Name: Harvard Square
Address: Cambridge

About the neighborhood

Harvard Square boasts excellent public transit accessibility, featuring nearby access to the Red Line and numerous bus routes for convenient travel without driving. The neighborhood offers an impressive network of cycling infrastructure complemented by frequent bike-share stations, making biking a practical option. A wide range of services is available, including primary and secondary schools, specialty and general grocery stores, over 50 restaurants, and about 10 coffee shops. The area’s vibrant atmosphere is enhanced by diverse entertainment venues, around 10 bars, and numerous green spaces, including about 10 parks and well-lined streets with trees. Housing options vary from large apartments to lofts and duplexes, providing diverse choices.

Characteristics

Transportation

This part of Cambridge is an excellent neighborhood with regards to traveling without a car. The very good transit infrastructure allows people to get to many destinations without needing a vehicle. For example, the closest rapid transit station, such as Harvard with access to the Red Line, is generally very close by from the greater part of homes in the neighborhood. Residents have access to around 10 bus lines, and the nearest bus stop is usually very close by. A majority of the houses for sale in this area are located in places that are also very suitable for people who travel as pedestrians; all common errands can be run without a vehicle, and many businesses are particularly close at hand. Cycling is moderately prevalent in this part of Cambridge because bike-share stations are hardly ever more than a few blocks away, and there are countless bike lanes.

Services

Property owners in Harvard Square will welcome that a general and a specialty grocery store is always only a very short distance away. Likewise, thanks to 100-odd restaurants and cafes in this part of the city, there is almost always a spot to get a meal or beverage just around the corner, for instance on Jfk Street. House buyers can find many clothing stores within a short distance. Concerning education, in Harvard Square, locals will generally be able to access primary as well as high schools without a car. Besides public schools, there are private elementary and secondary schools.

Character

Home buyers who enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and spending time outdoors will feel at home in Harvard Square. Finding things to do in this part of Cambridge is especially easy. There are often crowds of people around, a great variety of entertainment venues can be found nearby, and places to go out at night are well-spread throughout the area. Brattle Street is among the most dynamic streets in this part of the city. There is a good amount of greenery in this part of Cambridge; it is very easy to reach green spaces in the neighborhood since there are over 50 of them nearby for residents to visit. Residents will also find that most streets have fairly good tree coverage.

Car friendly4.8

Arteries nearby, but traffic congestion and parking problems are possible

Cycling friendly8.0

Suitable for bicycle commuting and/or recreational cycling

Pedestrian friendly9.8

Exceptional number of pleasant streets and pedestrian-oriented shops within a few minutes' walk. Meeting daily needs on foot is almost always practical

Transit friendly8.8

Near at least one subway line and/or other frequent transit routes

Restaurants9.2

Exceptional variety of restaurants within a few minutes' walk

Groceries9.4

Exceptional variety of groceries within a few minutes' walk

Shopping9.0

Wide variety of shops within a few minutes' walk

Cafes10.0

Exceptional variety of cafés within a few minutes' walk

Quiet1.0

Many sources of noise nearby