’re one of the many looking for an apartment in one of Boston’s best suburbs, you may be wondering what your best options are. If so, you’re in luck! There is no shortage of great places to rent outside of Boston Proper, and it all depends on what you’re looking for. So here are 3 of the best suburbs to rent an apartment near Boston.
Somerville — Best For Entertainment
Somerville is located just north of Boston and offers residents a ton of cultural offerings within a 15 minute commute to Downtown. Somerville apartments average $2,005 for a 1 bedroom and $2,418 for a 2 bedroom, and there’s plenty of apartment inventory for larger units as well. Part of Tufts University’s campus sits in Somerville, so West Somerville and Powder Square provide students great local options for off-campus housing near Tufts. With Davis Square and Porter Square nearby, there is a no shortage of local dining and entertainment options in Somerville.
Chelsea — Most Affordable/Easiest Commute
If you’re looking for an affordable place to rent an apartment right outside the city, Chelsea is one of your best options. Located a short 10 minute drive from Downtown Boston with an abundance of public transportation options, Chelsea is a dream for a commuter on a budget. Chelsea apartments come at an average price of $1,647 for a 1 bedroom unit and $2,119 for a 2 bedroom unit.
Brookline — Best for Families/Young Professionals
If you’re a family or a young professional looking towards the suburbs to rent an apartment, you can’t do better than Brookline. Often considered Boston’s best suburb, living in Brookline places you in the heart of Boston’s business professional community. For families, it also boasts some of the area’s best public schools and lowest crime rates. Brookline offers residents a quaint aesthetic with a beautiful New England charm combined with loads of great entertainment options. Brookline apartments do not come cheap, however. A one bedroom apartment in Brookline will cost you $2,121 on average, while a 2 bedroom apartment averages $2,609 per month.
Honorable mentions go to the suburbs of Cambridge, Revere, Newton, and Arlington. While they didn’t make the list, they are all incredible communities in and of themselves depending on your preferences.
