I've checked out a $975 1BR apartment in Place Dorchester. To be absolutely honest, I was shocked to see what kind of crap the management has the balls to ask $975 for. Ceilings are low, the quality of all appliances is sub-standard and as far as I am concerned, this apartment should have been priced at around $600.
Okay, may be the apartment is not THAT small (it was a real 1BR, after all), but c'mon - the building itself is a low-end dorm-type high rise. They have no right to ask for rents that are more befitting to luxury buildings. Perpetual renovations, long waits for elevators (only 2 which is not nearly enough) complete the grim picture.