Not only is Boston one of the best places to live on the East Coast, but it also offers easy access to the ocean! This New England city is a bustling hub for young professionals looking to expand their careers—partly due to its proximity to major universities like Harvard, MIT, and Boston College. Additionally, Boston’s opportunities for outdoor recreation and exciting nightlife make it perfect for singles looking to meet new people. Here are the five best neighborhoods in Boston for singles and young professionals!
Allston-Brighton
Photo via @realtywithtang
Home Price: $306,048 median purchase price; $1,546 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 88% of Boston neighborhoods
A vibrant Boston neighborhood with a diverse array of renting options, Allston-Brighton is a perfect home base for singles and young professionals! Harvard Business School and Boston College both sit within the neighborhood, providing great opportunities for students looking to continue their education. Lower Allston is perfect for anyone seeking a quieter, residential area full of quaint Queen Anne-style homes, while those who want excitement can find classic Boston triple-decker apartments and ample choices for nightlife and diverse dining in Upper Allston and Brighton. Parks like Chestnut Hill Reservation offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, and walkable sidewalks in the neighborhood will take you past vibrant community hubs like Zone 3, home to eclectic retail pop-ups and public art installations.
Things to Do in Allston-Brighton
Visit the Brighton Farmers Market for locally grown produce, fresh fish, sustainable meats, and specialty foods. Canoe, paddleboard, and kayak on the Charles River at Paddle Boston. Check out the exhibitions and publications available at the McMullen Museum of Art. Enjoy music, comedy, or a national touring act at Paradise Rock Club or Brighton Music Hall. Start your day with a donut or other breakfast and brunch selections at local favorite Twin Donuts. Chow down on Mediterranean favorites like Fiery Koshari, Zabadi Koshari, or Fattoush Salad at Zaaki. Taste the Baked Stuffed Haddock, Pan Seared Sea Scallops, and Fra Diavolo at Rail Stop Restaurant & Bar. Or hang out with friends after a long day at work or meet new people at local bars like The Last Drop, Brighton Bodega, and Model Cafe.
Back Bay-Beacon Hill
Photo via @reigandlosordo
Home Price: $776,224 median purchase price; $1,738 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 38% of Boston neighborhoods
Back Bay-Beacon Hill is one of the best places to buy a home in Boston, with quaint brick-lined streets, vintage lamp posts, and the famous Beantown brownstones. Along with being home to the historic finish line of the Boston Marathon, Back Bay-Beacon Hill hosts sites like the Massachusetts State House and part of the Freedom Trail walking tour, which includes Boston Common, America’s oldest public park. Shopping is also a staple of Back Bay-Beacon Hill, offering everything from upscale boutiques on Newbury Street to antique and vintage shops on Charles Street.
Things to Do in Back Bay-Beacon Hill
Head to the first public botanical garden in America and admire the flora and fauna at the Boston Public Garden. Attend the Fourth of July performance from the Boston Pops Orchestra, or see other classical, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll concerts at Hatch Memorial Shell. Explore the “Birthplace of the Abolitionist Movement” at the Museum of African American History, the largest museum in New England dedicated to the contributions of Black communities. See live comedy from major acts like John Mulaney, Demetri Martin, or Trevor Wallace at The Wilbur Theater. Dance to hip-hop and EDM at nightclubs like Venu, Bijou, and Icon. Try farm-to-table selections like the Steak Avocado Ranch Salad and Charred Chicken Marketbowl at Dig. Expand your palate with Shojo Pig Bao, Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs, or Mushroom Mazemen at Shojo. Or have an elegant date night out with Smoked Pumpkin Veloute, Risotto au Vin Rouge, or Spanish Octopus at No. 9 Park.
East Boston
Photo via @blythesf
Home Price: $276,989 median purchase price; $1,107 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 69% of Boston neighborhoods
Looking for an affordable neighborhood in Boston? Then East Boston could be for you! The cost of living here is 13% lower than Boston’s cost of living average, and East Boston’s rental prices are 19% lower than the city’s average, making this neighborhood ideal for young professionals on a budget. Plus, with MBTA’s Blue Line and bus lines, as well as the MBTA ferry, Eastie residents can commute more easily. And with the presence of Boston Logan International Airport in East Boston, locals can save on the ride to the airport, as well as find potential hospitality employment in the area!
