The University offers leased residences to full-time Boston College graduate students. There are studios, one bedroom apartments, and a very small number of two bedroom apartments, and they are available for one year at the present time. The apartment rents are below the market value, since they include furniture, heat, hot water, electricity, gas, cable, and internet service.
If you are interested in the housing opportunity, it is imperative that you get your application in immediately. There will be a great deal of competition for these apartments. You will find the online application and a full description of the accommodations, rental costs, and services on the web at www.bc.edu/gradhousing, including pictures of the apartment buildings and maps showing their proximity to Boston College.
If you are not selected for university housing this year, it is helpful to know that we have a wonderful Office of Off-Campus Housing at Boston College that has frequently-updated lists of available area rentals, people looking for roommates and alternatives to getting an apartment (i.e. childcare or elder care in exchange for room and board). The updated lists become available to you once you receive your B.C. pin number. We will have housing information available at the Open House. The Office of Off-Campus Housing hosts a housing fair for graduate and law students each summer. It is typically held mid-June, and there are opportunities to stay on campus that weekend. Further information can be found on their website, www.bc.edu/housing (select "off-campus housing"). They are a terrific group and welcome your questions by phone (617-522-3075) or email (joan.doyle@bc.edu). There is a guest house on campus during the summer months beginning in June, particularly helpful for apartment-hunting. Further information (select "summer housing") will be posted on their website in March.
Another good apartment resource is www.boston.com. Boston.com will give you an overview of price ranges, area realtors, roommate services and people looking for roommates. For those of you not familiar with Boston, many apartments have realtor fees. Realtors charge you a fee, usually equivalent to one month's rent, for finding an apartment in addition to a security deposit and first-month's rent. No-fee apartments are available, but they usually go very quickly (often the same day they are advertised). There is also the much-used Craig's List!
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you consider housing. Accessibility to public transportation (the T) will mean somewhat higher rents. Available parking can also increase your rent. Usually, the closer you are to Commonwealth Avenue or Beacon Street, the higher your rent and the more difficult it is to park your car. If you are considering parking your car on the street, most streets have resident only parking. This means that if you are from out-of-state you will have to get a Massachusetts license, car registration and a resident parking sticker (available at City Hall http://www.ci.boston.ma.us/ and go the transportation department).
While having a roommate can have its disadvantages, it can also greatly reduce the money you are spending for housing. When moving to a new area it can also be difficult to know where to live. Areas you might want to consider because of proximity to Boston College and access to public transportation are Brighton, Allston, Boston (the Back Bay, South End, North End all equal downtown Boston), Brookline (Coolidge Corner area, Washington Square), Newton and Cambridge. The communities of Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Roslindale, Somerville, Waltham and South Boston are a little farther from Boston College and not as accessible by public transportation, but are other good alternatives.