where our resident live

CAMBRIDGE

Home to MIT, Harvard, and Tufts, Cambridge hosts a large, diverse population. Each area has its own special "feel" - with hip and trendy Davis and Inman Squares, biotech centered Kendall Sq or eclectic Central Sq amongst others.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, walk to the Charles River and wave across to Boston. Areas of Memorial Drive are closed to cars on Sundays so pedestrians and bikers can enjoy the river. There are boathouses at Kendall Sq and Charles River basin to rent out kayaks, canoes or sailboats. If you enjoy biking, ride the Minuteman Bikeway to Lexington and beyond. Runners have a multitude of possibilities (running map).

Cambridge hosts hundreds of excellent restaurants. Gastro-pubs are scattered all over, but try Green Street Grill in Central, Temple Bar in Porter, or Russell House Tavern in Harvard, amongst a multitude of others. Visit Julia Child's favorite Chinese restaurant at Mary Chung's, or try some authentic Taiwanese food at Mulan, both near Central. Or try the Japanese Market in Leslie University at Porter, with several small stalls. Cambridge also has excellent Indian, Thai and other ethnic cuisines.

For late night entertainment, clubs include Middlesex and The Enormous Room in Central. For those who love salsa or swing, try Ryles in Inman, or the Havana Club in Central. For movies, visit the Brattle Street Theater. For plays and theater, try the American Repertory Theater. If you like pool, try FlatTop Johnny in Kendall or Diesel Café in Davis.

There are numerous performances during the school year in all 3 undergrad campuses. Also visit the Harvard museums - it is amazing how much art and natural history is hidden in the back halls of the University!

Beacon Hill

With its idyllic charm, rows of red brick houses adorned by glowingly green trees and gas-lit lanterns forming narrow alleys, Beacon Hill is one of the most scenic and desirable neighborhoods in Boston.

A major advantage of living here is the central location: not only is it conveniently close to MGH (~ 5 min walking distance, free shuttle to BWH runs from there), but also only a few steps away from the beautiful parks (~ 5 min walking distance to Boston Common and Public Garden), Charles River (5 min walking distance), the downtown area (~10 min walking distance to Newbury Street) and tasty Italian/Asian food (the North End and Chinatown can both be reached within 10 min). One can easily travel to Cambridge via the Red Line and Brookline with the Green Line as well.

Especially the proximity to the park & river opens up a great variety of options regarding after-work activities: sailing & kayaking on the Charles, watching the symphony or a local band perform an outdoor concert in the 'Hatch Shell' at sunset, jogging/biking alongside the beautiful river, ice-skating on the Frog Pond in the Boston Common or seeing a Shakespeare play in the park - there are numerous ways to enjoy life after leaving the hospital.

Because the area is very popular, it can be a challenge to find a decently sized place at a reasonable price. If you are interested in living here, I would advise enlisting a broker and approaching the program about outgoing residents who are living in Beacon Hill and may be looking for somebody to take over their place.

Brookline

Brookline is a fascinating town to live in. It is one of the safest places in Boston area, very quiet, peaceful and residential. But do not be fooled by it's seeming serenity. Just take a trip to the Coolidge Corner and you will most surely enjoy local indie movie theater, company of joyful students, various restaurants and summer concerts.

In terms of places to live, you have a wide variety of options from luxurious Longwood Towers to a room in a old historic house filled with student renters. Brigham and Women's Hospital is nearby - easy 10 minute walk or just few minutes on a bike. Trip to MGH is easy too - any green line subway will get you to the Government Station from where MGH is only a short walk away (or you can switch to the red line and enjoy the T for one more stop). Once again, if you choose to bike, wonderfully scenic 27-30 minutes ride by the Charles River awaits you.

In terms of finding the right place, local listings and Craigslist are your best friends. Keep in mind that getting around in winter time may become a bit more challenging given tendency to snow a lot. But no worries, Brookline city authorities are excellent with cleaning the streets and keeping their beloved citizens safe and free from non-operative head traumas. T-stations are abundant and there is always at least one within 10 minute walk. If you have a car and still planning to keep it after moving to Brookline (Why would you? Biking is awesome!), ask about availability of parking spots well in advance. It is a commodity here and not all places can provide it. Randomly parking on the street is illegal and you will be fined if car is left in residential area overnight. Hope you will consider Brookline as your favorite hibernating place while in residency!

Back Bay

The Back Bay is a centrally located neighborhood that is bordered by the Charles River, Boston Public Garden, South End and Fenway neighborhoods.

It is home to some of Boston's greatest attractions, such as Copley Square with the Boston Public Library (America's first public library), Trinity Church, the scenic Newbury Street and the lovely Public Garden - which define the unique architecture of the city.

At its eastern end, it is a quick walk (~15 minutes) to MGH and throughout its length it affords easy access to the Green Line for a quick commute to either BWH or MGH. Within its borders are numerous shopping and restaurant centers along Newbury and Boylston Streets, as well as the malls at Prudential and Copley. It is within a short walk of the Esplanade, a beautiful park that runs along the length of the Charles River.

There are lots of activities to enjoy, including visits to the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well as a variety of exhibitions (glass art, prints, sculpture, paintings, photography).

Compared to most other neighborhoods, with the possible exception of Beacon Hill, rents are more expensive for less square footage.

Jamaica Plain

Coming soon

North End

The North End of Boston transports you to a small town in Italy. It is a major tourist attraction for its history, churches, and proximity and accessibility to downtown and the Waterfront, yet the North End maintains a true neighborhood feel and a vibrant energy. While it can be challenging to get a lot for your money in terms of real-estate, what you do get is a seemingly endless variety of restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, grocery stores, and parks. Even if you don't live in the North End, don't miss out on the many Feasts that go on during the summer!

South End

Coming soon

Metropolitan Boston

Boston is known for having one of the most attractive and livable urban cores in the US. Although it is the largest city in New England, it is small compared to other major cities in the U.S. (you can walk across the city in about 45 minutes). Take a stroll through the streets of Boston and encounter a seemingly endless assortment of historic and cultural attractions.

Quick facts:

• Year Founded: 1630
• Population: 631,172 (6.4 million in Metro area)
• Average Annual Rainfall: 17"
• Average Annual Snowfall: 41"
• Average Feb Temp: 37 degrees F
• Average Augu Temp: 80 degrees F

Nicknames:
Beantown, The Hub (of the Universe), The Cradle of Liberty, The Cradle of Modern America, The Athens of America, The Walking City.

Founded in 1630 and filled with history, Boston is home to the country's first public park (The Boston Commons, 1640), the first public library (1653), and the first subway (1897).

Boston has the nation's highest concentration of colleges (over 100 colleges and universities in the Greater Boston area).