Boston

Boston is a medical center like no other with three major medical schools and about 27 hospitals. Immensely diverse and vibrant, Boston is a city of some twenty neighborhoods with Cambridge and Brookline as bordering communities. Persons of color comprise over 40% of the city’s population and over one-third of all students enrolled in Boston Public Schools speak a language other than English at home.

Transportation

Boston is fortunate to have excellent public transportation. The MBTA subway system (or just “the T”) extends throughout Boston, most of Brookline and Cambridge, parts of Newton, and to North and South Shore suburbs. More distant towns are served by commuter rail.

The Longwood Medical area is centered within 2-3 blocks of two different Green Line routes. There is also an extensive bus system, including a shuttle bus from Harvard University to the Medical School. Parking is expensive in the Longwood area, but residents who drive can park in cheaper outlying lots and use Children’s shuttle buses. Residents can park in the patient lot across from Children’s for free at nights (5 pm to 10 am) and on weekends. Residents who leave the hospital late at night can also obtain free taxi vouchers.

Residents who enroll in the Hospital’s T-Pass Program receive a 40% discount on monthly MBTA passes. For those who park in more distant lots, the hospital provides a free shuttle service. There is also a free shuttle (M2 Shuttle) from the Longwood Medical Area to Harvard Square in Cambridge. Residents who do not have their own cars can obtain Zipcars for occasional use. In addition, Children’s Hospital provides a free bike cage in the Patient/Family Garage for employees who cycle to work.

More information about transportation options for residents and fellows is available here.