As part of our first-ever Renters Week, we dropped on Tuesday the 10 cheapest and the 10 priciest areas to rent an apartment in the Hub. Tops on the priciest list was downtown Boston, where the median monthly rent in September was $3,136. We decided to hop the commuter rail and see what a tenant could get for less than that at a dozen locations beyond Boston and its immediate environs. We went to the shores of Plymouth and the hills of Andover, to Sudbury and Salem. What we found will either shock or pleasantly surprise you.
· The Cheapest, Priciest Areas in the Hub to Rent an Apartment [Curbed Boston]
· Our Renters Week 2012 archive [Curbed Boston]
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How Far Downtown Boston's Median Rent Goes Beyond the Hub
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Salem
You could rent two of these 2-BR, 1-BA apartments in downtown Salem for what it costs to rent one in downtown Boston. Spooky.
Ipswich
A 3-BR, 2-BA cottage for $1,700, not only do you get the brick fireplace, you get water views and a big deck off the kitchen (with gas grill).
Gloucester
This 2-BR, 2-BA house on Rocky Neck is charming enough, but the backyard is really something: brick oven AND chiminea, plus water views. All for just $1,400.
Andover
This 3-BR, 2.5-BA townhouse, renting for $2,100 in Andover, comes with two deeded parking spaces plus access to frills like tennis courts and a pool.
North Reading
An entire 4-BR, 3-BA house, plus fenced-in yard, for $2,850! And what’s that? Half-month’s free rent? Wouldn’t get that in downtown Boston.
Billerica
This 3-BR, 1-BA ranch-style house rents for $1,750. It touts its nearness to commuter rail, though the station seems to be a good 6 miles away.
Concord
This 2-BR, 2-BA house in Concord is renting for $2,900. More importantly, it’s in walking distance to downtown and the commuter rail station. There’s parking, too, if you need it.
Sudbury
At a capacious 2,676 square feet and renting for $2,900, this Colonial seems like a deal. Two caveats: absolutely no pets per the listing and lease would only be for six months. Otherwise, cathedral ceilings, two renovated bathrooms and 1 acre of land.
Norwood
The listing for this 2,976-square-foot house assures us that it “has too many wonderful features to mention them all.” Suffice it to say, it’s got modern everything, plus plenty of shelves and really high ceilings. Yours for $2,750.
Brockton
This 3-BR, 1-BA wants only $1,600 for a year lease. That is all.
Rockland
This 2-BR, 1.5-BA apartment doesn’t allow pets, and then tortures us with photos of a shared common area in the back! The 950-square-foot space yours for $1,400.
Plymouth
Goddamn. This 2-BR, 1-BA wants a relatively modest $2,000 for its waterfront location—and the wrap-around deck from which to enjoy it.
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