Moving to Boston? As one of the best East Coast cities, Boston has everything you could want in New England living! With housing options for people at every walk of life, great restaurants, breathtaking architecture, history around every corner, and plenty of things to do, Boston is a great Northeastern city for anyone to call home. Here are five safe, affordable neighborhoods in Boston to consider!
Allston-Brighton
Photo via @charlesgaterealtygroup
- Home Price: $306,408 median purchase price; $1,546 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 88% of Boston neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals
As one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston, Allston-Brighton is an amazing place to live! Home to Boston University, Boston College, and Harvard University, this Boston neighborhood is a hot spot for college students and recent college grads. Here, students, singles, and young professionals can find a mix of condos and apartments in renovated buildings, as well as rowhouses and single-family homes on tree-lined streets. And while Allston-Brighton offers a wide selection of employment opportunities and fun nightlife options, residents can easily commute And if you need to commute to Downtown Boston, no problem! You can hop on the Green Line subway or commuter rail at Boston Landing.
Things to Do in Allston-Brighton
Splash around in the wading pools, paddle on a canoeing adventure, or bike on the trails at Charles River Reservation. Go thrifting for a new outfit, vintage couch, or buy a hand-poured candle at Vivant Vintage. Jam out at an indie concert, sing karaoke at Emo Night, or chuckle at a comedy show at Brighton Music Hall. Don’t forget your crimson sporting gear while attending the Harvard football kickoff at Harvard Stadium. Get your heart pumping with a circuit training class or learn to fight like a boxer by signing up for a kickboxing class at Red City Fitness. Fill up on breakfast with a Turkish Meze Plate or a Spinach and Feta Omelette paired with a Turkish Coffee at Turkish Lazuri Cafe. Become a ramen connoisseur by trying authentic ramen bowls like Spicy Miso Ramen or Tomato Veggie Ramen at Isshindo Ramen. Devour a Meatlover’s Pizza or Steak Bomb Wrap at Charlie’s Pizza & Cafe. Or finish the night off by snacking on “Two Buck Shuck” Oysters and a house cocktail while playing a game of shuffleboard with friends at Hopewell Bar & Kitchen.
East Boston
Photo via @elisapandamelie
- Home Price: $276,989 median purchase price; $1,107 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 69% of Boston neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Referred to as “Eastie” by locals, East Boston is one of the best neighborhoods to call home in the Boston metro. With waterfront living areas including Jeffries Point, Maverick Square, and Eagle Hill, Eastie residents can choose from a variety of housing options ranging from renovated rowhouses and triple-decker housing, to condos with jaw-dropping views of the Boston harbor. And, because it’s so close to the water as well as areas like Belle Isle Marsh Reservation and Orient Heights Beach, East Boston boasts amazing opportunities for outdoor recreation! Locals can get anywhere in the metro via Boston Metro’s Blue Line—which offers easy access to Downtown Boston—and travel outside the city using the nearby Boston Logan International Airport.
Things to Do in East Boston
Take the helm at an introductory sailing class or sign the kids up for youth programs offered at Piers Park Sailing Center. Lace up for hockey practice or be sure to bundle up when you ice skate at Porrazzo Skating Rink. Explore Boston’s last remaining salt marsh while walking the trails at Belle Isle March Reservation. Stretching more than 40 miles, from Neponset River in Lower Dorchester to Constitution Beach in East Boston, get some steps in at the linear Harbor Walk! Have your pick of the pizza menu or try classic flavors like Italian Cheese and Peppers Pizza at Santarpio’s Pizza. Grab a drink and play your favorite jukebox tune at beloved neighborhood bar Eddie C’s. Treat yourself to a delicious meal like Sammy’s Hand-Cut Steak, the Steak Supreme, or order the Old School Half-Pound Burger at local favorite Sammy Carlo’s. Or marvel at the city skyline and Boston Harbor views while enjoying a plate of oysters from the Raw Bar or a Lobster Roll paired with the Navy Yard Spritz at Tall Ship.
Fenway-Kenmore
Instagram Photo via @thecopleygroup
- Home Price: $241,970 median purchase price, $1,489 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Boston neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals
Located on the west side of Boston, Fenway-Kenmore is a great area to call home! Filled with apartment-style homes and vintage rowhouses, these housing options suit the needs of young professionals looking to start their careers in Boston. In fact, many of Fenway-Kenmore’s affordable housing options are within walking distance to Boston Children’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as well as Northeastern University, Emmanuel College, Simmons University, and Boston University. That means this highly walkable Boston neighborhood is perfect for healthcare professionals as well as university staff and students to call home. Fenway-Kenmore also offers numerous parks, gardens, and other outdoor areas like Fenway Park to provide residents with plenty of things to do in Boston—and more fun can be found in Kenmore Square and on Lansdowne Street, making Fenway-Kenmore one of the best places to live in Boston!
