$564,393Average Value$697Average Price per Sq Ft67Homes 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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Commonwealth Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Commonwealth, Boston sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Commonwealth, Boston over the last 12 months is $672,500, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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