Home to revolutionaries, some of the nation's best schools, and a thriving medical industry, Boston is a city steeped in history while also being cutting edge. The capital of Massachusetts is home to more than 650,000 people, with a median age of 33. Over 53% of the population have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the city has over 20 hospitals and 60 higher-education institutions. “Boston is a place where if you work hard, you can play hard,” says Franklin Knotts, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty - Boston with 37 years of experience. “Every neighborhood here has its own associations, interest groups and social events, so even though this is a big city, it’s easy to feel connected and have a sense of community.”
Boston was originally inhabited by the Indigenous Massachusett people and later settled by Puritans in 1630. The city was shaped by its role in the American Revolution, as the site for the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. In the 1950s, its economy declined as factories and manufacturing plants moved elsewhere. The city implemented a controversial series of urban renewal projects that led to the displacement of thousands of residents and desegregation in the 1970s further led to a period of unrest. As the education, health and medical industries began to take flight in the 1980s, Boston’s economy returned to a period of steady development. About 83% of the city’s private jobs are currently from these sectors, and top employers include the Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Boston University.
The Zakim Bridge leads into Boston and the West End neighborhood.
Many fans always support the runners during the Boston Marathon in Back Bay.
Come down to the Boston Tea Party Museum in Seaport and throw some tea into the harbor.
Biogen Inc. is an American multinational biotechnology company based in Boston
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From iconic brownstones to 1900 triple-deckers
While Boston’s housing stock and pricing vary greatly among neighborhoods, the median home price is around $800,000 -- almost twice the national figure. The housing market is competitive, with more demand than supply can meet. “Boston’s housing market continues to appreciate, and it’s partly because Boston is the home base for education, medical and biotech industries,” Knotts says. “Unlike many other places where the city depends on one or several businesses, we have entire industries firmly rooted here in the city.”
Boston’s most iconic architectural styles are the brick, Federal-style Beacon Hill townhouses and Back Bay brownstones, with stone steps and bay windows behind brick sidewalks. Rowhouses and multi-unit structures are typical in centrally located urban neighborhoods like Fenway , South End and Commonwealth , and residential areas like Mission Hill are known for their Victorian-style multifamily houses on steep streets. Jamaica Plain has late 19th-century mansions surrounding the neighborhood pond. Residential areas slightly removed from the city center like Roxbury, Dorchester and Roslindale have triple-deckers, multi-unit Queen Anne-style homes and bungalows right next to each other on quiet, urban streets. East Boston, an area with many new developments, features boutique-style condominiums in low-rises.
Condo units around downtown and Fenway typically start around $500,000 for studios, and two-bedrooms usually go over $1 million. Units in newer high-rises in the city center can list over $5 million. Historic townhouses in areas such as Beacon Hill or Back Bay can fetch from $2 million to over $10 million. Triple-deckers and multi-family houses are more common in Dorchester, Mission Hill and East Boston, with individual units spanning from $300,000 to about $1.5 million for a four-bedroom multi-family or single-family home. In addition to multi-unit dwellings, Jamaica Plain has slightly more single-family homes that can fetch nearly $3 million. Homes in South Boston , mostly comprised of multi-unit properties, list from $400,000 for a one-bedroom condo in a brick rowhouse, to $2 million for a penthouse unit in a luxury high-rise. Areas such as Roxbury and Roslindale can have more starter-home options, and homebuyers can find two-bedroom condos starting around $200,000.
Gorgeous brick row houses line the streets of South Boston.
This impressive three story single family home is just one of many you'll find in South Boston.
The stunning homes of Louisberg Square in Beacon Hill have been known to fetch a pretty penny.
This dark historic home in Beacon Hill separates itself from its red brick neighbors.
