Do you mind if I PM you if I have any questions on specific places? Thanks.

That property looks like it would fit a lot of our needs - they have some significantly larger units that are well priced (which scares me a bit - why are they cheaper lol?).

Only thing is it doesn't look like they have any kind of outdoor grilling area, do they?

We initially would be looking to rent until we get familiar with the area, but would definitely be open to renting a condo as well.

Actually we’re coming out to the area next week just to look at some areas and Salem is one of the top places we’re considering. Just thought we’d check what might be between there and Boston.

Thanks for the honest/good info. And maybe I shouldn't have posted in the Boston Reddit and shot for more general MA area (since we already sort of knew that Boston itself wasn't going to work - a lot of people seem to be missing that I think).

We're definitely not suburb people (hate the 'burbs!). But we'd be open to a smaller city close to Boston where we could live in a downtown and have stuff to walk to right around us.

You're correct regarding either students or young professionals - there's a similar area in Minneapolis called the North Loop - full of young professionals but also older empty nesters and some retirees. It's mainly older converted warehouses/lofts with a ton of small retail and restaurants/bars nearby. Really exploded in the last 10 years or so.

Regarding deposit, we've never avoided having that, but a lot of larger properties have shifted to lower deposits now (normally nowhere near 1 month's rent).

We would probably eventually end up in something like that (or possibly a condo - at our age we're tired of maintenance lol). Just when moving to a completely different part of the country we've found it easier to deal with an apartment building - easier to meet other people, less to know up front, etc.

Over the past 10 years we've managed to downsize from a 2700 sq foot 3-story home with a basement and storage shed into ~1100 sq. foot apartment so we're headed the other way lol.

The types of properties we've lived at the past 8-9 years have all been larger properties with management companies (and that's sort of what we're looking for). I do get what you're saying regarding broker fees for smaller "mom and pop" rentals. Those aren't common in most other parts of the country but the costs are rolled into the rent I'm sure.

Yes, I realized that the "r" word wasn't appropriate and changed my wording. Regarding families, we have our own but don't really want to be around them all the time at our age (trust me, you'll get there lol).

LOL...we've lived our entire lives in the upper midwest (Wisconsin and Minnesota) so are very familiar with the cold (actually you guys get warmer weather than we do, at least in the winter). Main reason we're looking out east is we have family in New Hampshire (but we prefer to be closer to a larger city). Like I said, not that we're wanting to stay directly in Boston, but more the towns north of there.

I've been scouting on Apartments.com and can find quite a few places in the $3500 range, some with and without a pool (although that's not as big of a deal)...

As for building amenities, ideally a really good gym, place to grill out, pool and hot tub would be nice too lol. We’re pretty good at finding places but not as sure about specific cities/areas to focus on.

We're not as worried about her working to be honest. Technically we can probably get by on my income when we first move out there. She's also got a ton of retail manager experience (Target for example) so would be able to most likely find something near wherever we decide to move.

Yeah for as progressive as the area is you would think they would ban that shit as I'm sure it has a huge affect on lower income people being able to easily move.

Have rented multiple places here in Minneapolis (including one of the most expensive in the city) and never paid a fee like that.

The key is finding complexes that are managed by larger national companies (Greystar, Lincoln Property Management, etc.) There's no "broker" to pay since you're dealing directly with the leasing office at the apartment complex.

I work 100% remote (IT consulting) and can work anyplace in the US. Wife isn't sure where she will be working yet but will find something to supplement income.

I've seen quite a few apartment complexes outside of Boston for $3000-3500 for 2bed/bath, ~1000-1200 sq feet.

And yeah, my choice of words might be poor taste but the brokers fee is idiotic. Have rented multiple places here in Minneapolis (including one of the most expensive in the city) and never paid a fee like that. The key is finding complexes that are managed by larger national companies (Greystar, Lincoln Property Management, etc.)