Cambridge is a pretty amazing place. Not only does it have two of the greatest universities in the world but it also has some of the most interesting and diverse restaurants in the country, a wonderful public transport system (for the U.S.), an extremely walkable/bikeable set of neighborhoods, amazing public schools, safe streets, cool cultural options, and Boston is right next door (seriously, it’s less than a mile away at some points). While it is a college town, by definition, it is way way more than just a college town and you can avoid that whole scene if you’d like. 

A recent transplant from the Midwest notes: *moving here ~2 years ago after living in suburbia MI is a dream. my older coworkers question why 'you youngins blow money on rent in dirty small apartments', but joke's on them cause I can walk/bike to literally every single thing i'd need, and chances are I have a local business option to opt for rather than only big box chain stores and restaurants.*

*example, my grocery runs have evolved from driving to Kroger (before move)->driving to supermarket->walking/biking there->changing to organic store->finally getting to farmer's markets (which has been blissfully accessible with remote work). Hell this year I gave up my car and intend to never own one again if I can help it. That's just one example, being here has transformed my life in many ways that make every family member back home scratch their head at me.*



Pretty Much Everything

The Best Thing About Cambridge?

All that popularity comes at a price. Buying a home in Cambridge, while not as expensive as Boston, is crazy steep. You can rent for reasonable prices, given the home purchase costs, so young professionals and young families can make a go of it. Perhaps just as important to understand is that winter is no joke. If you’re coming from the south just be ready. Finally, if you’re conservative be ready for an extremely liberal population. They don’t call it the People’s Republic of Cambridge for nothing. 

Local on the weather: *winters here are annoyingly long. it often doesn't really warm up until around mid to late april. the rest of the northeast gets cold snaps just as bad as boston's but boston area (including cambridge) is the most consistently cold of all the major northeastern cities during the winter. the climate might not be great for someone with seasonal depression either.*


Pricey and Cold

The Worst Things About Cambridge?

Unlike other college towns, the lifestyle of Cambridge doesn’t revolve around Harvard and MIT. It’s too diverse, has too much tech and biotech business, and those Universities aren’t really like the big Southeastern or Midwestern monsters that dominate their towns. Families live here and enjoy the city without any intrusion by the schools or students. Young Professionals live here and find tons of social options that don’t crossover to the student population. Cambridge is home to museums, amazing outdoor options, particularly on the Charles River, and is a tiny train ride to all that Boston has to offer under or across the river. 

If you want to see what everyone gets up to in Cambridge check out the calendar of events: https://patch.com/massachusetts/cambridge/calendar


Lifestyle of Cambridge

Cambridge has a huge tech and biotech startup and established business scene. There are very few cities, outside of San Francisco and the Bay Area, with more high-paying emerging industry jobs. Harvard and MIT drive innovation and graduates stay in the city to take advantage or create their own innovation. While you certainly can commute to Boston for work you won’t need to if you’d prefer a short hop to work within the city confines. 


Worklife of Cambridge

As was noted there really are very few cities in the entire country with the opportunities Cambridge offers. If you want to be on the cutting edge of industry, and live in a culturally diverse, educated, and interesting city, Cambridge should be on your list. 


Opportunity

Why You Should Move Here Now?

Students, particularly undergraduates, live in the apartments and divided homes in the neighborhoods right around Harvard Square and Kendall Square (MIT). Some of the graduate schools for Harvard are across the river but most undergrads stay on the Cambridge side of the river. 

Young Professionals tend to flock to Porter or Central Square or even Davis Square, which is right over the border of Cambridge in Somerville. They’re all on the Red Line of the “T” subway line and so are easy for getting into Boston for work or play. Any of these are good options and have tons of apartment rental options if you’re just getting started. All of these squares also have their own nightlife so you can go local or jump on the T and head into Boston if you prefer. 
- Harvard Square
- Kendall Square
- Central Square
- Porter Square
- Davis Square


Young Professionals/Students

Harvard Square

Riverside is a nice “affordable” area of Cambridge for families that has condos and townhomes in the $500k range (we told you it was pricey). There are also plenty of full-sized homes that go up to 7-figures but regardless it has great local schools and big playgrounds and parks and has the cool Peabody Terrace Children’s Center for infant and preschool play. 

