Drop your neighborhood, rent, and whether you think it's worth it

I moved into this 1BR in South End in 2022. Rent was $1,575 with a two-month concession, effectively $1,444/month that first year. I thought I was set.

First renewal: $1,743. A 10.7% increase. They gave me 45 days notice. I asked if there was any flexibility. The leasing agent said they had a waitlist for my unit type. I signed because I didn't want to move.

Second renewal: $1,875. Another 7.6% increase. The concessions are completely gone now. No move-in incentives. No free months. The amenities, a rooftop deck that gets crowded on weekends, a gym with 6 machines, and a package room, haven't changed. The building hasn't changed. The unit hasn't changed. I'm just paying 20% more for the same thing.

I asked a friend who lives in a similar building two blocks away what he pays. $1,920 for a slightly larger unit. We compared notes. His building has a pool that opened in 2023. Mine doesn't. Neither of us can explain why we're paying what we're paying relative to anything except that the market will bear it and we both don't want to move.

I'm moving in September. Back to renting from a private landlord in Plaza Midwood. $1,550 for a 1BR with parking included and a landlord who owns 3 properties and answers her own phone. I should have never left.