Boston
Boston is very much a city of neighborhoods, and each has its own character! The South End and Back Bay are great foodie destinations, and Seaport and Fenway both have great nightlife. Take the time to explore. Also, Boston is a very walkable city, so skip the Uber/Lyft to get to know the city better when you first arrive. Cambridge/Somerville are also similarly neighborhood-driven areas. People tend to describe themselves by their nearest square (Harvard, Central, Kendall, Inman, Porter, Davis, Union, etc.) and each square has a distinct flavor, so try to visit them all if you can! Pro tip: Alive and Kicking (in Cambridge) has the best lobster roll in town. Bonus: Boston Burger Company has (I think) the cheapest beer in town ($1.50 PBRs all day). This doesn't sound that exciting, but once you realize that the State of Massachusetts doesn't allow happy hour drink specials, this becomes decidedly more important. '13
There are different options for different price ranges--I live in JP (Jamaica Plain) which is pretty affordable, and only 15-30 mins from my school by bus depending on traffic. Fortunately, most of my friends live in my area, and the ones who don't at least live near our school. They pay higher rent but they don't need a public transportation pass--it's a trade-off. In terms of selecting a location, I love that I live a 5 min walk from my bus and a 10 min walk from my subway line. It's super convenient to have two major ways to get around! ‘23
Use your student email address to get $9 tickets from the Red Sox! '17
It seems everyone in my company has a condo in Brookline. My favorite neighborhood is Back Bay. Check out Newbury Comics, and if you're looking to impress a date take them to Top of the Hub. Boston Common is really nice, and while you're there don't forget to take a stroll down Commonwealth Avenue. In the summers they put on free performances of Shakespeare plays in the Common and they have food trucks on the lawn as well. '14
Having a car isn't necessary, especially if you work in the city. That being said, you definitely want to live somewhere accessible to the T, preferably the red or green lines. If you are looking for something a little quieter, but still easily accessible to the city, try Brookline (on the green line). '11
Bundle up and do not drive. '21
Be sure to find the schedule for movies in the park over the summer! So fun and free! '21
You'll most likely have friends who live all over the city and in Brookline and Cambridge, and there are many great neighborhoods, so don't overthink which neighborhood you move to. You'll get much better space for your money in apartments on the outskirts of the city (areas like Allston, Brighton, Jamaica Plain) or in Brookline and Cambridge. Use your Vanderbilt email address to sign up for $9 student Red Sox tickets. When friends and family come to visit, walk the Freedom Trail. It's a self-guided tour where you can follow the bricks on the sidewalk, starting from outside of the Boston Common. You can look up more info about each of the stops online! '17
Boston is a very insular city from a social perspective. It can be hard to get in with groups of friends, most of whom went to school together. If you find an apartment which requires driving to work, reconsider. '17
