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Boston Residential Neighborhoods

 

Back Bay

Originally a part of the Charles River, Back Bay was created in an incredible feat of metropolitan planning when the bay was filled in. After the change, it became a highly desirable area, with gardens and European style details. Today, the Back Bay offers both urban excitement and natural beauty in the heart of the city. Elegant apartment buildings, beautiful Victorian homes, and hundreds of shops and restaurants can be found in the Back Bay. From Newbury Street’s great boutiques and galleries, Boylston Street’s larger department stores, and the PrudentialCenter and Copley Place offering luxury hotels and shopping. To escape the commercial aspects of the city, simply enjoy the serenity of the Boston Public Library, take a riverside walk along the Esplanade or stroll through Boston Common and the beautiful PublicGardens. Accessible by the Green, Orange & Red Line trains, the convenience and eclectic nature of this area is unrivaled. Most apartments in Back Bay have been converted, from extravagant single family homes and mansions to condominiums & apartments. See listings

 

Beacon Hill

One of Boston's most loved and adored neighborhoods. Approximately one square mile, this 19th-century downtown residential neighborhood is situated directly north of the Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden, bounded by Beacon Street, Bowdoin Street, Cambridge Street and Storrow Drive. With its narrow redbrick homes, steep sloping streets, brass door knockers, decorative iron work, brick sidewalks, perpetually-burning gas lights, flowering pear trees, window boxes, and hidden gardens, Beacon Hill has been the definition of Boston for generations. More like a village than an anonymous city, this cozy enclave has a rich community life filled with nearly 10,000 people. Charles Street is the neighborhood's main street and is filled with antique shops and neighborhood services. Beacon Hill is only a short walk from the Financial District and Faneuil Hall, and is home to Massachusetts' gold-domed State House, Cheers, and the Museum of African American History. Accessible by the MBTA stations at Government Center, Park Street and Charles Street, this charming neighborhood filled is a favorite for residents and visitors alike. Beacon Hill is a desirable and slightly more expensive area in terms of rentals because of it's desirability. See listings

 

Cambridge

Named for its similarly-endowed college city in Cambridge, England, this 6.5 square mile area is home to world famous Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Nearly one fourth of its 10,000 residents are college students, yet there is more to Cambridge than just education. Harvard Square, is an outdoor mall where street musicians, punk rockers, tourists, college professors and students come to shop, eat and spend time. Not far, Central Square is the City of Cambridge's unofficial downtown and contains the city's City Hall. Both intellectual vitality and technological innovation are abundant in Cambridge as it is the home to several biotech companies, especially in the Kendall Square area. Cambridge is a great place to live, work and visit. See listings

 

Charlestown

Charlestown is a small, friendly neighborhood located within the city of Boston that began as an independent community founded by English colonists. Today, Charlestown is noted for its exceptionally rich collection of historic houses and industrial buildings. Charlestown is also a city rich in American history. During the Revolutionary War, following the battles of Concord and Lexington on April 19, 1775, the British headed toward Charlestown in retreat, and most of the townspeople fled the city. Two months later, on June 17, the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought in Charlestown. Although the battle was actually fought on nearby Breed's Hill, the plan had been to engage the British on Bunker Hill, and the name stuck. In the first decades of the 19th century, a group of prominent local citizens decided to erect a monument to the battle, and a 220 foot granite obelisk in the Egyptian Revival style was completed in 1842. Town Hill, the area of earliest settlement still retains the elliptical street pattern as originally laid out, and many of it’s 14,775 residents live in historic houses dating back to colonial times. With its quick access to downtown Boston by bus, subway or ferry and many stores, restaurants and theaters within walking distance, Charlestown is an excellent place to live. See listings

 

Downtown

Downtown Boston is located on a peninsula that juts into Inner Boston Harbor, with the Charles River beginning at the north end. This area is primarily commercial and retail with few residential rentals. There are some beautiful apartment buildings with occasional turnover. Just minutes from the Common, Beacon Hill, and Faneuil Hall, the convenience can’t be beat. Also, in this area, is the Chinatown community with it’s pagoda telephone kiosks and trademark Chinese Gate. Downtown has recently undergone a massive change known as the Big Dig, the largest municipal project in United States history. The above-ground highway, I-93, was rebuilt underneath the city, thus enhancing Boston by providing more green space including beautiful landscaped gardens and parks.

