Off-Campus Housing

If you would prefer to live off-campus, please see the Off-Campus Housing Opportunities spreadsheet which will have an ongoing list of apartment/room rentals. Students, please use this spreadsheet to list any rental opportunities you may have. Please be sure to remove the listing off the spreadsheet once the spot has been filled.

The Fletcher/Tufts campus is located in a densely populated suburban area a few miles northwest of downtown Boston. The communities in which Fletcher students usually live are MEDFORD, SOMERVILLE, CAMBRIDGE, ARLINGTON, and MALDEN. Many apartments in this area are accessible by walking or by public transportation. Students with cars can live farther away from campus where housing is generally less expensive. The student population in the Boston area is enormous, and good housing tends to disappear well before the first of September. We therefore recommend that you visit the area to secure an apartment several months before the semester begins.

Check out the Off-Campus Housing Guide here -> Off-Campus Housing

With the Tufts University campus located partially in SOMERVILLE and partially in MEDFORD, these two towns are the most convenient options for many Fletcher students. SOMERVILLE is home to Davis Square which features many cafés, restaurants and the Davis Square stop on the Red Line of the “T” (Boston’s subway system). MEDFORD is more residential with the town center slightly farther removed from Fletcher. From there, CAMBRIDGE and ARLINGTON are the next closest options with good public transportation to and from Fletcher. CAMBRIDGE is located closer to Boston and its many bookstores and restaurants create a vibrant student-oriented atmosphere (for these benefits, however, you must pay the price of higher rent and parking fees). ARLINGTON, which is more residential, is another close alternative. BELMONT, WINCHESTER, MELROSE, STONEHAM, WOBURN and LEXINGTON are mainly residential areas. These towns are usually limited to students who own cars, since there are no direct bus routes to Fletcher from these areas.

Rents vary according to the area you choose, but generally a studio/one-bedroom apartment will range from $1,500 to $2,000 a month. Rent often does not include the cost of utilities – a major expense during New England’s cold winters. Utilities can run over $200 a month per apartment, averaged over the 12-month period. Generally, Fletcher students who share accommodations (2, 3, or 4 bedroom apartments) pay an average of $900-$1,200 a month without utilities.

In addition to the first month’s rent, many landlords require that you pay the last month’s rent plus a security deposit, which is held by the landlord and returned to you when you leave if the property has not been damaged. Massachusetts State Law requires your landlord to deposit this money and to regularly show you the interest statement. Massachusetts State Law also stipulates that the amount of “up front money” cannot exceed 3 months rent. It is wise to get a written, signed statement from the landlord concerning the condition of the apartment before you move in to insure that you will not be charged for damages for which you are not responsible.

Additionally, you may be expected to sign a lease. Before signing anything, read the document carefully to check whether you will be held responsible for rent if you decide to leave before the lease expires (usually one year). Some landlords will negotiate shorter-term arrangements or allow you to sublet for the balance of a lease period. Since a lease is a contract, you may wish to consult legal counsel.

WHERE TO LOOK

  • Off-Campus Housing:
    • If you are looking for off-campus housing the Tufts Off-Campus Housing Office offers a valuable website that includes complete information on how to find an apartment in the local area, links to area newspaper ads, and a list of available apartments and homes.

Other online resources that include useful information regarding roommates, houses, apartments for rent, etc.: