Pre-arrival Resources

MASSACHUSETTS

IMPORTANT NOTE (SAO & Harvard)

While the Center for Astrophysics (CfA) includes both the Harvard College Observatory (HCO) and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) the processes in this site are specifically for SAO personnel, unless otherwise noted. Harvard has distinct processes that should be followed for any individual with a Harvard-only affiliation. 

Some information contained on this site, such as building maps, general information about the worksite area, etc. will be useful to all incoming personnel.

CAMBRIDGE, MA  60 Garden St., 160 Concord Ave. + CDP (100 Acorn Park Dr.)

BURLINGTON, MA (Chandra OCC)

Important Travel Date Information


The Boston / Cambridge area has a high concentration of colleges and universities. The last 2 weeks in May (graduation) and late August + early September (start of term) significantly affect the cost of both flights and local hotels during this time. If your employment or visit start is scheduled around these times please be aware of the potential costs and plan accordingly.

Housing


Boston area housing can be expensive. If you do not have a car, you will probably want to live in Cambridge or near public transportation. Boston, Watertown, Arlington, Somerville, and most parts of Cambridge all offer good connections and service to Harvard. For more space, then Arlington, Watertown, Newton, Belmont, Winchester, Lexington, and Concord are good locations to consider. Outside of Cambridge and immediate areas, a car is necessary.


In general, a large number of apartments, house rentals, sublets, and single rooms in shared apartments or rooming houses are available although prices and accommodations can vary widely. Unless you are extremely lucky, it will probably take some time before you find a place that meets your needs. If time is short, a real estate agent can do some of the "foot work" for you for a fee. Some items to consider when choosing an apartment (and before signing a lease) are the following:



Note: A "lease" is a binding legal contract between you and the property owner or landlord. Since a lease usually runs from 9 months to a year, with an obligation to pay monthly rent for the duration of the lease, it is usually very difficult to break or change. Your landlord may or many not allow you to find another tenant or sublease your apartment if you must leave early.


Single-family homes are also available for rent throughout the area, but are easier to find outside of Cambridge. Keep in mind that utilities--especially heating costs--can add significantly to the monthly total. If you are here for a few months or a semester, you may be able to sublet the home or apartment of an academic on sabbatical leave.


Single rooms in shared apartments are very common in Cambridge. Because of the high prices of housing, many young professionals, as well as students, share homes. Rooms in shared apartments are generally not furnished. Rooming houses are also quite common. They are furnished and usually include linen service and kitchen privileges. Quality varies.


Below are some websites for locating Boston-area housing. All sites have a chance to host numerous housing scams, please proceed with caution and ensure that you can get a tour of the unit (even a video tour) as well as ensuring that all communication with the landlord, broker or realtor is sensible. If the posting is unusually cheap, has grammatical or spelling errors, or other red flags, move on to the next posting.



Note: if you are an HCO affiliate rather than an SAO affiliate, you are also eligible to search for housing on Harvard Off-Campus Housing which is specifically geared to connect private landlords with Harvard-associated renters, and Harvard University Housing, which is Harvard-owned housing for students and employees.


(Available for Harvard affiliates, not SAO personnel) The Harvard Housing Office provides listings of non-Harvard housing to Harvard affiliates. Click here for information on office location and hours of operation. 

Transportation & Parking


Links



By Buses & Subways (60 Garden & 160 Concord)


Note: It is possible to buy monthly passes for the subway, the bus, or a combination. To purchase a pass, go to the MBTA Website or to the Harvard Square subway stop for more information. If you are eligible for commuter benefits please follow the instructions you are provided to obtain an pass or card.


Payment by phone is a recent addition (2024) to the MBTA and may not always be fully operational. 


The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), locally known as the "T," operates area subway, bus, and commuter rail systems. The closest subway or T stop is at Harvard Square on the Red Line, which connects the Orange, Blue, Green and Silver Lines (see map). While fares can vary according to destination, most local travel is $2.75 and requires the exact amount.


Transit Routes - 60 Garden & 160 Concord


Bus lines 74, 75 and 78 run between Harvard Square and Concord Ave @ Bond S, a stop adjacent to CfA, as part of their broader routes through Cambridge and Belmont. On foot, at a pace of ~3 miles (~4.8km) per hour, the walk between Harvard Square and the CfA is about 20 minutes. Numerous other bus routes service Harvard Square from various directions– please reference the MBTA’s route map for more information. The updated map of all lines is found at Maps | MBTA and detailed schedules of individual lines is located at Schedules & Maps | MBTA.


Good bus transportation is also available for those commuting from surrounding communities such as Arlington and Somerville.


Transit Routes - CDP 


The 67 bus from Alewife station is the best option to CDP, stop 10 Acorn Park Drive.


Transit Routes - OCC Burlington


The 350 bus from Alewife station is the best option to the OCC in Burlington, stop S. Bedford St. @ Wayside Road.


By Car (Parking)


Apartments.com has a feature that allows for filtering apartments by commuting distance. For instance, below is the result of filtering to show locations within a 30 minute drive of the CfA during rush hour conditions. *Properties removed for clarity. The filter can be adjusted to 15 or 60 minutes, and be set to a commute by car or public transit.


Parking benefits (e.g., pre-tax wage deduction) are available to some (not all) CfA personnel and affiliates - see the benefits eligibility table on the homepage, and intranet benefits page (available after Google account activation).


Parking - 60 Garden & 160 Concord


Parking - CDP


Parking - OCC Burlington



By Car (Carpooling)


Local Banking


The two most convenient banks are Cambridge Trust Company (353 Huron Avenue) and Bank of America in Harvard Square (1414 Massachusetts Avenue). Visitors from abroad may find it easier to cash a stipend check at Bank of America branch offices, either in Harvard Square or Porter Square (1847 Massachusetts Ave.).


