Boston University School of Social Work

Home , Davis station (MBTA), Faneuil Hall, Freedom Trail

SSW Office of Student Services

BUSSW Guide to Boston

Adapted from the School of Public Health International Student Organization Guidebook Revised by Molly Egan-Williams (SSW/SED 2016), Katie Ouimet (SSW 2017) & Tarik Brown (SSW 2018)

Table of Contents

Welcome!...... 2

Housing………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Where should I live? Safety and Crime

Transportation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4 Location & Accessibility Transit Costs & the BU Semester Link Pass BU Shuttle Bus (B.U.S) Taxis & Rental Vehicles BU Escort Security Service Transportation Apps Biking in Boston

Health Insurance………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6 Boston University Options MassHealth

Exploring……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Weather Food Fun and Activities -Student Discounts -Places to Visit -Museums, Art & Culture -Great Views of Boston -Seasonal Fun -Social Aspects -Local Movies

Welcome

Welcome to Boston University’s School of Social Work! As you are getting ready for your move to Boston, and the beginning of the school year, we want to give you information that we believe will be great to know and will be helpful to your smooth transition to Boston and Boston University’s School of Social Work (BUSSW). Within this guide, you will find tips on which neighborhoods to seek out when looking for housing, how to navigate the MBTA system, information on health insurance options, and just some of the many fun activities that you can enjoy around the city of Boston. Also, each Monday read the BUSSW Student Newsletter for BUSSW Activities and Events, Social Work related, BU and Boston Community events. We try and keep you updated on what is happening at BUSSW (send us what you know and are planning to [email protected] ). We hope this is helpful and we can’t wait to get to know you over the next few years! Best wishes, The School of Social Work

Housing/Neighborhoods Where Should I live?

Finding a place to live in Boston can be tricky, and it is best to start your housing search as soon as possible. As with any urban environment, it is important to balance safety, cost and convenience as you look for a place to call home. Boston is a relatively expensive city, and monthly rent for a room can range from $550 to over $1000 monthly depending on a number of factors. S tart looking at neighborhoods and price ranges as soon as you can and keep in mind that the rental market moves quickly.

The most convenient neighborhoods we recommend you look into first are Allston, Brighton and Brookline (Brookline is the most expensive of these three). The typical amount for a room is around $800, give or take a hundred dollars a month for utilities. These three neighborhoods surround BU, and have many students and young professionals. They are also very easily accessible by transportation to BU. Other students also enjoy living in Cambridge and Somerville, the neighborhoods located across the Charles River from BU. Although these locations have less convenient public transport to BU, they also have many students/young people and cultural events.

A good place to start your search is with BU’s Rental Property Management: http://www.bu.edu/rpm/ . Another good website to use is the Off-Campus Housing site at http://www.bu.edu/offcampus/. Current students sometimes use Off-Campus Housing to find roommates, and it is a good place for an in-coming student to find housing close to campus with people who have similar interests. Students also often use Craigslist to search for apartments, however it works best for those who can apartment hunt in-person.

Finding a BUSSW Facebook for your cohort or for cohorts ahead of you is a great way to stay connected on upcoming housing, and much more information throughout the year. Using the BUSSW Facebook group such as www.facebook.com/BUSSW can also be used to find information about rooms and finding roommates.

Safety & Crime

Like any large city, there can be safety concerns in some areas of Boston. Before signing a lease, it is a good idea to look up the address on the crime map provided by the Boston Police Department to gauge the safety of the area. If you are uncomfortable with what you discover about an apartment or a neighborhood you are considering, please be cautious and continue your search

Transportation

Location & Accessibility

Try using the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) website, http://www.mbta.com/ or the transit function on Google maps (http://www.maps.google.com) to find out what kind of train and bus service is available to the neighborhood you are considering.

Bostonians informally call the train system the “T” and MBTA train/bus passes a “Charlie card.” Several train lines connect the city: the Green line, the Red line, the Blue line, the Orange line, and the Silver line which is actually a bus line. The Green line has four different branches - the B, C, D and E. BU is located along the Green B Line, and the BU School of Social Work is a very short walk from the B line at the BU Central Stop. There are also many bus routes that one can take all over the city.

Transit Costs & the BU Semester Link Pass

Current MBTA Fares: There are a few options to pay for the MBTA. As of July 1, 2016, the monthly “Link” pass for unlimited train and bus transport is $84.50. One train trip using a reusable plastic Charlie Card (available at certain T stops) is $2.25, while one train trip using a paper Charlie ticket or cash costs $2.75. Bus fares are $1.70 with Charlie Cards and $2.00 with Charlie tickets/cash. Tickets and cards can be purchased at train stations and buses also accept cash onboard. Visit MBTA for a full list of pass prices.

