Chinatown
Neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts
Suffolk County 02111, 02116
Condominiums in refurbished mid-rises
Condos in rehabilitated mid-rise brick buildings and converted lofts line the narrow streets of Chinatown. Units in pre-war properties usually sell from $400,000 to about $750,000 with monthly HOA fees. Newer buildings, from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, often have elevators and amenities such as concierge services, 24-hour doorman and garage parking. These luxury condos can run from $800,000 to over $1.3 million, and monthly HOA fees can reach four figures. “The secret of Chinatown is that it’s right next to the Ritz-Carlton Residences, which starts at $1 million with high condo fees. You can get a condo in a full-service building in Chinatown at half that price,” says Daniel Wang, managing partner at Engel & Völkers Boston with 8 years of experience in the Boston Market. “So, you get what they also get, but you are not paying premium prices.”Green spaces and pocket parks around Chinatown
The densely packed neighborhood is not short of pocket parks and open spaces. Rose Kennedy Greenway, a 1.5-mile linear city park stretching from Chinatown to North End, is a peaceful urban retreat comprised of promenades, gardens, public art installations and acres of green space. “The park changes block by block, but in a good way,” Morson says. “There are places to relax in Adirondack chairs, arboretums with fountains and waterfalls, live music and food trucks.” The Greenway isn’t just for leisure, either. Many people walk the paved pathway to get to work each morning. Reggie Wong Memorial Park has a basketball court and skatepark accessories, while Elliot Norton Park features a playground, sitting area and shaded walking paths. The community is also a block away from Boston Common, which is the country’s oldest public park and serves as both a recreational and aesthetic landmark for the local people.Boston Public Schools
Chinatown is served by Boston Public Schools, which is America’s first public school system and a participant in the area’s school choice program. The district has an overall B Niche grade and serves about 46,367 pupils. Young students may attend Josiah Quincy School, where they can learn Mandarin and take swimming lessons, and parents can chat with teachers during Friday coffee hours. Josiah Quincy Upper School teaches students from sixth to 12th grade and offers the International Baccalaureate program. Both schools are rated a B-plus and a B, respectively, on Niche.Cultural festivals throughout the year
Chinatown has many events that celebrate the community’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage, including the Lantern Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, both featuring cultural performances, street markets and snacks like moon cake or boba tea. The Chinatown Lion Dance Parade at Phillips Square is part of the celebrations for the Lunar New Year, and more family-friendly activities, such as art demos and crafts, are offered at Pao Arts Center. Additional events organized by Chinatown Main Street include the Chinatown Block Party and a summer festival.Walking distance to Boston Common and South End
The community has several MBTA T stations, including Chinatown and Tufts Medical Center, both of which service the Orange Line that runs from Oak Grove to Forest Hills. South Station, one of Boston’s major transit hubs, is several blocks east and has Amtrak, MBTA commuter rail and bus services. Interstates 90 and 93 intersect at the southeast corner of Chinatown, which lets commuters access Boston Logan International Airport, approximately 5 miles away, as well as towns north of Boston. Residents can also easily walk to nearby neighborhoods such as the Leather District and South End for a variety of bars, venues and cuisine, and the Financial District is steps away. Tufts Medical Center is right in the neighborhood. “Chinatown is close to a lot of the satellite campuses and hospital centers, so it’s attractive to young professionals and students,” Wang says. “You have the Orange Line and cars have easy highway access north or south.”Signature Asian restaurants in Chinatown
Authentic Asian restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores and boba shops define the neighborhood. Many Bostonians have secret lists of places they frequent, and eateries here often have off-menu dishes only known to regulars. Those craving spicy southern Chinese fare can head to Hunan Cuisine, and classic dim sum is served at the famed Hei La Moon. Peach Farm offers authentic Cantonese food and is patronized by many who work in the food and hospitality industry. For hotpot, Shabu Zen and The Q both take center stage, and Jade Garden is well-known for its secret seafood entrees. Other Asian eateries, such as sushi or pho houses, also dot the narrow streets. “Shojo Boston is a modern take on Korean food that’s served tapas-style, so you can sample a little bit of everything,” Wang says. “Penang Malaysian Cuisine is also great.” After a filling meal, people can pick up sweet treats like mooncakes, egg tarts and classic milk tea at Corner Café Bakery or at any one of the cash-only bake shops. Jia Ho Supermarket sits at the center of the community with indigenous spices, condiments, specialty produce and snacks. Other grocery stores, including C-Mart Supermarket and Whole Foods Market, are across from Interstate 90. Target is about 1 mile north by Bowdoin T Station.

Agents Specializing in this Area
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Paul Whaley
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Realty - Boston
(857) 341-6565
326 Total Sales
1 in Chinatown
$569,000 Price
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Patrick Arone
Responds QuicklyColonial Realty Associates, LLC
(617) 675-5849
9 Total Sales
1 in Chinatown
$378,000 Price
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Allison Mazer
Compass MA LLC
(781) 660-7583
78 Total Sales
4 in Chinatown
$32K - $1.2M Price Range
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Richard Hornblower
Coldwell Banker Realty - Boston
(339) 666-1029
93 Total Sales
4 in Chinatown
$423K - $991K Price Range
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Daniel Wang
Engel & Volkers Boston
(351) 277-3758
43 Total Sales
3 in Chinatown
$619K - $699K Price Range
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Bonnie Lai
RE/MAX Real Estate Center
(857) 262-8716
228 Total Sales
2 in Chinatown
$635K - $870K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this area.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Chinatown | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 2 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
Robbery | 7 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
Larceny | 6 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Chinatown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chinatown, Boston sell after 93 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Chinatown, Boston over the last 12 months is $991,000, up 73% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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, an experienced agent in this area.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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