$1,766,366Average Value$1,583Average Price per Sq Ft85Homes For Sale
Elegant urban living in one of the premier Boston neighborhoods
Located in the heart of Boston and lined with iconic brownstones, Back Bay is an architecturally significant neighborhood that sits between Mass Ave and the Public Garden. Situated on the south shore of the Charles River and surrounded by the expansive green spaces of Back Bay Fens, the Public Garden and Boston Common, Back Bay feels like a peaceful retreat in the middle of the metropolis. The area is also close to many T stations and universities, including Northeastern University and Boston University, which make the community lively and accessible. In addition to the quintessential brownstones, Back Bay is also a premier shopping and dining district, attracting residents and tourists from around the world. “Back Bay is accessible, elegant and prestigious,” says Betsy Herald, local Realtor at The Charles Realty with 22 years of experience in the Boston market. “Back Bay’s architecture is also famous and pleasing. The continuity of craftsmanship and the historic nature of the brownstones are arguably the biggest draws for homebuyers. There’s also a nice sense of peace and well-being here; people are out walking to work, to restaurants or taking their dogs to nearby parks.”
Plenty of tasty dining options along Boylston St. in Back Bay.
Enjoy the variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers from Kimball Fruit Farm in Copley Square.
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Condo units in historic 1800s brownstones
Known for its classic Bostonian Victorian-era brownstones, Back Bay is an illustration of the city’s iconic 19th-century architecture. These beautifully preserved homes were originally built in the mid-1800s with features such as elaborate cornices, decorative ironwork, bay windows or rounded exteriors and stately stoops. While occasionally there are a few single-family brownstones listed for sale at around $30 million, most of the housing stock in the area is comprised of condominium units inside the iconic brownstones. Studios between 300 to 500 square feet start around $400,000 to $550,000, and one-bedrooms are about $600,000 to $1 million. Two-thousand-square-foot condos go for $1.2 million to $3.5 million, while even larger units or penthouse condominiums can fetch up to $18 million. Back Bay’s tree-lined streets are characterized by the gridded layouts of cities, and residents find this area of the city relatively peaceful. With parking permits, homeowners can park along the streets or in the back alleyways between residential properties. “Back Bay is a historic district and is protected by many zoning laws,” Herald says. “The brownstone properties here have 1 to a maximum of 10 units inside, which keep the population density within a comfortable level. This is also why there’s limited inventory and availability in the housing market, and the homes here continue to uphold their value.”
Interesting architectural elements adorn this brownstones on Commonwealth Ave in Back Bay
Decorative planters graciously greet you outside of 19th-century brownstones in Back Bay.
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Shopping and dining along the famed Newbury Street
Back Bay is also a renowned shopping and dining destination where both locals and visitors come for a day out. The Prudential Center and Copley Place are large indoor malls with many retailers and restaurants. Newbury and Boylston streets are famous for their shopping and dining options inside historic brownstones. Restaurants like Saltie Girl serve delicious seafood and cocktails, and luxury designers and small boutiques such as The Fairy Shop dot the area. Additional well-known dining spots include Joe’s on Newbury, Abe & Louie's, Fire + Ice and The Friendly Toast. Quincy Market has over 50 eateries and is located on the ground floor of Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Star Market and Trader Joe’s are a few blocks apart, and Target is less than 2 miles away in West End.
Shoppers come and go at the bustling Prudential Center shops on Boylston Street in the Back Bay.
Swing by Levain on Newbury Street in Back Bay and enjoy some outdoor dining.
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Public parks surround Back Bay
Back Bay is surrounded by stretches of public green space and city parks. Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a 32-acre walkway designed in the French Boulevard style by Arthur Gilman in 1856. It provides a stunning backdrop for people to stroll with their pets, jog or relax on benches and read. Another popular outdoor spot, the Charles River Esplanade offers peaceful views of the river, and there's a playground nearby. At the eastern end of the neighborhood is the Boston Public Garden, a 19th-century park known for its weeping willow trees that surround the lagoon where people can take a swan boat ride. Residents can also kayak or sail down the Charles River at one of the nearby launch sites. Additional parks include Back Bay Fens, which sits west of the neighborhood and has multiple ball fields, play areas and gardens.
Enjoy a scenic kayak ride on the Charles River Esplanade in Back Bay.
Sit and relax on one of the long wooden benches inside the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
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Within walking distance to Chinatown and Beacon Hill
Tucked between the Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts Medical Center and Boston University’s medical school campus, Back Bay is within walking distance of many hospitals. Residents can also walk or bike to nearby neighborhoods, including Chinatown, South End, Downtown Boston and Beacon Hill. In addition, the area is home to Back Bay Station, which has access to both Amtrak and the Orange Line of the T subway system. Interstate 90 also runs through the neighborhood, providing a quick, 7.5-mile route to the Boston Logan International Airport.
Enjoy the Boston skyline from the neighborhood of Back Bay.
Locals can walk along Open Newbury Street or find a spot to eat in one of the many restaurants.
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Boston Public Schools
The Hurley K-8 School is a Spanish and English dual language academy rated C by Niche. Quincy Elementary School and Quincy Upper School both have a B score. Snowden International School at Copley is an IB World School with a B-minus rating. Established in 1635 and serving students from grades seven to 12, Boston Latin School is the oldest-running public school in the country. An exam-entry school with an A-plus Niche rating, Boston Latin offers a prestigious academic program that combines classical studies such as Latin with modern learning fields, traveling abroad opportunities and a leadership institute focused on business and entrepreneurial skill development. The high school also has the Keef Library, a media center with an arts wing comprised of music rooms and a black-box theater. Some residents also opt to send their children to private schools in the area, including Commonwealth School and the Kingsley Montessori School.
