Finding Your Home Away From Home: A Guide to Graduate Student Housing at Boston University

For graduate students embarking on their academic journey at Boston University, securing suitable housing is a crucial first step. Boston University offers a variety of housing options both on and off-campus, each with its own unique advantages and considerations. This article explores the available choices to help you find the perfect place to call home during your studies.

On-Campus Housing: Convenience and Community

Boston University Housing manages all on-campus residences, providing a range of options to suit different preferences and needs. Living on campus offers unparalleled convenience, placing you at the heart of university life with easy access to academic buildings, libraries, and campus amenities.

Central Campus: The Heart of BU

True to its name, Central Campus housing sits right at the heart of our Charles River Campus, easily accessible to all graduate schools, including the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Law, and Metropolitan College. Just steps away, you’ll find labs, libraries, offices, performance venues, and the George Sherman Union. West Campus, including FitRec and Agganis Arena, is a short stroll west, while bustling Kenmore Square is minutes to the east.

Central Campus Graduate Brownstone Residences: Located on Bay State Road, these residences offer a classic Bostonian living experience.
Central Campus Graduate Apartments: Housed at three different addresses, these apartments offer two distinct experiences. Two-bedroom apartments with a living area, kitchen, and bath are found in the row houses at 710 and 714 Commonwealth Avenue, while 580 Comm. Ave.

East Campus: Charm and History

East Campus puts you right at the heart of BU’s Charles River Campus, where you can find the School of Law, Questrom School of Business, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, labs, libraries, performances, and student amenities. The East Campus Graduate Apartments offer mostly one-bedroom apartments with en suite bathrooms and kitchens. East Campus is a leafy and brownstone-lined corridor of campus that oozes history, style, and charm, making the East Campus Graduate Apartments an excellent choice for students looking for a quaint neighborhood.

South Campus: Tranquility and Privacy

South Campus is a tranquil, private neighborhood along St. Mary’s Street and surrounding streets. A short walk across Beacon Street puts you in the Fenway area and the center of campus. Nearby, you’ll find groceries, restaurants, and shops within walking distance to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Questrom School of Business. Roaming farther afield is easy, too. The South Campus Graduate Brownstone Residences offer a quiet community close to BU Central.

Fenway Campus: Urban Living

For a taste of in-town living, consider Fenway, BU’s newest campus. As the name implies, you’ll be right in the heart of Boston’s Fenway neighborhood and close to the South End. Dining and nightlife abound, along with the Wheelock Family Theatre, Target, groceries, and supplies.

Peabody Hall: Dormitory-Style Living

Peabody Hall is a dormitory-style residence specifically for BU graduate students. It features 138 single-occupancy rooms, each with a mini fridge and microwave oven.

Graduate Resident Assistant Positions

Graduate students who hold Graduate Resident Assistant positions are allowed to live in BU dorms. Note that these positions are highly sought-after and very few are available.

Medical Student Residence

The Medical Student Residence on the BUMC is available for most first-year medical (MD) students.

Off-Campus Housing: Independence and Exploration

For those seeking a more independent living experience, Boston University's Off-Campus Services aggregates information from outside agencies to help the BU students, faculty, and staff find housing and roommates. Exploring off-campus options allows you to immerse yourself in the vibrant neighborhoods surrounding the university and experience the city of Boston to the fullest.

uhomes: A Comprehensive Resource for Off-Campus Housing

uhomes.com offers a wide range of apartments near Boston University. No matter shared apartments and shared rooms or private flats and studios and no matter the Boston University off-campus housing for undergraduates, BU grad student housing or Boston University summer housing, there is something to cater your preferences. Come and explore for more detailed information about BU housing with us. Our team of experts are ready to help you find the perfect apartments for rent near Boston University.

