Living in Boston

Most PiN students live in shared off-campus housing within walking distance of the Longwood Medical Area and take Zillow or Craigslist as a starting point for an independent housing search. Students also post housing opportunities and needs on the #classifieds channel in the PiN Students Slack space and may find it helpful to refer to Harvard Griffin GSAS Off-Campus Housing, Harvard/MIT housing Facebook groups, and HarvardHousingOffCampus.com, a private market rental site that includes a roommate search option, HUH sublet listings for eligible Harvard affiliates, and other resources.

Some students choose to take part in the Harvard Resident Tutor Program, through which graduate students earn free housing and a limited meal plan in exchange for providing a variety of services to undergraduate students. Other Harvard housing options include:

• Harvard Griffin GSAS Residence Halls 
• Vanderbilt Hall
• Harvard-Owned Apartments

Most PiN students get around Boston on public transportation, by bike, or on foot and do not own a car. 

Public transportation

The subway, buses, and commuter rail that make up the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) - known as the "T" – allow you to travel easily all over the city and suburbs. Harvard students are eligible to receive a 50% discount on MBTA passes.

Biking

• Blue Bike Bike Share Program. Harvard students are eligible for a discounted Blue Bikes Annual Membership for only $70 (30% discount)!
• $15 Bicycle Helmets are for sale at the Campus Service Center. Cash or check only.
• Bicycle Parking on Campus
• HMS Biking
• Additional Biking Resources

Harvard transportation

Shuttle buses, evening van service, and the Harvard University Campus Escort Program (HUCEP) in Cambridge and the Walking Escort Service in the Longwood Medical Area

Shuttle buses

• M2 Shuttle Bus provides free service from Harvard Medical School to MIT to Harvard Square in Cambridge.
• MASCO Shuttles
• Medical Area – Ruggles Station Schedule
• Medical Area – Landmark Center Schedule
• Partners Shuttle Schedule (BWH – MGH/ MGH – Navy Yard)
• Harvard Shuttle and Van Service Academic Shutttles provides free transportation throughout the Cambridge and Allston campuses.

Car & ride sharing

• Students receive a discount on Zipcar car sharing and on rental cars through the Harvard travel portal, good options for day and weekend trips.
• Uber and Lyft are popular ride sharing options in Boston.

Walking

Boston is a compact city that offers beautiful architecture, landscapes, and serene urban green spaces. Getting around is often easiest on foot, so enjoy the view and stay safe!

For at least the first two years of graduate study for tax purposes the student stipend is not considered wages. Students will not receive year-end W-4 forms or 1099 forms. Students must log into PeopleSoft to download information necessary for filing taxes. Additionally, students should bear in mind that taxes will not be withheld from their monthly stipend check. Most students will need to file quarterly tax returns with the federal government and with their state of residence (i.e., wherever they intend to file their tax returns). Most students will transition to employee status some time in their third year, at which point they will be asked to fill out a W-2 and taxes will be withheld. Harvard staff are not permitted to advise individual students on filing taxes, but University Student Financial Services provides information & guidance through annual workshops (see GSAS Tax Talks on YouTube). 

Harvard students can purchase discounted tickets through Outings & Innings to seasonal attractions (e.g., whale watching, amusement parks, downhill skiing), touring museum exhibits, performing arts and sporting events, and more. Many local businesses offer a discount for Harvard students (e.g., restaurants, gyms, clothing stores). See "Transportation" above for MBTA, bikeshare, and car share discounts. Below is a list of museums that offer free admission to Harvard students with an HUID.

Museum of Fine Arts

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Institute of Contemporary Art

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Harvard Art Museums

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

Harvard Museum of the Ancient Neareast

Warren Anatomical Museum

Museum of African American History

Commonwealth Museum