I actually got in touch with someone in housing at Tufts.
She provided me with some helpful information.
According to her, apartments in Back Bay, Beacon Hill and the Northend are closer to the school, but are more expensive and less space than you would find in Allston, Brighton, Brookline, Quincy, Malden or Cambridge, where you have a longer commuting time but probably will have larger apartment for less money.
There are areas of the South End that are really nice but you also want to be sure to see the apartment since there are also areas to be wary of (though a realtor should be able to help you with those questions).
She recommended staying away from Dorchester, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. These towns have some nicer areas but also some very
bad ones.
She also did not recommend the immediate area of Chinatown near the
school-it has gotten much better but still is not a great area to walk
alone at night.
Thought I'd share this info.....