Searching for Housing

Students searching for fall, spring, or summer housing should plan ahead of their moving needs, and make priority checklists before checking out an apartment and signing a lease.

Plan Ahead

Most students are interested in September leases, which start to become available in mid- to late March.

Consider researching the neighborhood in which you are searching for an apartment.

• Boston Neighborhoods: Check out our guide to the most popular neighborhoods for Emerson students.
• Get Your Walk Score: The Walk Score website measures an apartment's accessibility to restaurants, stores, and transportation.
• MBTA Crime Stats: See crime statistics for areas, based on T location.

Cost of Living

Expect to pay between $600 and $1,400 a month for rent, utilities, transportation, and food. Most students live with at least one roommate to offset the high costs of off-campus living.

Know Your Priorities

Area/Location

• How far is the building from public transportation?
• Is there an excess of noise? (Traffic, tourists, trains, sirens, bars, etc.)
• What social/nightlife is nearby?
• How long will it take you to commute to campus? Will you be walking alone in your neighborhood late at night?

Building Condition

• How much work will be done/needs to be done before you arrive?
• Are appliances and utilities in working condition?
• Are there enough electrical outlets?
• Does the building have a security system?

Utilities

• What utilities, if any, are included in rent? 
• Is there a dishwasher?
• Where are the closest laundry facilities?
• Who has thermostat control?
• Is there adequate closet/storage space?
• Which cable provider, if any, do you have to use? (Some parts of Boston must use specific cable providers.)