ALLSTON/BRIGHTON

Renovations, new bars and restaurants, and major clean-up efforts on Harvard Ave. have made the area desirable and caused rents to rise quickly. Allston is still popular for roommate situations, with affordable rents available in multi-bedroom units. Both Boston University and Boston College are in close vicinity.

Brighton is farther from downtown and offers residential areas and open spaces, ideal for those who work in the city but prefer it quieter. Like Allston, clean up and rejuvenation efforts have raised Brighton rents. Housing options consist of brick building apartments and 2-3 family homes in Oak Square and Brighton Center. The B train on the green MBTA line and buses are within walking distance while street parking with a permit is available.


BACK BAY

Boston's most desirable neighborhood, Back Bay located in the heart of the city is filled with elegant luxury units. Studio and one-bedroom apartments are available, while most multi-bedroom units have been converted into condos. Parking space rentals are scarce in Back Bay, but street parking is available with permits.

Accessible by several green line MBTA stops, Back Bay features Copley Square, The Boston Common and Gardens, and the Charles River. Chic Newbury Street is also located in Back Bay, which offers the best shopping in the city. The Prudential and Copley Malls are also within close perimeters of this area. The convenience, charm, and desirability commands some of the highest prices in Boston.

Back Bay's Theater District is a short walk away, offering dozens of entertainment and dining options.

BEACON HILL

Home to Suffolk University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and a short walk from the Financial District and Government Center, this charming neighborhood is home to students and professionals. The cobblestone streets, lined with two hundred year-old homes with elegant brick facades, are centered around quaint Charles Street, whose variety of small antique shops and privately owned cafes are perfect to explore and stroll. A warm community spirit is prevalent on Beacon Hill, especially during the holiday season. History oozes from areas like Mt. Vernon St and Louisburg Sq.

Just steps from the Boston Common and accessible by the red MBTA line at Charles MGH, Beacon Hill's location, history and charm commands some of the city''s highest rents.


BROOKLINE

Surrounded on three sides by Boston, Brookline is easily accessible by the MBTA's C and D trains on the green line, as well as by bus. To drive out of the city, Brookline is easily accessible by Rt. 9, and the Fenway area of Boston is a stroll away. A mixture of thriving urban and quaint suburban life, Brookline offers the convenience of the city for those who don't want to live in it. Private schools, police, and public works services make Brookline an increasingly desirable place to live, causing rents to rise steadily. Brookline contains both brick apartment buildings and beautiful wood houses, many of which have been converted to upscale condos.

While Brookline has shown commercial growth along its major thoroughfares, it still retains a unique quality that has resisted complete urban transformation. Coolidge Corner, Washington Square, and Brookline Village feature eclectic shops and unique dining. Brookline also offers many recreational parks for golf, hiking, and a variety of individual and team sports. No overnight street parking.


CAMBRIDGE

The proud home of both MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge is a thriving example of development. Once home to a vast artistic community, Cambridge has become the focus of a very competitive real estate market. Central Square, Inman Square, Porter Square, and Cambridgeport have undergone extensive renovations and condo conversions. Apartments in and out of the square are getting pricey.

Cambridge is accessible by stops on the red MBTA line, and permit parking is available. The shops and dining of all the squares up and down Mass Ave. have made it widely popular to live and to play.


CHARLESTOWN

Boston's oldest and most historic neighborhood has been the focus of construction and renovation, bringing the original charm back. Housing consists mainly of quaint little row houses, most of which feature old-fashioned wide-plank floors, and offers both single and multi-family units. Limited affordable housing is available for rent, although upscale, newly renovated condos are much more prevalent.

Accessible by the orange MBTA line at Sullivan Square and Bunker Hill, Charlestown's historic sites and dining choices (like Olives or the Warren Tavern) make it a great place to live. Picnic on the grass around the Bunker Hill Monument Stroll through the neighborhoods and enjoy the restored historic homes or walk to the Navy Yard, or over the bridge to the city — the North End and Waterfront.


EAST BOSTON

Formerly home to Boston's Italian community, East Boston has become an 'up-and-coming' area. More money has been invested in East Boston's development than in any other neighborhood. Parks and open space have been a priority along with the opening of the award winning East Boston Piers Park in 1995.

Rents have been rising, but it still is an affordable place to live. Multi-family housing gives the area a distinct neighborhood feel. Triple-deckers are particularly prevalent in Jeffries Point, while single-family homes are available in Orient Heights and Harbor View. The heart of East Boston is Maverick Square, just one stop from downtown on the blue line. Several other T stops in the area make East Boston as accessible as it is affordable.


