Information for Prospective Eastgate Residents

Be sure to read the Eastgate Residents' Guide which answers the majority of questions incoming residents have.

What is Eastgate?

Eastgate is a family housing apartment building for MIT students. It is located at 60 Wadsworth Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts on the campus of MIT.

How much is the rent for Eastgate?

The rental rates can be viewed on the Housing web site.

What's my apartment at Eastgate going to be like?

You can see photos and floorplans of the different apartment types by clicking here. For sample furniture layouts, take a look at the Virtual Apartment Tours. NOTE: Eastgate apartments only have overhead lighting in the kitchen and bathroom. You will need lamps for the bedroom and living room.

How do I apply to live in Eastgate?

You can apply to live in Eastgate through the MIT Graduate Housing lottery. You must meet the eligibility requirements to live in MIT family housing.

Where can I get more information about living in Eastgate?

You should read the Newsletter for New Residents, the Residents' Guide, and the Cambridge Survival Guide to learn more about Eastgate and MIT. For more information on the facilities at Eastgate and the utilites that come with your apartment, view the Facilities and Utilities pages.

Is smoking allowed in Eastgate?

No. Eastgate is a non-smoking building. This means smoking is not allowed anywhere in Eastgate, including apartments and outside the front entrance.

Are pets allowed in Eastgate?

No. There are no buildings in the MIT housing system that allow pets.

Will my apartment have air conditioning?

Eastgate does not have Central Air, nor are air conditioning units provided in the apartments, however bays are provided if you wish to install your own (see here for specifications). Most residents feel that air conditioning is a requirement for the months of July and August, and a pleasantry for the months of May, June, September and October. Since many residents moving out of Eastgate will want to sell their used units, you may be able to buy one at a reduced cost. Residents will often buy and sell air conditioners on the Eastgate Mailing List.

Is the tap water in Eastgate safe to drink?

The tap water in Eastgate comes from the City of Cambridge Water Department which abides by all standard safety practices and produces safe drinking water. They get their water tested every year and publish the results here: http://www.cambridgema.gov/CWD/ . However, safe drinking water within a building can be tainted by the building's plumbing, particularly if it contains lead pipes or soldering. Representatives in facilities believe that there aren't any lead pipes in Eastgate and they do not currently use leaded solder in their plumbing work. The Graduate Coordinators had their tap water tested for lead content in 2006 and the results showed safe levels (<1 ppb). If you want your apartment's tap water tested for lead or any other substance, contact housing's EHS representative, currently Deborah Sorocco (dsorocco [at] mit (dot) edu).