Boston is a big city, and whether you’re moving into the city or looking for a new neighborhood, it’s important to do research before leaping. We’ve done the hard work for you and covered some of the best places to live in the city.
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The Best Places To Live In Boston
Allston
Perfect for a young adult or student, this neighborhood is close to not only downtown Boston but has easy access to the nearby colleges & universities.
Allston is often combined with Brighton to be considered one incredible area to live. One of the safest places in the city as well; you’ll be comfortable going about your day-to-day activities.
Surprisingly this area has not increased in price like you’d suspect with its proximity to so many necessities and amenities, meaning it’s affordable for lots of budgets.
All this is paired with tons of stuff to do from museums and event venues to come up with the best food in the city. Allston is a bustling and bright neighborhood perfect for any young adult.
Back Bay
Popular for dining and shopping, you’ll find this busy neighborhood nestled along the Charles River Basin.
Back Bay was originally residential, but this area has quickly grown into an affluent and wealthy neighborhood that’s a mix of commercial buildings and beautiful historic homes.
Here you’ll find Victorian-style architecture, lush green manicured spaces, and luxury retail stores.
This area stays busy throughout the year as it’s part of the tourist destinations in Boston with some of the most iconic attractions in the city.
The most popular streets located in the Back Bay neighborhood include Newbury and Boylston, where you’ll find a collection of the best eats and shopping that Boston has to offer.
Beacon Hill
Lovers of everything historical will want to call this Boston neighborhood home.
Beacon Hill was initially built in 1795 and is now home to numerous celebrities and known for being one of the most picturesque areas in the city.
The charming neighborhood only covers about a half square mile of land, but it’s still one of the most desirable living areas in Boston.
It’s almost like stepping back in time as you walk down the narrow cobblestone streets under gaslit street lamps. Victorian and Federalist-style homes line the street.
In between these beautiful historic homes, you’ll find large companies’ office spaces like Facebook and GE. These things combined make Beacon Hill one of the more expensive areas to live in, but very desirable.
Brookline
This neighborhood space is considered a town by some and can be found bordering 6 other of Boston’s popular neighborhoods, including Fenway and Jamaica Plain.
Brookline is a suburb of the Boston metropolitan area and is frequently named one of the best places to live in Massachusetts.
Here you’ll find an urban feel, and most residents rent their homes rather than own, making it a good option for young adults.
There are also tons of bars, shops, restaurants, and other entertainment found within this neighborhood, so all your favorite amenities are nearby.
With the same charm the rest of Boston exudes, Brookline is a great choice when moving to the city.
Cambridge
Just outside the city of Boston is the famed city of Cambridge. While this city is considered separate, it’s close enough and full of all the amenities you could need.
With the close proximity to universities and colleges, it’s the perfect place for young adults or students to call home.
Despite the closeness to the city of Boston and the populated schools, this is a more relaxed area making it a laid-back area to live in.
The influence of the nearby schools also turns Cambridge into a diverse area, with more than 30% of residents being born outside the US, and the residents have an overall progressive and more liberal mindset.
This area is walkable, plus it’s filled with tons of bars, restaurants, and shops. You’ll love living in nearby Cambridge.
Fenway
When you want to live downtown but not right in the mix, or you’re a local sports fan, this Boston neighborhood is where you’ll want to call home.
Fenway is home to the popular Boston Red Sox stadium, Fenway Park. While this area used to be centered around the baseball field and a few sports-related bars, it’s blossomed into a cultural and entertainment hub for all generations to enjoy.
Most residents tend to be younger adults and college students, so the environment is lively and bustling most times of the day.
Plus, with all the college students and young adults, it remained a reasonable price. Fenway is easily one of the best places to live in Boston, especially as a Red Sox fan.
Jamaica Plain
The perfect neighborhood for anyone interested in living in the more artsy side of Boston.
Jamaica Plain, or JP as the residents refer to it, this neighborhood is a hub for progressive individuals.
Among these streets, you’ll find some of the best thrift shops, and all along Center Street, there’s a terrific collection of shops and restaurants to explore, including some of the most popular and iconic spots in the city, including Samuel Adams brewery.
Feel free to express yourself in whatever way that means while living in the upbeat and artsy neighborhood of Jamaica Plain.
North End
Located on the North side of Boston, living here will be one of the safest places in the city.
North End is considered the epitome of urban living but is still filled with the same charming and historical homes you’d expect.
Among these historic buildings, you’ll find a collection of high-end luxury stores and a collection of the best Italian restaurants Boston has to offer.
This goes hand-in-hand with the large population of Italian-Americans that have gravitated towards this old residential area.
Similar to other older Boston neighborhoods, you’ll find cobblestone streets and tons of historical sites that played major parts in the American Revolution.
North End is a throwback to Boston while also giving you a taste of modern.
South End
Not to be confused with South Boston, this area is one of the more culturally diverse areas in the city.
South End is a combination of Back Bay, Chinatown, and Roxbury, making it a collection of residential and commercial properties.
This neighborhood is pricey, but that also makes it one of the safest areas in the city and creates a family-friendly environment.
Similar to Jamaica Plain, this neighborhood sports an artsy vibe and includes lush green parks just waiting to be explored.
Known for its charm and traditional feel, the South End is a great option for living in Boston.
Somerville
The best neighborhood for students, young adults, and young families alike, all looking for a more peaceful living experience.
Somerville is known to be one of the coolest suburbs in the city, with the same endearing charm of historical Boston paired with a growing active community.
This is one of the more densely populated areas in the city, located just north of the main city of Boston, and in recent years, more individuals have moved to this area, making it more expensive.
With incredible events throughout the year, a great community culture, and a great family environment, Somerville is a great option for living in Boston.
Final Thoughts
Find the perfect location to move to within Boston or when you’re first moving to the city. You’ll feel more confident in loving your new area and home when you move to the best areas in Boston.