FREE Search for Boston Apartments and Homes

It's a big city full of urban delights; it's a small town with friendly citizens. It's Boston, capital of Massachusetts, and it is the largest and most influential city in the six-state New England region. Scenically located along the water, Boston is a hub of economic activity, communications and transportation for New England. Bostonians are proud of their city.s rich history and their famous universities, including the esteemed Harvard and MIT.

With its brownstones and numerous picturesque parks, Boston is a great city to walk around in. In fact, the city is home to the oldest public park in the country, Boston Common, which provides a welcome green space in the heart of this bustling metropolis.

Quality of Life
Favorite pastimes of Bostonians include boating, taking in the historical sites and enjoying the many professional sports teams. Locals are very loyal to their pro teams, including the Red Sox baseball team, Celtics basketball team and Bruins hockey team. For a taste of Boson history, walk the Freedom Trail, which starts at Boston Common and connects 16 locations important to Boston's and the nation's history. Be sure to visit Boston Harbor, which has undergone a multi-billion dollar restoration project, transforming it from one of the most polluted harbors in the nation to one of the cleanest (they're finally trapping lobsters there again!). Boston is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, and the locals are proud of it. Citizens of every race turn out for annual events like the Saint Patrick's Day parade, Italian street festivals and the Chinese August Moon festival.

Where the Jobs Are
The state's booming economy and low unemployment rate mean it's relatively easy to find a good-paying job. Although in centuries past Massachusetts was famous for its fishing, shipping and manufacturing, today its economy depends more heavily on the electronics and communications equipment fields. High-tech research and development, finance and trade are also prominent in the economy. In addition, the service sector, in which tourism is a primary employer, employs more than one third of the state's workers.

Cost of Living & Apartment Prices
The entire state of Massachusetts, and the Boston-Cambridge area in particular, is known for its extremely high cost of living. The overall cost of living here is 240% of the national average, with apartments ranking 48% more expensive than the national average. The average rent for two-bedroom, two-bath luxury apartment rentals is $1,900, and the average price for more modest one-bedroom apartments in older buildings is around $1,000.

Neighborhoods to Explore
There are apartments for rent all over the city, with a wide range of sizes, styles and prices. If money is an issue, take a look at the neighborhoods of Allston, Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston and Jamaica Plain, where rents have fallen an average of 5% in recent years. And don't forget to explore apartment rentals outside the city limits; Boston's greater metro area includes more than 200 cities and towns. Some of the more significant communities with apartments for rent include Revere, Everett, Somerville, Cambridge, Newton, Brookline, Dedham, Milton and Quincy.