Things to Do in Fenway-Kenmore
Cheer on the Boston Red Sox (MLB) as they hit a home run at Fenway Park! Wander through more than 450,000 works of art, from Egyptian mummies to Mesoamerican metalwork and ceramics, at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Check out manicured lawns and floral displays, as well as paintings and sculptures from Europe, Asia, and the United States, at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Admire more than 1,500 roses while strolling through the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden when visiting Back Bay Fens, which is part of the Emerald Necklace Conservation project. Listen to the violins play in the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall. Enjoy BBQ and Southern favorites like their World-Famous Buttermilk Biscuits or Fried Chicken Sandwich at Sweet Cheeks Q. Feast on New England staples like New England Clam Chowder, Oysters on the Half Shell, or a Yellowfin Tuna Rice Bowl at Eventide Fenway. Meet up with friends and sample globally-inspired dishes or sip on different kinds of brews like Sour Batch Kehd or Rebellious Monk at Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co.
Hyde Park
Photo via @trulia
- Home Price: $324,484 median purchase price; $840 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 56% of Boston neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Young professionals, families, retirees
Nicknamed “A Small Town in the City,” Hyde Park offers Boston residents a community-centric and family-focused neighborhood. Tucked in the southernmost point of the Boston city limit, Hyde Park provides locals a suburban vibe with a touch of industrial design as a nod to Boston’s reputation as a manufacturing hub. An architecture-heavy neighborhood, Hyde Park offers a variety of reasonably priced Cape Cod, Victorian, and ranch-style homes with backyards. While Hyde Park offers a wide selection of restaurants, bars, and family-friendly activities, this suburban neighborhood is about a half-hour from Boston’s city center, but residents living in Hyde Park can catch the commuter train via the Franklin Line and Providence/Stoughton Line for more activities and job opportunities.
Things to Do in Hyde Park
Tee off on an 18-hole course named after a local Hall of Fame baseball player at George Wright Golf Course. Sign up the kids for summer workshops or watch a drama at Riverside Theatre Works. Swim some laps, get your heart rate pumping with a cardio dance class, or get a full-body workout at the Thomas M. Menino YMCA. Let the kiddos loose in the playground, paddle a canoe, or spend the day in nature at the Neponset River Reservation. Try zesty Dominican dishes like the Cheese Mofongo, Chicken Stew, or Cuban Sandwich at Rincon Caribeno. Try authentic Haitian dishes like Fried Pork or Lalo paired with Akra at Toutwel Restaurant. Grab a Guinness, try a new brand of whiskey, and watch the big game at The Village Manor. Enjoy Caribbean, Asian, and Latin fusion flavors with dishes like Jerk Salmon Burger, Asian Tofu Vegan Wrap, or Sweet Chili Crispy Jackfruit at ZAZ Restaurant. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a Caramel Fudge Brownie Sundae or split an Oreo ice cream cake while bowling with friends at Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream & Bowling.
Roslindale
Photo via @heyrimjeon_williamraveis
- Home Price: $293,614 median purchase price; $1,029 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 81% of Boston neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
If you’re looking for a quieter place to call home, consider living in the safe Boston neighborhood of Roslindale! In fact, residents transformed Roslindale Village’s Main Street into a pedestrian-friendly, local business hub, which cut down on car traffic and encourages community engagement. While Main Street offers plenty of entertainment, people in the garden suburb of Boston can also have fun at any of the outdoor recreation opportunities that are part of the Emerald Necklace. Roslindale is also home to great schools like Brooke Charter School Roslindale and Sacred Heart STEM School, which is a large draw for families. Plus, with how affordable this Boston neighborhood is, young professionals looking for a slower-paced place to live can find a more budget-friendly home in Roslindale amongst families and retirees.
Things to Do in Roslindale
Spend a day out in the sun at the 281 acres of trees, shrubs, and vines at the Arnold Arboretum. Shop fresh for produce while jamming out to live music at Roslindale Village Farmers Market. Take a voice class, drop teens off for homework help, or check out the latest book at the Roslindale Branch of the Boston Public Library. See and learn about animals from across the world like red pandas, ring-tailed lemurs, hooded cranes, and more at the Franklin Park Zoo. Have a night filled with stand-up comedy, improv, or enroll in a class at the Riot Theater Company. Order Avocado Crustini or mussels with a kick at Sophia’s Grotto. Indulge in classic Greek favorites like Spinach Pie, Greek Salad, or a Pork Gyro, at Effie’s Kitchen—be sure to save room for the Baklava! Or feast on traditional Mexican dishes like a Carne Asada Burrito, Cheese Quesadilla, or Fajitas Plate at Yucatan Tacos.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
