The 6 Best Boston Neighborhoods To Call Home In 2025

Famous for its universities, successful sports teams, and world-class shopping and dining, Boston is a perennial choice for those looking to move to The Bay State. It’s near the ocean, American history is richly evident on every corner, and the city has plenty of high-quality amenities. Boston is also home to Logan International Airport, the busiest airport in New England, and Massachusetts General Hospital, which is consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the region. Currently, over 650,000 people reside in Boston’s various neighborhoods, each with its own distinct personality and flair. It is this diversity, along with deep-seated cultural traditions and excellent employment opportunities, that makes the city attractive to young professionals and families alike. Here are six of the best neighborhoods to consider when making a move to Boston.

Allston-Brighton

Allston and Brighton are two interlocking Boston multicultural neighborhoods most often paired as an all-in-one location for a mix of city amenities and suburban domesticity. Here, you’ll find residents of all ages and walks of life happily living and working alongside each other. Allston brings a hipper edge compared to Brighton’s more laidback energy, and its charm is undeniably derived from the locals’ amalgam of left-of-center quirk and deep commitment to the neighborhood they call home. Brighton Music Hall and Paradise Rock Club do their part to keep Allston’s artsy culture alive, along with the wide array of graphic murals that adorn the buildings on Western Avenue.

Thanks to Boston College and the New Balance headquarters, Brighton is an interesting mix of college students and professionals. Still, families have long made this part of the neighborhood their home, enjoying green spaces like the riverside Herter Park. This park is located along the riverbank, featuring a community garden, an open lawn, and even a rental kiosk with canoes and kayaks.

Both Allston and Brighton deeply value the independent businesses that form the strong foundation of this vibrant section of Boston. Johnny D’s Fresh Fruit and Produce is a Brighton institution, and Carlo’s Italiana Cucina has operated in Allston for over 40 years. Newer spots, such as the revitalized Speedway in Brighton, are always popping up to keep things interesting. Once a bicycle and harness racing track, it is now an upscale market with a cool mix of grocers, restaurants, and gathering spots. Residents can grab a drink at Notch Brewing or enjoy a slice of pizza at the Pizza Project. Plus, the area has affordable housing options, with the median home price in Allston at $620,000 and in Brighton at $580,000 as of April 2025. Compared to Boston’s average home price of $750,000, these neighborhoods are perfect for those planning to settle down.

Beacon Hill

Anchored by the golden-domed Massachusetts State House, Beacon Hill is show-stoppingly gorgeous with its cobblestone streets, gas lanterns, and ultra-charming architecture. In fact, the neighborhood’s oft-Instagrammed Acorn Street was ranked by Architectural Digest as one of the most beautiful streets in the world. While housing in this neighborhood is definitely pricier than others, residents are smitten with Beacon Hill’s quintessential Boston vibe, proximity to amenities, and easy walkability, making it feel like a cozy village tucked inside the big city. For those working outside the city, Beacon Hill provides easy access to the subway system and commuter trains via the Charles/MGH station on the MBTA Red Line. Moreover, healthcare is within reach at Mass General Beacon Hill Primary Care, offering everything from routine exams to specialty medicine.

Adored by both young professionals and families, the neighborhood is within a short drive of to two celebrated green spaces, Boston Common and the Public Garden. The latter is the first botanical garden in the country, well-appointed with meandering paths, brightly colored flowers, and, of course, the iconic Swan Boats. It is a great place to hang out with the family, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. There are also a number of historical attractions like the Museum of African American History and the Nichols House Museum, which provides a glimpse of what Beacon Hill looked like in the 19th century.

Another reason residents love Beacon Hill is Charles Street, the neighborhood’s renowned road for the best boutique shopping and beloved coffee shops and bistros, many of which cater to families with children. Clink is a unique eatery designed out of a former jail, while Scampo is renowned for its Italian fare.

Charlestown

With Irish working-class roots, Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in Boston and one right with history. As the famed setting of the Boston-set movie The Town, Charlestown has morphed into more family-friendly environs over the years. Residents love the waterfront neighborhood’s historic homes, sense of community, and Boston’s signature tree-lined streets and red-brick brownstones. Charlestown is situated between the Charles and Mystic Rivers and has a quiet, suburban feel that’s great for Bostonians who want to live away from the boisterous crowds at Fenway or the late-into-the-evening nightlife revelers in the North End.

However, the neighborhood does offer convenient access to other parts of the city—the subway’s Orange Line and the ferry from the Charlestown Navy Yard to downtown ensure that all the ways to work and play in Boston are still accessible. That said, residents might not want to leave as amenities are plentiful here. For example, healthcare is covered by the Mass General: Charlestown Healthcare Center since 1968, and the Boston Public Library’s Charlestown Branch provides a large space for reading and growth. Moreover, the area has various educational institutes for families, such as Charlestown High School and Bunker Hill Community College’s main campus.

Charlestown definitely has a Little League-on-the-weekends kind of vibe. Families with children love the ample green space in the neighborhood, including Paul Revere Park, which has a playground and an amphitheater for outdoor performances, and Mayor Menino Park for stunning views of the Boston skyline and harbor. While Charlestown might not be the epitome of cutting-edge dining, it is packed with an array of comfy neighborhood bars and restaurants perfect for gathering with family and friends. Brewer’s Fork dishes out high-quality pizza, and the historic Warren Tavern, visited by Ben Franklin and George Washington, serves up delicious New England bar food. While the median home value is a bit high at $962,000, residents can look forward to rustic homes boasting riverfront views and easy access to tons of landmarks.

