Umass Boston (UMB) Off-Campus Housings

About Umass Boston   

Umass Boston is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and has students from different demographics and cultural backgrounds. It is estimated that 24–25% of students are international students. 

Let us answer your curiosity related to securing university dorms:

1. Does Umass Boston provide on-campus student rooms? 

• Yes, Umass Boston does provide on-campus housing.

2. What is the best month to secure Umass Boston student accommodation?   

• February & March: this timeframe is the most recommended time to book. It is best to start your search earlier, however, at least two to three months before this time.

• May & June: This period has limited options; however, most of the top student accommodation options have been picked up by that time. 

3. UMass Boston dorm (on-campus) student accommodation priority is based on the following:  

• Highest Priority Category: returning students, students with medical needs or disabilities, specific housing programmes, and early applicants. 

• Lowest priority: first-year students, transfer students, and late applicants. 

4. Can a student make an advance booking without a university offer letter? 

• On-campus accommodation will require a university acceptance letter; this case may differ for UMASS Boston housing off campus options.

5. Expect additional costs other than Umass Boston on-campus rent, apart from services such as:

• Meals plans (if unavailable, call 211 to find Food banks nearby for free or lowest-priced groceries.)

• Refundable damage deposit.

• Bicycle parking / discounted Bus pass to campus.

• Laundry services.

Umass Boston Off-Campus Student Housing Options 

There are two types of off-campus housing options available. They are a bit expensive as compared to university dorms but offer additional benefits such as flexible contract length, flexible move-in dates, independent social life, and modern amenities:

1. Type 1: Purpose-built off-campus student housing: Avg prices for Umass Boston PBSA/dormitory options (UMass Boston off campus housing): $800-$1,200/month

• Maintained and handled by some private, leading student housing providers.

• Only students can apply for off-campus housing.

• Early-bird (advance) student room bookings without a university offer letter are applicable in many housing units with a few T&Cs applied; read carefully before booking.

• Generally, flexible tenancy has 3, 6, and 12-month-based bookings.

• The most popular Umass Boston housing and off-campus housing are North End, Brighton - 81 Brayton Road, Brighton - 43 Wiltshire Road, and Allston.

2. Type 2: Apartments near UMass Boston (Private Options): avg. prices are US$800 - US$2,500+/month

• Maintained and handled by individual landlords.

• Students and their families can book a room. Number of occupants: T&C applied.

• Advance student room bookings without a university offer letter are applicable in many housing units with a few T&Cs applied; read carefully before booking.

• Generally, flexible tenancies have weekly, monthly, and semester-based bookings.

• Recommended private student apartments for rent near Umass Boston include Crisp Kendall Square Studio w/ Gym, W/D by MIT, MGH & River, Sleek Porter Square 1BR w/ Gym & W/D, nr T Stops, and Airy Central Square Studio w/Doorman, near Charles River.

We suggest checking cancellation and refund policies before booking a room or speaking with our multilingual student housing experts. 

Popular Student Areas to Live Near Umass Boston    

1. Beacon Hill: Student housing near Umass Boston has an average rent of $900-$1,500/month. 

• Bus - 10-15 minutes  

• Taxi - 5-10 minutes

• Walking - 14-25  minutes

2. Back Bay: The average rent for nearby Umass Boston housing is $850-$1,300/month.

• Bus - 15-20 minutes

• Taxi - 10-15 minutes

• Walking - 20-30 minutes

3. South Boston: The average rent for nearby options, including UMass Boston residence halls in this area is $750-$1,100/month.

• Bus - 15-20 minutes

• Taxi - 10-15 minutes

• Walking - 20-30 minutes

4. Chinatown & Fenway: The average rent for Umass Boston accommodation is $800-$1,200 /month.

• Bus - 20-30 minutes

• Taxi - 10-15 minutes

• Walking - 25-40 minutes

Benefits of Booking Umass Boston's Off-Campus Housing Options Over On-Campus Dorms

1. Early bird offer (off-campus student rooms generally offer discounts or early booking offers.)

2. Unlike university dorms, there are more types of student rooms to choose from.

3. No offer, no visa, no problem! Easy cancellation process. T&C applied.

4. Avoid expensive last-minute off-campus student room bookings.

5. Stay with your friend or partner despite being enrolled in different universities in the city.

6. More privacy because on-campus accommodations usually have shared facilities and common areas.

7. Off-campus and private facilities generally have modern facilities such as gyms, cinemas, and game rooms.