South End
A family-friendly and diverse neighborhood within range of the Prudential Center and the Back Bay skyline. Victorian row houses and well-maintained sidewalks lend the community a walkable and engaging vibe.
The South End has been a hub of diversity since it was first established as a residential district at the turn of the century. The neighborhood has since preserved its historic charm: ivy climbs the brick walls of Victorian row houses and cast iron scrolls undulate down the stair railings framing many homes’ front stoops.
Most residents of the South End find homes in the neighborhood’s Federal and Victorian style and bow-front brick row houses, most of which are five or six levels in total. Condominiums could be anything from a single floor penthouse unit to a triplex home that stretches from the garden to the parlor level. The historic housing stock is a mixture of Federal and Victorian-style townhouses and bow-front brick row houses, coupled with a growing number of newly built modern mid-rises replete with concierge and garage parking.
Back Bay
Situated within the heart of Boston alongside the Charles River, many of the city’s best shops and restaurants are clustered in this picturesque neighborhood. With an urban plan that mirrors Paris, Back Bay emanates a similarly sophisticated sensibility.
The cluster of restaurants, shops, and cultural institutions centered in the Back Bay speak to its prime position within the city. Yet the area maintains a residential feel, with apartments perched amid Newbury Street boutiques. Back Bay residents have the city at their fingertips, from morning strolls past the willow-draped ponds of the Public Garden to evenings of outdoor dinners on Newbury Street and performances at Symphony Hall.
Newbury Street has long been home to Boston’s most upscale shops. Its couturiers are clustered at the east end by the entrance to the Public Garden, led by haute local jeweler Shreve, Crump & Low. Further west, galleries and independent boutiques thrive alongside sidewalk cafés.
Beacon Hill
A historic and noble neighborhood nestled behind the golden dome of the state house. This peaceful community is surrounded by parks and offers proximity to many of Boston’s finest cultural institutions.
Beacon Hill borders Boston Common and the Esplanade, two jewels in Frederick Law Olmstead’s Emerald Necklace of parks. In the summertime, picnics and public Shakespeare performances anchor weekends; during the winter months, the Frog Pond transforms into a skating rink and the green into a snowball field.
Beacon Hill residents are afforded ample opportunity to think and create, as its steep, narrow streets discourage noisy through-traffic. Other than the occasional architecture enthusiast, most of the people encountered on the streets are area residents. As tranquil as the neighborhood is, it is only a 10 minute walk from Boston’s bustling Theatre District and 15 minutes from Back Bay’s bar scene and shopping.
Seaport
This emerging community is on the cutting edge of Boston’s design and culture scene. Helmed by the contemporary art museum and myriad experimental restaurants, the Seaport is the city’s new center for sophisticated living.
Known as the “Innovation District” of the city, the Seaport’s forward-thinking culture is led by a strong community of entrepreneurs and creatives. The neighborhood is home to Boston’s Convention Center, which draws an influx of global thinkers to the area with every conference, and one of its piers is dominated by the Design Center, a collection of luxury interiors showrooms and workshops. The Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston hovers by the harborside, offering locals a steady stream of cutting-edge exhibitions, dance performances, film screenings, and happenings.
downtown + Midtown
A seamless intersection of Boston's financial hub and a newly-minted residential destination, the Downtown + Midtown neighborhoods lend a vibrant energy both day and night. Grid-patterns give way to historic winding streets with skyscrapers juxtaposed next to some of the nation's most historic buildings.
Nestled up to both the Boston Common and the Waterfront, the Downtown + Midtown neighborhoods have seen a recent reemergence born out of urban desire. Many residents live in soaring glass buildings which offer luxurious hotel-like amenities, while others opt for historic buildings repurposed for modern living. It's large-scale living with the charm of Beacon Hill and Back Bay only steps away. Acclaimed restaurants, world-class shopping, and Boston's theatre scene make these neighborhoods more than just "office space".
North End
A bustling historic district with Italian heritage. This neighborhood is a foodie favorite and boasts waterfront parks.
As one of the earliest settlements in the city of Boston, the North End has a strong colonial history. Paul Revere began his infamous ride here, launching the Revolutionary War. As a high-traffic spot on Boston’s Freedom Trail, the neighborhood streets teem with visitors drawn by historic sites and rich Italian dishes.
Those lucky enough to call the North End home join a community that celebrates day-to-day life just as they might the feast of a saint. Leisure time invites residents over to Christopher Columbus Park for a game of frisbee or for a walk along neighboring harbor waterfront.
South Boston
South Boston, fondly dubbed “Southie” by locals, is one of the area’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods. A strong sense of tradition lives on here: locals remain intensely devoted to Boston sports teams and celebrate holidays with ornate parades and displays of pride. Long stretches of beaches and a historical waterfront park along Dorchester Bay make South Boston attractive to nature-lovers, long distance runners, and families alike.
Locals spend their weekend days taking long strolls down William Day Boulevard which traces the edge of Dorchester Bay, pausing to watch gulls sail over the South Boston shoreline. Adventurous trekkers can go as far as Head Island Causeway, often rewarding themselves with hot fish and chips from Sullivan’s on Castle Island when they reach the end of the road. The South Boston population is bonded by a strong sense of community, and they demonstrate it best each year during their famous St. Patrick’s Day parade, when nearly every resident comes to march or watch along with visitors from other parts of the city and state.
Dorchester
With a dynamic blend of cultures, architecture, and landscapes, Boston’s largest neighborhood comes with wide-ranging appeal and homes for every budget.
Originally its own municipality, full of large country estates, Dorchester saw a boom in growth during the 1920s when the installation of electric trolley lines made it an appealing destination for the working class. The neighborhood has become a melting pot, filled with its own nuanced sub-neighborhoods, each with their own unique identities and neighbors who care deeply about their community.
An explosion of new development over the past few years has brought some of the city’s trendiest restaurants, cafes, and eateries to the neighborhood, including Dorchester Brewing Company, the Homestead Bakery & Care, and the Ashmont Grill. The South Bay Center, bordered by the South End and I-93, was recently redeveloped and now offers more dining and entertainment options to complement the larger box stores found there. The Strand Theater in Upham’s Corner, is a former vaudeville and movie palace that was lovingly restored by neighborhood associations and now offers a year-round slate of popular musical and theatrical offerings.
Jamaica Plain
Jamaica Plain is a fun and distinctive Boston neighborhood loved by its residents for its rich artistic and creative community. One of the city’s largest neighborhoods, Jamaica Plain stretches over 4.4 square miles and is home to a significant portion of Boston's Emerald Necklace of parks and green spaces.
Boasting a number of neighborhood associations, art collectives, and other special interest groups, the residents of Jamaica Plain are known for their social activism and commitment to preserving the life of their neighborhood. A haven for artists, Jamaica Plain is home to the Footlight Club, America’s oldest community theater, JP Open Studios is one of the oldest open studio events in New England, and the Wake Up the Earth Festival, an annual celebration that encourages creativity, deepens understanding, and promotes appreciation of the differences among people and between cultures.