Best time of year to move to Cambridge?

Submitted by [deleted] t3_yuhjii in CambridgeMA

I'm a working artist/theorist who just enrolled in Harvard Extension School, and my husband and I are thinking of moving to Cambridge so I can enjoy the campus experience.

The catch: We're coming from California. We did some time in Chicago, but it has been a long long few years since I saw any weather under 35F.

Any thoughts from Cambridge's fair citizens regarding when might be the least traumatizing time to relocate for a person who is, as we speak, wearing a quilted coat in 65F weather...? I'm cold most of the time anyway (my health is not strictly awesome) so it's something on our minds! Thanks so much ❄️

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_linzertorte_ t1_iwa4sjo wrote

I moved from CA to Cambridge a few years ago. Came here over Memorial Day weekend and had never lived anywhere with real seasons before. Granted, it was post-2015 winterpocypse, but that timing seemed great to me. Honestly the first winter here was not as much of a shock as anticipated. Just get real winter clothes and shoes, make sure you know how to drive/bike in different weather, and remember people here are kind but not nice (and I mean that in the best way possible ☺️).

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[deleted] OP t1_iwa63ue wrote

Having been surrounded by nice-but-not-kind people in the past, I far prefer kind-but-not-nice!! Thanks for the tips :)

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ErnieBochII t1_iwa3sti wrote

May. For a variety of reasons. Weather, off-season rental market opportunities, the city empties out...

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quietcoffeeshop t1_iwa6xog wrote

Are you planning to rent or buy? Almost all leases in Cambridge and hereabouts start on September 1, there will be much less available to rent in other months.

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[deleted] OP t1_iwa7a0b wrote

Good to know! Thank you. We're likely to rent for a while as I'm not sure how I'll adjust to winter.

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heinzketchup23 t1_iwaadni wrote

But actually the supply demand works out really well other times of year for renters- you can get a much better price with less competition other times of year

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BuckyWunderlick007 t1_iw9d5cn wrote

springtime seems good for you

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[deleted] OP t1_iw9dgeq wrote

Thanks! Forgive me... when would you say that starts? 🙈 We don't have normal seasons here.

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kiwi-cucumber t1_iw9g5u3 wrote

There’s usually some bursts of nicer weather in March that we call “fake spring” which is promptly followed by a snowstorm and frigid temps. Real spring is more towards April

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[deleted] OP t1_iw9gnie wrote

This is really good context!! Thank you so much!!! That would be a pretty rough adjustment, can't overstate how much I appreciate your comment

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myrealnameisdj t1_iwa4j93 wrote

It was 75 yesterday and will be 30 tomorrow morning. If you're looking for any sort of weather stability, New England won't have that. Pack a lot of layers!

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heinzketchup23 t1_iwaagmk wrote

Don’t do Aug/Sep - rents are jacked up, too much competition and it’s miserably hot and humid to move!

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alr12345678 t1_iwapidz wrote

I get cold easily and wear a fleece jacket year round in my office but I adapt to being outside as long as I’m properly outfitted- down jacket, buff/neck warmer/hat or hood. Plus shoes or boots that are warm are key. Really winter isn’t that bad with the right gear.

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vt2022cam t1_iwbqpgm wrote

I’d move in May/June. I’ve been here for decades and seen people move and stay and move and leave.

Many who move in the winter stay until their classes finish and move. September is when most leases are up (like 90%), but you can get summer deals and have a great summer near the ocean. They even block off a major road along the river on weekends and as a good side effect of the last few years, we have more outdoor food options. There are great bike paths and it is a fairly safe city. There was a TikTok is saw recently of a women commenting on seeing women out at night walking alone. It surprised me that walking around at 8pm in many cities alone isn’t safe.

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