When considering different apartments for rent in Boston, there are always two important factors to consider in addition to the size, layout and amenities of the unit. These are the location and the commute. It’s great to be able to get to work or to your favorite restaurant in minutes without having to hop in a car or use the public transport. However, this opportunity comes at a price. That is why it is worth looking at the various rental options which you have when it comes to accessibility.

Getting Around Using Public Transport

The MBTA public transportation network includes the subway, which is popularly known as the T and has 3 lines, 14 commuter rail lines, 112 bus lines and 3 ferry lines. The majority of neighborhoods in Boston are covered by the subway system. The ones which are further away from downtown have commuter rail transportation. The bus system is very extensive with its main role being to cover the areas which don’t offer walking distance to the T or railway stations.

When looking at apartments for rent in Boston which are further away from downtown, you should always check how close the nearest T or railway station is and how you will be able to reach it. Since parking space near the stations can be an issue, this is another important factor to look into.

Walking and Biking

You will certainly be happy to discover that Boston is the 3rd most walkable of the largest cities in the United States. Still, if you want to be able to walk to work and to the top entertainment spots in the city, you will need to consider centrally located rental apartments.

Boston is covered with bike lanes and their number and length is constantly growing. The number of places for parking your bike near a T station or a railway station is on the rise too. If you love biking and want to get exercise every day, you should definitely check out a map which indicates the locations of the bike lanes when searching for a place to live.

Travelling by Car

Due to the narrow and winding streets, especially in the central part of the city, the well-developed public transportation network and the growing number of bike lanes, ever fewer Bostonians choose to commute by car within the city. If you prefer this option, however, you should always check what the situation with the parking is when comparing different apartments for rent in Boston. Older buildings do not typically have designated parking spaces for residents.

It’s always a good idea to take accessibility into account as one of the most important factors when choosing a rental apartment.