Housing in Boston
First things first... let's find a place to live!
Many of our residents and fellows live near to the hospital not only because the neighborhood is nice and friendly, but also because trainees often need to be in the hospital early in the morning or late at night! Of course, living outside Boston has its benefits, such as less expensive rent and quiet neighborhoods. See below for some options you may want to consider.
Most popular areas
Charles River Park. Located next to the MGH main campus. CRP rents studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom condominiums. Visit the Charles River Park website and call to inquire about special rates for MGH residents.
Beacon Hill and Back Bay. Located walking distance to the MGH main campus. For nearly two centuries, Boston's historic neighborhoods of Beacon Hill and Back Bay have maintained their village-like identities within a large, dynamic urban context. Authentic 18th and19th century facades and roadways look much as they did a hundred years ago.
RENT: Avg. rents from $1100-1800 (Studio apt or 1-bedroom)
PROS: Close to the hospital, quaint, historical buildings, shops and restaurants nearby.
CONS: Some apts have maintenance problems as they are so old, street parking (no spots assigned)
North End. Located walking distance from MGH, and 5 minute shuttle bus ride from North Station. A traditional Italian neighborhood with small, quaint apartments and many pedestrian streets.
RENT: Avg. rents from $1100-1800 (Studio apt or 1-bedroom)
PROS: Near the hospital, quaint, historical buildings, shops and restaurants nearby.
CONS: Some apts are dark and have maintenance problems as they are so old, NO parking!
Charlestown. Located directly across the city of Boston (10 min free shuttle ride from Navy Yard to main campus). Charlestown residents have access to open spaces, the waterfront, and startling skyline views. While Charlestown offers a number of restaurants and shops, you will have the option of traveling to Boston's Financial District, Theater District, museums, in a matter of minutes on a water taxi, or a short car ride.
RENT: Avg. rents from $900-1600 (Studio apt or 1-bedroom)
PROS: Quiet neighborhood, nice apartments, more street parking spots, and free shuttle from MGH to/from Navy Yard every 15 mins
CONS: Not so close to the hospital, street parking (no spots assigned)
Jamaica Plain. Jamaica Plain, or "JP" as the locals call it, is a classic "streetcar suburb" that has evolved into one of Boston's most diverse, dynamic and ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Hyde and Jackson Squares have significant Spanish-speaking populations from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. This blend of cultures is reflected in local businesses, such as the many different restaurants that line Centre Street, one of its main thoroughfares. Residents and visitors enjoy walking, biking, and running along Jamaica Pond situated on the Riverway, part of Boston's Emerald Necklace.
PROS: cheaper than living in Boston proper, larger houses, accessible by bus
CONS: commute, no T-stops, car recommended, difficult to locate street parking
Outside Boston Area. The farther you are from Boston, the less a house will cost. Of course, the key question is where to live? Obviously, that depends on a number of factors, including your price range, how urban or rural a community you'd prefer, how important public transportation or highway access is, etc., etc.
- Inner suburbs. Boston is physically very small. The inner suburbs (Cambridge, Brookline, Newton and Somerville) offer quick access to the city but with their own unique assets. Newton is the most suburban and expensive, although south Brookline can match it lawn for lawn. Cambridge is Harvard Square but also working class neighborhoods in North Cambridge. Somerville is becoming a sort of Cambridge clone.
- Outer suburbs. Your basic, classic suburban communities, most with some Ye Olde New Englande touch. They're broadly organized into the North Shore (north of the city), South Shore (south of the city) and MetroWest (the western suburbs).
RENT: Avg. rents from 700-1400 dls (Studio apt or 1-bedroom)
PROS: Quiet neighborhood, bigger apts, some of them include parking
CONS: Far from MGH, car or commute rail needed
Partners Lease Guaranty Program
Housing costs in Boston are quite high and the housing market is tight. We have been looking for ways to ease this burden. The Partners Lease Guaranty Program is intended to help residents and clinical fellows at MGH, BWH and Spaulding when the landlord requires advance payment of up to two (2) months of rent (security deposit and/or last month's payment) as a condition for entering into a lease. Through the Program, Partners will guaranty payment to the landlord under specified circumstances. In return, the resident or fellow agrees to reimburse Partners for any payment Partners is required to make under the Guaranty.
For more information about the Partners Lease Guaranty Program, please visit the GME website.
Housing finders
- PARTNERS HOUSING. Partners created its own housing search engine , where you could look for apartments and refine your search by budget, number of bedrooms or location.
- Equity Residential. They have a wide array of apartment communities, in great locations. You can search housing available by zipcode (02214 if you want to find an apartment near MGH), and refine it by range of rent price, number of bedrooms and/or number of bathrooms. An special discount for MGHers is available. Partners Lease Guaranty Program is accepted.
