Apartments

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

It's getting to be that time of year. While I'm not exactly dying to move, I'm always on the look out for more apartment for my money.

If you are moving, why not post here and give people a heads up to stake out a good place?

Related, how much do you think it would cost to find an apartment in the greater Davis area (meaning anything within a mile or so of Davis in any direction) that had the following features:

1 Bedroom (plus study would be great)
2nd floor or above
Utilities included
Dishwasher
Laudry on site (I'd die for in unit)
Parking
In a decentish area/street

I've beeh poking around cl for a while now, but was wondering your thoughts.

Comments

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

My apartment has most of those things, and is $1350.

It does not include utilities (it does include water, but that's it); it's on-street parking, but street parking is always available on my street, and it's one bed only.

FYI.

[findingthegirl.livejournal.com]

My partner and I just signed a lease for a brand-new 2 bedroom plus study apartment with laundry on-site for $1350. It's in Union Square though, so that may be out of range for you.

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

That doesn't seem that bad for a 2 bed! I'm open to union - esp since Precinct is my new love.

[findingthegirl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, before we signed the lease we looked at several places in the Powder House Square area that weren't nearly as nice or big, but cost just as much. I'd definitely recommend checking out places in Union if you don't mind the distance.

[aynatt.livejournal.com]

Oh my word, that is fantastic...how did you find this place? I'm spending $1100 for a studio near Inman.

[findingthegirl.livejournal.com]

We used a realty agent. They ended up being really helpful for narrowing down our options despite the fact that everyone told us they were a waste of money. We had to call several different agencies before we could get any help though. I think the first two weren't interested in getting such a low commission.

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

Hmm. interesting...I refuse to pay a fee - but it seems to have worked out for you.

[findingthegirl.livejournal.com]

We were hoping to pay no fee, but after continually combing through Craigslist and finding nothing that met our needs, we gave up on that idea. I think it would have worked had we not had a specific time frame in mind, but it was getting down to the wire.

[douxquemiel.livejournal.com]

What realty agent did you use? And how much was the commission?

[findingthegirl.livejournal.com]

We used Apartment Rental Experts on Elm St in Porter Square. The commission was half of one month's rent, and so was $675.

[douxquemiel.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Things are so up in the air right now, but if we need a realty agent, I'll add them to the list.

[aynatt.livejournal.com]

I paid, $1400 for a one bedroom about a block from Davis Square proper, but that was about 7 years ago, hahaha...can't imagine what it would be like now!

[lerta.livejournal.com]

From what I can tell, the rental market now is actually a lot less competative than it was in 2002/3. When we rented our current place 4 year ago, rates were,if anything slightly cheaper than they'd been in '03, and we haven't had a rental increase yet (and I don't think the market justifies one).

[blacktigr.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who lives on the south side of Broadway in the Winter Hill area that has

2 Bedrooms (and a really large, open living room space with lots of windows)
on the 2nd floor
? at least water included
In-Unit laundry
Parking
In a decent area

for $1100.

He found it by looking with a realtor. I forgot what the guy's name is, but his office is on Broadway just west of McGrath. It's the red awning out there.

If I was looking for a new place (ours has great location, but not the world's greatest space), I would go with the realtor. You wind up paying a fee, but you get better options.

[rethcir.livejournal.com]

You'll want to get yourself nice and familiar with searching Craigslist. But I feel like you could probably find something decent for under 1300 in this climate.

[voodoocheese.livejournal.com]

Agreed-
I've got a one bed plus study with off street parking for $1250.. but no utilities are included and the laundry is across the street. I'm at the very end of the bike path- so it takes a little less than 10 mins from the square to home. They exist, for sure.. it's just a matter of prioritizing so you know what you are willing to give up, if anything.

1000 for a one bed one block up

[spaz-i-mota.livejournal.com]

..but the building is not very aesthetically pleasing.. and we've had a a few recent break ins and people setting of alarms intentionally to try to break in..(or so it seems)..that being said i'm still happy for now...it just one bad egg

includes heat, but not elec,cable,gas for the stove
laundry in the building
on street parking only
no dishwasher

i found it on craigslist last february...even with the negatives above..i have not thoughts of leaving!

Re: 1000 for a one bed one block up

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

I paid that for a 1 bed basement apartment on Dover st but moved after a break in. My neighbor got hit too.

Re: 1000 for a one bed one block up

[spaz-i-mota.livejournal.com]

mmm..scary

Re: 1000 for a one bed one block up

[spaz-i-mota.livejournal.com]

sorry..i guess the point of my post was that i could talk to the landlord if you were interested in something along those lines, i know someone just moved out last week..but i understand if i didn't make it seem to appealing...lol--good luck!

[coeceo.livejournal.com]

I'd say you need $1500/month to get something like that.

I wanted a similiar grocery list when I started my hunt and settled for a 1 bdrm, no dishwasher, no utilities included, street parking, but very close to the T and pay $1395 because it was the only listing under $1500 that was not disgusting. I also refused to pay a fee and therefore had very limited options.

I think the rental market is actually up. Foreclosures are causing more people to turn to rental markets and school admissions are still on the rise.

[moireach.livejournal.com]

This sounds almost exactly like my apartment, which is for rent (http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/abo/1170637506.html). It's a straight shot to Davis on the 87 (between Davis and Union), and it has in-unit laundry, a dishwasher, parking, a study, and is on the 2nd floor (of two) on a really nice, quiet street.

Maybe not precisely what you're looking for, but thought I'd link it just in case. :)

[waaronw.livejournal.com]

My downstairs neighbor is moving out mid-June and his place will be available.
- 2nd floor of a 3 floor converted home built in 1910 or so, updated
- Quiet street, right off of Mass Ave - you hear the commuter rail, though
- 2bd + study or storage (and full kitchen, Bath and living room w/bay-style windows)
- Stack washer/dryer IN UNIT
- Dishwasher
- Gas heat, range & hot water
- Water/Garbage included, elec, gas, internet, tv NOT
- Back yard
- North side Porter Square less than 1/4mi from the T-Stop, Shaws, Tags, CVS, etc. (basically across Mass Ave from Bob Slate - super easy walk to Davis, even in the snow. I do it all the time)
- Current rent is $1500/mo and I'm unsure if that will change with new tenants

You WILL hear us walking around in our apartment above you. Just like the 1st floor guy would hear you walking around. We are all understanding of this and you'd need to understand that when you live in an apartment-style place, you'll hear your neighbors from time to time. That being said, there's not exactly a lot of noise going on here apart from walking around. (Well, the kitties race back and forth once in a while - not sure you could hear them, though)

If you are interested, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the (pretty cool, attentive when needed, not a faceless company) landlord. Since there's no agent involved, I assume there would be no fee, but you would have to verify with the landlord.

~w