Fenway-Kenmore

The Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood is no longer just for Red Sox fanatics or Boston University students. This small 1.24 sq mi area of the city has evolved into a dining mecca, a cultural hub, and an active base for civic organizations. It is also the proud home of Fenway Park, the iconic Boston Citgo sign, and Kenmore Square. A long list of renowned institutions—including the Art Institute of Boston, Berklee College of Music, and portions of Harvard Medical School and Boston University—help define this neighborhood as an academic and cultural nexus.

The Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are both located here, adding a refined layer to the neighborhood’s arts scene. Public transit is another highlight, with access to the MBTA Orange Line via Ruggles and several Green Line stops such as Kenmore, Fenway, and Museum of Fine Arts stations. All around, getting from Point A to Point B is super convenient in Fenway-Kenmore, as it boasts very high scores in walkability, biking, and public transportation, according to Redfin’s ratings. That said, residents might not want to leave their homes thanks to the affordable median home value of $650,000, a steal compared to nearby communities.

Thanks to the growing interest from students and professionals, the neighborhood now offers some of the best seafood restaurants in the city, including Eventide and Blue Ribbon Sushi, and features celebrity chef Tiffani Faison’s Fool’s Errand, a creative play on a snack bar for adults. Beyond the dining scene, cultural landmarks like Symphony Hall round out the neighborhood’s appeal. Many nonprofits, including the LGBTQ advocacy group Fenway Health, make the neighborhood their home. Notably, the Fenway Civic Association is an all-volunteer community nonprofit that works to sustain the neighborhood's vitality and livability through efforts such as park improvements and public art installations.

Jamaica Plain

The tight-knit community of Jamaica Plain, or JP as the locals refer to it, is a Boston neighborhood that’s been steadily gaining popularity over the years. Often called the “Eden of America,” JP boasts an inordinate number of green spaces for residents to enjoy. Located inside the Emerald Necklace Park system, Jamaica Pond serves as a backdrop for outdoor recreation like rowing, sailing, fishing, and fun-for-the-whole-family events like the annual Lantern Festival, where attendees wear Halloween costumes for an illuminated walk around the water. Residents also love the Arnold Arboretum, a 281-acre plant-filled terrain free for all to explore.

Centre Street, one of the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares, enhances JP’s culture with a long list of shops, restaurants, and nightlife options. Featuring a variety of cuisines, the neighborhood's eateries further reflect the community’s diversity. Whether the northern Indian menu at Tikki Masala or the Ethiopian fare at Blue Nile Restaurant, the dining options indicate that the area is a welcoming place for all. Plus, JP is also known for its LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere, making it a fantastic landing place for queer people in Boston.

Jamaica Plain is relatively affordable compared to other Boston neighborhoods, with a median housing cost of $765,000. The gorgeously renovated Victorian homes are attractive to both young couples and families, but the Boston Planning Board is also working to create even more equitable housing options like the recently-announced project that will provide 34 new housing units in a building on Washington Street. Getting around is also easy as the neighborhood is connected via the Needham Line of the Commuter Rail and has plenty of bicycle paths. These include the Pierre Lallement Bicycle Path, which runs from Forest Hills to Back Bay.

South Boston

South Boston, or “Southie,” as locals endearingly call it, mostly comprises young professionals and small families. Yes, it’s true that Southie has been hosting a monumental St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration for over 100 years, but that’s just the beginning of what the neighborhood has to offer. Much of South Boston is close to the coastline, and for this, residents love to hit up the beaches all summer long. M Street Beach is where the younger crowds go for fun in the sun, and families with children tend to spend their beachtime at Pleasure Bay. Another outdoor perk is Castle Island, now actually a peninsula connected to the easternmost point of Southie and a green space with walking paths and scenic views.

Thanks to the influx of people moving into the neighborhood, modern restaurants have found their place among longstanding pubs and neighborhood icons—it’s a fun mix of old and new. For instance, Sullivan’s has been operating on Castle Island since the 1950s, serving up delicious chili dogs and lobster rolls, and it’s recently been joined by exciting eateries like Bar Volpe and Lenox Sophia. South Boston is well-connected by public transit, with the MBTA Red Line serving the area through Broadway and Andrew stations. MBTA bus routes 7, 9, 10, and 11 link these stations to nearby residential areas, while the Silver Line provides direct access to South Station and Boston Logan International Airport. The Reebok headquarters is also located in South Boston, adding to the neighborhood’s economic and employment appeal.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are drawn to Beacon Hill’s architectural character, Fenway-Kenmore’s younger population, or Charlestown’s embrace of family life, there’s a Boston neighborhood to suit your preferences and budget. What they all have in common is a welcoming attitude, a focus on community, and an endless list of things to keep you busy in your free time. Whether it’s South Boston’s beaches, the smorgasbord of Jamaica Plain’s restaurants, or Allston’s funky music scene, you will never wonder what to do next. In the end, any one of these six Boston neighborhoods has the potential to become your next home, as they represent the best of what the city has to offer.