Bower

Let's start with the downsides:
- Extremely sensitive smoke alarm (safe, but annoying if you're a bad cook)
- Something about the ventilation makes apartments dusty quite quickly, so you will need to vacuum often
- Management is mostly helpful but not very accommodating
- Despite the smoking ban and sensitive alarms, somehow still smoke smells will occasionally waft through the vents
- No burning candles
- Large floorplans, but poorly planned storage (some odd drawers and no storage cabinets)
- Sometimes noisy from commuter rail or Fenway park (and crowded streets)
- There is on-going construction over I-90 facing North, which will likely increase in volume and shade north-facing apartments in the future
- You will need to download about 6 apps to function here, and Greystar (the property manager) has just joined Bilt, so your payment details will be shared with Bilt and Plaid
- The website advertises free cleaning supplies for every apartment, but they have been "on back order" for over a year. Also, the "welcome package" is a one-pager with information and your key, so don't get your hopes up.
- The rent.

HOWEVER, if you can afford the steep rent, it is well worth the investment.

Law school is stressful enough, you do not need to be stressed out about your living situation. The building is clean, modern, and eco-friendly. The appliances are new and easy to use. You save money on heating/AC because of the smart windows (although they are not always so smart and the app is a pain), and the thermostat automatically detects if you are home. In-unit laundry is a massive time and money saver, as is the well-equipped on-site gym. In nice weather, the rooftop is a brilliant place to study or relax, and in summer the pool is a perfect place to unwind.

The building also feels very safe, with key fobs necessary to open all doors and activate the elevators. Building 2 has rotating concierges at the front door keeping an extra eye out and making deliveries a breeze. Everyone who works here, from the doormen to the maintenance staff, are very kind and helpful. The management will also arrange various social activities throughout the year, but these are fairly poorly attended, and most people go in and grab something and then leave. There purports to be yoga on Tuesdays, but personally I've never seen the class happen.

The best thing about this building, however, is the location. Via Mountfort Street and the St. Mary's Bridge, the law tower is less than a 10-minute walk away. The building is convenient to the St. Mary's, Fenway, and Blandford street stops, and sits on top of Landsdowne station for easy commuter rail access. (Note that sometimes the commuter rail can be a bit loud and during winter, it will often sound its horn or bell in the middle of the night.) The building has its own parking garage, bicycle parking, and is surrounded by parking lots. If you are facing Fenway, you can also usually see or hear games and concerts. If you don't, you can still catch most of them from the roof. Shopping and groceries are conveniently available on Beacon or in the new "Fenway downtown" on Boylston.

All in all, Bower is the best place if you want somewhere convenient, easy, close to the tower, and trouble-free.