BU MBTA Semester Link Pass: Each semester Boston University offers students the option to buy a discounted BU semester MBTA pass to save 11% on four months of transit regardless of pass type (link, local bus, commuter rail). For the Fall Semester pass, the price includes the months of September, October, November, and December. For the Spring Semester pass, the price includes the months of February, March, April, and May. This is a good option for students who will be using the MBTA on a frequent basis.

The pass must be purchased ahead of time, and can be picked up a few days before the beginning of the allotted time. Those interested in purchasing Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Semester Passes for the 2019 Fall semester must apply before the application deadline of 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Saturday, August 10, 2019.ester Pass is available for purchase via the Student Link website here under the "Personal” tab. Learn more about the BU MBTA Student Semester Pass to decide if it’s right for you.

Parking The transportation offices websites also have useful information on modes of transport in the city, offers for students, etc. Check them out at: http://www.bu.edu/parking/ and http://www.bu.edu/parking/general-information/ 4

BU Shuttle Bus (B.U.S.)

This FREE bus service for BU students transports students to and from the BU Charles River Campus to the BU Medical Campus located in the South End, including the School of Public Health.

A valid Boston University ID or other acceptable proof of affiliation with the University is sometimes required to board The BUS.

Check out this website for the BU Shuttle stops, schedule and the bus route: http://www.bu.edu/thebus/. If you download the BU Mobile App on your smartphone you can see the shuttle bus location in real time.

Taxis & Rental Vehicles

Besides the MBTA, there are other convenient forms of transportation that students use. There are taxis that often drive around on Commonwealth Avenue, and apps such as Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar have become widely popular in the recent years. If you want to rent a car for a big shopping trip or a day trip, Boston has ZipCar available.

BU Escort Security Service

BU has an escort service that is available late at night if you don’t feel comfortable walking alone on campus (from 8PM -2AM). An escort is available to all students, faculty, staff, and University guests from one on-campus location to another. Two walkers are dispatched for each walk request and are equipped with a radio for contact with the supervisor. All staff may be identified by their uniforms – a red jacket from the Student Activities Office. Please call 617-353-5498 for the service.

Transportation Apps

Many students use transit apps on their phones to track current arrival times for MBTA trains and buses. Some apps are limited to iphones or androids but recommendations include: Open MBTA; Your Bus Boston; Transit; and MBTA Tracker.

Biking in Boston

Biking is a popular form of transit in Boston and the city continues to add bike lanes, including the upcoming addition of protected lanes along Mass Ave throughout BU’s campus. Many people use Hubway

to rent bikes for their commute or for exploring the city. Make sure that you have the skills, knowledge, and tools to bike safely throughout the city. Please be aware Boston is congested with traffic and biking can be dangerous. Google Maps and Boston Bikes are good resources for developing your bike routes throughout the metro Boston area.

Health Insurance

Health Insurance can be confusing to navigate, especially when moving to a new state. Below is some information about the plans that are offered to students through BU and information about MassHealth.

Boston University’s Plans

BU offers Basic and Plus health insurance plans to students. Information on plan benefits and coverage can be accessed on the BU student health services page or through the BU Aetna page.

Either plan will take effect when classes begin in September. Students will automatically be enrolled in the Basic Plan; check the deadline to upgrade to the Plus Plan, add dependents, or waive coverage. Students must be enrolled in the Plus plan in order to add eligible dependents. If you decide to waive the insurance plans through BU, you will be required to prove that you have another health insurance plan and that it meets or exceeds the Basic plan that BU offers.

MassHealth

A list of MassHealth coverage can be seen here.

You can apply online at MAhealthconnector.org, by phone at 1-877-623-6765, in person at an Enrollment Center (Boston address is 133 Portland Street, 1st floor), or by mail with a paper application that you can download from the “Forms” page at MAhealthconnector.org

Important to Note: Massachusetts residents can apply for MassHealth or ConnectorCare at any time, if they qualify.

