Cambridge AM Commute (Boston, Somerville, Medford: living in, restaurants, price)

[Secchamps98]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to see if someone might help with a reverse commute question. I am moving to Cambridge in late January. I will be commuting out from the Watermark apt area (350 3rd st) and driving to Andover. Assuming an 800 am start, any suggestions on quickest route and how long this will take? Should I leave by 700 or 715 AM?

Also, is there a good online map of things like grocery stores, restaurants, etc. of that area.

Many thanks!

[ME Hokie 07]

Should take you about 25 minutes I'd say. If you can leave at 7 or 715ish, it will be a little clearer but not a ton. I live across the street from you and I take Land Blvd and pass the Science Museum to get to 93N. After that your best bet is a straight shot up 93. Just make sure you are in the left two lanes as you approach the 93-95 interchange as the closer you get to the right hand lanes the more of that you'll have to deal with.

As for grocery stores, sounds like you have a car so I'd use the Shaw's on Mcgrath, it's less than a mile away.

Restaurants: there's a few in the east cambridge area including Legal's and Technique (which is a student run restaurant that I highly recommend). There are a ton more in Boston or outbound on the redline.

I'm enjoying living in East Cambridge so far but the one downside is that, while I'm close to everything, nothing is immediately in the area. Gotta travel a little bit to Boston or west to Cambridge. The nice thing is you can walk or take the T rather than a car.

Finally, based on the handle, are you a Tennessee fan? I ask because I'm a Hokie and I'm looking forward to kicking some Vol ***** in a couple weeks, haha. Seriously though, it should be a good game, Go Hokies!!

[Secchamps98]

Very helpful. I had hoped it would take 25-30 minutes. I do have a car, but deciding on a permanent location during that time....but have been to Boston several times, and like Cambridge alot. Glad to know I can take the redline for restaurants, etc. I am used to driving 5-15 minutes to everything now, so driving a mile to a grocery store is an improvemetn for me.

Yes, i am a tenn fan.....my name is from Peyton Manning's last yr at Tn.....a UT grad, ...looking forward to a good game. We are coming on strong, have played the best 2 teams in the country close, and should have beat Bama....blocked field game at the end stopped that.

Many thanks!

[KathyMA]

Originally Posted by Secchamps98

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to see if someone might help with a reverse commute question. I am moving to Cambridge in late January. I will be commuting out from the Watermark apt area (350 3rd st) and driving to Andover. Assuming an 800 am start, any suggestions on quickest route and how long this will take? Should I leave by 700 or 715 AM?

Also, is there a good online map of things like grocery stores, restaurants, etc. of that area.

Many thanks!

In addition to Shaw's, if you like fish there's New Deal fish market on Cambridge Street and Fulkerson and across the street is Mayflower poultry, that sells antibiotic-free poultry for a fraction of the price of the supermarket. You can also special order fresh turkeys and other poultry from there. There is also Courthouse fish market (I prefer New Deal) which has a small restaurant next door. It has good fresh fish also.

For pizza, check out La Hacienda. It's on Medford Street in Somerville (Gore Street in Cambridge becomes Medford Street) down the street from the Twin Cities Plaza. It's a dump with great affordable food.

Atwood's on Cambridge Street has a nice beer selection and decent pub grub. Lord Hobo just opened on Hampshire Street at the corner of Windsor. It is slightly upscale with an impressive beer selection. For other restaurants in the area, I would check out Inman Square and Central Square. In Inman Square, there's Trina's Starlite Lounge, Ole Mexican Grill, East Coast Grill (great seafood), S&S Deli (decent diner/breakfast place), and Tupelo. In Central Square, there's Rendezvous and Central Kitchen (upscale), Cuchi Cuchi (tapas), and Green Street Grill. River Gods has decent pub grub and a nice atmosphere.

Closer to you in Kendall Square, there's Hungry Mother (one of the hot restaurants right now) and Emma's pizza. Yelp has information and reviews for all of the above.

The other poster was right about the commute, except if there's any kind of accident on 95/128 it can screw up 93 North from Spot Pond (Stoneham) to past the interchange. I used to do this commute and it is by and large painless.