Things to Do in East Boston
Swim, play a game on the athletic fields, or lie in the sand at Constitution Beach. Hike, climb the observation tower, and explore Boston’s last remaining salt marsh at the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. Take in Downtown Boston’s skyline, walk the promenade, or workout on the outdoor fitness system at Piers Park. Learn about the preservation of Boston Harbor and get your U.S. Sailing Certification at the Piers Park Sailing Center. In the winter, take a group of friends or a date for a night of ice skating at Porrazzo Memorial Rink. Try authentic Italian dishes like Matriciana, Pollo Carrozella, and Vitello Saltinboca at Rino’s Place. Get Mexican and Salvadoran fare like Plato Montañero and Higado Encebollado at La Hacienda. Dine on Pier One’s floating oyster bar with selections like Cotuit Oysters, New England Littleneck Clams, and The Butcher Board at The Tall Ship. Or sample ciders on a night out with friends at Downeast Cider House.
Jamaica Plain
Photo via @ericweiboston
Home Price: $359,364 median purchase price; $1,343 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 50% of Boston neighborhoods
Jamaica Plain, also known as JP, is a progressive, diverse, and LGBTQ-friendly community filled with colorful Victorian and Queen Anne houses. This bikeable and walkable neighborhood is an oasis within the city limits, with an abundance of parks and greenery for outdoor recreation as part of the Emerald Necklace park system. Jamaica Plain is also accessible by multiple lines on the MBTA, and the quaint neighborhood is dotted with local businesses supported by the Jamaica Plain Business and Professional Association. Healthcare professionals can find employment at the Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, at software companies like UbiCare and Infrared5.
Things to Do in Jamaica Plain
Learn about trees and other plant life on a walk through the free Harvard-sponsored botanical garden, Arnold Arboretum. Check out the selection of vinyl, CDs, books, and more at Deep Thoughts JP. Rent a Cape Cod Daysailor, rowboat, or kayak, and take a sailing lesson with Courageous Sailing on Jamaica Pond. Walk your dog, play a game on the athletic fields, or attend a Summer Sundays in the Park concert in Olmsted Place. Tour Sam Adams’ original home and knock back a beer in the Beer Garden at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery. Get a drink with friends or catch some live music at local bars like Midway Cafe and the Brendan Behan Pub. Enjoy Sugar Cured Mackerel, Risotto Koji, or Pizza Shop Salad at Brassica Kitchen + Cafe. Taste Cuban cuisine with dishes like the Original Cuban Sandwich, Drunken Goat Plate, or Shrimp in Sauce with Mofongo at El Oriental de Cuba. Or order the Lamb Lollipops, Torched Halloumi Bowl, and Crispy Orecchiette at Ten Tables.
South Boston
Photo via @the_charles_king_group
Home Price: $367,531 median purchase price; $1,464 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of Boston neighborhoods
Residents of South Boston show community pride by calling themselves “Southies,” after the neighborhood’s nickname. As a traditionally Irish area, South Boston is home to one of the first St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in North America and host of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This area is also made up of a collection of diverse micro-neighborhoods sporting rowhouses and multi-family homes, as well as the expansive South Boston Waterfront. Southies are able to work close to home at the headquarters of companies like EverTrue, Catalant, and Vertex, but those needing to commute can still get around on the MBTA’s Red Line and Silver Line.
Things to Do in South Boston
Visit the Korean War Memorial, tour Fort Independence, and enjoy ocean views from the boardwalk on Castle Island. Shop for Southie-themed gifts and apparel at Southie’s Own, or get unique clothing and home goods at local shops like Habit and Neatly Nested. Take advantage of free admission on Thursday evenings and discover amazing visual arts at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Order Mediterranean favorites like Okra Horiatiki, Scallops ‘Toursi’, and Brizola at Committee. Take a date to the romantic Lookout Rooftop and Bar for amazing views of the city all year round. Try the Short Rib Chow Mein, ET Roll, or White Tiger at Fat Baby. Or sample fresh Boston seafood like Gulf of Maine Lobster, Cioppino, and Baked Stuffed Colossal Shrimp at Legal Sea Foods.
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Neighborhood data from AreaVibes.