Josiah Quincy Upper School in Boston has an overall grade of B on Niche.
The Joseph Hurley School is a K-8th grade school in Boston, MA.
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Events around Back Bay and the city
Back Bay residents are connected through local organizations, charity events and community socials. “We have many volunteer-based, community-oriented associations that aim to preserve the beauty of Back Bay,” Herald says. “It’s a very action-oriented place to live.” Associations such as the Back Bay Architectural Commission and the Garden Club of Back Bay are dedicated to maintaining the green spaces and architecture of the historic neighborhood through charity events and community celebrations, such as clean-ups and community days. The Esplanade Association also hosts socials such as the Moondance Gala to raise funds to keep the esplanade clean. Other seasonal events that take place around Back Bay include CraftBoston, the Boston Book Festival, the Donna Summer Disco Party and the Back Bay Block Party. The Hatch Shell, a concert venue on the Charles River Esplanade, hosts orchestras and musicians for events throughout the year. Back Bay is also close to the city’s theatre district, and locals are within minutes of venues such as the Citizens Opera House and the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre. Slightly east of Back Bay, Boston Common, the city’s oldest public park, hosts many recreational classes, such as outdoor yoga. Locals can also catch a sports game or a live performance at TD Garden or visit the Saunders Castle at Park Plaza. Additionally, the city has myriad celebrations, including the Boston Marathon, the Greek Festival of the Annunciation Cathedral and the Boston Pride for the People Parade and Festival.
Add Copley Square Farmers Market to your list of event to attend near you.
Come visit the vendors an attend a talk at the Boston Book Fair in Copley.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Aside from some package theft in my building, and very very loud neighbors across the street, living in my area has been wonderful and I enjoy the local neighborhood resources. These include parks, pretty side streets, local farmer's markets, and plenty of good restaurants and shops.
2.0Former Resident
4/14/2021Niche Review
Nope, just nope. Lived in Back Bay for three years. While there is a lot of accessibility and convenience, that's about the only positive thing I can say. 1. Rent is absurdly overpriced. It's like the upper east side of manhattan, but half as appealing. 2. Buildings are run down. completely. you'll be paying upwards of 2500 dollars for a one-bedroom that resembles something out of the 1800s. Unless you're old money rich and can afford a brownstone on Commonwealth Avenue, good luck finding something updated and spacious. 3. Back bay station and the Boston public library are basically dens for the homeless and drug users. I was a 23-year-old single woman living there alone. Not a pleasant experience. 4. The wind tunnel on Clarendon Street is a nightmare from October - April. The wind chill gets to like -30 at night. 5. No diversity. Save your money. Please. I'm moving out of Boston, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd go to Cambridge. And stay there.
5.0Current Resident
4/7/2017Niche Review
What I like the most about Back Bay is that is a very safe neighborhood. It is really close to Boston downtown, the main shopping street is located in Back Bay and there are many cultural events around. Moreover, the neighborhood itself has a typical atmosphere that cannot be experience anywhere else in Boston.
5.0Former Resident
9/19/2019Niche Review
I absolutely loved living in the Back Bay. I recommend it to anyone looking to live in Boston. You are just so centrally located you can literally walk anywhere in the city,
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Back Bay
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Back Bay Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Back Bay, Boston sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Back Bay, Boston over the last 12 months is $1,450,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Seller will consider a 2/1 BUY-DOWN on your mortgage. Sophisticated WATER-VIEW home! This stunning condo offers an open-concept kitchen, living & dining area with breathtaking views of the Charles River & Cambridge skyline. Take the elevator to floor 6; enter the chef-inspired kitchen, ideal for entertaining w/a sprawling island, high-end appliances, ample cabinetry, &elegant granite countertops.
This exceptional single-family home offers impressive scale, soaring ceiling heights, tall windows, and abundant natural light throughout. A gracious foyer leads to the elegant great room and an adjoining space currently functioning as a music room. A curved staircase brings you to the second floor, featuring an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, a dining
164 Marlborough St Boston, MA. The Crowninshield House is a historic house designed by renowned Architect Henry Hobson Richardson. One of a kind building on a corner lot that was the original Algonquin Club. It's a 4 story brick building, featuring a variety of trim in black brick, brownstone and decorative green and blue tiles.This is a One of a Kind property ready for conversion or brought back
83 MARLBOROUGH ST/ SINGLE PARKING SPACE FOR RENT:\Marlborough St between Berkeley St and Clarendon St. Tandem Space, share with Newbury St Hair Stylist
BACK BAY/BEACON/ONE BED: 1-Bedroom facing Charles River between Clarendon St and Dartmouth St. Hardwood Floors, renovated Kitchen & Bath, bright and sunny unit. HVAC heat and air conditioning. Elevator, Laundry in the building. Steps to Copley Square Trains and Buses.
3 bed/2 bath PH duplex is available now. Unit features a renovated kitchen with high end appliances, newly renovated baths, hardwood flooring, multiple outdoor spaces, and assigned parking. Enjoy city living at its finest, on the Back Bay/South End line, along the SW Corridor steps to Titus Sparrow Park, Symphony Hall, Whole Foods & the Prud /Copley Sq and everything. No smoking no pet please.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