Additionally, there is also a thriving entertainment area in the Back Bay that includes the Wang Center, Colonial Theatre, and the Majestic Theatre. See listings

 

North End

The North End is Boston's oldest neighborhood and the center of Italian culture. For the most part, the North End has had no significant structural changes and retains its old world charm. The tapered neighborhood streets are still lined with narrow brick apartment buildings and the area is void of any chain stores. Even though younger people are moving in, there are still many families who have lived there for generations. Considered by many to be the safest area of the city, the North End is filled with both historic sites and incredible Italian restaurants, cafes, and espresso bars making it among the city's most popular areas for visitors and Bostonians alike. Recently, efforts have been made to bring the life and vitality of the North End to its waterfront. Several restaurants have begun offering seaside dining, and many old warehouses have been converted to luxurious lofts and condos. The North End is a great place to take in the sights and sounds of the city. See listings

 

South End

Artistic and diverse, the South End has a relaxed urban atmosphere that has made it one of Boston's most desirable neighborhoods. It has a very English feel, compared to the Parisian feel of Back Bay and contains many parks throughout the area. The South End is the largest neighborhood of Victorian homes in the country, where the majority of dwellings consist of brownstones, that have been converted to condominiums. A distinctive feature of South End homes is the intricate ironwork. From flower boxes to balconies to railings, the beautiful detailing makes these rowhouses standout. Tremont and Columbus Streets provide a multitude of funky, eclectic shops, antique stores and galleries, excellent restaurants and the conveniences of everyday living. The Boston Ballet and the Boston Center for the Arts are located in South End, as is the revived and charming Chester Square. The Back Bay, the Financial District, and the Theatre District are just a short walk away. See listings

 

South Boston

South Boston is becoming one of the most popular spots to live in the city of Boston . Less than 2 miles to everything the city has to offer, all ages are flocking here. With the ocean to the south and the city to the north, this dog friendly spot is leading the pack in one of the hottest spots to live.The town of Southie is 3.3 square miles and is home to 30,000 residents. It's popularity has many origins. Whether it be the easy accessibility to other areas of Boston via public transportation, the specialty clothing shops, Castle Island, the annual St. Patrick's day parade, the growth of the nearby Seaport area, renovated condos, new loft developments, restaurants, bars, and in recent years, a prime filming location for movies, many are racing to find their own place to call home in S outh Boston. " Southie " is like it's own little neighborhood with a small town feel, yet adjacent to big city life, making it appealing to all. A unique city rich in history and tradition, come check it out to see if this is your perfect fit! See listings

 

The Fenway

Considered by many to be a monument to baseball, the Boston Red Sox’s world famous Fenway Park makes the Fenway one of the most visited areas of Boston. Although one of the last urban neighborhoods of the city to be developed, the Fenway has quickly become the anchor of Boston's cultural scene. It is home to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston Symphony Music Hall, The Massachusetts Horticultural and Histoical Societies, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the Boston Opera. Additionally, the Fenway is a hub of education. Emmanuel, Wheelock and Simmons colleges, the Wentworth Institute of Technology, Berklee College of Music, the Massachusetts College of Art, Northeastern University and a large portion of Boston University are located there. Situated between Fenway Park and the Massachusetts Turnpike is Boston's most popular nightlife district, Lansdowne Street. The Citgo Sign in Kenmore Square is one of Boston’s most recognizable landmarks and has become a welcome sign for Bostonians who cherish the view above the left field of Fenway Park since 1965. See listings