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West End

West End

$745,273 Average Value
$923 Average Price per Sq Ft
36 Homes For Sale

West End residents are close to Mass General and the Charles River

Life in the West End of Boston centers on Massachusetts General Hospital, the first teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. Health care professionals and students are drawn to the neighborhood’s apartment buildings and condo complexes, many of which feature views of the Charles River. Meanwhile, local landmarks like TD Garden and the Museum of Science appeal to residents and visitors alike. Thanks to its waterside location, the West End also offers outdoor recreation options that range from strolls along the Esplanade to kayaking, sailing and rowing.

Luxury apartments at the Alcott Building in the West End offer epic views of the city.
Luxury apartments at the Alcott Building in the West End offer epic views of the city.
Mass General Hospital offers West End residents world-class care right at their doorstep.
Mass General Hospital offers West End residents world-class care right at their doorstep.
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Condos and apartments are common in the West End

High-rise and midrise buildings line the streets of the West End, where apartments and condos make up most of the available housing. Some full-service towers offer amenities like rooftop terraces, fitness centers and 24-hour concierge services. In contrast to some of Boston’s newer luxury corridors, buildings here mostly date to the 1960s, giving them a distinctive character. “These buildings are older, and the architecture back then was very different,” says Ivy A. Turner, a West End Realtor and founder of The Ivy Team at Keller Williams Boston-Metro. Though this is a dense neighborhood with buildings packed closely together, courtyards and landscaped common areas provide a touch of green. “When I first lived here, the height of the ginkgo trees was around four stories, and now they can at least reach eight or nine floors,” Turner says.

West End Place is a condo complex with excellent proximity to Downtown Boston.
West End Place is a condo complex with excellent proximity to Downtown Boston.
There are a number of condos within North Station that make city living a breeze.
There are a number of condos within North Station that make city living a breeze.
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Apartments and condos are the most common housing styles in the West End, and most people rent.
Apartments and condos are the most common housing styles in the West End, and most people rent.

West End housing prices are low by Boston standards

The neighborhood’s median sale price of $750,000 is relatively low for Boston and well below the medians in nearby areas like Beacon Hill or Back Bay. Some basic one-bedroom condos sell in the mid-$400,000s, while luxury penthouses with river views fetch prices in the mid-$2 millions. Likewise, HOA fees cover a broad range, starting around $500 and climbing to about $2,500. Association fees typically cover building maintenance and insurance, and, in some cases, utilities such as heat or hot water. Costs for parking or premium services may be billed separately. Also, the West End is home to more renters than owners, and the median monthly rent is about $4,000.

Underground parking is a draw, but car-free living is possible

“Another draw is the availability of garage parking,” says Turner, who has over 30 years of local experience. “Underground garages are a rare find in Boston, and people like that they can keep their cars in the city.” While some condos include parking, other residents pay extra for spaces, which usually sell for around $75,000 each. Fortunately, the neighborhood’s location, walkability and transit access support car-free living. North Station is a major hub with access to several MBTA commuter rail lines, as well as Amtrak’s Downeaster service to Maine. Other nearby T stations serve the Green, Orange, Red and Blue lines, and numerous MBTA bus routes run through the area. Downtown Boston and the restaurants in the North End are less than a mile away, and both can usually be reached on foot within 15 to 25 minutes, depending on your destination.

The West End is near North Station, a Boston transportation hub.
The West End is near North Station, a Boston transportation hub.
Commuters breeze toward Cambridge on the Red Line in the West End of Boston.
Commuters breeze toward Cambridge on the Red Line in the West End of Boston.
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The West End has major venues and riverside recreation

Home of the Boston Bruins and the Celtics, TD Garden is a multipurpose arena that hosts a wide array of headliner concerts as well as sporting events. Other neighborhood attractions include:

  • Big Night Live, a prominent music hall
  • Charles River Esplanade, which stretches for several miles along the waterfront with views of the city skyline
  • Community Boating, a nonprofit sailing organization offering lessons and memberships
  • Richard McKinnon Park, which adds playgrounds, walking trails and a skateboarding area
  • Museum of Science, featuring interactive exhibits, a planetarium and 3-D IMAX theater presentations
All this activity draws a ton of foot traffic and contributes to high noise levels. If you’re looking for a quieter neighborhood, consider checking out homes in Beacon Hill instead.

The Esplanade is the perfect spot for West End residents to enjoy a stroll or a jog.
The Esplanade is the perfect spot for West End residents to enjoy a stroll or a jog.
Game day at TD Garden is always an event in the West End.
Game day at TD Garden is always an event in the West End.
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Dining and groceries in the West End

Unlike the North End, which is renowned for its Italian cuisine, the West End has a more limited dining scene. However, there are a few local favorites, including:

  • Ma Maison, serving classic French dishes in an upscale setting
  • City Winery, known for its small plates, live music and award-winning vintages
  • Banners Kitchen & Tap, a sports bar featuring contemporary American fare and 30 beers on tap
  • West End Johnnie’s, a neighborhood hangout with a collection of vintage sports memorabilia
When you’d rather dine in, Boston Public Market is a convenient option. The year-round indoor market hosts dozens of vendors selling local meat, seafood and produce, along with specialty grocery items and freshly baked treats.

Ma Maison serves classic French dishes, from escargot to clafoutis.
Ma Maison serves classic French dishes, from escargot to clafoutis.
Grab a beer at the bar and catch the next game at West End Johnnie's.
Grab a beer at the bar and catch the next game at West End Johnnie's.
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Local public and private schools receive high ratings

The West End is part of Boston Public Schools, which uses a home-based school choice system for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Instead of assigning students to a certain school based on their address, the district lets families rank their preferences from a customized list. Eliot K-8 Innovation School, one of the oldest public schools in the country, is one highly rated option. Additionally, the private Torit Montessori School in nearby Beacon Hill receives a Niche grade of A-plus.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Colin Gee
Photography Contributed By
Colin Gee
Brandon Flash Craigie
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

8 min drive

Subway

Science Park Station

Subway

Charles/Mgh Station

Train

North Station

Subway

North Station

Bus

North Station - Causeway St Opp Beverly St

Bus

Portland St & Causeway St

Bus

N Washington St & Medford St

Bus

Science Park & West End - Martha Rd & Amy Ct

Bus

Charles & Mgh - 325 Cambridge St

Bus

Causeway St & Medford St

Bus

Science Park & West End - Nashua St & Leverett Cir

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West End US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,225
Number of Homes for Sale
36
Median Year Built
1967
Months of Supply
9.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,503
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,361
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,265
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
795
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
626
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
80
Median Rent
$3,910
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,500
Median Condo Rent
$3,730
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$4,900

Demographics

Total Population
8,930
Median Age
37
Population Density
96 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$136,991
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$161,010

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.3%
College Graduates
77.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
40%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Exceptionally walkable

Walkability®

100 / 100

Exceptional public transit

Transit®

100 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
West End