Exploring

Weather

If you are coming from a warmer climate, it is very important to prepare for the winter. Snow gear will be essential - snow boots, a LONG winter coat (one that at least covers your hips), gloves, hats, and scarves. The winters can be bitter, and very snowy. The fall and spring, which have milder temperatures, both see a lot of rain/thunderstorms so a raincoat is also a good idea. Summers can be hot and sometimes humid, and summer rainstorms are not uncommon. It is suggested to check the weather every day, as New England weather is constantly changing. Websites like the Weather Channel and apps like Intellicast are best because they show the weather and likelihood of precipitation by the hour. Food

There are tons of restaurants in Boston and the BU area. Yelp it! There is most everything!

Need a Quick Fix at School

Note: You can purchase coffee for $0.50 and free tea in the BUSSW Welcome Center at SSW.

There is also an Einstein’s Bagel across the ramp in the College of Arts and Science (CAS) in the basement next to the BUSSW building.

Fun & Activities

Read about some discounts with your BU ID https://spoonuniversity.com/place/where-to-score- discounts-with-your-student-id-around-boston-university

Also be sure to check out current admissions prices as the information we have changes. Places to Visit

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

http://www.bpl.org/ 7

Street Address: 700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 536-5400 Operating hours: Monday - Thursday 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m., Friday & Saturday 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Sunday 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

This is a beautiful library with very old architectural details and several statues. They have tours on the weekends and a nice café and gift shop. Enter in the front, by the statues of the two women. You can also find magazines and newspapers from around the world available for anyone to read in the newspaper room. Ask a librarian to direct you.

The Boston Public Library offers free passes to several museums in the Boston area. All that is needed is that you have a current library card in order to reserve a pass. You can get discounted or free admission to places such as the Institute for Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Art, the New England Aquarium, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and Zoo New England. Passes are limited, and you must select a branch location to pick your pass up in advance. For more information or to reserve a museum pass, visit: http://www.bpl.org/general/circulation/museum_passes.php

FANEUIL HALL

http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/ Street Address: 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109 Phone: (617) 635-3505 Hours of operation: Monday - Saturday 10.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m., Sunday 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Nearby MBTA Stops: Blue Line to Aquarium/Faneuil Hall, Green Line to Government Center, Orange Line to State Street or Haymarket, Red Line to Park Street, Commuter Rail to North Station or South Station.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is actually four great places in one location — Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market, all set around a cobblestone promenade where jugglers, magicians and musicians entertain the passers-by. So by all means, stroll, shop, eat, laugh, wander, wonder and explore it all. There are frequent tours of Faneuil Hall on the weekends. Quincy Market is a good place to buy gifts made in Boston or t-shirts that say “Boston”. http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/. Outdoor Activities

THE FREEDOM TRAIL

The Freedom Trail (http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/index.html) is a walking trail that leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites, every one of them an authentic American treasure. Preserved and dedicated by the citizens of Boston in 1958, the Freedom Trail today is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and the early years associated with the Republic. The trail is marked by a red line on the road. You can walk the trail for free. 8

If you would like more information about the places and events visited on the trail, you might want to try one of the special tours led by members of the Freedom Trail Foundation. There is a cost associated with these tours. http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/book-tour/.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL

The African American Heritage Trail (http://www.afroammuseum.org/trail.htm) is a walking trail that leads you through the sites that are specific to African black history in Boston. The path leads through the Beacon Hill neighborhood, and takes you through 15 pre-civil war structures, including the 1806 Meeting House, the oldest black church in the United States.

HATCH SHELL

Location: On the Charles River Esplanade, across from Storrow Drive. Easy to walk to from SSW. Many free concerts and performances are held here. Listing of Events: http://www.hatchshell.com/events.php

NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM

http://www.neaq.org/index.php Street Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 Phone: (617) 973-5200 For operating hours and price of admission, please visit the website. FREE admission available through Boston Public Library (up to 4 people) Nearest MBTA Stop: Blue Line, Aquarium Stop Directions: Take the MBTA's Blue Line subway to Aquarium Station.

SWAN BOATS AT BOSTON COMMONS

www.swanboats.com Street Address: 4 Charles St, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 522-1966 For operating hours and prices, please visit the website. Nearest MBTA stop: Green Line Arlington Station. From this stop, it is approximately a four minute walk through the Public Garden.

BOSTON DUCK TOURS

http://www.bostonducktours.com/tour.aspx Phone: (617) 267-3825 Tour aboard a World War II style amphibious landing vehicle, and discover lots of little known facts about Boston while experiencing breathtaking views of the city skyline from the Charles River. Daily departures from the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science. For ticket information, please visit the website.

