Bentley College - Waltham, MA

In 1968, Bentley University moved from downtown Boston to the City of Waltham. After the university was situated, the rise in students increased immensely. The Waltham area provides students with a cheaper cost of living with the convenience of being near Boston while attending a prestigious college. Residential areas, including apartments and rental homes, began to quickly proliferate in the community after the university made the move to Waltham.

To grasp more of the community’s history, visit the Waltham Museum only a few blocks away on Lexington Street. Visit the Robert Treat Plant Estate-Stonehurst, the home of social reformer Robert Treat Paine, who played a big role in the history of the neighborhood. Annual events continue to be held mostly by the university. Many of these events include art pieces created by students, which is found in many galleries within five miles of Bentley.

Restaurants surround the Bentley College neighborhood, especially given it lies just about a mile north of downtown Waltham. The area provides plenty of eateries, coffeehouses, nightlife and more for Bentley College residents. From classic American cuisine to vegetarian places to dine, you can easily find anything you might crave.

For a quick bite to eat, Wilson’s Diner provides booth service and good food at reasonable prices. The breakfast menu stays the same, while the lunch and dinner menus change daily. Nonetheless, breakfast happens to be why the locals love this diner so much. Enjoy blueberry pancakes or eggs Benedict at a booth or the bar in the small, cozy diner that slightly resembles a train’s boxcar from the outside.

For upscale dining and Italian dishes, check out La Campania. The Neapolitan restaurant provides its guests with fresh ingredients baked in a wood burning brick oven. Try the figs and duck confit paired with a bottle of fine wine for a romantic dinner. Call ahead if you are interested in reserve seats for private dining on the brick patio or in the wine cellar.

As for nightlife in the neighborhood, dancing, live music, local pubs and more are all situated nearby. John Brewer’s Tavern, a sports bar just east of Bentley College, has team trivia nights every Thursday, great American food and plenty of seating for all those that come to hangout. Other pubs and even some nightclubs can be visited in the downtown area of Waltham.

Roads such as Main Street and Lexington Street make it easy to travel to your destination, whether in or out of the city. The side roads also make traveling by private transportation easier for locals. By traveling a few minutes south of the university to Union Station, you can take public transportation to the center of Boston.

Uber and other cab services exist within the city. Call ahead if you need a cab, as hailing one from the street is no longer an option. Public parking can be found throughout, especially near the school. Most residents of the Bentley College neighborhood prefer to walk or ride a bike to get around. Nearly everything is conveniently located for easy access.

With the Girl Scout camp located right next to the campus, acres of vacant land and nature surround Bentley University. While exploring the Cedar Hill Reservation is reserved for Girl Scouts only, Beaver Brook Reservation can be seen right up Waverley Oaks Road. This park is kid- and pet-friendly. The reservation features hiking trails, streams, fields to play in and more. Paved paths make it easier residents of all ages to enjoy the natural settings.

While the park holds some events throughout the year, most events go through Bentley University or downtown Waltham. Theater and art shows aren’t as common as they are in the more populated areas nearer to Boston.

The cost of living near Bentley University in comparison to Boston remains lower. Though slightly higher than other neighborhoods in Waltham, the average rental rate for a one bedroom apartment sits at $1,599 a month. Student housing can be accessed through Bentley University.

To reach Boston through public transportation, Union Station provides a one-way ticket for about $2. By calling Uber, you spend around $40 on average, depending on the Uber ride selected. Fuel remains around 1.2 percent over the national average, while a pint of beer costs around $3 at a local pub.

Mainstream shopping departments and thrift shops make up a majority of the neighborhood’s surroundings. Walking to BJ’s Wholesale Club or even the Global Thrift Store can be done in just minutes. Being right next to downtown Waltham makes shopping easy for those residing in the Bentley College neighborhood.

Right next to the campus, there is Waltham Fields Community Farm. Herbs, flowers and produce can be purchased fresh from the small farmer’s market. For all of your other shopping needs, Shaw’s Supermarket is just south of the campus on River Street.