After unboxing and unpacking during move-in, the first thing my mom and I did was take inventory. 

Did I forget something at home? Was there something that we forgot to order? Where can we go? 

These were all questions we had. Luckily enough for us, Harvard's Red Line neighbors are Central Square and Porter Square. They're both easily accessible, each being about a two-minute train ride, or twenty-minute walk. However, their business selections are quite different. Central boasts many restaurant chains, as well as a few necessity stores. On the other hand, Porter sits at a decently-sized shopping center with a Michaels, hardware and grocery stores, with many smaller restaurants. 

What do these two areas of Cambridge have in common?

Target.

And so the competition begins. Throughout this assessment, I will be completely impartial. However, that begins after I make the case for my beloved, Central Square Target. 

Though many dislike the Central Square Target for various reasons, with the main being it's a smaller store, it has always been there for me. From mid-day popsicle excursions, to late-night snack runs, in a pinch I have always found what I needed. And if not, its proximity to H-Mart means that I can just drop in and grab whatever Target lacks. 

And I know what you may be thinking: isn't that breaking the rules? And my answer is no. To get to the Central Square station, you HAVE to cross the street, and THEN walk left to the entrance. So, therefore it's impossible to get back to Harvard on the Red Line without passing H-Mart. After that, it's a simple staircase descent, and a minute train ride back to Harvard Square. One of the most regrettable decisions I've made in my Harvard career was to carry two cases of water from the Target, all the way down to the train, and back up the escalator in the Harvard Square station, and then up the stairs to my room. That was only possible due to the proximity. 

Now, to begin the assessment, there will be a few things we're going to base all this on: 

1. Ease of access
2. Distance from station
3. What if I forget?
4. Size
5. Selection

Okay, for starters: 

Central

Ease of access: 

• Less than a one minute walk from the closest T exit (~ 2 min from the farthest)
• Only crossing a small side street, not a lot of traffic
• To get back: Crossing back over the side street, and then Mass Ave. 
  • Mass Ave. has an active crosswalk (e.g. you push a button, lights flash to warn drivers, and you cross), so crossing is on your terms
• Less than a minute walk from the T entrance

Distance from station: 

• It's just a short flight of stairs and a < 1 minute walk!

What if I forget?: 

• You do have to pass by H-Mart, which has a large variety of items, some that you need, and some you didn't know you needed. 
• It's also really easy to just cross the street again, as there isn't a traffic light dictating the flow. 

Size: 

• It is a smaller Target, so on the first floor there is a decent amount of congestion on busy days. Additionally, the aisles are on the narrower side, so beware!
• In the basement level, there is a lot more space to move around. Their beauty/hair selection is relatively spread out, with a decent amount of brands. However, the walkways near the stairs are narrow as well. 

Selection: 

• Because it is a smaller store, there is a limited selection. However, the basics will always be there for you!

Porter

Ease of Access: 

• I have a couple of things to say. Though it may only show a one-minute walk from the T station, it takes a solid two to three minutes to get out of the station itself. Porter features long staircases, with the escalators cutting the time by up to half. 
  • Additionally, even though you may get out of the station quickly, there's no guarantee of crossing the street immediately. Porter Square Target is on Somerville Avenue, close to where it intersects with Mass Ave, so traffic lights determine when you can cross, adding another 2-3 minutes. 
• From there, it's just strolling through the doors. 

Distance From the Station: 

• As was mentioned earlier, the one-minute Google Maps length is extremely deceptive. Think of a piece of candy on a string that just gets farther and farther away as you advance. By the time you get out of the station, the question of "What did I come here for?" pops up. (Yes, yes, I know impartiality) 

What if I forget?: 

• Unfortunately, the walk back to the station is a storeless one, so CVS, Star Market, Michaels, and the rest of the shopping center require a wait at the traffic light, and a two to three minute walk over. Unlike Central, there isn't an active crosswalk, so there will likely be a wait. 
• Still a nice walk over, but not if there are already a lot of bags. 

Size: 

• Porter Square Target is fairly large for a mid-city Target, with two floors and an expansive home goods and grocery section. 
• The aisles are a lot larger, with more space in the grocery sections, but congestion does occur at times.

Selection: 

• It's more of a "dorm" Target, with much of its first floor display filled with dorm necessities, such as pillows, blankets, hangers, command strips, and more for the first two months. 
• It does also feature a clothing section, so if, for whatever reason, you find every pair of socks except for one is conveniently sitting on your bed, at home, (definitely not something I went through) there's always a pack of socks to grab. 
• A bigger selection for almost everything, but items are likely out of stock during busy seasons (e.g. ornaments and string lights near Christmas, Halloween decor, etc.)

Summary: 

Ultimately, the time has come where I must be honest. Though the Central Square Target has my heart, I must concede defeat. It will always be my go-to for in-between class shopping sprees, and last minute snack hauls, but Porter Square is the Target to go to for things like move-in. However, here's a little secret: If you can't find a dorm item at Porter, always check Central :)