Living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, comes with a lot of perks. You’re close enough to some of the best colleges in the world, with top-rated restaurants and bars on every corner. Getting around Cambridge is also a breeze, with many convenient public transportation options available. Learn everything you need to know about living in Cambridge, including education, public transportation, where to dine and drink, and places to live.
Education in Cambridge
Your IQ will go up a few points just reading about Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge, across the Charles River directly north of Boston, is home to several of the world’s best universities, Harvard—America’s oldest university—and MIT. The university presence makes students one of the largest populations in Cambridge. Some students live directly on campus, whereas others prefer to rent an apartment or condo. Either way, Cambridge is central, making it easy to get to class.
Cambridge is also well-recognized for its exceptional, highly-rated public schools, which make it a good place for families.
Public transportation in Cambridge
Public transportation is provided by the Mass Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), aka “the T,” which serves the entire Boston Metro area. Initially opened in 1897, this light rail system is America’s oldest rapid transit line. MBTA tickets are affordable and start at $2.40 for a one-way ticket.
The MBTA’s Green Line has one station in Cambridge at Lechmere. The T’s Red Line runs roughly northwest to southeast across Cambridge and Davis Square in Somerville before crossing the Longfellow Bridge to downtown Boston. Catch this rapid transit line at these Cambridge stations: Kendall Square, Central Square, Harvard Square, or Porter Square. Porter connects to the Fitchburg line commuter rail, which heads northwest toward suburbia.
The MBTA also has a local and regional bus service; otherwise, people get around in taxis and rideshares, on bikes, and their own two feet. Three ferry routes in the area take residents to Charleston, Hingham and Hull, or East Boston.
You can also drive to downtown Boston in 15 minutes during light traffic via Broadway or I-90 East, but then you have to find parking. It’s much easier to hop on the Red Line, which can get you there in under 10 minutes for a few bucks.
Things to do in Cambridge
Living in Cambridge puts you close to Boston, meaning there’s an endless supply of entertainment. Whether you prefer to spend your weekends shopping or exploring the outdoors, Cambridge has something for everyone.
Shopping in Cambridge
Spend the day shopping in Cambridge at independently owned specialty shops or boutiques. Leave your wallet at home unless you want to spend all your money at Mint Julep. Dudes can get suited up at The Andover Shop, while women can shop handmade pieces and antiques at Rebekah Brooks Jewelry. Speaking of jewels, Esmeralda also has a lovely selection of handmade jewelry, accessories, and gifts sourced from artisans and family businesses worldwide.
For gift-giving, go to Black Ink, where you can buy the present, wrapping paper, and card all in one fell swoop. A Harvard Square fixture since the late 1800s, Leavitt and Peirce has an array of quirky finds. In addition to cigars and smoking supplies, the tobacconist sells chess and game sets, old-fashioned shaving equipment, and jewelry. Get all your Harvard paraphernalia from the Harvard Book Store, Harvard Square’s landmark independent bookstore that’s sold new and used books since 1932. Located on the edge of Harvard Square, Planet Records has been packed with new and used vinyl since 1983.
Theaters in Cambridge
Living in Cambridge not only puts you close to some of the country’s best colleges but also performance centers. You can expect an abundance of theaters with exciting shows.
With an appropriate acronym of ART, the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University is one of the best regional theaters in the country—as evidenced by its pile of Tony Awards.
Showcasing classic, cutting-edge, foreign, and art-house films, The Brattle Theatre is most known for its repertory programming, which features films from a particular director, genre, or subject throughout the month.
You’ll also find a lot of great movie theaters in the Cambridge area. Kendall Square and Central Square are both near entertainment.
Farmers markets in Cambridge
There’s a farmers market for practically every day of the week in Cambridge, some of which are open year-round. On Tuesdays, you can visit The Farmers’ Market at Harvard. On Fridays and Sundays, shop at the Charles River Farmers Market at the Charles Hotel; on Saturdays, head over to the Charles River Farmers Market at Morse School or the Cambridge Winter Farmers Market.
Outdoor entertainment in Cambridge
With 70 public parks and playgrounds, Cambridge offers plenty of places to play. The 16-acre Cambridge Common is a peaceful reprieve from bustling Harvard Square.
A commemorative plaque marks where the Washington Elm tree once stood, under which General George Washington first gathered his Continental Army troops during the American Revolutionary War. There’s also an Irish Famine Memorial, a trio of bronze cannons, and a playground.
Danehy Park offers 50 acres of green space, walking and jogging paths, and a dog park. Located along the north side of the Charles River across from the Museum of Science, the North Point Park & Splash Pad offers 8 1/2 acres of playgrounds, trails, and gorgeous skyline views from the riverfront.
Fresh Pond Reservation comprises a 155-acre lake surrounded by 162 acres of land and a 2.25-mile loop trail. You can walk, run, or bike the trail, but unfortunately, you can’t play in the water since it’s the city’s drinking supply. Hit the links at Fresh Pond’s nine-hole golf course instead. Skaters can bring their boards to Lynch Family Skatepark, a concrete paradise designed just for them.
Mount Auburn Cemetery isn’t a park, but all the landscaping makes it look like one if it weren’t for all the headstones. Stroll around and identify the who’s who, bird watch, and take in all the beautiful blooms. Climb to the top of the Washington Tower for panoramic views of Cambridge, Boston, and beyond.
Where to eat and drink in Cambridge
Finding delicious restaurants and lively bars in Cambridge is easy. With so many college students and young working professionals in the area, you’ll never run out of new dishes to try.