WHALE WATCHING- BOSTON HARBOR CRUISES https://www.bostonharborcruises.com/whale- watch/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjrvpBRC0ARIsAFrFuV9agJwyfH5ORkHCcGtRY17L782u5UbFVJk27YcmimEvgIyY 8dPUcH8aArvkEALw_wcB The Boston harbor cruises offers whale watching expeditions from end March to end October. Departure: From the Central Wharf in Boston. For more information on the schedule and rates, please visit the website. Nearest MBTA stop: Aquarium Stop on the blue line. Museums, Arts & Culture

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM

http://www.gardnermuseum.org/ Street Address: 280 Fenway, Boston, MA 02115 Phone: (617) 566-1401 Operating Hours: Wed - Mon 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. *$10 Admission with BU ID* Nearest MBTA Stop: Museum of Fine Arts Stop (Green Line E Train) For further information and directions, visit http://www.gardnermuseum.org/visit/directions

JOHN F. KENNEDY LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

http://www.jfklibrary.org/ Street Address: 220 William T Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125 Phone: (617) 514-1600 Operating Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $14, Students with ID $12, Children (13-17) $10; Children (under 12) free Discount available through Boston Public Library ($3/person, up to 2 adults) Nearest MBTA Stop: JFK/Umass Station (Red Line) Directions: At JFK Station, take free shuttle bus to library. Buses run every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are marked "JFK."

INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART

http://www.icaboston.org Street Address: 100 Northern Avenue, Seaport District Phone: (617) 478-3100 Operating Hours: Tue/Wed 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thu/Fri 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 11

Admission: General admission $15, Students $10, Children under 17 Free, Seniors $13 Discount available through Boston Public Library ($7/person, up to 2 adults) Nearest MBTA Stop: South Station (Red Line) Directions: At South Station take the Silver Line to Courthouse stop. Once above ground, walk down Seaport Boulevard toward the World Trade Center (away from the city), turning left onto Northern Avenue at the light. The ICA is on the right side of the street immediately around the corner

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

http://www.mos.org/ Street Address: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 723-2500 Operating Hours: Sat-Thurs 9a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check out if there is FREE admission available through Boston Public Library (up to 4 people) Nearest MBTA Stop: Science Park (Green Line, E Train) Directions: Take the MBTA's Green Line subway to Science Park station. This will be the Green Line's Lechmere- bound "E" train. The Museum is diagonally across the street (O'Brien Highway), just over the Charles River Dam drawbridge.

MUSEUM OF AFRO-AMERICAN HISTORY

http://www.afroammuseum.org/ Street Address: 46 Joy Street at Smith Court Phone: (617) 725-0022 Operating Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Adults $5, Seniors and Students $3, Children under 12 – free Nearest MBTA Stop: Park Street (Green/Red Lines) Directions: Take the Red or Green Line to Park Street. Walk up Park Street toward the State House (gold dome) on Beacon Street. Turn left onto Beacon and right onto Joy Street.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

http://www.mfa.org/ Street Address: 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 Phone: (617) 267-9300 Operating Hours: Daily: 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Wed-Fri: 10a.m. - 9:45 p.m. (west wing only) Admission: Adults $25, Students $23, Seniors $23 Discount available through Boston Public Library ($10/person, up to 2 adults) *Free Admission with BU ID* Nearest MBTA Stop: Museum of Fine Arts Stop (Green Line, E Train)

Directions: Cross Huntington Avenue, the museum is the long stone building and will be marked MFA.

BOSTON FREE FUN FRIDAYS

Our Free Fun Fridays offer visitors no-cost admission to many of the most treasured cultural venues in Massachusetts. This program was created to increase access and enrichment opportunities for children and families throughout Massachusetts during the summer months. Every Friday, from the end of June through the end of August, multiple sites are open for free.

http://highlandstreet.org/programs/free-fun-fridays Great Views of Boston

Top of the Hub (Restaurant & Lounge) : http://www.topofthehub.net/

Skywalk Observatory: http://www.prudentialcenter.com/shop/shop_detail.php?id=64

Arnold Arboretum

Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum, located in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, has 281 acres of living collections of trees and plant life. There are some beautiful trails, including great views of the Boston skyline from atop Peter’s Hill, and access to the arboretum is free and open to the public. Visit the arboretum’s webpage for more information on trails, plants, hours, and events. One of the entrances is located near the Forest Hills stop at the end of the orange line.

