Boston's Neighborhoods
“It is the history, the old buildings, the narrow cobblestone streets, the heritage houses, and of course the neighborhoods...ah, yes - the neighborhoods - from Beacon Hill and Back Bay to the South End, the North End, Chinatown and everything in between. Indeed, Boston is a new world city with old world charm. Read on to discover the beautiful neighborhoods that proudly make up this beautiful old town we affectionately call “Beantown”
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Back Bay
In this prestigious neighborhood lies Newbury Street,the Rodeo Drive of New England, complete with The Copley Mall, The Prudential Center and an abundance of trendy restaurants, clubs and upscale bars. Back Bay is a sea of beautiful historic brownstones on tree lined avenues that stretch from the Public Garden to Massachusetts Avenue.
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Beacon Hill
Quaint, charming and rich in history, Beacon Hill as an enclave boasts some of the most desirable and most coveted real estate in Boston. John F. Kennedy once resided here; now a myriad of writers, artists and statesmen, medical professionals, lawmakers and businessmen all leave their mark on The Hill. The gas lanterns, old cobblestone and brick sidewalks and elegant townhouses all lend the feel of a different century, while swanky shops and eateries on Charles Street cater to the needs of a discriminating clientele.
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South End
Charles Bullfinch designed this handsome neighborhood in 1801 but it began to delicne in the late 19th centurey when wealthy residents left for the Back Bay. The neighborhood has experience a revitalization in recent years, and now the South End has emerged as one of Boston’s trendiest neighborhoods. Victorian style homes have been converted into ultra modern lofts, condos and new developments. A young, urban professional crowd keeps the pulse alive in the city’s first planned neighborhood. Visit jazz bars, browse in chic art galleries, or simply relax in one of the numerous cafés for Sunday brunch, all of which The South End is famed for.
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Theater District
The Theater District hosts everything from splashy broadway musicals to first rate local productions. When theater was first performed in Boston in 1758 laws were passed almost immediately to make it illegal. True to Boston's Puritanical roots, official censorship of plays wasn't completely eliminated until 1975. Today, the Wang, the Wilbur, the Shubert and many other theaters and playhouses provide a wides spectrum of cultural delights where you can catch a play or dine at several chic restaurants in what is the city's central playground.
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Financial District
Boston's movers and shakers rub shoulders downtown, the city's center of business and finance. The largest concentration of tall buildings overlooks colonial-era churches and halls, cobblestoned streest and even a 19th century graveyard. During the weekday, Downtown is bustling with workers on their lunch and coffee breaks, while the quieter weekends afford a relaxing stroll through the Boston Common, a play in the Theater District or dining at chic restaurants typically reserved for Armani suits and ties.
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Fenway
Home to the Boston Red Sox and the storied Fenway Park, the Fenway is a mishmash of sports bars, bistros, art galleries and gardens filled with dogwoods hawthorns and roses. Fenway is its own cultural nexus with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts within short walking distance. Kenmore Square is home to young professionals, students, academics, and medical staff due to its close proximity to several local colleges and medical facilities such as Boston University, Northeastern University, Simons College and Emmanuel College as well as Longwood Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center. A lively night crowd can be found on Landsdowne Street, home to some of Boston’s most popular bars.
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North End
The North End is the Little Italy of Boston, a place where Italian roots still run deep. One of the oldest neighbohoods, the North End is the place to go for authentic Italian cuisine. In existence since the 1630's, it is a maze of narow streets that is better discovered on foot than by car. Notable sites include the Old North Church and Paul Revere's house as well as the many charming trattorias that line Hanover Street. Throughout the Summer, traditional weekend festivals are held in the streets.
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Allston-Brighton
This trendy neighborhood is only minutes from downtown Boston with its own micro-community full of trendy and eclectic bars, eateries, and shops. Additionally, Brighton, which merges with Allston, offers many neighborhood-living options. You’ll find condos, single family homes and small apartment buildings in this area.
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Cambridge
Packed with bookstores, boutiques, restaurants and an eclectic crowd, Cambridge is home to two of the nation's most prestigious universities, Harvard and MIT. Harvard, founded in 1636 is the country's oldest university, and it is said that if you rub the statue of its benefactor, John Harvard found in Harvard Yard, you will be blessed with good luck. Historically, the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Brattle street was where George Washington planned the Seige of Boston in 1775 and 1776. Today, this bustling area houses one third of all Massachusetts’s biomedical firms. Although home to academia professionals and the like Cambridge has a diverse mix of entrepreneurs, students, musicians, and young families.
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Newton
Newton is an upscale, affluent family oriented town comprised of thirteen “villages” bordering the city of Boston. Picture postcard properties are considered prime real estate here where young families can live close to Boston yet avoid the urban hustle and bustle. Great shops, cafes and top notch restaurants make Newton one of the most desirable towns. Visit the site:http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/index.html
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Brookline
This residential neighborhood is a blend of families, professionals, students and the elderly. Largely residential, Brookline's commercial district includes boutiques and spas as well as the more eclectic shops and rustic pubs. With a celebrated public school system, easy access to and a slice of history (John F. Kennedy's birth house in is in Brookline) real estate here is always in high demand. http://www.townonline.com/brookline/index.html
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South Boston
“Southie”or South Boston sits along several miles of beach and is only fifteen minutes from the Financial District. Recent redevelopments have caused a real estate boom here over the past five years. Triple-decker row houses are common but newer luxury condo developments are emerging in the area. Irish pubs dot the landscape here as South Boston is home to the famous St Patrick’s Day Parade.
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Lexington
Just 11 miles northwest of Boston lies Lexington which settled back in 1642 as a farming community. The growth of urbanism and the decline of agriculture after World War II saw Lexington experience rapid housing developments. Today Lexington thrives with a bustling main street housing many fine retail stores, professional offices, banks and restaurants. http://ci.lexington.ma.us/
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Arlington
The birthplace of Uncle Sam, Arlington is an historic old neighborhood just six miles northwest of Boston that houses a strong community of young professionals and young families just starting out. Primarily residential in nature, Arlington has a great town infrastructure and prides itself on its excellent school system.http://www.town.arlington.ma.us/index.html
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Chestnut Hill
An affluent neighborhood of Boston, Chestnut Hill is notable for many sought after, historic old homes. Colonials, Tudors, Victorians, Split Entry and Contemporary homes result in an interesting architectural mix along with the promise of newer condo developments. Home to two of the most popular shopping malls, The Mall at Chestnut Hill and The Atrium, Chestnut Hill has great shopping and fine dining, not to mention one of the top school systems in the nation. www.CityofBoston.gov
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Waterfront
For those who crave the urban lifestyle with waterfront views of the Boston Harbor outside their windows, Boston’s Waterfront real estate is the perfect match. This popular, upscale district is ideal for the professional who wants easy access to Downtown and the Financial District. At one time, Boston Waterfront real estate was separated from the hustle and bustle of downtown Boston, but the Big Dig has made an easy commute possible for Waterfront residents.
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