There are so many great neighborhoods in Boston, which can make choosing a neighborhood to live in difficult. Which location makes the most sense for you? Where do your friends live? Is the price right? Do you have access to public transportation? Brookline, Allston, Fenway-Kenmore and Back Bay are all popular neighborhoods in Boston, which I have become most familiar with during my time as a student at Boston University.
Brookline:
Brookline is a great place to live and has a true neighborhood feel to it. This popular neighborhood caters to many families as well as a younger population consisting of students and recent graduates. Many Boston University students choose to live in Brookline because it is conveniently located near the BU campus and there are apartment buildings notorious for student living. There are so many different restaurants to choose from in Brookline’s Coolidge Corner located at the intersection of Harvard Street and Beacon Street. Coolidge Corner pretty much has everything you need from coffee shops to grocery stores to pharmacies, all within walking distance. Additionally, you can find bars as well as other venues in the area. In Brookline there is easy access to the T’s green line, which makes it a convenient place to live.
Allston:
Allston is another popular neighborhood in Boston with a relatively young and diverse population, including Boston University students as well as recent college graduates. Many Boston University students choose to live in houses in Allston because it is close to BU's west campus and this area is generally a bit cheaper than other neighborhoods in and around Boston. Allston has a lot of restaurant options, all which are pretty casual. Additionally, the hip bars in Allston make this neighborhood most appealing to college students and recent graduates. Public transportation is accessible in this neighborhood as well.
Fenway-Kenmore:
The Fenway-Kenmore area is a popular neighborhood for recent college graduates and seems to be most enticing to a relatively young population. In recent years, the Fenway-Kenmore area has become a more popular area for college students to live, since it has been built up with shopping and apartment buildings. This area is also relatively close to BU's east campus. The section of Beacon Street located in this area also has a lot of restaurant options and specialty stores, including: Whole Foods Market. Living in close proximity to Fenway Park is appealing to many people, although it does get chaotic. There are tons of sports bars located around Fenway Park where local fans go to watch games. Another highlight of the area is Lansdowne Street. The area has always been known for young nightlife and is located right near Fenway Park.
Back Bay:
Back Bay is considered to be one of the most desirable neighborhoods within the city of Boston. Although this area is not where the majority of Boston University students live and prices can be more expensive for apartments and walk ups, it is a beautiful area. The location is accessible for walking or a relatively quick T-ride from other neighborhoods. Back Bay is a popular dining and shopping destination where there are many upscale restaurants and designer stores primarily located on Newbury Street and Boylston Street. Back Bay also has great nightlife, which caters to people of different age groups.
