Somerville MA Temporary Housing: Creative, Connected & Comfortably Urban

Discover Somerville — a youthful, artistic, and community-driven city that continues to attract temporary residents from around the world. Located just 2 miles from downtown Boston and bordering Cambridge, Somerville MA temporary housing options appeal to travel nurses, visiting professors, digital nomads, and professionals on short-term assignments.

This city is known for its strong community spirit: weekly artisan markets, colorful street murals, lively squares, and neighborhood festivals that make it easy to feel at home. Somerville was also recently ranked the 7th most walkable city in the U.S. and one of the most transit-friendly — making it both easy and enjoyable to get around.

Because it sits so close to Harvard, MIT, and Massachusetts General Hospital, Somerville is a top choice for academic housing, medical housing, and flexible furnished leases. Here, you get big-city practicality wrapped in small-town warmth.

Why Somerville Stands Out for Temporary Housing

A Small-Town Feel Next to Boston’s Urban Core

Somerville blends the charm of tree-lined residential streets with the convenience of bustling, walkable squares. You can stroll to cafés, restaurants, grocery stores, and coworking spaces — all while being just minutes from Boston’s major business, health, and academic districts.

Transit That Makes Life Easy

Thanks to the MBTA Green Line Extension (GLX), Somerville now has more transit coverage than ever. New stations in Union Square, College Avenue, and Ball Square give residents a fast, direct route into downtown Boston.

Whether you’re commuting to the Financial District, attending a class in Cambridge, or heading to a hospital shift, Somerville offers a smooth, train-friendly commute.

A Welcoming, Creative Community

Somerville has a “shop local, support local” culture that temporary residents quickly appreciate. The city is filled with community spaces, farmers markets, public libraries, indie cafés, coworking hubs, and creative studios.

Because Somerville is home to many students, startups, and artists, the city has a lively, inclusive personality — ideal for people seeking a friendly, connected neighborhood during their stay.

Where to Stay in Somerville (Furnished & Flexible Options)

Somerville revolves around its iconic “squares” — lively intersections that serve as neighborhood hubs. Each one offers unique furnished housing options perfect for Somerville MA temporary housing.

Davis Square — Vibrant, Youthful & Transit-Rich

Davis Square is one of Somerville’s most energetic neighborhoods. Here you’ll find:

• live music venues
• indie movie theaters
• coffee shops and brunch spots
• pubs, bars, and casual dining
• Red Line MBTA station (3 minutes to Harvard, ~15 minutes to downtown Boston)

Furnished apartments in Davis Square are highly sought after because they combine an upbeat urban lifestyle with unbeatable transit access. This area is perfect for grad students, young professionals, and remote workers.

Assembly Square / Assembly Row — Modern Living by the River

Located along the Mystic River, Assembly Row is Somerville’s newest and most modern district.

Expect:

• luxury furnished apartments (Hyatus-style units with flexible leases)
• gyms, pools, coworking lounges
• a full retail outlet center
• the AMC theater
• dozens of restaurants
• Orange Line MBTA station (10 minutes to Boston)

It’s ideal for residents who want convenience, amenities, walkability, and water views — all in one place.

Union Square — Artsy, Colorful & International

Union Square has transformed into a trendy cultural hub. With the GLX Union Square Station, it now offers a one-seat ride straight into downtown Boston.

The vibe here is creative and international, thanks to:

• craft breweries
• artisan bakeries
• global restaurants (Nepali, Ethiopian, Brazilian, Portuguese, etc.)
• weekend flea markets
• renovated lofts and new apartments that offer short-term leasing

Union Square is also close to Cambridge’s Inman Square and Boston’s West End hospitals, making it ideal for academic and medical stays.

Flexible Leasing Tailored to Travelers

Across Somerville, you’ll find 1–6 month furnished leases designed for:

• travel nurses
• visiting professors
• consultants
• remote workers
• families in transition

Hyatus Somerville apartments, for example, offer cozy décor, fully equipped kitchens, premium bedding, and fast Wi-Fi — providing the comfort of home for any length of stay.

