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North End

North End

$1,060,762 Average Value
$1,074 Average Price per Sq Ft
43 Homes For Sale
The North End is characterized by its hole-in-the-wall eateries, most specializing in Italian cuisine.
The North End is characterized by its hole-in-the-wall eateries, most specializing in Italian cuisine.

Character, culture and Italian cuisine in the North End

The North End is a Boston neighborhood oozing with character and cannoli. Scores of family-owned bakeries and restaurants, many of which have served residents for generations, are packed into some of the city’s oldest buildings. This labyrinth of crooked streets is perched on a peninsula that juts into Boston Harbor, steps away from popular downtown attractions like Faneuil Hall. With the Freedom Trail winding through its streets and cultural festivals drawing celebrants in the summer, the North End is a tourist destination in its own right. But the people who call it home enjoy its vibrant energy — and world-class Italian cuisine — all throughout the year.

Eating your way through the North End

Packed with bistros, bars and bakeries, the North End has cooked up a reputation as a culinary hot spot. “The cafes and coffee houses are full in the mornings and on the weekends,” says Matthew Foley, brokerage lead at Fenway Property Advisors, who has nearly two decades of local experience. “It’s great if you like to go out to dinner and walk to the nightlife.” Hot spots include:

  • Galleria Umberto, a counter-service eatery with Sicilian-style pizza
  • Libertine, an Italian-Portuguese restaurant known for its pasta, including gluten-free options
  • Caffe Vittoria, for ricotta pie washed down with a cappuccino or a specialty martini
  • Parziale’s Bakery, a century-old institution famous for its fresh bread, bakery-style pizza and pastries
  • Mike’s Pastry, another family-run bakery known for its massive cannolis
Night owls will find plenty to keep them busy here, from chortling over comedy skits at Improv Asylum to sampling fine cigars at Stanza Dei Sigari. For groceries, specialty markets like Alba Produce and Monica’s Mercato make daily errands convenient, and Boston Public Market sells fresh seafood, locally grown produce and other essentials just outside the neighborhood.

Al greets all his locals with love at Alba Produce in the North End.
Al greets all his locals with love at Alba Produce in the North End.
Make sure to ask for powdered sugar when ordering a cannoli.
Make sure to ask for powdered sugar when ordering a cannoli.
A welcome sign greets visitors to Boston's historic North End.
A welcome sign greets visitors to Boston's historic North End.
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Most homes in the North End are condos or apartments

Housing in the North End leans heavily toward condos, with some apartments in the mix. Many buildings date to the late 1800s and early 1900s, but upkeep is generally good, and some units feature fresh remodels. “There aren’t necessarily any issues; it’s just the age of the buildings,” Foley says. “Some of them might require flood insurance if they’re right on the water, because you just want to be diligent. But I wouldn’t say that age is a major issue.”

Wrought-iron fire escapes adorn the exteriors of many brick buildings in the North End.
Wrought-iron fire escapes adorn the exteriors of many brick buildings in the North End.
Large luxury condos are located on the wharf in the North End.
Large luxury condos are located on the wharf in the North End.
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North End neighbors include a mix of renters, condo owners and landlords.
North End neighbors include a mix of renters, condo owners and landlords.

Typical home prices and HOA fees in the North End

The neighborhood’s median home sale price is around $750,000, significantly below the citywide median. Most properties sell from the lower $400,000s to the upper $3 millions, with larger multiunit buildings fetching the highest prices. Condo owners are usually responsible for monthly HOA fees as well; these range from around $300 in lower-priced places to about $2,500 in high-end units.

“Feast season” draws throngs of tourists during the summer

North End’s seasonal celebrations draw thousands of visitors. Here are a few highlights:

  • First Night Harbor Fireworks, a massive pyrotechnic display that welcomes the New Year
  • Madonna Della Cava, a summertime feast held at the same time as the famed Sicilian festival
  • Feast of Saint Agrippina di Mineo, an homage to a Roman martyr and patron saint of Mineo
  • Fisherman’s Feast, Boston’s longest-running Italian festival, known for the “Flight of the Angel” spectacle
  • Saint Anthony’s Feast, a colorful celebration with parades, live entertainment and tempting food offerings
Except for the First Night fireworks, most of these events take place in the summer, prompting locals to refer to those weeks as “feast season.” Surging crowds can make it difficult to get around the neighborhood during this time.

North End residents pay tribute to St. Agrippina di Mineo during feast season.
North End residents pay tribute to St. Agrippina di Mineo during feast season.
Locals take the Madonna Della Cava for the annual walk around the North End.
Locals take the Madonna Della Cava for the annual walk around the North End.
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North End is a walkable neighborhood with ample public transit

Narrow, winding roads and minimal parking encourage many North End residents to go car-free. “Parking is tight. It's a really, really hot commodity,” Foley says. Fortunately, this part of Boston is exceptionally walkable and well served by public transit. Downtown Boston is about a mile away, a walk that typically takes about 15 minutes. MBTA bus stops are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, and North Station connects commuters to the rest of the city via the Orange and Green Lines. The Amtrak Downeaster, a route that runs between Boston and Brunswick, Maine, also stops at North Station. If you’re going to Logan Airport, ferries from Long Wharf and Lovejoy Wharf at North Station provide practical alternatives to driving.

Bus service is provided throughout the North End to help residents get to work.
Bus service is provided throughout the North End to help residents get to work.
North End streets are narrow and winding, and parking is tight.
North End streets are narrow and winding, and parking is tight.
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Students have access to highly rated public and private schools

The Boston Public Schools district serves the neighborhood, using a home-based school choice system. Families select their top choices from a list of eligible schools, and the district assigns seats through a lottery. The highly rated Eliot School, which serves students from prekindergarten through eighth grade, is one popular option. Several highly rated private schools are also nearby in Beacon Hill: The Advent School fosters inclusivity and encourages creative thought, and Park Street is a Christian school that offers small class sizes for a personalized approach to learning.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Amanda Beattie
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Beattie
David Fritzson
Video By
David Fritzson

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

9 min drive

Bus

Atlantic Ave & Atlantic Ave

Bus

Commercial St & Fleet St

Bus

Atlantic Ave & Commercial Wharf

Bus

Commercial St Opp Hull St

Bus

N Washington St & Cooper St

Bus

Commercial St & Hanover St

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime North End US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
2,820
Number of Homes for Sale
43
Median Year Built
1900
Months of Supply
4.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,653
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,074
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,101
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
733
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
467
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
871

Open Houses

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
313
Median Rent
$3,550
Median Single Family Home Rent
$4,850
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$6,700
Median Townhouse Rent
$3,400
Median 2 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$3,750
Median Condo Rent
$3,400
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$3,600

Demographics

Total Population
10,984
Median Age
34
Population Density
75 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.6%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$110,588
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$136,997

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.8%
College Graduates
79%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.5%
% Population in Labor Force
82.4%
Above the national average
64.9%

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
North End
Georgia Balafas
Corcoran Property Advisors
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