Featured Off-Campus Apartments

uhomes.com lists several top picks for Boston University housing, including:

The Bon: Located at 1260 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, just 0.39 miles from Boston University.
1047 Commonwealth: Located at 1047 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, 1.18 miles from Boston University.
525 Linc: Located at 525 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, 1.58 miles from Boston University.
Commonwealth Apartments: Located at 1144-1160 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, 1.39 miles from Boston University.
The Indie: Located at 35-43 Braintree Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, 1.83 miles from Boston University.
The Overlook At St. Gabriel's: Located at 175 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, 2.34 miles from Boston University.
Alder at Allston Yards: Located at 301 Guest Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, 2.29 miles from Boston University.
83 Gardner Street Apartments: Located at 83 Gardner Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, 1.39 miles from Boston University.
Idyl: Located at 60 Kilmarnock Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, 0.47 miles from Boston University.
Hew at 1515: Located at 1525 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, 6.63 miles from Boston University.
The Greenhouse Apartments: Located at 150 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 0.96 miles from Boston University.
Bower Boston: Located at 771 Beacon Street #Apartment 775, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, 0.16 miles from Boston University.

Finding Affordable Options

uhomes.com offers affordable apartments near Boston University starting around $800+ per month and primarily in Allston-Brighton for convenience. Some cheap Boston University apartments for your consideration:

525 Linc: From US$1,550 /month
1144-1160 commonwealth: From US$1,750 /month
7Ink Boston: From US$1,969 /month
Hew at 1515: From US$2,556 /month
Alder at Allston Yards: From US$3,035 /month
99 Brainerd Rd: From US$2,025/month
31 Orkney Rd: From US$2,050 /month
1110 Commonwealth Ave: From US$2,200 /month

Furnished Apartments for Ease of Move-In

Want to directly check in the off-campus Boston University housing with your bags? You can find the fully furnished or semi-furnished BU off-campus housing to enjoy the cozy and easy living. Browse some popular furnished apartments near Boston University via uhomes.com as follows to find your dream BU housing:

525 Linc
120 Mountfort St
7Ink Boston
1047 Commonwealth
Mission Hill

Best Neighborhoods for Off-Campus Living

For Boston University students, searching BU off-campus housing according to the neighborhoods around the certain BU campus is also a great thinking.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

Best Neighborhoods Closed to Charles River & Fenway Campuses:
- Allston: It is the Boston neighborhood closest to the Charles River Campus and the most popular place to find Boston University student apartments with cheap BU housing price, abundant bus station and MBTA (T) stops and various entertainments.
- Brighton: Compared to Allston, Brighton is a quiet residential. It is located just west of the Charles River Campus, making it a great option for searching the Boston University graduate housing.
- Brookline Village: It is the neighborhood with a higher BU housing prices. Brookline Village is also called the Boston University student village. The most attractive parts of Brookline are the beautiful parks, vibrant and friendly community feel, gorgeous houses and convenient transportation.
- Central Square: Central Square is perfect for finding Boston University off-campus apartments. It is the very center of Cambridge and the buzzing haven of entertainment, bringing the convenient public transportation and abundant places to have fun for students.
- Coolidge Corner: Coolidge Corner and BU west campus are connected by an easy, tree-lined alley. This neighborhood also boasts movie theaters and bookshops and is an attractive option for exploring apartments close to Boston University.
- Kenmore Square & Fenway: Kenmore Square & Fenway, as one of the popular places finding the apartments near BU, is only within 13-minute walking away to the Charles River & Fenway Campuses. In addition to various restaurants, being close to Fenway Park is also an obvious attraction.
Best Neighborhoods Closed to BU Medical Campus:
- Roxbury: Roxbury boasts various affordable BU off-campus housing, as well as historic institutions and restaurants around. It is one of the oldest communities in the Greater Boston and now it is the heart of Boston's African American community with large international population.
- The South End: The South End boasts a few best brunch in Boston and it only takes 5 to 10 minutes to walk to BU Medical Campus, making it become one of the good BU housing options.