Mt Auburn Cemetery

Mount Auburn Cemetery, located on the border of Cambridge and Watertown, also has a great view the city skyline from atop Washington Tower. This 174 acre historic cemetery includes monuments and scenic walking paths. The cemetery is most easily accessed by bus and is also free and open to the public. For information on hours, paths, and history, visit the website here.

Seasonal Fun

SoWa Sundays

SoWa is a market in the South End open to the public on Sundays from 10am to about 4pm. There’s a large farmers market, a vintage shop, and a massive parking lot full of all types of food trucks from around the city. The market opens in early May, and stays open through October. It’s a great way to get out on the town for a very cheap and fun experience. For more information and details on the food trucks, visit the website at http://sowasundays.com

Lawn on D

The Lawn on D is a new Boston attraction. It’s located on the border of South Boston and the Seaport district, attached to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The lawn can be described as an “adult playground”, equipped with giant jenga, bocce ball, corn hole, and giant circle swings that glow with neon lights at night. The space exhibits local art, provides concerts, and general public fun. Food trucks frequent the space, and the Tent sells beer, wine, water and food. With free admission, this is a great way to spend warm sunny days, as the Lawn is open from May through October. For more information and a calendar of events, visit the website at http://lawnond.com

Red Sox

The Red Sox are a classic Boston past time. With a BU Student ID, you can get $9 standing room tickets for any home game, as long as tickets are left. Visit https://secure.mlb.com/bos/ticketing/student_ticket_offers.jsp for more information.

Farmers Markets

In the spring and summer months, Boston is crawling with famers markets! Boston University There is one on BU’s Campus, right in front of the George Sherman Union. Website: http://www.bu.edu/dining/about-us/sustainability/farmers-market/

Copley Square has a large market on Tuesdays and Fridays; visit http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farmersmarkets_details.php?market=66

The Haymarket Market is year round, with only New Year’s Day and Christmas off. The market runs on Fridays and Saturdays, typically from dawn to dusk. Website: http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/haymarket-boston.html Social Aspects

If you have a particular activity that you enjoy, check out MeetUp to find people with similar interests and starting making friends!

Social Boston Sports is another avenue to meet people. If you have a certain sport that you enjoy playing, or want to try something new, you can be sure to find it here. You can sign up for many types of sports including dodge ball, softball, volleyball, cornhole, and many more. You can sign up with a group of friends, or by yourself and get placed on a team. The teams are meant to create a fun and social atmosphere, with teams often going out together after games. There are many sports offered year-round, so it is easy to find something that suits you.

Similar to Social Boston Sports, Better Off Bowling creates a fun and relaxed environment to allow young professionals to get together and enjoy some fun bowling. Better Off Bowling offers year-round bowling seasons (there’s currently a SSW group bowling this summer!), for the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Like Social Boston Sports, the point of this organization is to get people together for a fun afternoon of bowling and to create an atmosphere where people can bond and get to know one another.

As stated under the Housing section of this guide, the BUSSW Facebook group page is a very good way to keep up-to-date on up-coming events within the SSW, or with Social Work related events happening in Boston. Another Facebook site to consider following is The Boston Calendar. This site gives information about events happening around Boston, most of which are free or very low in cost. It has also been a very good source for information regarding updates about the MBTA during the winter. Bostinno is another great Facebook page to follow, as it also gives great information about what’s going on around Boston.

Local Movies

Large Theaters for Blockbusters!

AMC Boston Loews http://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/amc-loews-boston-common-19 Street Address: 175 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111 Nearest MBTA Stop: Park Street (Green & Red Lines)

Regal Cinemas Fenway http://www.regmovies.com/ Street Address: 201 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215 Nearest MBTA Stop: Fenway Stop (Green Line, D Train) Discount available with BU student ID.

Apple Cinemas http://applecinemas.com/ Street address: 168 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138 Nearest MBTA stop: Alewife station (Red Line)

Smaller Neighborhood and Indie Theaters!

Coolidge Corner Theatre http://www.coolidge.org/ 15

Street address: 290 Harvard St Brookline, MA 02446 Nearest MBTA Stop: Coolidge Corner Stop (Green Line, C Train)

Somerville Theater http://somervilletheatre.com/ Street address: 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144 Nearest MBTA stop: Davis Station (Red Line)

Kendall Square Cinema https://www.landmarktheatres.com/boston/kendall-square-cinema Street address: 355 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 Nearest MBTA stop: Kendall/MIT Station (Red Line)

***Finally, don’t forget to REGISTER TO VOTE as a Massachusetts resident or update your new address here!