Why Is Medford Fantastic for Tufts Students and Nearly Everyone Else Looking for Apartments in the Greater Boston Area?
Whether you’re a new student just coming into the greater Boston area for the first time, an existing undergraduate or graduate student who’s ready to get their own place, or just a regular hard working person or professional who needs some great living at decent pricing, Medford has a lot going it’s way. Medford is a great place to live with a diverse background coupled with some great educated people that make the city a rising attraction in recent years.
Rents vary quite widely across Medford. Proximity to Tufts matters. You will see huge price shift According to the university, most Tufts students reside within a three-mile radius of campus, either in Somerville or Medford. And while both are fantastic in their own right (and we’ll talk about Somerville elsewhere on the blog), Medford may possess a few additional local features that seem to draw lot’s of Tufts students. Either way there is also a lot of timing when properties come to market in Medford and a strategic renter can find a deal if they do some planning.
Let’s take a look.
Affordable Simplicity
As one of the most celebrated universities in the United States, Tufts students hail from every corner of the nation, as well as the rest of the world. Needless to say, most new students and many other people aren’t moving a bunch of furniture into their new pads. There always seems to be lots of used furniture that people can buy at good prices, especially if they time their purchases to certain times of the calendar year. One of the biggest move in and move out dates occurs in and around June in many parts of Medford. Look for furniture deals from May – June. Many people will drop the price at the last minute because they are often moving out of state or even out of country and you can get a great last-second deal!
When you’re moving in a dorm room’s worth of stuff, a full-sized apartment can often be overkill. Especially if this is your first time living on your own, it pays to keep things simple. Quite literally, in this case. By renting a room, rather than a full apartment, you can save hundreds of dollars on rent every month, while still having all your needs taken care of. It is certainly a lot cheaper to split the expenses two ways or three ways with other people so that common bills like furniture and utilities are cut down considerably. A quick look on BostonPads.com at rooms for rent in Medford should give you a wide array of affordable options, nestled comfortably in the $750-$800 range: easily half of what a 1 bedroom or even a studio apartment would typically cost.
Speaking from experience, the cost of rent is the last thing you want to be worrying about with exams, chasing internships, and planning out spring break on your radar. If you really want to live alone you are going to have a much higher living cost than with a roommate. That might mean you have to get a part-time job (or a better paying part-time job), or shrink your budget in other places. You really need to think through the downside of solitary off-campus living in Medford.
Attainable Comfort
While saving money is always welcome, plenty of people find that space and privacy afforded by their own apartment is irreplaceable. And in Medford, both students, as well as the resident population, can have their cake and eat it too (literally, if you get a place near Modern Pastry Shop, La Cascia’s Bakery, or any of the other excellent local bakeries). With 1 bedroom hovering around the $1,500 mark, and 2 bedroom units near $2,000, the benefits of having your own space, or shared with your roommate of choice, are still quite attainable. But, remember it’s not just the rent savings it is also the shared savings on utilities and furniture. All told with rent you could be looking at saving $600-$900 per month just by having a roommate or two!
And when you have your own space, that means that everything from study groups, to weekend binge-watching, to post-exam stress release celebrations can happen comfortably in your own space, on your own schedule. And for those graduate students and everyone else that has acquired more stuff as time goes on, a larger space avoids having to choose between jettisoning your hard-earned stuff or finding a storage solution.
Is Medford Good For Everyone?
YES! Beyond the relative affordability of living in Medford which everyone can appreciate, there remains the question of whether it’s one of the best kept rental pricing secrets if you time the market. Of course, there’s more to living in Medford than just the cost of living. The homey, old-school vibe is exactly what many people want out of living in a Greater Boston suburb.
Great Food
Studying and working hard can be hungry work. But with grocery options ranging from Whole Foods to the budget-conscious ALDI, there’s no need for anyone to starve with a long commute. Though with Medford’s well-earned reputation for numerous excellent restaurants, that’s probably not a serious risk either way: the dining scene in Medford is ridiculously good these days. From the home-style Nappi’s – where there’s no menu, just fresh ingredients, and family-style cooking – to the relocated Pikaichi Ramen, there’s plenty to recommend the dining scene in Medford, and it’s more varied than ever.
Nature
Looking to study in a majestic natural scene? Maybe you like to clear your head between classes or on weekends by taking a jaunt through a park? In either case, you owe it to yourself to check out the Middlesex Fells Reservation. A state park spanning 2,200 acres, it extends both into northeastern Medford, as well as providing trails along the banks of the Mystic River.
If that wasn’t enough, Medford residents gain access to Wright’s Pond: a cozy swimming spot exclusive to Medford residents.
Connection
Want to head into downtown Boston? Medford makes it easy. Hop on the Commuter Rail, Orange Line, or any of the numerous buses, and you’ve got fast, affordable access to everything that Boston has to offer. If you’ve got your own vehicle, it’s even faster: located right off of Interstate 93, it’s 10 to 15 minutes into the city by car. Downtown Boston is also bike accessible, just ride across the Harvard Bridge and get to Downtown Crossing, Boston Common, or the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in less than an hour.
A Noise Averse Suburb...Literally
Whether it’s to get up early for classes or a commute into work, Medford generally starts the day pretty early. This is emphasized in the Medford’s noise ordinance, which goes into effect between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. across the city. While it isn’t library-quiet, this means no heavy machinery or other “noisy work” occurs without a permit. The same goes for playing a musical instrument or pumping out music in public places.
All of this contributes to a much lower noise floor than in neighboring communities. And while some level of noise is unavoidable in any city, it’s much easier to study in peace and quiet in Medford. To say nothing of getting a good night’s sleep.
Diversity
Medford isn’t just a place for students, or middle-class families, or seniors. It’s for everybody. A big part of Boston’s appeal is its cosmopolitanism, and Medford is a place where you can get just that while paying a lower premium than what you find in the heart of Boston. You also get the Medford-specific bennies we mention above.
Is Medford, MA a Good Place to Live or What?
Between the city’s benefits, great food, and decent rental pricing – it’s a winner! With roughly 57,800 residents – with roughly 650 of those being Tufts students – a college town this is not. Medford has a strong cultural identity, and for many Tufts students and non-students alike, that suits them perfectly.
If that sounds good to you, then congratulations: Medford is going to be perfect for you. If you’re still not sure? Well, Somerville is right there, as is the rest of Greater Boston. Of course, if you’re still not sure, a real estate agent can help you figure out if Medford is the right fit for you. But hopefully, this gives you a good starting point on your journey to finding a great place to live!
Any other Medford perks you can think of? If so, let us know in the comments. If you’re ready to commit, start exploring the hottest properties in town at Medford Pads. If your search radius is a little wider than that, drop by Boston Pads. We’ll give you unbeatable access to the best apartment, houses, condos, and commercial real estate options in the Greater Boston area.