When establishing an account, consider the services that best suit your needs: bank location, availability of automated teller machines, cost of maintaining a checking account, and ease of banking from home computers. It is also recommended that you have your passport, Smithsonian ID (if available), and funds for deposit when setting up your account. A social security number (SSN) is often requested but is not required to open a bank account.

Child Care


SAO does not provide child care, or child care benefits such as credits, however several places throughout the Boston/Cambridge area do provide care at varying costs depending on your particular needs. Harvard employees and students may have benefits that are not covered by this site.


Six independently incorporated, tuition-funded day-care centers at Harvard University are available. The Office of Work and Family provides information about these centers as well as a variety of child-care options in Cambridge, Boston, and surrounding areas. Additionally, the office distributes the Harvard University and Affiliates Family Resource Handbook, a useful collection of information on many family resources in the greater Boston area, and schedules lunch-time seminars for parents on a variety of topics.

The website Child Care @ Harvard provides information about a variety of child care options in the Cambridge area. The child care sites on University property are independent non-profits and accept applications from everyone. Unfortunately, the child care scholarships offered by Harvard are for employees only.



Nearby School Districts


CfA Caregiver Resources intranet page

Available once your Google account has been activated - text below copied from site July 23, 2024.



SAO Funded Employees



Harvard Funded Employees

Weather & Clothing


Cambridge weather in the the winter is cold and humid (January average of -6 C, with many days much colder), while summers are hot and humid (July average of +28 C). Depending on what you are used to, it may seem extreme and may require you to purchase new clothing, even if you do not plan on spending much time outdoors. Waterproof coats and boots are strongly recommended for the winter, as well as thermal socks and underlayers.

Utilities


Telephone & Internet Service


The average cost of telephone service $30-$50 per month, with an installation fee of $40-$100 dollars. Add high speed internet service, often coupled with either telephone or cable-TV service, for another $50.


Electricity


110-V (60 cycles) voltage is standard in the United States. Electricity is relatively inexpensive at $30 to $100 per month.



Heat


A monthly heating bill will vary from $90 to $350 per month depending on the installed heating system. Expect a similarly priced electric bill when an air conditioning unit is used in the summer months. Be sure you know what is and is not included in your lease. Some apartments have heating included, others do not, and it can suddenly become an unexpected expense in the winter months.

Facilities for Working Mothers


Nursing women working, or visiting the CfA, have access to two nice and private lactation rooms. One is located at 60 Garden Street - equipped with a hospital-grade pump, a refrigerator and a sink. The other is located at Cambridge Discovery Park - equipped with a refrigerator. A sink is down the hall and a hospital-grade pump can be leased upon request.


If you require more detailed information, please contact Dr. Antonella Fruscione (afruscione@cfa.harvard.edu, 617-496-7851) or visit her in B-438.

Athletic / Gym Facilities


The Quadrangle Recreational Athletic Center (aka the QRAC, ext. 617-495-8666) is located on Observatory grounds beneath the left-hand side tennis courts (as you enter from Garden Street). Open only during the academic year, CfA staff may use the facility at lunch time (between 12 noon and 3:00 pm). The QRAC boasts a basketball court, 4 squash courts, 2 racquetball courts, weight room with 50 new exercise machines, and a pool table (membership information website, HarvardKey login required to purchase). Please note that non-Harvard personnel do not receive affiliate discounts, and as of 2024 an annual single membership is priced at $400.


Also check out Harvard Recreation and Sports for information on all Harvard athletic facilities and membership details.

SAO / CfA Social + Recreation Activities


English Lessons in the Cambridge Area


Local Museums


Your SAO ID *may* (not applicable to all museums / times) get you discounted or complimentary access to certain establishments - be sure to ask at the ticket counter.


Fun Activities

Parking Lots & Bike Ramps 

(60 Garden & 160 Concord Ave.)

Yellow indicates 160 Concord lot, Orange showcases the 3 lots at 60 Garden, and blue highlights the bike ramps. 

Local Food

60 Garden St.

Buildings A, B, C, D, E, Perkins

160 Concord Ave.

Building M

100 Acorn Park Drive

Cambridge Discovery Park (CDP)

Building Maps

Useful building maps and overhead views are available via the Harvard College Observatory website:

https://hco.cfa.harvard.edu/contact/

Garden St entrance up to building


Main entrance

Stair Free Accessible Map

HCOContact_StairFreeRoutesCfA.pdf

Gender Inclusive Restroom Maps (60 Garden Only)

Harvard Gender Inclusive Restroom Maps: https://oge.harvard.edu/gender-inclusive-restrooms 

160 Concord Ave., CDP, and the Chandra OCC are not Harvard owned facilities and are not covered by the above website.

Emergency Procedures

Emergency instructions can be found in the employee handbook: 

https://sites.google.com/cfa.harvard.edu/intranet/organization/human-resources/hr-handbook/hrhb-emergency-instructions 

Evacuation Routes - 60 Garden Street

The primary muster point (yellow star) is the parking lot at the bottom of the hill near Observatory Access Road.

The secondary muster point (blue circle), if the primary muster point be unavailable or inaccessible, is in the tennis courts / associated parking area. Both primary and secondary muster points provide safe locations away from the building and ensure first responders can drive right up to the facility without being delayed. 

NOTE: There are no fire wardens for SAO and no check in is necessary – first responders will sweep the building for remaining personnel.

Overhead View - 60 Garden St.