Neighborhoods Around HLS

The Greater Boston Area is made up of many towns and neighborhoods, each one with varying housing costs, parking regulations, and pros and cons to life in that area.  Students new to Boston may have a difficult time figuring out what area of town is right for them.  The below guide is designed to help students interested in living off campus know which town or neighborhood is right for them.  You can also check out this map of the most popular neighborhoods. Click on the below image to enlarge it:

• Allston/Brighton
  • Cost:  $$
  • Popularity with HLS Students:*
  • Distance from Campus:  2 miles
  • Minutes from Campus: 
    • Walking: 30
    • Biking: 12
    • Driving: 7
    • Bus: 35 - 45
    • Train: 60
  • Public  Transportation: #66 and #86 bus routes to Harvard Square, Green T Line
  • Parking:  on-street parking by permit only
• Boston/Back Bay
  • Cost: $$$$$
  • Popularity with HLS Students: *
  • Distance from Campus: 5 miles
  • Minutes to Campus:
    • Walking: 60+
    • Biking: 25 – 35
    • Driving: 16
    • Bus:  65
    • Train: 30
  • Public Transportation:  many bus lines going to all parts of town, Green, Orange, and Red T Lines
  • Parking: extremely limited parking; usually need to pay for a spot in a garage which can run $250 - $400 a month
• Brookline
  • Cost:  $$$$
  • Popularity with HLS Students: *
  • Distance from Campus: 4 miles
  • Minutes to Campus:
    • Walking: 60+
    • Biking: 50 – 60
    • Driving: 25
    • Bus: 45 – 50
    • Train: 70
  • Public Transportation: many different bus lines but no direct bus route to Harvard Square, Green T Line
  • Parking: no overnight street parking allowed; either apartment will need to provide a parking spot or you will need to pay a monthly fee for a spot
• Central Square / Cambridge
  • Cost:  $$$
  • Popularity with HLS Students: ***
  • Distance from Campus: 1.7 miles
  • Minutes to Campus:
    • Walking: 25
    • Biking: 10
    • Driving: 7
    • Bus: 30 - 50
    • Train: 15 - 30
  • Public Transportation:  #68, #60, and #1 bus routes to Harvard Station, Central Station Red T Line
  • Parking: plenty of on-street permit parking available
• Davis Square / Somerville
  • Cost: $$$
  • Popularity with HLS Students: ** 
  • Distance from Campus:  3 miles
  • Minutes to Campus:
    • Walking: 30 - 40
    • Biking: 20
    • Driving: 15
    • Bus:  15 – 45 depending on distance from Davis Station
    • Train: 15 – 45 depending on distance from Davis Station
  • Public Transportation: #96 and #77 bus routes to Harvard Square, Davis Station Red T Line
  • Parking:  many apartments come with parking spots; on-street permit parking also available
• Harvard Square / Cambridge
  • Cost: $$$$
  • Popularity with HLS Students: ****
  • Distance from Campus: < 1 mile
  • Minutes to Campus:
    • Walking: 5 – 10
    • Biking: 5
    • Driving: 5 – 10
    • Bus: NA
    • Train: NA
  • Public Transportation - many bus routes going all over the city, Harvard Station Red T Line
  • Parking:  on-street permit parking and paid parking spots available, depending on where you live, your apartment may have a driveway
• Inman Square / Cambridge
  • Cost: $$$
  • Popularity with HLS Students: **
  • Distance from Campus:  1.5 miles
  • Minutes to Campus:
    • Walking: 25
    • Biking: 10
    • Driving: 5
    • Bus:  15 - 25
    • Train: 20 - 40
  • Public Transportation:  #69 and #68 bus routes to Harvard Square, no train lines
  • Parking:  on-street permit parking available
• Kendall/MIT Square / Cambridge
  • Cost: $$$
  • Popularity with HLS Students: **
  • Distance from Campus:  2.5 miles
  • Minutes to Campus:
    • Walking: 40
    • Biking: 15
    • Driving: 8
    • Bus:  15 - 30    
    • Train: 10 - 15
  • Public Transportation:  #68 bus route to Harvard Square, Kendall/MIT Station Red T Line
  • Parking:  on-street permit parking available
• Porter Square / Cambridge
  • Cost: $$$
  • Popularity with HLS Students: ***
  • Distance from Campus:  1 mile
  • Minutes to Campus:
    • Walking: 15
    • Biking: 7
    • Driving: 7
    • Bus:  10 - 20
    • Train: 20 - 45
  • Public Transportation:  #96 and #77 bus routes to Harvard Square, Porter Station Red T Line
  • Parking:  on-street permit parking available
• Watertown / Belmont
• Cost: $$
• Popularity with HLS Students: *
• Distance from Campus:  4 miles
• Minutes to Campus:
  • Walking: 1 hour 15 min
  • Biking: 30
  • Driving: 20
  • Bus:  40    
  • Train: NA
• Public Transportation:  #73 and #71 bus routes to Harvard Square, no train lines
• Parking:  plenty of free on-street parking, most apartments also have driveways