The Cantab Lounge
The Cantab Lounge is the dive bar where everyone knows your name. As a Cambridge staple, The Cantab Lounge offers one of the area’s best folk music venues. Visit this old-school haunt which hosts live music every night of the week, including American roots music. Enjoy a full drink menu with cocktails, beer, and bottled beverages.
Location: 738 Massachusetts Ave.
Harvest
When you want to sip on refreshing mimosas outdoors, you’ll want to check out Harvest. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, Harvest offers a beautiful garden courtyard great for enjoying a mimosa or two and some contemporary seasonal New England cuisine. Enjoy East Coast oysters, swordfish pastrami, and seafood spaghetti. Harvest is also a familiar spot in Cambridge; it’s been around since 1975.
Location: 44 Brattle St.
Brick and Mortar
Brick and Mortar is one of the best bars in the greater Boston area, but keep an eye out for the nearly incognito spot, or you might miss it. Once you do find the nondescript entrance, head up the stairs to sidle up to the horseshoe-shaped bar, where you can “quaff, guzzle, and imbibe” libations from their creative craft cocktail menu. Brick and Mortar is a great spot for grabbing cocktails on a first date or enjoying drinks with new friends you’ll meet while living in the city. Stop in on the weekends until 2:30 p.m. for one of Cambridge’s best brunch layouts.
Location: 567 Massachusetts Ave.
Alden & Harlow
Alden & Harlow has quickly become a Cambridge favorite with its new American Menu. Chef Michael Scelfo has created a bold, flavorful menu that delights a lot of flavor preferences. Make sure you try some of the top-rated dishes, like the pickled corn pancakes or the ora king salmon.
Location: 40 Brattle St.
Cafe Luna
Have you ever considered using cinnamon swirl bread for French toast? Cafe Luna has. The cozy Central Square cafe dips it in vanilla egg custard batter, grills it with honey butter (genius), and tops it with your choice of anything from fruit to cookie butter, plus their house-made whipped cream. If you’re a foodie who prefers sweet flavors, you’ll want to check out Cafe Luna.
Location: 612 Main St.
Flour Bakery + Cafe
With such a large student base in Cambridge, you’ll find an abundance of cafes. Flour Bakery + Cafe is a dangerous place to work since pastry legend Joanne Chang’s famous sticky buns are staring at you, waiting for you to devour them.
Location: 190 Massachusetts Ave.
Armando’s Pizza
When you don’t feel like going out to eat or cooking, Cambridge has fantastic carryout spots. Take home a New York-style pie from Armando’s Pizza. The generous, greasy slices are reliably excellent. If you’re not feeling pizza, browse their delicious subs or salads on the menu.
Location: 163 Huron Ave.
The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub
Spend late nights at the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub. A legendary Cambridge institution, The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub houses an art gallery, four live music venues, four full bars, and a few dining areas. The Middle East Restaurant and ZuZu Restaurant serve delicious bites into the wee weekend hours.
Location: 472-480 Massachusetts Ave.
Renting in Cambridge
Cambridge is a beautiful neighborhood with so much to see and do. Many great rentals put you at the center of the city’s best attractions. The city’s neighborhoods are broken up into squares, including Harvard, Central, and Porter.
Find out how much you can expect to pay for an apartment in Cambridge:
- Average cost of a studio apartment: $2,703 per month
- Average cost of a one-bedroom apartment: $3,183 per month
- Average cost of a two-bedroom apartment: $3,800 per month
- Average cost of a three-bedroom apartment: $4,540 per month
Living farther outside of Boston and Cambridge can get you cheaper rates. Of course, where you live affects how much you can pay and the local amenities you can expect. Harvard Square is the closest neighborhood to Harvard University, which is home to mostly college students. Central Square is great for younger residents who want to be near the trendiest restaurants and bars. Kendall Square is near MIT, making it another great college hub.
Riverside is a popular area for families because of its easy access to schools and outdoor recreation. Cambridge overall is a great place to raise a family, especially since it has some of the best public schools in the country.
Top-Rated Places in Cambridge
“Park the car at Harvard Yard,” and you’ll find yourself in the oldest part of this storied Ivy League campus. Nestled in the heart of Harvard, the 25 acres of pastoral green space is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, like Widener Library and Memorial Church.
While you’re there, visit Harvard’s oldest museum—the Harvard Art Museums feature European and American art dating back to the Middle Ages. Learn about human history at the Peabody Museum before heading to the adjacent Harvard Museum of Natural History to explore its collection of Glass Flowers, dinos, gemstones, and more. Saunter over to the Central Square neighborhood near the Charles River to nerd out at the MIT Museum, which houses a vast collection of holograms, robots, sculptures, and more.
Beantown’s intellectual neighbor advertises itself as “a city where counterculture still lives, classic culture thrives, and multicultural is a way of life.” In addition to a diverse population of progressive and tolerant “Cantabrigians,” the twisted, curving streets of Boston’s Left Bank are home to museums, theaters, historical sites, and eclectic shopping.
Fine dining options sit alongside restaurants offering regional cuisines, such as fresh seafood, baked beans, and clam chowder. Historic New England architecture abounds. MIT’s Great Dome, the Stata Center, and Cambridge City Hall are a few of the city’s impressive structures.
Feel a bit smarter? Imagine how many points your IQ will jump once you’re a Cambridge local. Search thousands of Cambridge apartments for rent on Zumper and find yours today.
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