Cambridgeport - Cambridge, MA

Cambridgeport, formerly a collection of pastures, salt marshes and oyster banks, has undergone quite a transformation since the 1700s. Bridges and turnpikes turned this sleepy farm area into the main thoroughfare from the farms to Boston.

Art thrives in Cambridgeport thanks to Gallery 263 on Pearl Street. The venue hosts exhibits by local artists while also operating as a space for concerts, theatre, lectures, film screenings, competitions and even yoga. The space was the setting for Jeff Goldblum's 1977 movie "Between the Lines," which detailed the struggles of an underground Boston newspaper.

Cambridgeport's array of eateries has something for you, whether you're looking for pizza, seafood, burgers, Middle Eastern fare, vegetarian dishes, or just a good cup of coffee. Once the sun sets, the area comes alive with music, adult beverages, and dancing. Most of the restaurants, bars, and dance venues reside in a small L-shaped area along River Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

Just off River Street on Putnam Avenue, you'll find Alive & Kicking Lobsters, which stocks the freshest seafood around. Be careful, though; you might miss this tiny place if you are walking too fast. There is a small walk-up window with a few picnic tables; this place is famous for its takeout specials. You can get chips, crab chowder, and a lobster sandwich overflowing with the good stuff for a great price.

Locals know the Coast Cafe as the area's go-to place for Southern fare, winning awards from the Phantom Gourmet for "Hidden Gem" and "Best Comfort Food." This River Street institution is famous for its cornbread, while the string beans and mac & cheese are also customer favorites. Black-eyed peas and fried chicken fly off the grill here for lovers of true Southern grub.

Just over the Charles River on Commonwealth Avenue sits Roast Beast. If you love a sandwich dripping with sauce, you're in luck. Choose your fixings, your meat, and your bread and enjoy. Don't forget a side of the famous spicy pickles. The truly brave can step up to the Thermonuclear Challenge. Eat an entire sandwich slathered with Roast Beast's Thermonuclear Sauce and you get a T-shirt and your name added to the Wall of Beasts.

When it's time to work off those calories, hit Phoenix Landing, an Irish pub on Massachusetts Avenue, and dance to a live DJ seven nights a week. If electronic music gets you going, make sure to come in on Thursday nights. Happy hour occurs every night, featuring drink specials alongside typical pub snacks, including sliders and wings. Many other venues are available as well. Middlesex Lounge on Massachusetts Avenue features live music with a DJ, as well as freestyle hip-hop nights.

Cambridgeport is a mixture of quiet and busy, with streets lined with triple-deckers leading into main thoroughfares packed with businesses and tons of traffic. The area is quite walkable; there are no dedicated bike lanes, but travel by bicycle is safe with proper caution at busy intersections. There are numerous parking garages for those who want to drive everywhere, and Uber is an option for those who prefer to leave the driving to others. Hailing a cab is a breeze along the main roads, including Massachusetts Avenue and River Street.

Most locals get around via public transportation due to its convenience and low cost. The MBTA Red Line follows Massachusetts Avenue with a stop at Central Square near the intersection with River Street. Numerous bus routes flow through the area as well.

Cambridgeport is only about a mile from I-93, and even closer to the state's main East-West thoroughfare, the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Many free park choices exist in Cambridgeport. Locals and non-locals alike enjoy Magazine Beach along Memorial Drive, especially during the warmer months. You can enjoy a public swimming pool with bathrooms and a view of the Charles River, and take advantage of grilling areas away from the pool. The open park area is perfect for those with kids and pets. It's also the ideal location to view the world's largest two-day rowing event, the memorably named Head of the Charles Regatta. This yearly event began in 1965 and attracts competitors from all over the world. Magazine Street features another popular local spot in Dana Park. You can enjoy water play, a seating area and a playground, as well as lawn and court games. A dedicated dog park exists on Tudor Street, with shade trees, seating areas, water and a nice fenced-in area for your dogs.

A bit further west into Cambridge, the annual MayFair in Harvard Square virtually shuts down part of the city each year as vendors set up various food choices for you to sample. Vendors also peddle art, clothing, household decor items and other wares. Live music is always on tap, as are street performers. Admission is free, and the event runs each year during the first week of May.

The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Cambridgeport rests at about $1,470, slightly below the average for all of Cambridge. The neighborhood actually has a slightly lower overall cost of living compared to Cambridge as a whole, but retail costs do not reflect this. You can get into the subway system that takes you virtually anywhere throughout Cambridge and Boston for less than $3. The neighborhood average cost of gas currently sits approximately 9 percent below the national average. The cost of a beer at a local pub is similar to what you'll find in other parts of Cambridge, at about $6.

You are in luck in Cambridgeport if you love shopping. A handful of shopping choices exist along Massachusetts Avenue and River Street, from boutiques to thrift stores to high-end tuxedo shops. Groceries are abundant as well, with no less than three major chain stores in the small neighborhood of less than one square mile.

Be sure to visit Keezer's Classic Clothing on River Street for all your high-end clothing needs. Keezer's offers wholesale pricing on new suits, tuxedos and other menswear. The store also does designer suit rentals, making it an excellent place to check out before a wedding -- or before that key interview at MIT.

Do your part to fight AIDS by visiting thrift store Boomerangs on Massachusetts Avenue. Run by the AIDS Action Committee, Boomerangs has a few other locations throughout Greater Boston, providing funding to fight the disease. In addition to clothing, the store stocks electronics, furniture, books and general knickknacks. Even if you don't need anything, feel free to drop off a tax-deductible merchandise donation.

The many choices for groceries in the neighborhood make Cambridgeport even more attractive. Trader Joe's on Memorial Drive features a wide selection of alternative and healthy foods, along with a full selection of beer and wines. Drop by for a wine tasting, then pick up a great deal on a bottle.

Whole Foods on River Street has a similar selection of foods for the health-conscious. It tends to be more expensive than other options, but the buffet makes it worthwhile if you need a quick meal after work when you don't feel like cooking. Traditional grocer Star Market exists on Sidney Street if you want a more straightforward shopping experience.

Check out the Central Square Farmers Market on Norfolk Street for locally grown produce. The market opens weekly from May through November.