Submitted by Visual_Newspaper_210 t3_11re96d in CambridgeMA
Hi! I am coming to Cambridge to work as an intern for the summer (June to mid August) - what would be the housing option? I have access to a relocation budget and I don't want to have roommates.
Need more info to give you any advice… budget? Location of work? Interests? Etc
In general, there’s nowhere really bad to live in Cambridge but there are trade offs for every neighborhood
I don’t have a fixed budget as I am privileging comfort of living. I really like walkable areas and accessible coffee shops/grocery places. I will be working on the MIT area and I would be okay with commuting 15/20 minutes.
Look around the Kendall square and Harvard Square neighborhoods. Both are very walkable, have access to the T (metro), are within your commute requirement, and most importantly have lots of college/grad students who might be subletting for the summer. In general Kendall is more modern with tall glass buildings while Harvard is much older in a brick and ivy sort of way. Regardless, sublets are your best bet for furnished apartments in the summer
Thank you, that's very helpful! It does get tricky to find an entire apartment for sublet as most students share housing...
You might want to look at East Cambridge then. A little bit farther than living right in Kendall, but it's a nice walk and Curio coffee and the Star Market are right there.
Thank you!! As long as there is access to a T station and it's a nice area, I really don't mind. I commute 40 minutes to go to work everyday here!
Midcambridge, Cambridgeport
Thank you!
What's your budget? If you want to live alone, you should figure at least $2000/mo for a typical 1BR.
But that's for a normal year long lease. Sounds like you're only looking for a short term rental, which I assume also needs to be furnished?
Yes exactly, short term rentals and furnished, which is why I’m aiming for a sublet. But I’m unsure about the location as I’ve never been to Boston/Cambridge before… I really like walkable area and I’ll working around the MIT.
Kendall, but there's only one grocery store there called Roche Brothers that's stupidly expensive (it's still mostly office buildings and nice restaurants in that area). But for an intern with an unlimited budget, it'll do. It's pretty quiet area too.
Central is buzzing with a lot more casual restaurants, clubs, and shops and it's next to Kendall. Central has a Whole Foods and an HMart (big Asian grocery store chain). A lot of MIT and Harvard students seem to live around there, the nightlife is pretty good.
Have you joined the MIT/Harvard housing groups on Facebook? Would recommend that, lots of people trying to sublet their places on there. For a one bedroom, you are most likely looking at $1.9k-$2k+ per month, anything below that is probably a scam.
Thank you!! Yeah, I almost got scammed at least twice since yesterday... I just joined the facebook groups but it's hard to find an entire place instead of a bedroom...
If you do a search in the group for the month you're looking to move e.g. June sublet you should be able to see all the options available in that group. Unfortunately, anything below $2k for an entire place is likely to disappear fast, you'd have better luck if you get comfortable with spending between $2.5-$3k/month.
If you're working at MIT, look in the kendall square area. Lots of new buildings around, very walkable and access to the subway.
Thank you!!
Cambridgeport is a great option, pricey though…
Thank you!!
Either Kendall or Central sq I would say. I lived in Central for a few years and could walk or take the T anywhere I needed to go. Lot's of coffee shops there, good restaurants (lil donkey), a Target, pharmacies, some live music (idk what's up with the middle east rn), and a Trader Joe's down by the water (Cambridge port). Could look for a sublet if it's just short-term, most likely can find a few furnished ones in the area
Thank you, that's all super useful!! I am looking for a sublet right now yeah but it's hard to find an entire apartment and not just a room. And there are so many scammers on Facebook, it's insane!
Try out CraigsList too, sometimes you can find gold on there apartment wise (at least for Cambridge/Boston area)
I can’t confirm if there are short term options (there should be), but check out the apartment blocks in Kendall area: loft, Third Street Third square and watermark Kendall (some apartments are furnished), 7ink has furnished apartments but it is in Southend so further away.
BaconNinja89 t1_jc83yzb wrote
I’m actually subletting my furnished place this summer because we’re moving to LA for the summer! DM me if interested!