- Charles River Park Apartments. CRP rents studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom condominiums. Avg. rents from $1400-1800 (Studio apt, 1-bedroom). They accept the Partners Lease Guaranty Program! Ask for it before signing the contract!
- Watermark Cambridge. Watermark Cambridge offers brand-new studio, one and two-bedroom rental apartments just across the river from MGH in Cambridge (a fifteen-minute walk, a two-minute drive or one stop on the Red Line T to Kendall Square/MIT). There is a 24-hour concierge, WiFi lounge, fitness center and conference rooms. Partners Lease Guaranty Program is accepted.
- Boston.com - Apartments! This is an online magazine and a great resource for housing seeking. It is a featured site including real estate, apartments, condominiums, houses, and more. You can also refine your search by number of bedrooms, rent price and location.
- Boston Apartments. This site features more than 500 real estate agencies and landlords with apartments in Boston, throughout Massachusetts, and in Southern New Hampshire. It is a full featured site including residential real estate for sale, commercial real estate, a free roommate service, advice and advertising from real estate related services.
Temporary Housing
Temporary housing is often necessary to bridge the gap between arrival in a new community and finding a permanent residence. This interval can extend from a few days to several months, so any short-term move needs to be planned accordingly. Even though most of the short-term places are furnished and equipped with basic utensils, we recommend that you bring personal items such as hangers, toiletries, blankets, twin-sized linens, towels, cooking utensils, etc. See below for some temporary housing contacts.
- Bobson Realty. 29 Hancock Street (Beacon Hill), Boston MA 02114. Apartments close to MGH, good location. Contact Information: 617-720-2282, BeaconHillLodging@verizon.net, http://www.bostonapartments.com/bobson/bobson-furnished.htm. Rates: Weekly, $230
- AAA Corporate Rental. 120 Milk St., Boston MA 02109. 617-357-6900 fax: 617-357-7330 Contact Information: email: aaarent@ultranet.com, www.furnishedapt.com. Rates: Call for current rates
- Buckingham Residencies. 240 Commonwealth Ave., Boston MA 02116. No fee, long term rates available Contact Information: 617-536-5510, e-mail: reservations@buckingham.com, www.buckinghamresidency.com. Rates: Weekly $500 - 1250
- Doubletree Guest Suites. 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston MA 02134. Contact Information: 617-783-0090, www.doubletree.com. Rates: Call for current rates
- Home Away. 66 Mt. Vernon St., Boston MA 02108. No fee, security deposit, inquire about minimum stay. Contact Information: 617-523-1432, e-mail: 71500.3307@compuserve.com. Rates: Monthly, $1250 - 1850
- Oakwood Corporate Housing. One India St. 1st floor, Boston MA 02109. Contact Information: 617-723-8050 fax: 617-723-8595, toll free: 800-724-9660, www.oakwood.com. Rates: Call for current rates
- Corcoran Management Co.. 100 Grandview Rd. #205, Braintree MA 02184. Contact Information: 781-949-0011, www.corcoranapts.com. Rates: Call for current rates
- Candlewood Suites. 130 Middlesex Tpk., Burlington MA 01803. Contact Information: 781-229-4300, www.candlewoodsuites.com. Rates: Call for current rates
- Corporate Housing Options. 552 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge MA 02139. Contact Information: 800-588-4684, E-Mail: pattif@housingoptions.com, www.housingoptions.com. Rates: Call for current rates
- Corporate Stay. 269 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge MA 02138. Contact Information: 617-354-3500 fax: 617-354-7546 toll free: 800-242-2459, www.corporatestayhousing.com. Rates: Call for current rates
- Marriott Residence Inn. 6 Cambridge Center, Cambridge MA 02142. Contact Information: 617-349-0700, 800-331-0700, www.residenceinn.com. Rates: Call for current rates
- Porter Square Apartments. 1673 Cambridge St., Cambridge MA 02139. Contact Information: 617-547-7851. Rates: $450/week, $1500/month
- Preferred Living. 88 Upham St., Malden MA 02148. Contact Information: 781-321-8494 toll free: 800-343-217, email: sales@preferred-living.com, www.preferred-living.com Rates: Call for current rates
- Diversified Realty. 154 E. Central St., Natick MA 01760. No fee, apartments in Back Bay & Cambridge. Contact Information: 617-542-7799. Rates: Monthly, $2000 - 2500
- A Better Place, Boston & Cambridge. Long and short terms stays available, price depends on length of stay. Contact Information: 617-469-4218, 617-491-3585, 888-ABP-4451 (confirmation). Rates: Nightly: $60-$150
