When moving to Boston, some of the most frequent questions Emerson students ask are: Where??? Why??? How long will it take for me to get to campus??? (These questions must be read in a feverish tone, or at least, that’s what my experience was like.) But for many Emerson grad students, commuting to campus can mean a multitude of things, whether it’s a fifteen-minute walk, two different MBTA train lines, or even a ferry. Boston is full of unique neighborhoods, each with its own vibe, local food specialities, and rent prices. It’s even argued that each neighborhood has its own rat culture (especially in Allston).
So what is life like for grad students living in different parts of the Greater Boston area? For this piece, I talked to four graduate students who call places like Back Bay, Dorchester, Medford, and East Boston home. They shared why they initially chose their neighborhood, what their commute to Boylston Street is really like, and advice for prospective movers. Whether you’re apartment hunting or want to know more about surrounding neighborhoods, consider this article the true story behind the tales of a commuter.
Choosing Their Neighborhoods
When it comes to choosing your new home (if only for a year), some elements can be higher on the priority list than others. For Gabby Kirk, a second-year student in Emerson’s Publishing and Writing program, Back Bay’s proximity to campus was essential. With her apartment residing on the border of Beacon Hill, she also picked the neighborhood for its easy access to the Red and Green lines of the T, making it easy to travel around the Boston area.
Still, Gabby wishes she knew more about the demographics of people living near her before moving. “The type of people who live here are college students or families. Not many people in their mid-twenties, which was disappointing,” she says, adding, “It just means I have to go out of my way to other neighborhoods to find like-minded people my age that I want to socialize with––which I don’t mind doing!”
Other students, like Katriana Danas Rivera, a Strategic Marketing Communications student, sought out a balance between affordability and comfort, landing just outside the city in Medford. About a five-minute walk from the Tufts main campus, Katriana says, “We found a place with a really great space and amenities (like in-unit laundry and a dishwasher) for a relatively good price, so it seemed like living here was meant to be.” She describes Medford as “a perfect balance between suburban and a small college town,” with a blend of stores and restaurants that cater to college students while still providing local staples for families.
But a trade-off for this great space? The neighborhood is quieter than Katriana expected compared to Downtown Boston. “It’s great for focusing on school and having a bit more space, but it also means planning ahead if you want to go out or meet up with friends in the city.” She adds, “That said, the peaceful vibe and nearby green spaces have definitely grown on me. It’s a nice balance once you get used to it.”
For Lamis Osman, also a Strategic Marketing Communications student, living in a neighborhood with a rich culture and great views was a non-negotiable. With a convenient commute to both work and school, Lamis lives in Maverick Square, East Boston. “The area blends old and new Boston—traditional homes and long-standing immigrant-owned shops sit alongside modern apartment buildings, trendy cafes, and waterfront parks,” she raves. With a lively buzz that steps away from the Blue Line, Lamis admits that she didn’t realize just how easy it would be to get downtown, sometimes as quick as five minutes.
Meanwhile, Annie Gray took a more spontaneous approach to moving to Boston, finding her future roommate and apartment on a Facebook group for girls moving to the city. After touring a few places, Annie, a Publishing and Writing student, was sold on her apartment in Dorchester. “I know a lot of people have a certain view on Dorchester, but I really enjoy it,” she says, describing how big the neighborhood is on community, with lots of local food markets and schools nearby. With easy access to the South Bay Shopping Center and only a twenty-minute walk to the beach, Annie’s enjoyed living in Dorchester for over a year.
Commute to Campus
In terms of getting to campus, rain or shine, each student’s journey looks a little different. From Back Bay, Gabby always walks to campus, which takes about ten to fifteen minutes. Katriana typically takes the T from the Medford/Tufts station, which can take around thirty-five minutes to get downtown. “I used to live along the Red Line and that was a mostly underground commute, so being able to look out the windows and watch the surrounding neighborhoods and landmarks definitely makes the ride into town feel a lot quicker,” she says.
