Adobe City Guide 2019 - Boston

MARKET FOCUS: Boston, MA

Congratulations on your internship with Adobe! We are so excited you will be joining us soon. We have compiled some information together for you to help get you oriented with your internship location. Figure out where you want to live and get started on the search as early as you can. Joining the Adobe Intern Facebook page is also a great way to network with future colleagues and search for a roommate. We wish you luck in your housing search! What to know about renting in Boston Boston has one of the country’s highest costs of living, with the neighborhoods of Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, North End, West End, and Waterfront among the most expensive. Cambridge, which is further from the city, is slightly less expensive. Housing costs are influenced by ease of commute to the city. Parking in the city and other close in communities may be an extra $150-250+ per month. In outlying areas, parking is generally included in the rent. The western suburbs of Newton, Brookline and Wellesley are highly sought-after; the south suburbs of Hingham, Cohassett, Quincy, and Norwell are known as prestigious towns. There has been an increase in luxury-type housing in mid-town Boston; however, prices remain volatile. Inventory for single-family homes remains scarce.

Boston at a Glance

CONSIDERATIONS

FINDINGS

COMMENTS

Housing Availability

Low

Tenant Paid Real Estate Fees

Yes

Majority of cases tenant pays one-month rental fee**

Typical Lease Length

12 Months

Landlords are very reluctant to sign leases longer than 1 year

Typical Security Deposit

1 Month

Cannot legally be more than three months’ rent

Early Termination Clauses

Difficult

Few landlords will agree to a diplomatic clause

Negotiation of Lease Terms

Low

Common to have multiple bidders on individual units

**Note: Tenant paid broker fees are a customary practice in the Boston market. Fees vary throughout the city and are determined by the landlord.

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Boston Market Focus Report

Housing Options

TRAVELERS HAVEN Travelers Haven is one of the largest and fastest-growing corporate housing companies in the country, specializing in affordable short-term accommodations for interns and other temporary stay residents. Service includes 24/7 support and a mobile-friendly dashboard, so occupants can easily access and manage their housing wherever they are. Each intern is paired with a dedicated account manager to better assist them in every step of the housing process. Click: Travelers Haven to create an account and access the housing dashboard. From there you can fill out a new housing request by entering the location in which you wish to rent and basic information about the property you’re looking for. Traveler’s Haven knows where the Adobe office is located and will try to find options as close to the office as possible. After clicking submit, a dedicated account manager will call you within 15 minutes. Should you miss the call, they will also follow up with an email. CORPORATE LIVING All the hours in the classroom, at the library, behind the books…and you have made it, deservedly: you landed a big-time internship with Adobe. Congratulations! The last thing you need to be doing is stressing about finding a great apartment within budget for your summer stay. If you are looking for a seamless, turn-key housing solution, look no further. Corporate Living administers your housing from arrival to departure. This means no time-wasting apartment searches, no ugly surprises upon move-in, no ridiculous paperwork. You (and your family) will rest easy knowing you have secured a comfortable, convenient, and affordable place to live this summer, enabling you to focus on what is really important: your Adobe experience in an exciting new city. Did we mention our 24-hour move-in to move-out guest services contact? What is important to you is important to us, so if you need our help, give us a call, shoot us an email, or fill out our online form. Comprehensive total duty of care, across the board, all summer long. Have a friend you want to room with? Open to rooming with someone new and making new friends? We have got you covered there, too. Simply note your roommate preferences when you submit an inquiry and we will do our best to make it happen. The right room at the right rate with the right roommate…that is a lot of things going right. We are experienced housing professionals who manage your housing process and support you every single day of your internship. We ensure you have a place to live, not just a bed to sleep in. Corporate Living: this is what we do. For all the information you need to secure your summer housing today, please visit: Corporate Living

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Looking for a roommate? Click on the following link to connect with other Adobe interns in your area: Adobe Intern Facebook Group

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Boston Market Focus Report

Popular Neighborhoods

NEWTON Newton is a welcoming destination for young professionals, just a short commute to Boston. The city of Newton has a number of thriving commercial centers, each with its own shops and restaurants. Each of these has a small- town feel, yet Newton offers many of the advantages of a larger city: fine dining, excellent recreational facilities, open spaces, and access to public transportation. Visit Piccadilly Square – an open-air shopping and dining marketplace located in Newton Square. Housing in Newton is a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and smaller apartment buildings. Prices in Newton are above the area median and there are many homes that have been remodeled or re-built with modern amenities. CAMBRIDGE Cambridge isn't just one neighborhood; it's a collection of neighborhoods that each offers something different. You can easily walk from any of the commercial centers of Cambridge to another in half an hour or less, although they're all served by the subway lines and/or buses. Cambridge is the home to two of America's greatest universities, the center of scientific research on the East coast, and it's teeming with plenty of shopping and dining options. Check out the local boutiques or head over to CambridgeSide Galleria . Most housing in Cambridge is in apartment buildings (some old, some new) and townhouses (mostly newer). There's also a number of two- and three-family houses in most neighborhoods in the city. BEACON HILL Beacon Hill proves you can live close to the bustle of the city while still enjoying the comfort of a small community. One of Boston’s oldest and most pedestrian- friendly neighborhoods, Beacon Hill is close to public transportation and only a short walk to Boston’s premier dining and shopping districts like Charles Street . Be sure to check out Boston Common , one of the oldest parks in the country. Beacon Hill is almost completely residential with small shops and restaurants scattered around the neighborhood. Most homes are newly renovated apartments in the neighborhoods 200 year old Brownstones. WELLESLEY Wellesley combines the benefits of being in the suburbs with proximity to the outdoor recreational spaces. While parts of Wellesley are easy to walk, the city overall will require a car for travel. Many residents also use the commuter rail that has three separate stops in Wellesley. There is plenty of shopping, from major grocery chains to boutique gourmet shops. Wellesley is also just 10 to 15 minutes from the Natick Mall , the Boston area's largest shopping center.

