hi ...

[aquastar.livejournal.com]

I just want to know what the best way to find an apartment for rent would be. Craigslist seems to be what everyone is telling me, but no matter how often I look I can't seem to find anything.

:sigh:

TIA

EDIT: I am just looking for the best sources to find places to live
Thanks.

Comments

[jodi.livejournal.com]

even though you are not a student (i'm assuming), you could check the off-campus housing listings for the colleges around (tufts, harvard). they often have online listings of apartments, sublets, and other housing options.

[aquastar.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I forgot about that.

[ravenword.livejournal.com]

If you can't afford a place by yourself, check to see if you could find a multiple roommate situation. Some houses in Somerville are split up into 5 or 6 bedrooms, which tend to be much cheaper per person than a 1 BR or 2 BR. This probably won't be a super great living situation since more roommates = more potential for conflict, but they can work out.

[ravenword.livejournal.com]

You can also check real estate listings on Boston.com, but they're probably going to be more expensive than CL.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Ravenword: love the icon! Is that Leonora Carrington or Remedios Varo? I get them confused.

Original Poster: You might try going on a dating website like match.com or the weeklydig.com personals, meeting a romantic partner, falling in love, and moving in with them. That's how I moved to Somerville, so obviously it's the best solution for everyone.

[aquastar.livejournal.com]

lol I can't believe I didn't think of that sooner ...

[ravenword.livejournal.com]

It's Remedios Varo, from her painting "The Creation of the Birds."

[nowalmart.livejournal.com]

Rooms and shares (http://boston.craigslist.org/search/roo?query=davis&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max). Sure, you will end up sharing an apartment with people you do not know, but meet them and check out the places first.

I have found a few places through Craigslist (and found roommates numerous times) and have had really good luck.

[catbird.livejournal.com]

We had good luck with Apartment Rental Experts. http://apartmentrentalexperts.com/

[livingadream.livejournal.com]

I second this suggestion!

They only showed me apartments that fit exactly what I was looking for. And after seeing the apts they had to offer (they only needed to show me two) we took the first one cause it was perfect!

Woo.

[cutieperson]

whereas my experience with them involved them blithely ignoring my requirements and only showing apartments that wouldn't work.

[jodi.livejournal.com]

for us it was half and half.

[ravenword.livejournal.com]

They showed us a great one, then rented it to someone else after I called to say, "Okay, my roommate is on her way over with a check for the deposit." I've been carrying a grudge.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Searching the Craigslist apartment listings for "Somerville" I find literally thousands of listings. Are you looking for something more specific? If so, are you sure it's reasonable? I don't know if you're familiar with the area and its rental market.

[aquastar.livejournal.com]

I am aware you can find thousands of listings. I am also familiar with the area, I have lived here my whole life.

I am just looking for something other than craigslist, but thanks.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

OK then. I was just confused because you said you couldn't find *anything*, and that suggests to me you're searching for something pretty specific (and if your search terms are the problem, no amount of new sources will help). But if you know what's reasonable and unreasonable, more power to you.

[jodi.livejournal.com]

craigslist is great for finding things you want to rent, but after calling hundreds of landlords and being told either that the unit is already rented (mere hours after the ad was posted) or that i'd have to go through an agency and pay a fee anyway, i just gave up on craigslist and went with an agent.

[aquaflame16.livejournal.com]

My answer to the specific question you asked: "what is the best way to find an apartment for rent?" is work with an agent you like and trust. It may not always be the cheapest way, but isn't necessarily any more expensive, and it's a lot less work.

They have access to lots of listings and can keep an eye out for ones that fit your criteria. Many have no fee or half fee listings, if that's what you're looking for, but even full-fee listings can sometimes work out cheaper in the long run if you have the cash up front to pay the fee on a place the agent can find that's a really good deal.

We've really liked John Lowenstein http://redlinerealestate.com/ (you can see a selection of what he has on the website, but he usually has lots more too.)

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

We posted an ad for an apartment for rent on Craig's list last summer. We had hundreds of responses to our one ad. If you are a landlord, Craig's list works great. But if you are a potential tenant, you odds of being the "chosen one" are not good. I think I'd find a real estate agent if I were you.