FACULTY & STAFF RELOCATION

Your move to Boston University.

Find housing around your work location, budget and start date. A practical starting point for faculty, staff and medical professionals making Boston home.

Official resources checked . Prices and eligibility can change.

01 / START WITH YOUR WORKDAY

Which BU location will you call home base?

Choose your work destination first. Neighborhood suggestions below are starting points for a property-by-property commute comparison.

YOUR COMPARISON STARTS HERE

Allston, Brookline and Fenway–Kenmore

Use your building on or near Commonwealth Avenue as the destination. Compare the walk to work with an MBTA or BU Shuttle trip; include the return journey.

Start with the exact work building. The property explorer uses straight-line distance to 1 Silber Way, which is not a commute estimate.

02 / PUT NUMBERS TO THE PLAN

What could housing cost?

BU Real Estate publishes these monthly apartment search ranges. They describe employee housing, not the entire Boston rental market or confirmed availability.

Studio

$2,100–$2,400per month · BU Real Estate

One bedroom

$2,400–$3,300per month · BU Real Estate

Two bedrooms

$3,300–$6,000per month · BU Real Estate

View BU’s published ranges & rental-interest form

UNIVERSITY-OWNED APARTMENTS

Check eligibility before planning around a unit.

BU’s FAQ requires current university employment and Provost approval; Boston Medical Center employees are excluded. Incoming hires should ask BU Real Estate when they can apply.

BU lists 12-month leases. Verify furnishings, utilities, pet policies and all reservation charges in writing.

Start with BU Real Estate

Read eligibility & lease FAQs

PRIVATE RENTALS & HOMES FOR SALE

Compare the home with your full housing plan.

Review the lease or ownership timeline, moving costs, recurring bills and your expected time in Boston. Check individual listing availability with the local professional.

The explorer measures distance to the Charles River Campus. For another workplace, request a search around that address.

NEED TIME TO GET SETTLED?

Explore a furnished or temporary stay.

BU HR links to external short-term resources including Sublet.com and Our Home Boston. Check current availability, stay length, furnishings, all-in pricing and cancellation terms directly with the provider.

Open BU’s temporary housing resources

03 / CHECK YOUR UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

Benefits that could change your moving budget.

University benefits have their own eligibility and application process. Your hiring unit and BU’s offices confirm what applies to you.

$45/month

Employee Link pass example

BU lists the MBTA Link pass at $90 retail and $45 for eligible employees using the university’s 50% subsidy. Regular faculty/staff eligibility, enrollment deadlines and parking-permit restrictions apply.

Check eligibility & enrollment
Approvalrequired

Moving / relocation assistance

BU’s expense policy allows assistance with Dean or Vice President approval. Ask your hiring unit for the approved amount, covered expenses, receipts and payment timing. Confirm any payroll questions with the appropriate BU office.

Read BU’s relocation policy
HRresources

Employee real estate program

BU HR lists a separate Coldwell Banker Real Estate Advantage Program. Its benefits depend on using that program’s assigned agent. Review those terms before choosing representation; they are not a benefit offered by Frank or CollegeHousing.ai.

Review BU’s employee program

04 / MAKE ARRIVAL EASIER

Your move, from offer to front door.

Use this sequence to bring the housing search, your first workday and move-in arrangements together.

  1. When you accept the role

    Confirm your work address and start date. Request written relocation-assistance terms. Set a housing budget and decide whether a temporary stay belongs in the plan.

  2. Before choosing a home

    Test the commute at your work times. Confirm availability, lease dates or purchase timing, utility costs, parking, pets and building access. Ask about remote tours if you are still out of town.

  3. Before booking the move

    Obtain written mover quotes, confirm building loading and elevator reservations, and check the city’s street-permit rules. Coordinate keys, insurance and utility start dates.

  4. As you settle in

    Document the home’s condition, save maintenance contacts, update your address and confirm your commuting arrangements. Review your next housing step once you know your routine.

Frank Carroll

A LOCAL CONTACT FOR YOUR NEXT STEP

Bring your move to Frank Carroll.

Frank is a Vice President at Compass and the BU-area CollegeHousing.ai real estate contact. Discuss the housing search, property comparisons and remote review arrangements that fit your move.

View Frank’s Profile

617-721-7461 · Choose a preferred day and time for your callback.

Thinking about buying?

Matt Dean, NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact. Ask him to confirm licensing and options for your intended occupancy and employment situation.

Explore Financing Guidance →

Preparing insurance and moving services?

Ask Frank about local service contacts. Confirm each provider’s services, licensing where applicable, pricing and availability directly before booking.

ANSWERS BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

BU relocation questions

Can BU faculty and staff apply for university-owned apartments?

BU Real Estate lists apartments for current university faculty and staff, with Office of the Provost approval required. Its FAQ excludes Boston Medical Center employees. Incoming hires should confirm their eligibility and timing directly with BU Real Estate.

BU Real Estate eligibility and lease FAQs
What do BU faculty and staff apartments cost?

BU’s rental-interest form lists studios at $2,100–$2,400, one-bedroom apartments at $2,400–$3,300 and two-bedroom apartments at $3,300–$6,000 per month. These are published search ranges, not available-unit offers. Confirm the particular apartment, rent and included utilities.

BU Real Estate rental interest and price ranges
Will Boston University pay for my move?

BU’s Travel and Business Expense Policy says moving or relocation assistance requires approval from a school, college or unit Dean or Vice President. Ask your hiring unit for the approved amount, covered expenses and payment process in writing before spending. The policy does not establish a universal dollar allowance.

BU Travel and Business Expense Policy — moving/relocation assistance
Can I find furnished or temporary housing while I decide?

BU HR links to external short-term housing resources, including Sublet.com and Our Home Boston. Confirm dates, furnishings, total cost, cancellation terms and the provider’s current availability directly. A temporary stay and a BU employee apartment are separate arrangements.

BU Human Resources relocation resources
Does BU offer an employee transit discount?

Regular BU faculty and staff ordering eligible monthly MBTA passes through the university receive a 50% subsidy. BU lists a Link pass at $45 per month for eligible employees, versus $90 retail. Enrollment deadlines and restrictions on holding parking permits apply.

BU employee MBTA benefits and enrollment
Can Frank help me relocate before I arrive in Boston?

Frank Carroll, Vice President at Compass, is the BU-area CollegeHousing.ai real estate contact. His Compass profile lists corporate and physician relocation specialties. Ask about property comparisons and remote review arrangements; share your work location, move date and budget. BU administers its own employee benefits.

Frank Carroll — Compass profile and relocation specialties

Sources & update information

Published by CollegeHousing.ai. Official resources checked September 6, 2026. University programs are administered by BU; CollegeHousing.ai and its featured professionals are independent of the university. The featured professionals are not presented as authors or reviewers of this guide.