Cambridge/Boston, MA residents

Oracle

Canada411 Posts

July 27 2011 22:51 GMT

Hi Guys,

So I'm going to be in Cambridge for four~ months (between late aug to late dec) and I needed a place to rent. Was wondering if anyone from the area could help me out:

- Where are the hotspots in the area?
- What region to live would be the best?
- What areas should I stay away from?
- If anyone knew of any good places for rent (Not picky on price or how many rooms, but was hoping for something near MIT or the 'downtown' area)

I've tried craigslist and the works, I was just looking for some insight and/or possible room mates.

Thanks in advance.

SaLaYa

United States363 Posts

July 27 2011 23:37 GMT

Hi! I like in Watertown (10 minutes from Cambridge). Somewhere near Harvard Square would probably be ideal. I know it can get expensive and difficult to to find places to stay near there, but it is totally worth it in terms of stores, restaurants, and generally good atmospheres (and parties!). While I don't know exact places to stay, if you're a student you might be able to get some cheap housing in the MIT area.

Ingenol

United States1328 Posts

July 28 2011 00:00 GMT

It's tough to find housing in the Boston/Cambridge area, and it can be pretty expensive. If you don't have a car your best bet is to be somewhere near the "T" (the local nickname for the subway and other public transportation, in case you were unaware). The Harvard Square stop is pretty cool, although a bit touristy. The closest stop to the MIT campus is Kendall Square, but there aren't too many housing options right around there. Central Square is another Red Line stop and a really cool place to be: lots of bars, clubs and restaurants. Also, it's just a quick ride to downtown Boston if you want to go into the city.

Where are you going to be studying or working? That would help narrow it down.

Dknight

United States5223 Posts

July 28 2011 00:29 GMT

Just so you know, Cambridge especially, is in a tight squeeze with all the grad students coming to Boston. Most expensive it's been in the past ten years. Good luck though.

Oracle

Canada411 Posts

July 28 2011 00:31 GMT

On July 28 2011 09:00 Ingenol wrote:
It's tough to find housing in the Boston/Cambridge area, and it can be pretty expensive. If you don't have a car your best bet is to be somewhere near the "T" (the local nickname for the subway and other public transportation, in case you were unaware). The Harvard Square stop is pretty cool, although a bit touristy. The closest stop to the MIT campus is Kendall Square, but there aren't too many housing options right around there. Central Square is another Red Line stop and a really cool place to be: lots of bars, clubs and restaurants. Also, it's just a quick ride to downtown Boston if you want to go into the city.

Where are you going to be studying or working? That would help narrow it down.

Ill be working at 101 main street, cambridge MA, so right across from MIT

Thanks btw, that was really helpful (I wasn't aware of the T)

On July 28 2011 09:29 Dknight wrote:
Just so you know, Cambridge especially, is in a tight squeeze with all the grad students coming to Boston. Most expensive it's been in the past ten years. Good luck though.

Yeah I know. Rent in toronto averages about $800 for nice places, I've seen a median of at least $1500 in cambridge...

beberly

United States117 Posts

July 28 2011 13:01 GMT

The T (and accompanying bus routes) is more than adequate to travel almost anywhere in the greater Boston area. If places in Cambridge are too expensive, and you don't mind a bit of a commute (30m - 1h depending on time and specific locations) maybe consider one of the western areas. Allston is REALLY cheap (it's also sort of a shithole, but it's not like a warzone. It's low quality, but not especially dangerous). It's where many BU students live, and you can probably grab the 66 bus to the Red Line to the MIT area and the commute wouldn't be terrible. Even living out that far, geting downtown is only a short T ride away. The only downside is that the T stops running at 12:30pm or so, so your nights either end early or you pay for a cab.

Also, living alone is Boston is stupidly expensive. Most students here make it work by having a roomate or 3. The rent in Cambridge/downtown is high because it avoids the commute from the suburbs. Either have a shitload of money for a place near MIT/Back Bay, or get ready for a bit of a train ride and/or roommates. I use the T exclusively during the school year (I only bring my car out here during the summer to commute to work (I work about an hour west of Boston), and I've been able to get around Boston just fine for 2 years.

EDIT: Boston is the 5th-most expensive city in the country to live in, after NYC, San Francisco, and two suburbs of NYC. Even with 2 roommates and living in Allston my first year, I paid $725/mo. + utilities for a relatively run down-ish apartment. And I got a pretty good deal.

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