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World-class shopping destinations and eclectic cuisine
Spread throughout distinct neighborhoods, Boston’s culinary scene is much more than the New England classics of lobster rolls, clam chowder and Boston Cream Pie. The Allston -Brighton community, for example, is Boston’s epicenter of Korean cuisine, nightlife and bars with specialty cocktails. People sip flavorful pho broth at Dorchester’s Fields Corner neighborhood, also known as the Little Saigon Cultural District. East Boston overlooks the Charles River and Boston Logan International Airport, making it the perfect place for waterfront dining and watching planes take off against the skyline. From hotpot spots and bubble tea parlors to Cantonese brunch favorites, Chinatown sits south of Downtown with its authentic fare. Fenway has the Boston outpost of Time Out Market, which features some of the city’s top eats curated by the famed publication. For historic establishments, South End has staples such as Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe, which opened in 1927 and served African-American jazz musicians during the segregated era. North End , with narrow cobbled streets and restaurants with outdoor dining, is home to many of the city’s Italian restaurants. After a hearty meal, people often walk to nearby dessert or pastry shops for homemade cannoli or gelato. Boston Cream Pie was invented at the Omni Parker House, which is steps from the Boston Common and is the same hotel where John F. Kennedy proposed to Jackie Bouvier in 1953.
Perhaps one of the most iconic shopping destinations in Boston, Newbury Street and Charles Street have high-end designer and local boutiques housed in historic brownstones, adding charm to the shopping experience. Faneuil Hall Marketplace has many local vendors and is home to Quincy Market, which has 25 local eateries. Connected through a skybridge, Copley Place and the Prudential Center are two of the most well-known indoor shopping malls, featuring luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Tiffany’s, as well as specialty grocery stores like Eataly. Those who like art galleries and studios and innovative cuisine can stop by SoWa Art + Design District, a chic art-centered area in South End.
Shoppers come and go at the bustling Prudential Center shops on Boylston Street in Back Bay.
Make sure to ask for powder sugar when ordering a cannoli.
Visit the renowned Eastern Standard Kitchen and Drinks in Fenway.
Locals can walk down the various vendor booths at SoWa Open Market and shop for fun items.
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Sports highlight, cultural attractions and festivals in the capital city
Live music venues dot the cityscape, and people can listen to a classical concert at the Boston Symphony Orchestra or a live indie performance at Brighton Music Hall. Those who appreciate the arts can explore the Museum of Fine Arts Boston or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
The Bruins and the Celtics play at TD Garden, New England’s largest entertainment and sports arena that doubles as the home of commuter hub North Station. The Garden is a short walk from downtown, surrounded by a collection of sports bars. The Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in America. On summer nights, Fenway residents can hear reverberations from Sox games or artists like Billy Joel finishing their sets. The New England Patriots play at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, about a 40-minute drive away.
The Boston Marathon is undoubtedly the most anticipated event of the year. It is also the longest-running marathon in the world. Every year, about 500,000 spectators come to the city to witness over 25,000 participants finish the race. The city is also big on cultural and progressive events, featuring the annual Pride Parade, the Boston Arts Festival and Boston Calling. “We just went to the Greek Festival and there was also the Saint Anthony's Feast; there’s always something happening here,” Knotts says.
TD Garden is a main attraction in the West End.
Enjoy a night of music and dancing mixed in with art displays at MFA.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is a must for music enthusiasts in Boston.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is home to the largest art heist in history.
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The crowning jewel of outdoor space, the emerald necklace
Boston has over 2,300 acres of outdoor and recreational space, including 217 city parks, athletic fields and playgrounds, over 20 swimming pools, 75 athletic courts and two golf courses. Notably, the historic Emerald Necklace, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, stretches from the Charles River to Dorchester, covering 1,000 acres and connecting a series of parks. Back Bay Fens has a mix of community gardens and memorials, the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden with over 200 rose varieties, Clements Field and a small playground. Boston Common, the oldest public park in America, and the Public Garden, featuring weeping willow trees surrounding an artisan lagoon with swan boat rides, also make up the Emerald Necklace. In the winter, Boston Common’s Frog Pond turns into an outdoor ice-skating rink. The Charles River Esplanade, on the Boston side of the river, draws runners, paddleboarders and casual strollers on warm summer days. The Charles separates Boston and Cambridge, and people can sit on the dock and overlook the Cambridge skyline.
