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5 Neighborhoods with the Lowest Rate of Available Boston Apartments

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Renters in the city of Boston are familiar with the difficulties of searching for Boston apartments, but inventory has reached even lower levels this year. In a previous article, we discussed the 5 neighborhoods with the most Boston apartments available. That is, with the highest Real-Time Availability Rates (RTAR) and therefore apartment options. The RTAR is a great way for future renters to plan as it allows them to know the availability of Boston apartments today or in several months’ time.

However, you may still be having some trouble with your home search if you’re looking in certain parts of the city. Here are 5 Boston neighborhoods with the lowest RTAR, and where renters may be noticing they don’t have as many opportunities.

Symphony

RTAR: 0.20%

Symphony’s central location between the city’s Downtown neighborhoods and proximity to several universities is only one of many reasons that there is so much demand to live here. With a name like Symphony, it’s no surprise that this neighborhood is also the music hub of Boston hosting the Boston Symphony Orchestra. You’ll never find yourself short of concerts and music venues to go to should you choose to live in Symphony. As one of Boston’s older, pre-industrial, neighborhoods, you won’t find as many parking options as in other, more residential neighborhoods. However, where the neighborhood lacks in parking, it more than makes up for in beautiful architecture, diverse food options, and proximity to Boston’s T service, with direct access to the green line, and close access to the orange line.

Symphony Average Rent Prices

For a studio apartment in symphony, you can expect to pay $1,970 per month. You’ll find that 1-bedroom apartments typically average $2,647 and 2-bedroom apartments typically average $3,182. For a 3-bedroom apartment you can expect to pay $4,026. An average 4-bedroom apartment will rent for $5,224 and 5-bedroom apartments average $6,719.

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Fort Hill

RTAR: 0.66%

Though small, Fort Hill is rich in cultural scenery, such as the typical, New-England triple-decker apartment complexes. It also features Greek and Italian architecture from the 18th century. Despite its small size and historic roads, there is plenty of parking on its major streets for residents and non-residents alike, as well as an abundance of bike paths, allowing for easy access between the residential and commercial areas. Fort Hill is also well connected to the orange and silver lines of the MBTA.

Fort Hill Average Rent Prices

For a 1-Bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay $1,775 per month. You’ll find that 2-bedroom apartments typically average at $2,336, whereas 3-bedroom apartments are typically around $2,951. For a 4-bedroom apartment, expect to pay $4,161 on average.

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Charlestown

RTAR: 0.87%

Located between the Mystic River and Charles River, Charlestown is celebrated as Boston’s oldest neighborhood, with its first city plans dating back to the 17th century. Its location between the city’s rivers allows it access to the city’s Freedom Trail, which offers beautiful views of the entire city as well as its oceanfront. The city is also a very important historical relic of the American Revolutionary War, hosting the USS Constitution, the country’s oldest naval vessel. Charlestown also offers unique dining options, such as the Warren Tavern, one of the country’s oldest bar/restaurant which was frequented by the likes of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, and it’s still in service today! This neighborhood is decorated with high-pitched, multi-story homes, and offers easy access to Boston’s downtown districts through its orange line at Sullivan Station, as well as multiple bus routes to and from the Greater Boston area.

Charlestown Average Rent Prices

For a studio apartment, you can expect to pay $2,275 per month on average. You’ll find that 1-bedroom apartments typically average at $2,197, whereas 2-bedroom apartments are typically around $2,925. For a 3-bedroom apartment, expect to pay $3,045 , for a 4-bedroom apartment, you can expect a monthly rent of $4,429.

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South End

RTAR: 1.11%

The South End is often referred to as one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the Boston area. It boasts eleven parks and several community gardens, all interlaced between Victorian-style homes. This allows for a charming contrast between the dark, crimson-red brick buildings and the multi-colored greenery of the parks. The South End is well known for its culinary scene, offering cuisines from around the world, as well as a variety of night-life options for after dinner. The South End is particularly known for its many jazz clubs, which have been frequented by famous jazz artists, like Duke Ellington, and continue to host world-renowned musicians and concert venues. You can easily access other parts of Boston through the Orange and Green lines, as well as the Greater Boston Area through the commuter rail as a resident of the South End.

South End Average Rent Prices

For a studio apartment, you can expect to pay $2,024 per month on average. You’ll find that 1-bedroom apartments typically average at $2,635, whereas 2-bedroom apartments are typically around $3,371. For a 3-bedroom apartment, expect to pay $4,302, for a 4-bedroom apartment, you can expect a monthly rent of $6,153.

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West Roxbury

RTAR: 1.14%

West Roxbury is one of the more residential neighborhoods that is more affordable than other Boston neighborhoods. Turnover of apartment rentals in West Roxbury seems to be lower than in other Boston neighborhoods. West Roxbury offers extensive green spaces and parks, such as Brook Farm and Millennium Park (pictured above), as well as a variety of home styles- from colonial-style homes to crimson-red brick apartment buildings in the center of town.

West Roxbury Average Rent Prices

For a studio apartment, you can expect to pay $1,550 per month. You’ll find that 1-bedroom apartments typically average at $1,934, whereas 2-bedroom apartments are typically around $2,495. For a 3-bedroom apartment, expect to pay $2,404, for a 4-bedroom apartment, you can expect a monthly rent of $2,675.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’ve had a hard time finding suitable options for Boston apartments for rent, you may be looking in areas with the lowest RTAR. Try expanding your search to include other neighborhoods or re-evaluate some of your search criteria. In any case, working with a local real estate professional can help. They’ll be able to notify you of properties as soon as they are back on the market and provide you with a useful upper hand in this tight rental market. Visit Bostonpads.com today for the largest, real-time rental database in Boston and contact one of our Boston real estate professionals today.


Demetrios Salpoglou

Demetrios Salpoglou

Published July 6, 2022

Demetrios Salpoglou is the CEO of bostonpads.com which is an information and technology based services company that provides cutting edge resources to real estate companies. Demetrios has developed over 90 real estate related websites and owns hundreds of domain names. Demetrios also owns and operates six leading real estate offices with over 120 agents.


Demetrios has pulled together the largest apartment leasing team in the Greater Boston Area and is responsible for procuring more apartment rentals than anyone in New England – with over 130k people finding their housing through his services. Demetrios is an avid real estate developer, peak performance trainer, educator, guest lecturer and motivational speaker.