Find a nice place on Savin Hill.  Lovely little enclave of families and artists and young people.   "

Full disclosure - I am with the company that owns Harbor Point Apartments and The Peninsula.  That being said, we are without a doubt the closest to UMASS however I will try to avoid sounding like a commercial and give you the facts.  Both properties are about a 10 - 15 minute walk from the UMASS/JFK Redline stop.  Both are also very close to UMASS, and also HarborWalk, a great bike and jog path that goes from the South of Boston to downtown.  Also very near South Boston beaches. 

Harbor Point is a larger, older community with plenty of free parking (rare in Boston) and Zip Cars on-site. There is also garage parking available. They recently did over their fitness center overlooking the Bay - it's quite nice. Two pools, tennis courts round out the amenities.

The Peninsula are two newer buildings, some with stainless steel appliances and newer finishes, one just finished last summer, and are more expensive. There is garage parking available for a fee. There is a pool and a fitness center for both Peninsula buildings to share.

www.harborpointonthebay.com

">http://www.harborpointonthebay.com"">www.harborpointonthebay.com

www.peninsula-apts.com 

">http://www.peninsula-apts.com"">www.peninsula-apts.com 

Here are the websites, both have Facebook pages so you can see the community and what they are talking about. 

Good luck! 

 

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If you have $ there's also an area there called the Peninsula which has some newer buildings and it still very close to the school.  Definitely more expensive though.  It's on Mount Vernon Street.
 "

As far as convenience the huge Harbor Point complex right next door is definitely the best.  The quality of the apartments is going to range but you will not spend any time getting to school.  It's a five/ten minute walk to class, no trains necessary. It's also obviously right near the water just like the school which is nice in the warm months.  The walk in the winter can be a bitch with the wind whipping off the water but just wear a lot of stuff!

http://www.bostonapartments.com/harbor.htm

http://www.harborpointonthebay.com/
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If you're going to Umass Boston and are planning on taking the train to school just make sure you at least live somewhere along the Red Line.  And DEFINITELY not the green line. (unless you like an hour and a half commute!)
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