About

Boston is the capital and largest city of the state of Massachusetts. The Greater Boston metropolitan area is home to almost 5 million residents, and serves as one of America's major hubs for trade, manufacturing, tourism, and education.

Often referred to as the "City of Neighborhoods", Boston harbors an astoundingly diverse blend of people, architecture, and culture. From the historic brownstone homes in the Back Bay to the glass encrusted high-rises in the Financial District to the salt-air piers of the North End, each neighborhood can look and feel like its own individual world.

Atmosphere

Boston is home to many of the Nation's most famous universities, and is known as an intellectual breeding ground. Firms specializing in biotechnology, finance, high-tech, and venture capital are amongst the top employers of college graduates in the area. Fresh graduates and young professionals crowd the apartment rental market during the summer months, but deals can often be found during other times of the year.

As a major sports town, Boston's bars and pubs frequently overflow with enthusiastic Red Sox and Patriots fans. Hearing the roar of the crowd at Fenway or TD Arena is a singular experience. For those who'd rather spend the night dancing and mingling instead, there are plenty of high-energy clubs and lounges tucked into Boston's theatre district.

Options for enjoying the outdoors are plentiful. Trails for running and biking line the city, and there are always sailboats dotting the Charles River. The annual Boston Marathon is one of the nation's most competitive, and the Head of the Charles Regatta is the world's largest 2-day rowing event.

Music and culture are in the lifeblood of Boston. The Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra are famous the world over, while the Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory ensure a steady stream of new talent. An annual Boston Pops concert accompanies fireworks on the 4th of July. Events such as First Night and the Boston Arts Festival showcase the work of local artists and musicians.

History

Originally founded by Puritan settlers from England, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the Nation. The city played a prominent role in the American Revolution, and was the epicenter of key events such as the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Boston Tea Party, and Paul Revere's midnight ride.

In the following years, waves of European immigrants grew the city's population and diversity. Neighborhoods became enclaves for specific ethnicities - Italians laid claim to the North End, the Irish settled in South Boston and Charlestown, and Russian Jews migrated to the West End. To this day, the markets, restaurants, and museums in each neighborhood still speak heavily to their ethnic roots.

The 20th century saw a marked shift from manufacturing and trade to more "refined" industries such as finance, healthcare, and education. Sports and Politics were also thrown into the mix, as Boston became the birthplace of the Red Rox, the Patriots, and the Kennedy family.

Check it Out

- Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, the oldest sports stadium still in use in America.

- Hungry? Enjoy a lovely meal at one of the many Italian restaurants on Hanover Street in the North End.

- Shop and people watch along Newbury Street, an eight-block stretch lined with restaurants, boutiques, and cafes.

- Tour Faneuil Hall, a marketplace and meeting hall where Samuel Adams and James Otis gave speeches encouraging the nation's independence from Britain.

- Enjoy a scenic run or bike ride along the Esplanade, overlooking the Charles River and the MIT campus.

- Visit the New England Aquarium or go on a harbor cruise at Long Wharf.

- Date night? Ride the swan boats or enjoy an evening stroll through Boston Common, the nation's oldest public park.

The Ultimate College Town

Without any doubt, Cambridge and Boston is the worldwide powerhouse for higher education. Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Boston College, and Boston University are just a handful of schools in the area that regularly make the top 50 in national college rankings (the first two tend to trade around for the very top spots year after year, if you place any weight on US News and World Reports scoring).

What makes the area such a happening college town? For one, Harvard Square practically feels like the University existed first, and then the surrounding town and stores arrived to cater to the students and staff. Further down Massachusetts Avenue, many people often say MIT doesn't have the most aesthetically appealing buildings, but with three alums at RentHop, we respectfully disagree. The twin domes and other iconic architectural buildings bring a unique flavor and culture to campus. And one irrefutable fact is the student housing has some of the best real estate and views along the Charles River. Various dorms along Memorial Drive house about half the on campus undergraduate population, and many rooms have stunning views of the Prudential Center, Hancock Tower, and CITGO sign.

Renting in Boston

Today, RentHop as over 27,000 rental units listed on its site, just waiting to be rented out. Like previously mentioned, Boston is known as the "City of Neighborhoods." If you're not looking to rent in Downtown Boston because you're finding the rent to be on the pricey side, there are tons of other areas to choose from.

On our site, you can find over 4,000 studio apartments and over 9,000 1 bedroom apartments throughout the city. Following the trend of other bigger cities, if you want to live close to the city center, expect to pay more in rent. While certain areas like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Allston, and Cambridge are popular areas to reside in, there are tons of other areas in Boston that are just as great.