Looking for housemates to share a charming 3BR duplex near Harvard (Shared Housing)

I’m looking for new housemates to share a charming historic duplex apartment in Mid-Cambridge, close to Harvard, Inman Square, Central Square, and Harvard Square.

The apartment is in a great location: near Inman Sq. about 12 minutes, Central Sq.... about 17 minutes, and Harvard Sq. about 15 minutes. It is very close to the Cambridge Public Library and park on Broadway, Mass. Ave., Harvard Yard, GSD, FAS, Bio Labs, and Divinity School. It is also within walking distance of two Whole Foods locations, small grocery stores, pharmacies, cafés, and food places.

The apartment is a spacious, warm, and sunlit 3-bedroom duplex dating from around 1870. It has high ceilings, wood floors, large windows, plants, books, and comfortable common areas: dining room, living room, kitchen, pantry, entry hall, and two full bathrooms. The common areas are fully furnished and work well for reading, studying, working from home, meals, and occasional conversation.

Because this is a historic wooden house, it is best suited for someone who appreciates older Cambridge apartments and can be respectful and tolerant of historic features, including old floors, doors, trim, stairs, and the normal quirks of an older home.

You would be sharing the apartment with me, a Harvard-affiliated researcher working on sustainability, design, and health. I graduated from Harvard GSD in landscape/urban design. I have a busy schedule, but I enjoy conversation, occasional coffee or outings with housemates, plants, nature, urban design, travel, and being outdoors.

Ideally, you are Harvard-affiliated, such as a graduate student, postdoc, researcher, visiting scholar, or staff member, and are friendly, clean, independent, responsible, respectful, and a non-smoker. Previous housemates have been students and researchers at HKS, GSD, HDS, and FAS.

Location:
Mid-Cambridge, within walking distance of:
Cambridge Public Library and park: about 2 minutes
Mass. Ave.: about 5 minutes
Harvard Yard, GSD, FAS, Bio Labs, and Divinity School: about 7–10 minutes
Inman Square: about 12 minutes
Harvard Square: about 15 minutes
Central Square: about 17 minutes
It is also within walking distance of two Whole Foods locations, small grocery stores, pharmacies, cafés, and food places.

Available bedrooms:

1. Attic bedroom on the 3rd floor: A cozy attic bedroom with a sloped ceiling, wood floors, and good natural light. The room includes a full-size bed, desk, and closet space.

2. Smaller sunlit bedroom: A smaller, bright bedroom with curtains and good natural light. It is furnished with a bed/bedframe with storage drawers and a small desk. It would work well for someone who wants a simple, quiet, functional room in a spacious shared apartment.

Rent and lease:
Rent is $735/month for each room, paid directly to the landlord. The apartment is rented directly by the owner, so there are no broker fees or hidden rental fees. The rent is very affordable for the area because the landlord likes to support students and academics. Because of this, the selection process is more careful than a typical rental. The landlord interviews new housemates, and multiple conversations may be needed to make sure there is a good fit and a trustworthy household arrangement. The landlord prefers Harvard affiliation. The lease is for one year, through the end of August 2027. No subletting allowed.

Utilities and laundry
Gas and electricity are not included and average around $100/month, though they are higher in winter. Internet is kindly provided free of cost by the landlord. Utility costs and other expenses (cleaning materials, paper towels, toilet paper, etc) are shared among us.

There are no laundry facilities in the building, which is very inconvenient, but there are several laundromats nearby and reliable laundry delivery services in the area.

Current housemate
You would be sharing the apartment with me. I am a Harvard-affiliated researcher working on sustainability, design, and health, and I graduated from Harvard GSD in landscape/urban design. I have a busy schedule, but I enjoy conversation, the occasional outing, and coffee with housemates. I love plants, nature, urban design, traveling, and being outdoors.

Household fit
This is a calm, respectful shared home, not a party apartment. We are looking for one person per room. No couples. No pets. No smoking, vaping, marijuana, or drug use in the apartment or building.

Occasional guests are fine with advance communication and respect for the household, but frequent guests, regular overnight guests, or guests who function like additional housemates are not a good fit.

Ideally, you are Harvard-affiliated, academically focused, friendly, non-smoking, clean, independent, responsible, and respectful. Previous housemates have been students and researchers at HKS, GSD, HDS, and FAS.

To respond
Please send a message with some background about you, including your Harvard affiliation if applicable, work or study situation, typical schedule, personality, hobbies, and what you are looking for in a shared apartment.

Approximate Utility Cost: 80 to 380 (extreme months) in the winter Read More