Fenway / Longwood
SafeThe closest thing to a NEU Indian student hub. Most buildings here have dealt with international tenants and many accept guarantor letters instead of US credit. The location really pays off once you're working: you can walk to on-campus jobs and the Longwood Medical Area — one of the densest hospital and research job clusters in Boston — so a part-time shift doesn't cost you a transit pass or a long commute each way. If you want to be surrounded by other Indian students, this is the default choice.
College Convenience (CC)
A stone's throw away from uni. The perfect place for all Indian cooking items. They even have little pieces of India with their different flavours of maggi and various sweets except this time you buy it in dollars and cry about it.
Indian GroceryPatel Brothers
Go-to for bulk dal, rice, masalas. Cheaper per unit than anything near campus. Plan a group trip and split the Uber.
Indian GroceryWeee!
Its an online service but it is perfect for bulk orders with your roommates. You get every single Indian product even down to authentic Indian Lays.
Online GroceryCostco
Worth the membership if you split a run with roommates — bulk staples, paper goods, and snacks at a fraction of the per-unit price. Go as a group and split the haul.
WholesaleHaymarket
More a place than a store — Boston's open-air market near the North End, packed with local vendors selling fresh fruit and veg dirt cheap, especially late on Saturdays. Bring cash and a tote bag.
Fresh ProduceEveryday grocery — Stop & Shop / Aldi / Star Market
Your standard grocery runs. Aldi is the cheapest, Star Market is the closest to campus, and Stop & Shop sits in between — whichever's nearest gets the job done.
EverydayMBTA U-Pass
That's the rate through NEU's semester U-Pass — unlimited subway and bus. Buy a monthly LinkPass yourself instead and it's about $90/mo, so always enroll in the school pass before paying full price.
Bluebikes Annual
Billed as an annual membership (~$11/mo). Great for short trips under 30 min. Buy a basic helmet from Target for $25 — the ones on Bluebikes are grim.
Walking
If you live in Fenway or Mission Hill — 10–20 min walk. Works great May–October. Boston winters will humble you.
Free City Buses
Boston runs MBTA routes 23, 28, and 29 completely fare-free. The 23 and 28 connect Roxbury and Dorchester straight to Ruggles, right next to campus; the 29 runs to Jackson Square, one Orange Line stop away. A genuine money-saver if you live out that way — just note the program is funded year-to-year and is currently confirmed through the end of 2026, so check it's still running before you count on it.
Charles River Kayaking
Rent from Charles River Canoe & Kayak near campus. Peak season May–September. Group trips of 4–6 are common and cheap.
Kings Bowling (Back Bay)
The go-to weekend spot. $5–7 per game on weekday evenings. Usually the first group outing Indian students do together.
Cricket at Moakley Park
Informal matches every weekend during warm months. Show up and you'll find a game. Bats are always in short supply so bring your own if you have one.
NEU Game Room
Pool, table tennis, and console games all in one spot on campus. A nice low-key place to chill with friends between classes or on a slow evening — just bring your Husky card to get in.
Puttshack (Seaport)
Tech-y mini golf in the Seaport — every hole scores itself automatically while you eat, drink, and trash-talk your friends. A reliable group outing that doesn't care what the weather's doing.
Candibar (21+)
The club Indian students actually end up at — especially Friday Bollywood nights, when the floor fills with the desi crowd from across Boston's campuses. 21+, cover varies on weekends, and it's worth getting there earlier rather than later.
Looking for a roommate at Northeastern?
Match with Indian students you'd actually vibe with.