If you’re ready for something more upscale check out West Cambridge. It’s the safest and priciest neighborhood in the city. Homes are always north of a million and you get big beautiful historic houses, amazing property and gardens and great access to the Cambridge Historical Society, JFK Memorial Park and some of the best public schools in the state. 
- Riverside
- West Cambridge
- North Cambridge
- Agassiz-Harvard


Families

Riverside

Cambridge

**What’s your favorite part about living or visiting Cambridge?**

moving here ~2 years ago after living in suburbia MI is a dream. my older coworkers question why 'you youngins blow money on rent in dirty small apartments', but joke's on them cause I can walk/bike to literally every single thing i'd need, and chances are I have a local business option to opt for rather than only big box chain stores and restaurants.

example, my grocery runs have evolved from driving to Kroger (before move)->driving to supermarket->walking/biking there->changing to organic store->finally getting to farmer's markets (which has been blissfully accessible with remote work). Hell this year I gave up my car and intend to never own one again if I can help it.

That's just one example, being here has transformed my life in many ways that make every family member back home scratch their head at me.

I guess i should include something to work on so this isn't only sunshine and rainbows. honestly a lot of y'all could be driving WAY better, and IMO it's both stupid and dangerous to own a car larger than a midsize in a dense town like this

**What’s your favorite part about living or visiting Cambridge?**

Lived there for five years. Honestly, the Camberville food scene, hands down. I grew up in the type of area that has Italian, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants, and that’s it. Cambridge is the only place I’ve ever lived where no matter what ethnicity of food you want, you can have it. Tibetan? Sure. Nepalese? Check. Peruvian? Two across the street from each other in Union Square. Uyghur? Inman Square. Eritrean? Take your pick, fool! I recognize different styles of Indian cuisine now. You can get General Gao type Americanized Chinese, or you can get dim sum, or you can get hot pot, or you can get dumplings. I’ve had samosas from Indian, Turkish, Afghan, Pakistani restaurants, plus I’m sure more I’m forgetting. And the endless fusion restaurants are their own post entirely.

I honestly learned more about other cultures from reading up on what I should experience from all these restaurants than I ever did in school (meant definitely as an insult to my schooling). Sorry for not sticking directly to Cambridge—all the surrounding areas’ restaurants count in my book because it’s part of living in Cambridge.

**Moving to Cambridge, MA. What are the most awesome things to do there?**

Boston is awesome! I went to college there. Where in Cambridge? Here are some of my favorite Cambridge/Boston places:

Mary Chungs - great and cheap chinese near central square

S&S Diner - great diner in Inman Square. Actually, all of Inman Square is pretty awesome, so you should definitely explore there.

Bartley's Burgers - awesome burger place in Harvard Square. all of their burgers have cool names too. They also have delicious frappes and onion rings.

Sunset Grill and Tap - AWESOME bar in Allston. Most number of beers on tap in Boston and it has amazing food. One of the best bars in Boston I'd say. Allston is kinda like a the hipster, college ghetto of Boston. They have realllllly good cheap food joints. Definitely worth a few trips.

There's a ton of other cool things to do too. North end has great Italian food. Newbury Street and the Prudential Center have awesome shopping. Downtown Crossing has great cheap shopping. Boylston Street (in the Back Bay) is great for bar hopping. Chinatown (near DT Xing) has great Chinese food. You should go there some weekend morning for Dim Sum. The Fenway/Kenmore area has a ton of really fun sports bars. Coolidge Corner (in Brookline) is also super awesome. A TON of great food places there and an old-school movie theater.

Yeah, so you won't be disappointed. Boston/Cambridge is awesome. :)

**Is Cambridge a safe area for a woman to live alone ?**

Cambridge is very safe almost anywhere, even at night and alone. You'll be fine.

The most dangerous thing that happens to people is bumping into a college student, too focused on their phone to pay attention to the walkways.

If you're on Clinton Street, be aware that around Central Square Train Station (in front of the Holmes Building), there are some homeless & mentally ill folks that hang out. It may be a little unsettling if you're not acclimated to living in a city, but they're pretty much harmless.

Otherwise, that's a very nice area with lots to do, great food, close walk to galleries, music spaces, parks, boutique shops, etc. Enjoy!

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Squares

Looklyloo Score: 92

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