With a population of just around 697,000 people, Boston is a small city compared to other major cities in the country. When it comes to looking for luxury apartments in Boston, it’s important to understand that the Boston real estate market is a extremely competitive. You’ll get a better sense of what’s available and how much you must pay for a place if you take the time to learn about the diversity that exists throughout Boston neighborhoods.
The Transportation Factor
Regardless of your work status or type of lifestyle you live, one of the realities of living in any city is that conundrum of getting from point A to Point B. Getting around in Boston is relatively easy if you use public transportation. If you’re relying on a car, your transportation costs will be substantially higher when you factor the price of gas, car maintenance, and parking – whether at home or your workplace. The closer you live to train stations, metro lines, or bus stops, the higher your rent will be. Ride sharing services have also dramatically reduced transportation costs for many Bostonians. Over the years, ridesharing has become a primary way of getting around in the city. Many people are opting to get rid of their vehicles and use cheaper ride sharing services. In many instances it is a lot faster and cheaper to Uber and get dropped off than having to look for and paying for parking.
Accessibility
The accessibility of any neighborhood you are thinking about living in is one important and often forgotten consideration by would-be renters. Think about the ease with which you can run routine errands, get to coffee shops, restaurants or other venues that you may go to for entertainment or to socialize with friends. Being able to easily get to those places can make neighborhood life more enjoyable, but there may be factors related to those amenities that make a particular neighborhood more expensive. You may be able to justify a higher rent if you don’t have to rely on a car to get to these places – or to get to and from work, school, or your business.
Consider Your Budget
If you’ve done any research about living in Boston, you’ve undoubtedly figured out that every neighborhood in the city has its own unique character and also price. Rent prices vary widely from neighborhood to neighborhood and even a couple streets away can make a huge difference. Be aware that the hippest, trendiest, and swankiest neighborhoods are often very competitive, and expensive.
The closer you are to downtown, the higher the average rent prices will be. The closer you live to highly sought after amenities, stores and transportation, the greater the demand. With greater demand comes a much higher price. That’s the way the real estate world works in Boston. The sizes of the apartments also generally get much smaller as you reach the core of the city. If you are looking for a larger apartment; they tend to be a little bit further out. So your apartment maybe bigger, but your commute will be longer. There are trade offs in any city and Boston is no exception.
Check Out Multiple Neighborhoods
It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking around for condos for sale in Boston or you’re hoping to get the best bang for your buck on luxury apartments in Boston. There is no better way to get a feel for a community than by spending time in it scoping out quintessential local shops, or dropping by a coffee shop or popping into a bar to grab a drink. The people who live and work in the area will help you get a sense for the neighborhood vibe. You’ll also get a glimpse into what your future life will be like in the community you choose for your new home.
Consider Green Spaces
Many luxury buildings have outdoor spaces exclusive to their residents. These include roof-decks, pools, grill areas, and more. However, it is rare to see truly green spaces be on the list of amenities offered by any given building. This is why if having access to parks or gardens is important to you, you should take a careful look at what the neighborhood offers as well. Of course, the Boston Commons and Public Gardens are accessible from anywhere in the city with a quick trip on the T. That being said, you should consider the fact that you may not always have time to make the trip.
The good news is that plenty of neighborhoods around Boston have access to beautiful green spaces. Boston has, after all, one of the best parks systems in the country. For example, if you’re interested in Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, or nearby Brookline as neighborhoods then you’ll have access to the beautiful Emerald Necklace. It is an 1,100 acre chain of parkways and waterways.
The Right Luxury Apartment in Boston For You is Out There
There are many advantages to living in a luxury community, and in Boston there are plenty of choices. If you want to know more about what options exist that fit your location, size, and budget needs then please contact one of our agents! They’ll be happy to assist you in your search.
Anthony Tse
Published May 5, 2022