The Head of the Charles brings the best rowers in the world to compete near Fenway.
The Public Garden is home to the iconic Make Way for Duckings statue in Boston Common.
Nashua Street Park in the West End is popular with local skateboarders.
Challenge each other in a soccer game at the LoPresti turf.
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Prestigious learning institutions take home here
Boston Public Schools is Massachusetts’ largest school district, serving approximately 46,000 prekindergarten through 12th grade students with a student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. The system has an overall B Niche grade and participates in the school choice program, which provides families and students with more enrollment options. With the home-based assignment policy, each family receives a customized list of schools within a 1-mile radius of their home address. Students can also apply to charter or magnet schools within the district, and admission is determined by the individual school of choice. Notably, Boston Latin School is the country’s first public school, which opened in 1635. Today, both Niche and U.S. News and World Report recognize it as the No. 1 high school in Massachusetts, offering rigorous honors and AP courses.
Prestigious private schools also dot the city, including Commonwealth School, which is ranked by Niche as the No. 5 best private high school in America, the STEM Boston University Academy and the Roxbury Latin School.
Home to over 30 colleges and universities, Boston has about 152,000 students in higher-learning institutions. Notable schools include Boston University, Boston College and two of Harvard University's three main campuses.
Founded in 1645, Roxbury Latin in Boston is oldest boys' school on the continent.
Boston Latin School in Boston is the oldest public school in colonial-era British America.
Commonwealth School is a highly renowned private high school in Boston.,
Harvard University is one of many Ivy League schools located in Boston.
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City amenities and infrastructure
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, or the MBTA, connects all of Greater Boston. The agency is responsible for the T, Boston’s version of the subway, and the commuter rail, which connects the city to outlying communities like Haverhill, Fitchburg and Providence, Rhode Island. The T consists of subway trains and buses, with routes categorized by color. Amtrak trains run from North and South stations. The North Station routes take commuters up the coastline to Maine via the Downeaster line, while the Northeast Regional and the Acela high-speed trains go to New York City.
Interstate 93 runs north to New Hampshire and south to Quincy. The east-west Massachusetts Turnpike runs to the New York border. U.S. Route 1 connects Boston with its northern suburbs through Chelsea, and U.S. Route 3 becomes Memorial Drive in Cambridge before merging with State Route 2 at Cambridge’s Alewife station. Boston Logan International Airport is in East Boston, accessible via the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Blue Line on the T or the Silver Line bus from South Station.
Parking options can be limited in the city. Residents with cars need to get residential parking permits from City Hall for overnight street parking. West End’s condominiums have underground parking garages, making it a popular neighborhood for those who want to keep their cars in the city. In the neighboring town of Brookline, overnight street parking is prohibited, and locals often need to find parking garages to park their vehicles.
Boston also has about 25 hospitals, making health care extremely accessible. Notable facilities include Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both of which are in the Longwood Medical Area, and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Weather conditions and crime rate
The city is known for its continental climate, with humid summers and chilly winters. January usually has the most snow, averaging around 10 inches. Rain is expected year-round, though October is generally the rainiest month. Many residents have dehumidifiers in their homes to reduce the precipitation and moisture in the air.
Boston is also combating global climate change and rising sea levels. The city has implemented initiatives and action plans to promote carbon reduction and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Homebuyers in designated flood zones may need to purchase additional flood insurance.
According to data from Boston’s police department, while violent crimes in the city have gone down, overall crime increased by 2% year-over-year, partly because of a rise in some property crimes. On the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the city's reported property crime rates are usually on par with U.S. averages, but violent crime rates in Boston generally exceed national and state averages.
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