I’m just here to +1 Inman Square. Lots of bars and dining. You can walk down the street to East Cambridge and onto Kendall/MIT. Or, walk to Union Square (Somerville) or Harvard and then along the River to Back Bay.

Oh, snap. Looks like they removed the text reminders. But, you can receive an email still or download a calendar. Too bad, the texts were super convenient.

ETA: It's weird, Cambridge and Somerville clearly use the same system and Cambridge has text reminders available. Maybe Somerville will turn text reminders back on when street sweeping starts up again?

Somerville has this and it's SUPER helpful.

Mass Save sells discounted weatherization products. Just by adding some insulation to your windows would help keep your heat from escaping a bit. Also, second the humidifier suggestion. And, turn your thermostat down overnight. Ours is set to 58 overnight and that will save money as well.

Same, my home temp is 65/66 and 58 overnight and I still scowl when I get my gas bill.

I agree that you'll be hard pressed to find any dental insurer that will cover four cleanings a year. Maybe you could get the other two at either the Tufts or BU dental schools? I'm sure their wait-lists are long though and you must commit to a much longer appointment since they're teaching schools.

Reliable Market in Union has an aisle of kitchenwares. Not fancy and not exclusively Japanese though.

Sorry, I laughed at "very sad day to slowly watch my car slide by my driveway" because that's the exact same reaction I had. I only wish we had a guardrail at the bottom of our street, we'd just slide straight onto Mass Ave.

Was driving home from the supermarket, turned onto my street (very steep hill) and slid halfway down before I could properly stop. I hate winter.

Clear Flour Bread, right on the border of Brookline and Allston. When I lived around there the smell in the early morning was heavenly.

I have RCN (Astound) and service has been consistent. The only pain is having to threaten cancelation in order to receive their promo pricing for new customers. My bill just increased from $64/mo to $100/mo.

Perhaps, but OP requested not too expensive and not too dressy. I’ve found Anchovies to be both. Sure, they’re not going to place the napkin on your lap or sweep the crumbs off your table, but it will be delicious and it won’t be pretentious.

Anchovies, South End – so cozy, so delicious.

If you like cozy comfort food, I recommend Silvertone on Bromfield.

When I walked around Harvard Square (specifically on Mass Ave, across from OTTO by the fence in front of Harvard) I would always pick chestnuts up off the ground. I mean, it's not idyllic or anything, but they are free!