We hope you find the following resources useful as you settle in to life in Boston. We are providing this list as a convenience to you, this does not imply an endorsement by MS&PC.
Transportation
- MIT Shuttle Buses: for travelling both on and off campus, free with an MIT ID card
- Groceries Shuttles, EzRide, Tech Shuttle, Saferide, Airport Shuttle
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
- Bus and Subway (The “T”)
- Get a CharlieCard to access cheaper fares than paper tickets
- Information about bicycling
- Blue Bikes: point-to-point bicycle rental
- Zipcar: car rental service, where you pay by the hour
Housing
- Off – Campus Housing
- MIT Housing
- to learn more about Boston rental market
Grocery Shopping
- Shaws / Star Market: Standard market with affordable prices.
- Wholefoods: Great for fresh fruit and vegetables, but can be expensive for other items. Offers a wide range of organic products.
- Trader Joe’s: Cheaper than Wholefoods, also offers organic foods.
- Market Basket: Cheapest market in Cambridge.
- New Deal Fish Market: Fresh fish and seafood.
- Asian Markets: HMart, Hongkong supermarket, Reliable Market, C-Mart, 99 Ranch.
- Very affordable grocery store in Central – Daily Table.
- Online options: AmazonFresh, Stop and Shop (via Peapod).
Shopping
- Cambridgeside Galleria: mall located north of MIT, with free shuttle from Kendall to the mall
- Twin City Plaza: located in Somerville, MA. Dollar Tree, Marshalls
- Newbury Street and Prudential Mall: Boston, MA
- Costco: Sells products in large quantities at a discount. Food, clothing, electronics, household supplies. Annual membership required.
- IKEA and Home Depot: Stoughton, MA
- Wrentham Village Premium Outlets: Wrentham, MA
- Department stores, eg: Target, Macy’s, Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, Sears, Nordstrom, and Bed Bath & Beyond
- Best Buy – electronics store
Drugstores
- Most drugstores in the US sell both prescription drugs and a wide variety of general merchandise, including over-the-counter drugs, beauty products, film and photo services, convenience foods etc.
- Drugstores include CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.
Choose to Reuse
- Choose to Reuse is an event for the MIT community that seeks to reduce landfill accumulation by extending the life of stuff.
- On the third Thursday of the month, donate or get free, gently used stuff in the Stata Center (Building 32), first floor lobby. MIT ID required.
- From 8am-11am, drop off reusable items. Choose up to five items from 11am-1pm; from 1pm-1:30pm no limit on items. You don’t need to donate in order to pick up any free item!