Understanding the Costs: Budgeting for Your Accommodation

The cost of living at Boston University varies depending on different conditions and factors, like BU housing costs, individual spending habits and preferences and the lifestyles. The estimated expenses for incoming students are as follow:

Boston University Housing Cost:
- Boston University on-campus housing: $1,000 - $1,800 per month
- Boston University off-campus housing: $1,500 - $4,000 per month
Tuition: The tuition cost of Boston University for undergraduates is from $20,000 to $65,000 per academic year. For postgraduates, the Boston University cost on tuition fees is from $30,000 to $70,000 per academic year.
Food:
- Groceries: $50 - $150 per week
- Dining out: $30 - $50 per meal
Entertainment:
- Movie Tickets: $15 - $20 per ticket
- Other entertainment expenses: $50 - $150 per month
Transportation:
- Public transportation: $100 - $150 per month
- Uber/Lyft rides: $30 - $70 per week
Miscellaneous:
- Books and supplies: $1,000 - $1,500 per year
- Personal expenses: $100 - $300 per month

Navigating Boston: Transportation Options

As a BU student, understanding the local transportation system can help you save travel time and enhance the life experience.

Subway: There are five main line in the Boston subway system, which are Red Line, Orange Line, Green Line, Blue Line and Silver Line. Moreover, the stops like Boston University East station, Boston University Central station and Boston University West station are on the Green Line 'B' Branch, which ensures the students can easily get to classes and BU dorms. The price of a single ticket depends on the distance that the passenger travels and the single ride within 2 miles costs $ 2.4. Besides, there are also 1-day, 7-day, or 1-month passes:
- 1-day Unlimited: $11
- 7-day Unlimited: $22.5
- 1-month Unlimited: $90
BU Shuttle: BU Shuttle is a free mode of public transportation for Boston Unviersity students, faculties and staff. The BU Shuttle runs seven days a week the late-night service.
Bus: Bus is also a convenient option for getting around the city. The fare for a single bus trip on the local bus is $1.70, while on the express buses, it is $4.25.
Bike: Bluebikes are popular among the Boston citizen, which are fast, fun, and affordable.
- Single ride: A single ride costs $4.49, which can last for 30 minutes. After the first 30 minutes, each additional 30 minutes costs $4.
- Annual membership: Residents who are new to Bluebikes (have not had a membership in the last three years) can get at $60 per year membership.
Rideshare: Services like Uber and Lyft are widely used among the students. As a reference, a single rideshare trip within Boston can range from $7 to $30.
Walking: Walking along the city can enjoy the stunning city views and feel the vibrant atmosphere of the City of Boston.

Exploring Boston: Tourist Attractions Near BU

Boston University is located in a nice location with various tourist attractions nearby for students to explore:

The Freedom Trail: It is a four-kilometer-long red brick road that people can learn about the history of the American Independence movement when walking along the trail.
Boston Common: It is not only the oldest park in the United state, but also the starting point of Boston's Freedom Trail.
The Massachusetts State House: It witnessed the developing story of Massachusetts since its completion in 1798. Besides, the tours can have a chance to see the state's legislative process and its rich history.
Quincy Market: It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966 and nowadays it continues to operate as a market.
Bunker Hill Monument: The 67-meter-high memorial tower is for commemorating the volunteers who fought against the British army at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.
Museum of Fine Arts: It is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world, containing a wealth of treasures from across the globe and across the centuries.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: It is an art museum founded by Isabella Stewart Gardner, housing significant examples of European, Asian, and American art.
Boston Public Library: It is an architectural wonder and also the first large free municipal library in the United States. There are vast collections of books and manuscripts, which is a haven for literature lovers.
Fenway Park: It is the America's oldest ballpark and a must-visit for baseball enthusiasts.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum: This museum offers the captivating blend of interactive exhibits including the authentically restored tea ships and stirring live scene reproduction.

Application Process and Important Considerations

To apply for on-campus housing, please look at the application process. It’s always a good idea to know your rights before renting. uhomes.com advise students studying in Boston University, especially the incoming students, to begin searching student housing search as early as possible, ideally in May or earlier, to secure their ideal BU housing option before the start of the academic year in September. Earlier start to find Boston University off-campus housing , better chance to rent an ideal one.

tags: #boston #university #graduate #student #housing #options