With one of the highest concentrations of graduate students in the country, Boston is a vibrant place to live and learn. But that also means the housing market can be competitive, especially in popular student neighborhoods.
Many BC graduate students choose to live in nearby areas like Allston, Brighton, Newton, and Brookline, with each neighborhood or town offering its own unique vibe and easy access to campus. To help you navigate the housing search, we put together this Q&A featuring MBA students that moved to Boston last summer.
Olivia Maher
Olivia Maher (MBA ’26)
Moved to Boston from Chicago, Illinois.
When did you start looking for housing?
Probably around March 2024. I signed for my apartment in mid-April that year.
Do you have a September 1 lease?
No! I actually have an August 1 lease. They do exist, you just need to be more proactive to find them because they are not as common as September 1 leases (note: most apartment leases in the Boston area run annually, from September 1 to August 31).
What resources did you use to find your apartment?
I used apartments.com a lot and would ask realtors I got in contact with to send me other listings that fit my criteria. I live alone so I did not use any resources to find a roommate.
What was the moving process like for you?
I flew to Boston from Chicago with two suitcases. I then stayed on an air mattress for the first week while I waited for my stuff to arrive. I was very fortunate to hire movers as they made the process of getting my furniture into my apartment on the fourth floor of a walk-up much easier than it would have been otherwise.
How long is your commute to campus and how do you get there?
I live very close to campus, and this was something I prioritized as I don’t have a car. I live about five minutes from the bus to campus. On days when I walk to school I can get to Fulton Hall (where all of our classes take place) in about 20 to 25 minutes.
Do you have any tips or advice for students looking for housing for next year?
Start looking early! In Boston, apartments for August or September go on the market early. And if you want to prioritize an August 1 lease, look in areas that have a lot of students as there are some landlords who rent mainly to those groups and know they need to be here before September 1.
Karan Datta
Karan Datta (MBA ’26)
Moved to Boston from New Delhi, India.
When did you start looking for housing?
I started looking for housing in May 2024.
Do you have a September 1 lease?
Yes.
Where did you stay and what did you do with your belongings before your lease began?
I moved to Boston in early August and checked myself into an Airbnb until September 1. I’d managed to finalize the apartment lease in mid-July before coming to Boston.
What resources did you use to find housing and roommates?
I found my roommates on the class Facebook page created by Graduate Admissions. My roommates and I started looking for a house through a local realtor, who gave us virtual tours of apartments. We found the realtor through apartments.com.
What was the moving process like for you?
The moving process was challenging since we didn’t have a large truck or a U-Haul to ferry us from the Airbnb to our current house. We used Uber, which turned out to be expensive, so if you can, I would definitely suggest booking a truck to help with the move.
How long is your commute to campus and how do you get there?
The commute is 20 minutes max. I travel on the BC shuttle (my pickup and drop-off location is the Chiswick Road stop). On nicer days, I walk to campus which is also about 20 to 25 minutes.
Do you have any tips or advice for students looking for housing for next year?
Start looking early because apartments go off the market very quickly. Try to see if you can find a local person who can do the running around for you. Your move could turn out to be easier and faster that way.
Sai Vinith Ayapilla
Sai Vinith Ayapilla (MBA ’26)
Moved to Boston from Hyderabad, India.
When did you start looking for housing?
I started looking for housing once I was sure I was coming to BC, which was around May. I didn’t confirm an apartment until after July.
Do you have a September 1 lease?
Yes.
Where did you stay and what did you do with your belongings before your lease began?
I was lucky enough to find a month-long room at the same place, so I just had to move rooms when the new lease started.
What resources did you use to find your apartment?
I just used the Boston College off-campus housing portal. It helped me find roommates with similar interests and backgrounds, who already lived in the apartment. I didn’t make use of a realtor.
What was the moving process like for you?
It wasn’t a hassle at all. My roommates were extremely helpful and even bought some essentials for me before I arrived. Overall, it was better than I expected.
How long is your commute to campus and how do you get there?
I live right by Cleveland Circle, so a 20-minute walk to campus. I sometimes use the BC shuttle as well.
Do you have any tips or advice for students looking for housing for next year?
BC’s off-campus housing portal should be adequate for you to find a decent apartment around campus, but you should make sure to take your own time and find compatible roommates.