Recommended residential areas around Harvard Square, Cambridge (Boston, Somerville: apartment, rent)

[Himanshu.Pal]

Hello,

My name is Himanshu and I am currently residing in New Delhi, India... I am moving to Cambridge (Harvard Square) later this year for work. Could anyone recommend good, safe and affordable (upto $1250 for an apartment - studio or one bedroom) residential areas around Harvard Square?

Further, what is the average cost of living (on a monthly basis) for a single guy?

Many thanks

[ctrres]

-- Lower Allston, Boston
(30 minutes by foot down Harvard Ave.; 2 bus lines)

-- North Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
(1 bus line)

-- Union Square, Somerville
(20 minutes by foot; 1 bus line)

-- Inman Square, Cambridge
(15 minutes by foot; 1 bus line)


$500-$600/mo. for food (groceries plus regular light restaurant/take out)

[eevee]

I'd also add in Porter Sq, which is home to Lesley College. it's not a short walk, but it's possible. then there's also buses that go up and down Mass Ave and the red line that will take you barely 5 minutes from Porter to Harvard. you'd be better off w/ a bike. if you look around, you should be able to find something decent for that budget in that area.

you could also check out Davis Sq. this area is right near Tufts U. and has a lot of students living there. living close to the red line will get you to Harvard pretty quickly (less than 10mins) and there's a bus route or two that will get you there also

further away are the towns of Watertown, Arlington, Medford, and Belmont, all of which are a bus ride away from Harvard

you post doesn't mention what amenities you'd like, whether you wanted some place quieter or w/ more night life. Davis Sq is the livelier of the options I mentioned, and I believe ctrres mentioned Central Sq, which is also home to a lot of bars, clubs, and restaurants. the towns I mentioned above are more family friendly and quiet, mostly a mix of blue collar and white collar families w/ a few students mixed in some areas

[septimus]

check out the riverside neighborhood and inman neighborhoods too. everyone's threshhold for walkability is different, but those two neighborhoods are close to Harvard.

[Mark8251981]

Waverly Square in Belmont is only four miles from Harvard Square and has rent in the 700-1000 range