The campus is situated firmly in the residential section of the rapidly expanding city of Waltham. While Waltham isn’t exactly the most exhilarating place, there are supermarkets, pharmacies, cheap takeout, and other amenities necessary for college life. However, it lacks a 24-hour fast food place that has become a staple of most college towns. Moody Street, which provides many exciting distractions for Brandeis students, is a short distance from campus. Full of ethnic restaurants, bars, a movie theater, Lizzy’s Ice Cream, and even a porn shop, Moody Street offers students many opportunities to stop studying and go do something. Bentley University is also in Waltham, and while the two schools rarely interact, there are some great partying opportunities if one dares venture off campus.
If Waltham still seems too small, Cambridge, home of Harvard and MIT, is extremely close; and Boston is always a viable option. The Commuter Rail and subway system run seven days a week, as do various city buses. It is certainly worth investing in a Charlie Card to ensure hassle-free transportation. Shuttles provide frequent free transportation Thursday through Sunday to Cambridge and Boston. Boston is a legendary college town—it is home to more colleges than any other area in the country—and offers anything a student could want in the way of food, music, sports, or other entertainment. On any given night, there is something going on at Northeastern, Harvard, MIT, Boston College, or Boston University, and everyone seems to have friends at other schools. It is no secret that the party scene at Brandeis is dull and monotonous, so events at other schools are the perfect way to spice up a weekend.