http://kaco1.tumblr.com/post/4624151306/where-to-live
Congrats to the LGO and Sloan Class of 2013 admits! Many of the admitted students have asked my thoughts on housing, so here they are for you as well, with our perspective as a family as well as advice for many of the single or non-parents.
Our Story
For us with a family, we lived off-campus in Kendall Square. This was great to have more time at home, to be able to run home between classes, or for when we met during lunch the first summer to breastfeed. The first year is really busy, so it was very helpful to have a short 10 minute walk to campus (without variability of the T). There are less restaurants, but still lots of new things popping up and a Shaw’s grocery store a bit of a walk towards Cambridge St. Fewer bars and hot nightlife (particularly for the single people). Lots of parks, libraries, and walking distance to both a large mall (Cambridgeside Galleria) and the green line (Lechmere) in addition to the red line on the T.
This year for the final semester, we’re in Central Square, one T stop from Kendall/MIT stop. Lots of fun things to do in the area and many, many things nearby. Fewer parks and libraries. As my friend says, there are more “socioeconomically diverse” people (i.e. homeless) and it is just overall a lot more populated than the business-centered Kendall Square. I travel to campus door-to-door in 15-20 minutes, riding the T one stop.
We paid about the same price for both units, and found places that included a garage parking spot and accepted our two cats. The place in Kendall was about 100 sq ft smaller but more modern amenities and building and many included utilities; Central our place is larger with hardwood floor in the main area, a fireplace, and balcony but the kitchen needs some major updating. For households with children, you will also be required to live in a new facility or in a building that has been de-leaded.
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For the childless…
Many people in our class lived in Central the first year. It is closer to campus and cheaper for the first year when you are busy. For the second year, Beacon Hill is very popular, it is more expensive but cool when you have more time last semester. Very difficult and expensive to find parking in Beacon. Beacon Hill is closest to the Charles/MGH and Park Street T stops. Harvard Square is also cool, but tends to be expensive and further walk from the T because of competition from Harvard students and that the area right at the T is more commercial than residential.
Further out on the red line..
Porter and Davis are also popular and have a reputation of more space for less money. We looked but didn’t find good options out there for this semester. Also, the Porter Square elevator is out of service until March 2012, so not a friendly choice for the stroller-touting parents. (Porter is the deepest station of all MBTA subway stations, with two or three long escalators to go down the 105 feet to the bottom.)
Also, remember that being close to classmates, in whatever neighborhood, will be important! Best of wishes with your housing choices!
-Kacey Fetcho-Phillips
