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Commonwealth

Commonwealth

$566,582 Average Value
$714 Average Price per Sq Ft
65 Homes For Sale

Commonwealth connects two well-known colleges in Boston

Located just south of the Charles River, the Commonwealth neighborhood stretches between Boston College and Boston University. Named for the lively thoroughfare that’s known to locals as “Comm Ave,” the area features walkable streets populated with eclectic restaurants and brick condominiums. While the colleges bring plenty of energy, Commonwealth isn’t quite as hectic as nearby neighborhoods like Fenway and Back Bay, and its renter-heavy population and comparatively low home sale prices are especially appealing to investors.

Commonwealth is a good neighborhood for those who like a busy lifestyle but want to take a step back from the bustle of the city.
Commonwealth is a good neighborhood for those who like a busy lifestyle but want to take a step back from the bustle of the city.
Comm Ave is one of Boston's best-known thoroughfares.
Comm Ave is one of Boston's best-known thoroughfares.
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What the Commonwealth housing market looks like

Commonwealth is a densely packed neighborhood where condos make up most of the housing. Options range from low-rise brownstones to larger midrise complexes. Most buildings date to the 1920s, and the streetscapes reflect that era, with brick exteriors and bay windows appearing around almost every corner. The median home sale price is around $660,000, which is low by Boston standards; the city’s median sale price is nearly $900,000. Sale prices here usually start in the lower $300,000s and climb to the upper $1 millions, but whole multiunit properties can sell for over $2 million. “Commonwealth is densely populated with college students, and it caters to a younger crowd,” says Vena Priestly, a real estate professional at Rise Realty who grew up in nearby Brookline. “There are lots of investors interested in the neighborhood, because units here are almost always in demand.” Most condos also have HOA fees that cover utilities and snow removal; these can range from around $300 for lower-priced units to over $1,500 for luxury condos in high-end buildings.

Housing options in Commonwealth include midrise condos and apartments.
Housing options in Commonwealth include midrise condos and apartments.
Most homes in Commonwealth are multifamily dwellings.
Most homes in Commonwealth are multifamily dwellings.
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College energy and school options for younger kids

Boston College anchors the western end of Commonwealth. The private Catholic university features more than 100 undergraduate majors and over 60 graduate programs, including at Boston College Law School and the Connell School of Nursing. Meanwhile, the main campus of Boston University sits along the Charles River on the other side of the neighborhood and offers more than 300 undergraduate degrees and over 350 graduate degrees. Commonwealth is also part of Boston Public Schools, a district that uses a home-based choice system for younger students. The highly rated Winship Elementary School, which offers a STEAM-focused curriculum, is one nearby option for kids from prekindergarten through fifth grade.

The area offers diverse dining and everyday shopping

You’ll find a diverse dining scene in and around Commonwealth. Local spots include:

  • Garlic ’n Lemons, a counter-service eatery offering shawarma and kebabs
  • Cafe Landwer, an Israeli restaurant serving mezza, salads and hot and cold specialty beverages
  • Shabu-Zen, the place to go for Japanese hot pot
  • Barcelona Wine Bar, a late-night spot for Spanish-influenced small plates and wine
  • Habibi’s Lounge, a laid-back hookah bar with flavored tobaccos and teas
Whole Foods Market covers everyday grocery needs, and on Wednesdays from June through October, the Brighton Farmers Market sells local meats and produce in Brighton Common.

Shabu-Zen is a popular place to go for hot pot.
Shabu-Zen is a popular place to go for hot pot.
Habibi's Lounge near Commonwealth offers flavored tobaccos.
Habibi's Lounge near Commonwealth offers flavored tobaccos.
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Walkable streets and transit options make commuting straightforward

Parking is tight in many Boston neighborhoods, and Commonwealth is no exception. Some condos include on- or off-street parking, but it’s rare for lower-priced units to offer this benefit. However, this is a walkable neighborhood with good public transit access, so many residents go car-free. “There are many T stops along Comm Ave, so college students like it here, as they can just hop on and off and get to school,” says Franklin Knotts, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty – Boston with over 33 years of local experience. Multiple stations nearby are served by the T’s Green Line, connecting riders to surrounding communities and Downtown Boston. MBTA bus routes provide additional connections throughout the city, and for longer trips to the suburbs, the commuter rail stops at the Boston Landing station a short distance away. If you do decide to drive, Commonwealth Avenue serves as the neighborhood’s primary traffic corridor.

Shops, restaurants and the Green Line train all run along Comm Ave.
Shops, restaurants and the Green Line train all run along Comm Ave.
Commonwealth gives you easy access to nearby villages with the Green Line train.
Commonwealth gives you easy access to nearby villages with the Green Line train.
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Commonwealth residents are close to the Brighton Farmers Market.
Commonwealth residents are close to the Brighton Farmers Market.

Community events and the Boston Marathon keep things lively

Local events give residents a chance to gather and socialize throughout the year. Here are some popular ones:

  • Green Line Rivalry, a historic ice hockey matchup between BC and BU
  • Allston Village Street Fair, held in September and featuring live music, an international food court and public art
  • Taste of Allston, a food festival highlighting the area’s multiethnic dining scene
In April, the Boston Marathon brings a surge of activity. The race follows Commonwealth Avenue for part of its route, and hundreds of thousands of spectators line the streets. Locals can expect significant road closures and strict parking regulations during marathon weekend.

How Commonwealth compares to nearby neighborhoods

If you don’t find the home you’re looking for in Commonwealth, nearby neighborhoods provide other options. In Back Bay, you’ll be close to the bustling Newbury Street corridor, one of the city’s premier dining and retail destinations. But it’s often noisier and more crowded there, and home sale prices skew higher. Fenway has a similar housing market with lots of condos and apartments available, but its namesake ballpark is another crowd magnet that creates loud conditions throughout the summer. If you’re looking for something a little quieter, consider checking out homes in nearby Brighton.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Anhella Sanchez
Photography Contributed By
Anhella Sanchez
Matthew Bloch
Video By
Matthew Bloch

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

16 min drive

Subway

Chestnut Hill Avenue Station

Subway

Chiswick Road Station

Subway

Warren Street Station

Subway

Allston Street Station

Subway

Cleveland Circle Station

Subway

Packard's Corner Station

Subway

Griggs Street/Long Avenue Station

Subway

Harvard Avenue Station

Bus

Chestnut Hill Ave & Englewood Ave

Bus

Warren Street - Commonwealth Ave & Kelton St

Bus

Chiswick Road - Commonwealth Ave & Chiswick Rd

Bus

Chestnut Hill Ave & Beacon St

Bus

Brighton Ave & Commonwealth Ave

Bus

Sutherland Road - Commonwealth Ave & Colborne Rd

Bus

Washington Street - Commonwealth Ave & Washington St

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Commonwealth neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
3,960
Number of Homes for Sale
65
Median Year Built
1929
Months of Supply
6.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,083
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,203
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
918
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
624
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
441
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

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
1,631
Median Rent
$3,000
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,500
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$4,350
Median Townhouse Rent
$4,700
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$4,500
Median Condo Rent
$2,900
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,900

Demographics

Total Population
24,137
Median Age
30
Population Density
45 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.6%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$71,936
Below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$88,982

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.9%
College Graduates
82.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
40.1%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.4%

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®

90 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

70 / 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.

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
Commonwealth
Johnny Long
PRIVI Realty LLC
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