Tufts Blogs

In the legendary words of Billy Joel, “I’m movin’ out.” Well, technically, I’m not, as I already did before my junior year at Tufts. But, for you future Jumbos, there will come a time when you will most likely “move out” of a Tufts dorm and into off-campus housing. Tufts guarantees housing for two years, but there's a lot apartments available nearby, so most Jumbos live off-campus in Medford or Somerville during their junior and senior years. According to The Cambridge Day, as of the fall 2024 semester, 1,600 Tufts students lived in Somerville alone. So, to prevent any heart attack ack-ack-ack-ack-acks, here are some useful tips you oughta know by now about the off-campus housing process.

1. Start early

I know off-campus housing is the least of your concerns as a freshman, but I’d nonetheless suggest starting to think about the process as your first year at Tufts winds down. My goal was to sign a lease before the start of my sophomore year. I will admit, I lucked out in that I found a close group of four friends during my freshman year to look at houses with. Most houses have between four and six bedrooms, so five was the perfect number. 

By the end of June, we were reaching out to real estate agents and upperclassmen friends whose leases would be expiring the month we wanted to move in. We found a house by the beginning of August, received a lease document later that week, and had signed the lease by the end of August. 

While that timeline makes the process seem like everything was smooth sailing, that was not the case. We went through multiple prospective houses, dealt with a variety of landlords, and logged dozens of hours deliberating over FaceTime. Those weeks of back-and-forth, though, are why starting early is key. The semester is much busier than the summer, so housing will not be front of mind once classes begin in September. Moreover, as there is a mad dash to secure housing, prices will increase the longer you wait. Lastly, there are simply more options available to choose from the earlier you begin looking. Hence, while junior year housing should not be a burden during your freshman year, it is a good way to keep engaged with Tufts and look towards the future during the summer before your sophomore year. 

2. Use connections (and try not to use a realtor)

The best way to see what properties may be available is by reaching out to friends or connections two grades above you who will be rising seniors after your freshman year. They will graduate in the spring before you move into your off-campus residence, meaning you can take over their lease once it finishes. Whether through clubs or classes, you will meet plenty of upperclassmen during your freshman year who are eager to help you through the housing process and have wisdom to share. They can connect you with their landlord, give you tips to adapt to off-campus living, and provide guidance during the lease transfer. 

If possible, I would also recommend not hiring a realtor. Dealing with landlords directly is the quickest path to securing a deal, and they are also better able to answer any questions you have during the process. Additionally, realtors charge a hefty brokerage fee once a lease is signed, which I strongly recommend trying to avoid. Simply, try to cut out the middleman. 

3. Know what you want and scout out options

This may sound like an obvious tip, but all too often, people rush into leases without first evaluating their options and prioritizing what they want. Do you want to be on the Boston Avenue/Fletcher Field side of campus or the Bromfield-Pearson/Bello Field side? Do you want to live with two, three, four, or five other roommates? Do you want a one-year lease or a two-year lease? Do you want your lease to start in June or September? How many bathrooms are in the unit you’re looking at? 

Some of these questions may sound trivial, but they’re all important considerations while deciding on your off-campus housing. After all, you’ll most likely be spending two years in the same house, so it is important to make an informed decision. While people are scattered during the summer, try to have at least one member of your group visit any potential houses before signing a lease. Pictures on the internet are one thing, but seeing units in person is preferable. For instance, one of my housemates, Brian, was conducting research at Tufts over the summer. So, he tagged along with the realtor to visit each property, FaceTiming us so we could tour them virtually. Overall, it is prudent to prioritize details like location, size, and amenities, in addition to actually viewing houses, before rushing into a lease. It will save you time, headaches, and, possibly, some money. 

So, I hope that, when the time comes for you to move out, you will remember these three tips. Whether you end up living near Mr. Cacciatore's down on Sullivan Street or across from the medical center, I hope these tips don’t seem such a waste of time. You’ve been savin’ your pennies for someday, so you deserve to feel good movin’ out. 

Photo Credit: Max Druckman