FENWAY/KENMORE

Best known as the home of Fenway Park, Kenmore is also home to colleges (such as Boston University, Simmons, Wheelock and Northeastern), museums (The Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum and the Christian Science Museum) and the hospitals of the Longwood Medical Area. It's a popular rental spot for students and medical personnel.

Boston's 'Emerald Necklace,' which consists of park and recreational space begins in the Fenway. Boston's community gardens provide a unique backdrop for a summer walk. Kenmore Square offers a more social, urban atmosphere. The famous Citgo sign is 'the' Kenmore landmark, the bars, restaurants, and shops are popular places to hang out, as are the Lansdowne Street clubs for late-night action.

The area is conveniently located around the Kenmore MBTA stop, the hub for all green lines and of the MBTA bus lines. The diversity and prime location of this area, combined with relatively affordable prices, make it a terrific option.


NORTH END/WATERFRONT

One of Boston's oldest residential neighborhoods is filled with multi-family housing, the North End is known as Boston's 'Little Italy.' The narrow streets are lined with dozens of bakeries, restaurants, and small espresso bars, making it a popular tourist spot. The area is rapidly evolving; with many homes sold for high prices, the community is becoming mixed, rather than family-oriented. Despite these changes, however, the North End has retained its 'Old World' charm and uniqueness.

In the southern corner of the North End, 'The Waterfront' is close to downtown and the financial area and has a contemporary style. Fantastic waterfront condos and apartments are built on the wharves, with awesome views of the harbor. Upscale restaurants coupled with stylish housing make the Waterfront an elegant and exclusive neighborhood, perfect for luxurious tastes.


SOUTH END

The South End once attracted an artistic community that blended with long-established residents. However, the opening of many fancy eclectic restaurants and an abundance of high-end condo renovations have transformed the South End into one of Boston's best and most upscale neighborhoods.

The majority of dwellings consist of Victorian brick row houses. Tremont and Columbus streets host a multitude of shops, galleries and restaurants. Back Bay, the Financial District and the Theater District are just a short walk away. While the area isn't as close to the T as most Boston neighborhoods, it's easily accessible by bus and foot.


HYDE PARK

The furthest of Boston's neighborhoods, Hyde Park has a strong community feel highlighted by the natural beauty of the Blue Hills, Neponset River, and Stony Brook Valley. A mix of single and multi-family homes comprises its Fairmont, Readville, and Stonybrook neighborhoods. Accessible by T and bus routes. Parking is easier than other neighborhoods.


ROSLINDALE

Roslindale has its own niche. For the workers who accompanied the extension of the first trolley system, Roslindale offered affordable housing. Roslindale has remained a thriving residential community, with bus and commuter rail access into the city. The heart of Roslindale Village has grown commercially in its own right, and its residential streets and parks such as Healy Playground attest to the spirit of this community. All types of housing, from condos to multi families, can accommodate all tastes. Like Hyde Park, parking is easier than other places.


JAMAICA PLAIN

In this ethnically diverse neighborhood, commuters take advantage of the convenient location and equally diverse residential opportunities. Homes range from luxury high-rises to smaller multi-family apartments and triple-decker buildings, from Victorian and Colonial to Contemporary. Removed from the bustle of downtown, but still connected via the Forest Hills end of the orange line, J.P. attracts a lot of families in search of relatively affordable housing. Despite the dense development, it still retains open areas in Olmstead Park, the Franklin Park Zoo, Jamaica Pond, and the 265-acre Arnold Arboretum. Centre Street reflects the cultural diversity of the area, featuring some famous pubs and excellent restaurants along with interesting and eclectic shops.


WEST ROXBURY

As one of the most suburban of all Boston neighborhoods, West Roxbury is perfect for families looking for single-family units and condos. Many residents are active in religious, community, or civic associations in town. A vibrant shopping district on Centre Street boasts unique and diverse stores and shops. With quiet streets, accessible parking, and is only a short distance from downtown, West Roxbury offers the best of suburbia in the city.


MATTAPAN

Ashmont stop on the red line, the neighborhoods of Mattapan are conveniently connected to Boston. Mattapan Square is one of Boston's oldest shopping areas and in recent years the neighborhood has experienced promising growth. The Franklin Field area, filled with two-family wood or brick units and triple-deckers, has been stabilized due to market improvement and public housing investments. Single family homes are prominent in South Mattapan and Wellington Hills.


DORCHESTER

As Boston's largest community, Dorchester remains very much a residential neighborhood despite its urban influence. Dorchester has become more stable largely due to the revitalization of thriving businesses. Upham's Corner and The Strand Theatre represent the center of community involvement. Accessible through the red line's JFK/UMASS station, regal Victorians, triple-deckers and waterfront spots in Savin Hill and Columbia Point offer an array of choices. This old community is accessible by public transportation—bus and MBTA.


