Student Housing Office
Campus Center, 03, 03400
617-287-6011
Fax:617-287-6076
osh@umb.edu
Monday – Thursday from 9:00 to 5:00 pm
And
Friday from 10:00 to 4:00 pm
A Guide to Boston Neighborhoods
Remember:
- the Pike is I-90
- the Artery is I-93
- the Southeast Expressway is the I-93 south of the city
- the Green Line, Red Line, Orange Line, Blue Line and commuter rail are services of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) or "T".
Allston/Brighton:
South of the Pike to the west of Boston, Allston-Brighton offers a variety of shopping and entertainment. Home to BC and BU, students and commuters access Boston via the Green Line. Allston has an urban feel with many housing opportunities. Brighton is further out, but ideal for those who work in the city but prefer suburban life.
Arlington:
Between Routes 2 and 3, Arlington is accessible via the T and the bus. A peaceful, residential neighborhood with diverse housing opportunities, Arlington has a growing population with good schools and a variety of lakes, parks, and recreational sites.
Back Bay:
South of the Charles River and north of the Pike, the Back Bay offers urban excitement and natural beauty. Elegant apartment buildings, shops and restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment are clustered throughout the Back Bay. Accessible by the Green Line, the eclectic nature of this area has filled it with some of the highest rents in Boston.
Beacon Hill:
East of the Back Bay, Beacon Hill is accessible from the Orange and Green Lines and is filled with charming neighborhoods. Clustered around the State House, the elegant brick facades and the quaint shops make this a highly desirable and pricey place to live.
Brookline:
Surrounded by Boston on three sides, the Pike and Green Line serve Brookline. A mix of urban life with a touch of suburbia, it offers upscale shops and restaurants, apartment buildings and homes and a variety of parks and sports. There is no overnight street parking in many parts of Brookline.
Cambridge:
The home of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge is far from being just a "college town." The diversity of shops, pubs, and restaurants make it a desirable place to live or visit; the Red Line makes several stops in Cambridge.
Charlestown:
North of the Charles River is Boston's oldest and most historic neighborhood, with a variety of rentals, from renovated buildings to new construction. The Orange Line makes the area a highly desirable place to live.
Dorchester:
To the south of downtown is a diverse area containing Boston's largest population and a wide range of housing styles, from Victorian mansions to modern apartment complexes. Serviced by the Red Line, Dorchester is easily accessible from the Artery and the Pike.
East Boston:
A thriving community with a distinct neighborhood feel, East Boston is home to Logan Airport and is serviced by the Blue Line. Multi-family housing is common.
Fenway:
Filled with entertainment and cultural sites, Fenway is also home to Fenway Park and Northeastern, BU, Simmons and Wheelock. The Fens provide recreational space among streets lined with brownstones and apartment buildings.
Hyde Park:
Home of the Blue Hills, the Neoponset River, and Stoney Brook Valley, Hyde Park is a mix of single and multi-family homes the area is accessible by T and bus.
Jamaica Plain:
In this ethnically diverse area, commuters take advantage of a convenient location and equally diverse residential opportunities. Homes range from luxury high rises to smaller multi family apartments and triple-decker buildings. Removed from the bustle of downtown, but connected to the Orange Line, JP also attracts a lot of families in search of affordable housing.
Kenmore:
North of the Pike on the Green Line, Kenmore offers a social and urban atmosphere with many popular bars, restaurants, and shops.
Mattapan:
A stop on the Red Line, the neighborhoods of Mattapan are conveniently connected to Boston. The area is filled with single-family homes, duplexes, and triple-deckers.
Newton:
Six miles west of Boston on the Green Line is Newton, a quiet, affluent suburb. Bounded by the Charles River, Newton has a strong school system and is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and stores.
North End:
One of Boston's oldest residential neighborhoods retains the festive flavor of Italy's "Old Country." Multi-family housing lines lively streets filled with bakeries, restaurants, and espresso bars. The Green, Blue, and Orange Lines all make stops in the North End. Stroll along the harbor and watch sailboats three seasons of the year.
Quincy:
Within 20 minutes of Boston via the Red Line and the artery, Quincy has a variety of housing as well as hiking, boating, and sports.
Roxbury:
Consisting primarily of double and triple-decker buildings offering tremendous opportunities for lower rents and downtown convenience, Roxbury is served by the Orange Line.
Somerville:
This urban industrial city has many renting opportunities. On the Red Line, the town is connected to the city as well as the excitement of nearby Cambridge.
South Boston:
To the east of downtown Boston, the South Boston peninsula is filled with simple row houses and detached three-family dwellings. Many families fill this area; residents enjoy a seaside community with an easy commute to downtown via the Red Line or buses.
South End:
With a culture combining ethnicity with non-traditional households, this area has become a desirable place to live. With a relaxed urban atmosphere, the South End has attracted an artistic community to blend with long-established residents. The majority of dwellings consist of Victorian row houses. Back Bay, the Financial District and the Theatre District are just a short walk away.
Watertown:
Twenty minutes to all major highways in Eastern Mass, Watertown is also connected to Boston by bus routes. The community is diverse and offers shopping malls, parks, and many recreational activities.
Waltham:
Nine miles west of Boston, Waltham is accessible by the Mass Pike, the commuter rail, and bus. Offering single and multi family housing, Waltham is home to Bentley College and Brandeis University.
West Roxbury:
One of the most suburban of all neighborhoods surrounding Boston, West Roxbury is perfect for families looking for single-family units, mostly to own. Residents are active in religious, community, or civic associations.
This information is gleaned from Just Rentals and from www.bostonapartments.com