It has been two months of living in Cambridge, MA, building a new home, and planting new roots. With a fresh Massachusetts driver’s license in hand, this place really feels like home now. I hope we get on well.
A good portion of the first month was spent in an almost empty home, and a good portion of the second month has been spent surrounded by moving boxes. The cats, at least, have been thrilled with the boxes.
Friends have been constantly texting: Have I moved? Is Morteza moving to Cambridge, LA, or NYC? Have I started my job? Where are the cats? Am I liking Boston? This post is an answer to all those questions.
I have been tired—extremely tired with the move. I think everyone knows moving is hard, but everyone also forgets how hard it really is. At least I am fortunate enough to be doing this while on summer break. I was also lucky to have a friend over who helped for a few days.
There was a moment when I assembled two of our floor lamps. They didn’t work. I took them to another room to try a different outlet. Still didn’t work. I took lightbulbs out of a functioning lamp to test them. Still nothing. I spent half an hour just dealing with two lamps. Half an hour for two items—you can do the math on what it takes to put a whole home together.
Part of me actually loved the empty-home aesthetic. Living with only the bare essentials makes you realize how much more than we need we actually own. My consumerist skepticism only lasted until I unpacked the rugs and the record player, though. Items with personal meaning are what warmed up the place.
Coming from LA, my initial culture shocks in Cambridge included feeling safe, not hearing sirens on an hourly basis, and walking on clean streets. I was so tired of living in LA—spending hours in traffic, dealing with landlords and neighbors. I must admit my anger toward LA has soothed now, and I find myself missing it. Considering Mort still lives there, and as long as he does, LA will always be home, and I will always miss it.
I especially miss the Hollywood Farmers’ Market, taco trucks, and the pool where we used to swim regularly (and no, swimming here is not the same here!). I am sure winter will also make me long for the sunshine.
For now, Cambridge and I are in our honeymoon phase, and there are so many things that excite me about being here (besides the weather). In no particular order:
Finding my movie theaters: I got my membership to the Brattle Theatre, watched a movie at the Somerville Theatre, and am looking forward to seeing a film at the Harvard Film Archive next month.
Harvard Book Store & Little Free Libraries: The Harvard Book Store—not just its selection, but the community and visiting authors—is excellent. As for the Little Free Libraries, I’ve seen them in many cities, but the ones here are special. The books people give away aren’t the kind left in an attic for 50 years; they’re books you actually want to read. Plus, people here read everywhere—on buses, in lines, in parks…
USPS Mailboxes: This might seem random, but I send a lot of snail mail, and there is a mailbox on almost every other block.
Loving my home: The cats love it too. Housing was my biggest concern before accepting my job, and I am so glad it worked out with a great place in a perfect location. Also, my neighbors have been so welcoming—and definitely not a NIMBY crowd!
Free access to art museums: I went to the Museum of Fine Arts last month and am going again this weekend. It’s wonderful to be able to visit without rushing.
Gluten-free friendly: You would think LA would be better for gluten-free dining, but Cambridge is amazing with GF options and proper menu labeling.
In the two months that I have been here, I have already two friends stay with me on separate occasions and held two dinner parties. One dinner party was a special one. My students from my former research group who were visiting Boston for a conference came over. Sharing home-cooked meals and conversations are what turned this place into a home.