Georgetown vs. Boston University: Which Is Better for Living Off Campus?

Boston has a much larger, transit-connected student rental market than Georgetown’s immediate area.

BU fits students who want city access without relying on a car. Apartments around Allston, Brighton, Brookline, Fenway, and other MBTA-connected neighborhoods are commonly used by students, and the Green Line runs directly along much of BU’s campus. The tradeoffs are Boston-level rents, older apartment buildings, and commutes that can vary considerably by neighborhood and transit reliability. Renting with roommates is often what makes the arrangement workable.

Georgetown fits students who value a smaller, residential neighborhood feel. Once eligible to move off campus, many students look in Georgetown, Burleith, Glover Park, Foxhall, or elsewhere in DC, but nearby rentals can be limited and expensive. The Georgetown area is also less convenient for Metro access than BU’s campus is for Boston transit, so location matters more, especially for students without cars.