2023 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Boston

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: Back Bay has everything a young professional can ask for. Easily accessible, great options for food shopping and entertainment. If there is any part of Boston you should see, Back Bay is the place to put at the top of your list!... Read 19 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 16,447

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.69 out of 5  106 reviews

Nearby Resident: Great community with live social scene, dining, great shopping scene, and walkable. Nearby are plenty of recreation activities such as museums and parks with athletic facilities.... Read 106 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 28,447

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: My neighborhood is the best of both worlds. It has a residential feel in that it is family and pet friendly, is located near many parks, and is generally quiet, but it is also located in the heart of the city and is within easy walking distance to many stores, restaurants, and museums. There is a wide variety of people here from young families, to older couples, to college students, to young professionals. It also has easy access to public transportation, but is also within walking distance to my job which is downtown. It is on the expensive side, which makes it hard for those just entering the workforce to afford it. However, this is going to be typical in most up and coming cities. Also, the general atmosphere of the neighborhood is very quaint, preserving the historical feel that is at the heart of living in Boston.... Read 2 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 7,631

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

• grade A+

• grade B

• Population 1,972

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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• grade B

• Population 1,315

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.71 out of 5  41 reviews

Current Resident: My daughter and I moved here about a year ago and we love it! everything right down to the people in the area is just a breath of fresh air! The neighborhood, restaurants, sores business' etc are all excellent. We enjoy taking daily walks throughout the neighborhood, never seen any violence or anything disturbing.... Read 41 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 10,575

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Visitor: The energy in the North End has exceeded in the past few decades! Local businesses thrive, crime is at a low, and the night energy will follow you well unto morning. It carries a perfect medium of college life and rich ethnic backgrounds that merge well. The resturants are to die for and the views of the harbor are gorgeous.... Read 5 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 6,584

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 4.12 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: Quaint Boston neighborhood. Great food! Access to North End, West End, Cambridge, Somerville within 10min. Beautiful waterfront views! Very dog friendly!... Read 26 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 19,273

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  9 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 13,827

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  114 reviews

Current Resident: Quiet, all types of stores within 3 miles. Part of Boston (not a separate city, but was annexed in) Public transportation very handy. Real estate areas kept good, generally. Public and Private schools handy. General street layout good, downtown areas good. A large hospital (St. Elizabeth Medical Center) is local, also close to a world-famous medical area.... Read 114 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 37,785

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  82 reviews

Works Here: Allston is definitely less desirable than all of the neighborhoods surrounding it, and it has some downsides, but overall its a decent neighborhood. Its very affordable and has great nightlife. Great for young people looking for affordable housing. The neighborhood can be dirty at times and may occasionally look run down, but the crime rate is VERY low. Overall great for young people, great nightlife scene, and while its not as "desireable" and Brookline or cambridge, its a fine place to live.... Read 82 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 9,526

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  76 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful area with great food, overall very clean, green space, prices are definitely rising but a good place to buy in Boston. I live in the "bad part" (Jackson Square) and it ain't the seaport but i have never felt unsafe for a moment walking to and from the T or past the "terrifying" bromley heath projects. Any crime is targeted - just don't buy dope, join a gang, or mean mug random ppl. Past the hyde square rotary it gets way nicer quick and the rest is gentrifying.... Read 76 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 34,587

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  39 reviews

Current Resident: South Boston is a place where everyone helps each other out. You can build a stronger connect with the neighbor right next to you or even one block away. Commute is very convenient because it close to the red line. In addition, there's a 11 bus that commutes everyday around this neighborhood. As for safety, there's a police station and fire station right around the corner, so the community is protected. There are a lot of food sources and fast-food restaurants; if you don't want to cook at home, you can always go to the Burger King next door to eat.... Read 39 reviews

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• Population 31,132

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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• grade B

• Population 3,791

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Chinatown is a very famous tourist attraction Boston. If you a favorite of any kind of Chinese foods, this is the place. This place has many drink stores to enjoy like tea do, kung fu tea, gong cha to enjoy. Famous places like the Chinatown gate is a place to relax and enjoy the view with lots of spaces to relax.... Read 6 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 4,717

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  59 reviews

Current Resident: West Roxbury is an overall peaceful neighborhood with plenty of restaurants, stores, attraction sites, and community centers. There's easy access to public transportation and parks. The schools are some of the best in Boston. The only downside is that West Roxbury isn't as financially accessible. There are two main groceries stores and both are pricy. It lacks mom-and-pop shops as well as thrift stores.... Read 59 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 28,283

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  80 reviews

Current Resident: Roslindale is a very friendly place and the area has many convenient places to shop or visit. For children there are also places to play at and fields for sports. There is rarely any criminal activity in the area. Although, there are many convenient stores there are also not many options for healthy shopping nearby. But there’s always a place for you to eat and get food or groceries from. There is also a target and a market. In the square sometimes there’ll be a market setup as well. The schools in the area are also good schools and there’s also forest hills, a train/bus station, which is good for anyone who needs transportation. I personally also enjoy the shop called delicious yogurt which is perfect in this hot weather. Another plus, is the arboretum which is great for getting out in nature or for exercising purposes.... Read 80 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 30,074

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.41 out of 5  44 reviews

Current Resident: Great location near the city but still feels very safe and residential. Lots of awesome restaurants! Easy to navigate and walk around.... Read 44 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 12,854

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  72 reviews

Current Resident: Hyde park for me has always been home. A great majority of my family has lived here for decades. In addition to that I have played in multiple neighborhood basketball leagues throughout the area that has always been the peak moments of my child hood. In addition to that there are many awesome places to eat like my favorite pizza shop: Papa Gino's. To add on to that I always feel a sense of security in Hyde Park, I'm never afraid to go outside or worried about any dangers that may be out there. Lastly the people here are really nice and genuine, I would also add that it is a very diverse place as well.... Read 72 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 36,883

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.81 out of 5  77 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful coastal neighborhood, full of diversity and culture, and so close to the city with accessible transportation. Only downside is the heavy gentrification pushing out POC families that lived here for years... Read 77 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 44,295

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.31 out of 5  117 reviews

Current Resident: It’s an up and coming neighborhood with diverse residents. Check out the urban garden on Thornton Street!... Read 117 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 45,898

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.42 out of 5  325 reviews

Current Resident: I love it! It's a great place to live. I have access to lots of amenities and interesting people, and delicious food.... Read 325 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 124,208

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 3.15 out of 5  60 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve lived in Mattapan all my life and I couldn’t think of a better area for me to grow up. Access to public transportation is just steps away, and playgrounds and trails are at our fingertips. This made it nearly impossible to be bored. I could hop on the trolley and find my way in the heart of downtown Boston. Or take a walk on the trail and end up lost in the nature that surrounds us. I was able to experience the best of both worlds, by being connected to the city but not stuck in the middle of it.... Read 60 reviews

• grade C+

• grade B

• Population 27,900

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 4.27 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: Great neighborhood with the world's best medical centers and research institutions! Easy commute to and from the city.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A+

• grade B

• Population 4,277

• Neighborhood in Boston, MA

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Lots of young families are moving in. Our building has about half the apartments with kids, which is a bit above average. Very convenient cvs, grocery in Chinatown is about 3 blocks away. Great restaurants, local gym. A little noisy at night with south station construction and the new lab buildings going in.... Read 2 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 140