With a booming economy, great local dining, and of course, Tufts University, Medford has a lot of great particular strengths. Whether you’re looking to find a new place in Greater Boston, are moving to the area for the first time, or just trying to find a new pad in the district, it pays to know what you’re looking for. While there are no rules, per se, these guidelines should help make the process run a little more smoothly for you.
What To Do Before You Start Apartment Hunting
Before you fire up Medfordpads.com , it helps to consider the following questions:
How Much Of My Income Do I Set Aside For Rent?
Conventional wisdom for renters suggests putting roughly 30% of your income towards rent expenses. And while that’s a good guideline, it’s not a hard and fast rule. That figure assumes that you’re spending about 50% of your income on things like rent, utilities, and daily transportation costs. Plenty of Medford residents rely on public transportation, and many properties include utilities in the rent figure. So if you’re trying to figure out what’s a reasonable amount to set aside for your monthly rent, it’s worth considering these factors as well. Here is a quick tip; don’t forget about the cost of parking. Renting a parking space in Medford varies widely from as low as $75 dollars per month to over $200 per month in certain locations of Medford.
Tufts students, in particular, are often looking at a different housing situation. Research assistants receiving a stipend might have few expenses, and the solitude of your own place could well be worth the extra cost. Many find they simply don’t need a personal automobile and wind up putting the cash they’d spend on fuel, insurance, and lease payments towards public transportation, with plenty left over to cover rent. Still more find it beneficial to share their living space with a roommate: not just to help share costs, but to have a study partner, or just someone to help keep you grounded through the rigors of graduate studies. Many Tufts students also like to rent 3 bedroom apartments and share vehicle costs as a way of maximizing value for the entire living situation. Some students pitch in to pay for gas and service of their roommate's vehicle so that grocery trips and other necessary rides are done in an efficient manner.
There’s no magic number for how much you should or shouldn’t spend on rent: just be sure to make decisions that make sense for your situation. The best situation with roommates is always to talk about how many synergies the group can come up with to save costs and or maximize value for everyone.pa Apartments for rent in Medford come in all shapes and sizes, and odds are good that you’ll find something that satisfies your budget and lifestyle needs.
Pets: Yay or Nay?
For some of us, bringing our pets along is a non-negotiable matter. Nothing’s worse than finding your dream apartment – within your budget and everything – and then having to walk away because they won’t let you bring your animal companions along. To avoid this kind of disappointment, it helps to figure this out beforehand: especially if you’re coordinating with others who’ll be living there. Finding the perfect flat, only to have your roommate make a face when the real estate agent mentions the “no cats” policy is an awkward start, to say the least. Best to work that kind of thing out ahead of time. Most housing statistics reveal that over 90% of landlords do not accept pets so that alone starts to limit your choices in a huge way. Be smart, if you really must have a pet, it is important that you start looking earlier and be more prepared to put down a deposit and have good landlord references.
Pet owners who are also students will want to go the extra mile in regard to planning ahead. A lot of college housing fills up at the start of the school year, so it might be even harder to find apartments for rent in Medford that accept pets if you put off your search too long. Word to the wise.
Location, Location and Don’t Forget Location
Medford’s a big place with multiple neighborhoods. Especially for renters who plan to rely on public transportation – or just use the sidewalks the three most important aspects of your new apartment in Medford might all be its location.
For Tuft students, in particular, heading to and from campus without the need for external transportation is an attractive proposition. Or maybe you like the idea of having a cafe right outside your door. If you’re planning to rely on public transport, try looking for apartments near the stops you’ll be using most frequently. Medfordpads.com’s map is really handy here: you can see what part of town that shiny new apartment is in at a glance, helping you narrow things down considerably.
As an aside, Medford in general is an excellent location in the Boston area. You’ve got amenities, convenient access to downtown Boston, and a positive neighborhood vibe. Medford can make a lot of sense for a wide range of Bostonians, not just Tufts students or people who work in Medford.
A Little Light Reconnaissance
Here’s a tip that many renters wish they’d taken to heart before signing a lease: check out the neighborhood before you visit the apartment in question. Will you feel comfortable living on the street or in the complex you’re considering (Medford is comparatively safe, but some renters may be turned off by, say, a poorly lit street or too much traffic)? Is it near the coffee shops, restaurants, and other shops that you use on a regular basis? Do you think you’ll fit in with your neighbors (Being a crazy college kid surrounded by retirees might have its advantages. It could also have significant disadvantages). Do you like heading outdoors around here? Is it near the coffee shops, restaurants, and other shops that you use on a regular basis? Some renters try to pass this stuff off as inconsequential, but think about how much of your life is spent in and around your new home.
This stuff matters. So get a feel for the area as you work your way through apartments for rent in Medford.
Now, that isn’t to say that you shouldn’t try new things. On the contrary, a neighborhood without your usual staples can be a blessing in disguise. This is a great opportunity to check out that cafe you’ve never been to, head into the gym and see if they offer any classes you like, even take a trip through the local grocery store, and find out what they keep in stock. Who knows?Even if you don’t find an apartment for rent in Medford that hits every checkbox on your wishlist, you might find that taking a chance on a place can pay off as well.
Bringing It All Together
All right. You’ve done the groundwork, scouted the area, and had honest conversations with your roommates (and possibly yourself) about budgets, pets, location, all that fun stuff. Now that you’ve done the prep, it’s time to start actually finding your next apartment in Medford. There are a lot of different online tools to help you find your new apartment: but if you already know that you want a place in Medford, Medfordpads.com keeps rental listings nicely organized for you (there’s a reason that we’ve mentioned it throughout this blog: it made doing quick research that much easier).
Once you’ve got a list of properties that look good, set aside some time to do some visits: preferably all on the same day. If you’re working with a real estate agent, they can help set this up for you: evenings and weekend visits are quite common, but it’s all about finding a time that works with your schedule. Real estate agents get paid to meet landlords, copy keys, contact tenants and making an organized showing successful and time-efficient.
Seeing multiple properties on the same day isn’t just about saving you time: it lets you compare apples to apples. It’s easy to fall in love with a space when you first step in. But when you’ve got a fresh memory for contrast, it can help you make a more rational decision. Stick with the real estate agents that can show you the most properties. Chances are those agents love to call landlords and find the most and best apartments for you.
One last tip? Don’t stress. Let it be a fun adventure, a hunt for your new home. You’ll be spending a lot of time there, so make sure you give yourself plenty of lead-up and don’t rush into a decision. It’s also important to be ready to pull the trigger. If your gut is telling you it is a great apartment – start listening!
Ready to check out some apartments for rent in Medford, MA? If so, start your search at Medford Pads. Looking at a larger radius? If so, check out Boston Pads. We’ll keep you in the loop on the best rental and sale properties in town.
Happy apartment hunting!
