North Adams, MA Apartment Renter's Guide

North Adams is known as the smallest city in Massachusetts -- which is no small feat, considering how tiny the state is already!

It may be the smallest city in Massachusetts, but this city in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, nestled in the Berkshire Mountains, is a vibrant arts and culture center. The city is just a stone's throw away from both New York and Vermont and is a popular stop for tourists on the Mohawk Trail. The Mohawk Trail is an old Indian trail that connected tribes in the eastern U.S. to New York. In 1914, the trail became the first designated scenic road in New England. Mostly known now as Route 2, the road brings you through the breathtaking scenery of the Berkshire Mountains with plenty of places to stop and enjoy.

North Adams is enjoying its newly founded reputation as an art and cultural center of western Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art has its home here in a converted mill. As with some former mill towns, North Adams found a way to transform itself after a tough economic blow.

Those moving into North Adams should try and avoid peak seasons such as the dead of summer or winter, as it gets both brutally humid and freezing with snow banks (as to be expected in this hearty New England town) at polar ends of the year. Documents required are per usual, with proof of income, rental history and enough money saved for an equivalent of first and last month's rent. Having your credit scores and references printed out and ready never hurts, as competition can be fierce, especially coming into the fall. Try and come at the beginning of summer to catch housing opening up as tenants vacate for the Cape.

North Adams living is heavily clustered around Route 2. There are some additional options down Church Street (Route 8A) also. There are no distinct neighborhoods in this tiny Massachusetts city, but plenty of funky, cool old buildings that have been turned into rental apartments. If you are looking for a unique residence or apt for rent, then you have come to the right place.

You could rent a place in a building like The Boardman or The Hathaway Tenement, which are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They were built as housing for mill workers and reflect the architecture of the times. Their listing on the registry means they have been maintained, so this would be a very unique place to live. Some of the buildings have been converted to apartments and condos, while others have been turned into studio apartments for rent, which can double as an artist studio and living space, so you may just have the next Van Gogh as your neighbor!

Main Street in North Adams is everything you would expect it to be. The buildings are just old enough to feel substantial and historic, and the city takes pride in its civic appearance. The city itself is a big supporter of the arts and education, as well as recreation activities for everyone.

One of the highlights each year is the Eagle Street Beach Party. This unique celebration for a landlocked city is tons of fun for everyone, as the city trucks in more than 250,000 pounds of sand on the second Friday in July. There are both age-friendly (daytime) and adult (nighttime) versions of the party!

Natural Bridge State Park is located real close to downtown. It's a great place to go for a hike or to just admire the cool rock formations, the marble waterfall and the granite and marble cliffs.