ROXBURY

The community grass-roots effort to stop extension of I-95 into downtown Boston resulted in the creation of the Southwest Corridor Park that, in 1988, was Boston's first major new open space in the past century. Many established businesses have their roots in the Roxbury area. Due to the work of Boston's Main Street program, the district strengthens already established businesses and nurture new ventures. Consisting primarily of double and triple-decker buildings offering tremendous opportunities for lower rents and downtown convenience, Roxbury is reachable by way of the orange line's Roxbury Crossing and Jackson Square stops. This is a developer's favorite place for renovation and updating.


SOUTH BOSTON Fondly nicknamed 'Southie' by its longtime residents; South Boston boasts a long-standing Irish tradition and community pride. Residents enjoy the best of both worlds in this seaside community, with an easy commute to downtown via Broadway and Andrew Squares on the red line and an equally short trip to the beach. All types of apartments and homes can be found here, including terrific detailed multi-families and open-air lofts.

South Boston will be seeing redevelopment in the near future, thanks to Boston's ambitious 'Big Dig' project. The positive impact on the community will include traffic reduction, increased parking availability, and the construction of public parks and recreational areas on the waterfront, making this already popular community a safe bet for the future.

South Of Boston

MILTON

The sight of the first chocolate factory in New England in 1764, Milton has developed into a thriving, affluent suburban community, situated between the Neponset River and the 6,500-acre Blue Hills Reservation. Accessible from Boston by route 93, Milton offers recreation at the Blue Hill Trailside Museum, historical homes, and an excellent school system including the famous Milton Academy, where T.S. Eliot once studied.


QUINCY

is located within 20 minutes of Boston via the MBTA's red line or Route 93. The western neighborhoods have a more urban feel, with some high-rises and shopping areas. To the east, tree-lined streets with housing and apartment opportunities offer a more suburban experience. Quincy boasts the homestead of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, as well as a number of parks that offer hiking, nature observing, boating and sports. Quincy is also home to Marina bay, a mixture of shops, restaurants, condos and docked boats on a boardwalk that lines the waterfront.

More towns south of Boston that are worth looking at are Hingham, Hull, Braintree and Brockton.

West of Boston

NEWTON

Six miles west of Boston and accessible through several green MBTA line stops, is a quiet, affluent suburb. Bounded by the Charles River, Newton has a strong, nationally recognized school system, an award-winning library, museum, Symphony Orchestra, and residential theatre groups. Newton Center is filled with clothing boutiques, restaurants, and stores. Boston's closest and most upscale suburb!


WATERTOWN

The site where paper money was first printed for Massachusetts, Watertown lies within 20 minutes of travel to all major highways in Eastern Mass, and is also connected to Boston by bus routes. With more moderate prices, the community is diverse, and residents benefit from convenient shopping at the Arsenal and Watertown Malls, in addition to the 11 parks offering recreational activities.


WALTHAM

is nine miles from Boston and can be reached by highway, commuter rail, and bus. The southern section is predominantly dense, multi-family housing, while the northern section has larger lot single-family houses. Home of Brandeis University, Bentley College, and The Charles River Museum of Industry as well as other historical societies, hiking, camping, and general play are encouraged at reservations.

Other towns west of Boston are Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Weston and Needham.

North of Boston

ARLINGTON

A peaceful residential town with diverse opportunities, Arlington has a growing population with good schools and a variety of lakes, parks, and recreational sites. Remaining commercial development centers along Massachusetts Avenue have brought restaurants and shops to the area. Arlington is corralled between Routes 2 and 3, and is accessible by the MBTA bus at Harvard Square.


MEDFORD

Connected to the city by Route 28, Interstate 93, and the commuter rail, Medford is home to Tufts University, as well as the bike and bridle paths of Middlesex Falls and the Mystic River. The heart of the city's economic vitality resides in Medford Square. Medford offers both single and multi family homes along with small apartment complexes.


SOMERVILLE

This urban industrial city has many opportunities to rent. On the red line at Davis Square, the town is connected to the city as well as to the excitement of nearby Cambridge. Somerville offers a wide variety of public schools, open playing fields and parks, and multi-family homes and apartments to rent.


WOBURN

is located between Winchester and Lexington and adjacent to Routes 128 and 93. The bus system connects to neighboring towns as well as the red and orange Ts. The commuter rail also departs from Mishawum Station and connects to North Station. This suburb is peaceful and quiet, with safe schools as well as numerous indoor and outdoor recreational sites.

Many residential opportunities north of Boston are also available, such as in Winchester, Winthrop, Revere and Lynn.

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