Wellesley's housing stock is a mix of single-family homes, many of which are duplexes or townhouses. There are very few apartment complexes in Wellesley.

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Boston Market Focus Report

Leasing a Property

TIPS

- In a competitive rental market, bring a completed rental application - including all necessary documentation - and a check for security deposit when visiting the property - Ask if the landlord offers any favorable terms for your employer - Come prepared with enough funds to pay for the first month of rent, plus the deposit amount. Deposit requirements vary, but can be equal to one-month rent (or more) - Be extra diligent when reviewing the lease from a private landlord. Unlike large apartment complexes, which generally have well established agreements, private landlords may be less experienced and may include unfavorable or unrealistic clauses - Ask a family member, friend, or colleague to come along with you on the move-in inspection to have an extra set of eyes

BE THOROUGH Be sure to review the lease! -

Rules about landlord access and your privacy

- -

Any maintenance required of tenant

Payment of utilities (typically tenant-paid)

BE PREPARED Many landlords and property management companies have very strict requirements for prospective tenants. Qualifying can at times be challenging and a bit frustrating. Most landlords will require some combination of these documents: - Identification - Letter of employment - Recent pay stub - Copy of your credit report

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Boston Market Focus Report

RESOURCES

TRANSPORTATION The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority provides transportation options for the greater Boston area including surrounding suburbs. This includes a bus and metro system. Complete information can be found by clicking the link above, including fares, schedules, parking, and information about the CharlieCard. Trains Boston’s train system includes both Subways and commuter rail lines and is one of the busiest in the United States, providing on average 1.1 million trips a week to commuters. It offers an affordable, safe, and efficient way to travel around the city and surrounding suburbs. The MBTA system has five subway lines and 13 commuter rail lines. Buses Buses are an easy transportation option providing fast and economical service to employment centers, hospitals, shopping centers and many other attractions. MBTA busses are one of the largest and busiest in the country, with approximately 177 bus routes operating at any given time. Bus operators do not carry cash so be sure to have your pass or exact change when you board. Various money saving passes and discounts are available. Paratransit accessibility can be found at: www.mbta.com/accessibility . Commute Alternatives The Commuter Alternatives Program helps you find inexpensive, stress-free and environmentally-friendly ways to get to work. Some examples are listed below and may vary by your office location. - Up to $150 per month Commuter Checks for vanpools and transit systems. (Interns will be provided with a Commuter Check MasterCard with a Transit Value of $350 to be used during their internship.) - Secure bicycle parking - Emergency Ride Home Program - Shuttle van between Adobe campus and public transportation - Special rates for ZipCar membership - Adobe Yearly transit pass provided at no cost - After you start your Adobe internship, you will also have access to the Adobe Fond program, which gives U.S. Adobe employees exclusive preferred pricing on over 850 products, services and experiences, including rental cars

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Boston Market Focus Report

HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES Most hospitals are either non-profit and operate with the help of endowments or are privately owned and operate for profit. A small number of hospitals are primarily subsidized by government funding. There are a variety of options for hospitals in the area. Below is a list of some local health care facilities: - Newton-Wellesley Hospital - Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Chestnut Hill - New England Baptist Hospital - Boston Medical Center Urgent Care Facilities For urgent, but not life-threatening, medical concerns that occur after-hours, or cannot wait for an appointment with a regular physician, urgent care centers can be found throughout the area: - Partners Urgent Care - Find a location near you! Many urgent care centers are open from the early morning until late in the evening during the week, and also maintain weekend and holiday hours. Just as with a visit to the doctor, an urgent care center will always need your insurance information. Although the staff will file a claim to receive payment from your health insurance provider, a co-pay may apply at the time of treatment. SHOPPING Newton is known for its excellent shopping. Fantastic grocery stores, high-end retailers such as Bloomingdales, as well as numerous specialty boutiques make Newton a great spot for shoppers. Piccadilly Square www.piccadillysquarenewton.com Open-air, multi-use center featuring shopping, dining, and entertainment – located in Newton Square Hospitals focusing on care of children include: - Boston Children’s Hospital

The Shops at Chestnut Hill www.simon.com/mall/the-shops-at-chestnut-hill Upscale shopping mall located in the Chestnut Hill section of Newton

CambridgeSide Galleria www.cambridgeside.com Over 100 stores and restaurants

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Boston Market Focus Report

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

The Boston Pops www.bso.org Live musical performances appeal to all audience types

Fenway Park https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark Catch a Redsox game at one of America’s most loved ballparks Boston Public Garden www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org Be sure to visit the first public botanical garden in America The North End www.northendboston.com Eat, shop, or take a food tour in one of Boston’s first neighborhoods

Freedom Trail www.thefreedomtrail.org Enjoy an after hours lantern tour or head out with your friends for a historic pub crawl New England Aquarium www.neaq.org/index.php Considered a must see while in the Boston area with over 1 million visitors every year

Franklin Park Zoo www.zoonewengland.org Pack a lunch and spend the day enjoying the zoo’s attractions and exhibits

NIGHTLIFE Feeling adventurous? Here are some recommendations from our local destination consultants.

Newton residents don't need to leave the city to find things to do at night or on weekends. There are two movie theater complexes, local live theater, pubs with music, and there are all those terrific restaurants.

DWELLWORKS DIRECT

For access to additional resources or to learn more about our rental assistance programs, please visit us at www.dwellworksdirect.com .

© 2019 Dwellworks, LLC

Boston Market Focus Report