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Boston Common

Boston Common

$1,882,810 Average Value
$1,251 Average Price per Sq Ft
35 Homes For Sale

Boston Common is a green haven close to downtown

Boston Common has served as a community hub since 1634, making it the nation’s oldest public park. The verdant expanse hosted British troops during the American Revolution, and locals have been gathering there ever since. Condo complexes and apartment buildings tower over the surrounding streets, giving residents enticing views of the Boston skyline. While the Common provides a welcome respite from the city’s urban core, this is a bustling neighborhood steps away from Downtown Boston and a convenient network of T stations.

Take a guided tour and soak in all that Boston Common has to offer.
Take a guided tour and soak in all that Boston Common has to offer.
Boston Common is home to many statues and landmarks.
Boston Common is home to many statues and landmarks.
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What you’ll find at the Boston Common and Public Garden

The neighborhood’s namesake park forms the northern terminus of the Emerald Necklace, a string of parks and pathways draped across the Boston peninsula. Notable features include:

  • The Frog Pond, which transforms from a spray pool in summer to a skating rink in winter
  • Baseball fields and tennis courts
  • Tadpole Playground, also known as the “Tot Lot”
  • Parkman Bandstand, the site of concerts, speeches and other gatherings
The Public Garden flanks the Common, giving the neighborhood about 50 acres of green space in total. “You can cross the street and go to the Public Garden, which has lots of trees and the Swan Boats,” says Robb Cohen, associate broker and head of the Robb Cohen Team of Engel & Volkers Boston, who has 35 years of experience selling in the area. “It’s even prettier than the Common.”

The Boston Common has several paths for strolling or cycling.
The Boston Common has several paths for strolling or cycling.
The Swan Boats are an iconic part of the Public Garden and a great way to see the city.
The Swan Boats are an iconic part of the Public Garden and a great way to see the city.
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What to expect from the Boston Common housing market

Apartments and condos make up the bulk of the housing stock, which features a blend of classic brownstones and newer luxury developments. Most residents rent, but for those who buy, sale prices usually range from the lower $600,000s to around $5 million. The median sale price of $1.2 million is above the citywide median, but not as high as in some nearby neighborhoods like Beacon Hill or Back Bay. Those areas are also renter-heavy, as are most neighborhoods in this part of the city. If you’re looking to buy a single-family home, Beacon Hill has more options, but they’re still pretty limited. You could also expand your search to communities like Somerville or Brookline, where homes often include more square footage and larger outdoor spaces.

Most Boston Common residences are condos and apartments.
Most Boston Common residences are condos and apartments.
You'll find many brownstones around Boston Common.
You'll find many brownstones around Boston Common.
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Classic condos sit on tree lined streets near the Boston Common.
Classic condos sit on tree lined streets near the Boston Common.

Boston Common condo fees and what they cover

Most condo owners are responsible for HOA fees. These costs cover expenses like:

  • Utilities, such as heat, air conditioning, water and sewer
  • Insurance and security
  • Snow removal
  • Building maintenance, including for the grounds
  • Waste removal and recycling
These monthly fees vary, usually depending on the cost of the property. For lower-priced properties, they might be $700 to $1,000, but luxury buildings can charge up to $10,000 per month.

Commuters enjoy transit access and walkability to Downtown Boston

Boston Common is in one of the city’s most commuter-friendly locations, especially if your job takes you to Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline or Newton. Major transfer hubs for the T, like Park Street Station and Downtown Crossing, offer access to the Red, Green and Orange lines, and stations serving all the other lines are within a short walk. You’ll find several bus stops along Tremont and several surrounding streets, too.

The neighborhood borders Downtown Boston, putting residents right in the thick of the action. If you live here, you’ll be able to walk to downtown theaters, museums, restaurants, department stores and Tufts Medical Center in 10 to 15 minutes. If you’d prefer to bicycle, there are bike-share stations all around the Common, and many streets have dedicated bike lanes.

The Green Line is a convenient way to get to and from Boston Common.
The Green Line is a convenient way to get to and from Boston Common.
Biking is a popular option way to get around in Boston Common.
Biking is a popular option way to get around in Boston Common.
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Nearby garages offer parking options

Parking in Boston can be a hassle due to high demand and limited spaces, but car owners have a few options here. “There is a parking garage under the Boston Common that you can access 24-7, and it’s easy to get to,” says Cohen. Monthly rates for the garage are $420 for non-reserved and $580 for reserved spaces. You can also purchase spots in nearby garages, like the one on Tremont Street, where sale prices range from around $40,000 to $70,000.

Short-term rentals are allowed, but highly regulated

The Common takes up the lion’s share of the acreage in this neighborhood, but most buildings are residential. Given the area’s prime location, would-be investors might wonder whether they can rent apartments or condos through short-term rental platforms. Technically, Boston does allow this, but the practice is strictly regulated. “The situation with Airbnb is that you can’t rent out a property for short-term rentals unless you own the building,” Cohen says, adding that the building also has to be the owner’s primary residence. “So if there’s a multifamily home and the owner lives there, they would be able to rent out the other units.”

The Common hosts events throughout the year

Community events attract visitors to the Common year-round, giving the neighborhood an active, buzzy vibe. Japan Festival Boston, a celebration of Japanese culture, is an April event featuring live music, interactive workshops and cosplay contests. Over Memorial Day weekend, thousands of American flags carpet the Common, turning the grass into a sea of lavender when seen from a distance. Other festivities include parades, concerts, movie nights, holiday tree lightings and First Night Boston fireworks.

Caroling on the Common helps residents get into the holiday spirit.
Caroling on the Common helps residents get into the holiday spirit.
Fireworks light the sky for First Night on Boston Common.
Fireworks light the sky for First Night on Boston Common.
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Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Noel Poage
Photography Contributed By
Noel Poage
Brad Davis
Video By
Brad Davis

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

10 min drive

Subway

Park Street Station

Subway

Boylston Street Station

Subway

Arlington Station

Bus

Tremont St & Boylston Station

Bus

Park Square

Bus

Stuart St & Charles St S

Bus

Charles St & Beacon St

Bus

Beacon St Opp Walnut St

Bus

Tremont St Opp Temple Pl

Bus

Beacon St & Park St

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Boston Common US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,322
Number of Homes for Sale
35
Median Year Built
2000
Months of Supply
7.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,478
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
5,636
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,558
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
811
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
581
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049

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
191
Median Rent
$3,000
Median Single Family Home Rent
$6,400
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$7,750
Median Condo Rent
$3,300
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$5,879

Demographics

Total Population
6,765
Median Age
30
Population Density
58 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$133,384
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$166,965

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.2%
College Graduates
75%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
50.4%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.8%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

70 / 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
Boston Common