Host’s Note: A Real-Life Somerville Story

I once hosted Carlos, a visiting biotech researcher who stayed in a furnished Union Square loft for four months. His daily routine became beautifully Somerville:

• morning jogs on the Somerville Community Path
• breakfast at Bloc Café
• Green Line directly to his Boston lab
• evenings cooking in his full kitchen
• social nights at Bow Market’s outdoor courtyard

By the end of his stay, he knew every barista by name and even joined a local trivia team. Somerville has that effect — it takes temporary residents and turns them into locals.

Exploring Somerville: What to Do

Experience the Squares

Each square has its own character:

Davis Square

• The Somerville Theatre
• Museum of Bad Art (in the basement!)
• live music and comedy
• bars, brunch spots, and independent shops

Union Square

• Bow Market food hall
• Aeronaut Brewing Co.
• artisan markets
• weekend pop-up events

Assembly Row

• outlet shopping
• Lucky Strike bowling
• riverside park
• restaurants and breweries

Culinary Adventures

Somerville is one of the most diverse food cities in the Boston area.

Don’t Miss:

• Sarma — iconic Middle Eastern-inspired small plates
• Union Square Donuts — gourmet & nationally famous
• Davis Square — vegan diners, pizza shops, and ice cream
• Winter Hill — Italian and Brazilian eateries
• East Somerville — Mexican, Nepalese, Tibetan, Ethiopian

Local Events & Culture

Somerville hosts some of the Boston area’s most beloved events:

• PorchFest — musicians perform on porches citywide
• ArtBeat Festival — art, music, performances
• Somerville Illuminations Tour — holiday light spectacular
• Outdoor movies at Seven Hills Park

For history lovers, Prospect Hill Park offers panoramic views and the tower where the first American flag was raised during the Revolutionary War.

Somerville Food Scene: Eating Out & Eating In

Best Brunch & Coffee Spots

• Ball Square Café — legendary breakfast plates
• 3 Little Figs — pastries, espresso, olive oil donuts
• Aeronaut — weekend coffee + live jazz

International Eats

• Nepali & Tibetan restaurants in Little Kathmandu
• Brazilian barbecue on East Broadway
• Mexican favorites like La Posada
• Ethiopian cuisine at Asmara

Pubs & Comfort Food

• Boston Burger Company — Insta-famous burgers
• The Burren — Irish pub with nightly live music

Cooking at Home?

You’ll love:

• Union Square Farmers Market
• local Italian delis
• Indian markets in Magoun Square

Having a furnished apartment makes cooking easy — and Somerville provides endless ingredients.

Getting Around Somerville

Somerville makes car-free living incredibly practical.

Walkability

Most errands, cafés, and grocery stores are within a short walk.

Public Transit

• Red Line: Davis & Porter (Harvard, MIT, South Station)
• Green Line Extension (GLX): Union Square, Magoun, Ball Square, College Ave, into downtown Boston
• Orange Line: Assembly (North Station, TD Garden)

Bus Routes

The 87, 88, 90, and 95 buses connect Somerville to Cambridge, Medford, Arlington, and East Somerville.

Biking

The Somerville Community Path links Davis Square to Lechmere and the GLX — ideal for commuters and weekend rides.

Driving

Easy access to I-93 and Route 2.
(Some areas require resident permits, but many furnished rentals include garage or lot parking.)

Settle Into Somerville

With its perfect mix of lively neighborhoods, walkability, and community warmth, Somerville is a welcoming home for any length of stay. Whether you’re here for a month-long rotation or a year-long project, Somerville MA temporary housing offers everything you need: connection, comfort, creativity, and convenience.

Explore furnished apartments in Somerville and start your next chapter in one of Greater Boston’s most lovable cities.