For Lamis, the Blue and Green MBTA lines are her go-to commute to campus, taking usually around twenty-five minutes total. “Although I sometimes take the ferry and enjoy the city views!” she says, adding “My commute is peaceful for the most part, but not during rush hour LOL.” Similarly, Annie always takes the Red Line from Dorchester, which is only four stops away from Park Street. “Honestly, like most lines on the T, it has its good and bad days. For the most part, I typically have no troubles.”
But one thing all four students agreed on: some entertainment can make nearly any commute enjoyable. “I always listen to music on my walk and daydream. I walk through Boston Common, and by the time class is starting, the sun is setting, so the walk is quite beautiful,” Gabby remarks.
As a self-proclaimed music person, Katriana also channels this energy, admitting to pretending to be in a music video while on the train, looking out the window forlornly (who hasn’t?)… “But, like, in a cool way,” she includes. “It helps tune out the world and gives me a sort of soundtrack to my commute.” Annie loves to get in a few book chapters with her Kindle or a quick podcast, but leaving early enough and enjoying the scenery around you is definitely the way to go. ”It can be easy to lose yourself in the everyday hustle and bustle,” Gabby concludes.
Advice for Prospective Movers
At this point in the article you may be wondering, do these commute-savvy Emerson grad students have any tips and tricks for me? I’m still overwhelmed about where to live in the city! Fortunately, they have words of wisdom to share!
For prospective Emerson students, Gabby emphasizes the importance of an easy commute, especially since most graduate classes are at night. She cites issues with reliability of the Green Line, which can make a commute as long as an hour from a neighborhood like Brighton. “I recommend the North End, Cambridge, or Somerville. Most places in Cambridge are easy to get to via the Red Line, which is considerably faster than the Green,” she says.
Katriana encourages students to stay flexible and keep an open mind while apartment searching. “I know that we all have some sort of ‘ideal neighborhood’ or ‘ideal home’ in mind when we’re looking for a place to live,” she empathizes, but “what truly makes a place feel like home isn’t just the location or how it looks, it’s how it fits into your life… Think about your daily routine, your commute, your budget, and the kind of environment that helps you recharge after a long day. Sometimes the neighborhood you least expect ends up being the one that gives you the best balance of comfort, convenience, and community.”
Lamis agrees with this advice, adding that it’s critical for students to determine what’s most important to them about an apartment before even looking at listings. An easy way to learn more about apartments is by joining Facebook groups for people moving to Boston and looking for roommates, which is what Annie recommends based on her own experience. She also adds that touring an apartment and doing a faux commute-run to Emerson from there before signing the lease is a great way to visualize what your new normal may be.
In a Perfect World
Now that we have logistics out of the way, I wanted to learn where a dream Boston neighborhood would be for our four grad students.
“I would copy my beautiful studio apartment and paste it into Davis Square in Somerville,” Gabby exclaims. “It’s easy to get to on the Red Line and many people who live there are mid-twenties and post-grad or grad students. For me, it’s important to live somewhere near queer people and queer events, and Davis Square definitely has that vibe, as does Cambridge and Somerville as a whole.” Katriana says that if price wasn’t an issue, she’d love to live in Back Bay or South Boston (Southie). “Both neighborhoods have that classic Boston charm with a lively atmosphere that makes it easy to feel connected to people, culture, and everything happening around you. I could totally see myself taking morning walks along the Charles River or grabbing dinner with friends after class without having to go far.”
Annie agrees that Back Bay is the place to be, citing how the neighborhood’s vibes and proximity to Emerson would help cut down on transportation costs. But for Lamis, she wouldn’t trade the Maverick area of East Boston for anything. In addition to its easy commute, she says the “diverse food, culture, and a mix of long-time residents [make] it feel alive.” Plus, “the skyline never gets old!”
No matter where you choose to live in the Greater Boston area, you are sure to find a unique neighborhood with its own vibe and culture. Whether your priority is an easy commute to Emerson’s campus, price, or late-night views of the city, there is something for everyone. Just don’t forget to listen to a good playlist along the way. Take a look at more resources for finding the ideal apartment from Emerson’s Off-Campus Student Services here.
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