BostonGirl

MIT, which stands for Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a private research university located in Cambridge Massachusetts. MIT is a hub of academic and research activity not only for the state but the world. There are plenty of intellectual stimulating activities to do in and around MIT and just walking through the campus you’ll hear a wide variety of complex conversations running the gamut from artificial intelligence to genomics.

The surrounding neighborhoods are a mix of technology businesses and diverse residential neighborhoods. One of the most popular places to visit around MIT is Kendall Square. Kendall Square houses many corporate offices for companies such as Google, AT&T, Yahoo, and Microsoft. The area is a popular place for business men and women to hang out during lunch breaks and after work gatherings.

Aspinwall Hill, located between the larger Corey Hill and Fisher Hill is a neighborhood with rich history dating back to the 1800’s. Aspinwall Hill is named for Dr. William Aspinwall who built a home on the property in 1803. The area, much like all of Brookline, is known for being designed by famous landscape architect F.L. Olmsted.

Today, Aspinwall is a residential area that offers several styles of housing including condominiums, townhomes, and houses that are very sought after by locals and transplants alike. The streets are lined with large shade trees and provide a great neighborhood for people to raise families. Aspinwall is within easy reach to public transportation and the shopping on Beacon Street. One of the most popular places in the neighborhood is Schick Park, which is located on the top of the hill. Schick Park offers a variety of outdoor activities for families and individuals.

High Street Hill in Brookline has a rich history in the Boston area and served as an escape for Boston’s elite back in the early 20th century. High Street Hill is also commonly referred to as “Pill Hill” due to the number of doctors that lived within its borders.

Today High Street Hill is still a residential neighborhood that features small lots and uniform looking homes. High Street Hill has gone through several economic ups and downs and today is known for being a close-knot community with a strong neighborhood association. To this day the residents still get together for neighborhood potlucks, and musical performances. High Street Hill is designated as a national historic site and all land development must be approved by the High Street Hill Neighborhood Association.

Known for its beautiful architecture and landscaping, the Chestnut Hill neighborhood in Brookline, Massachusetts has long been a desirable place to reside for the Boston area elite. The area remained mostly farmland until it was developed by world-renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in the latter half of the 1800’s. Because of the rich history of the neighborhood, parts of Chestnut Hill have been designated as historic districts by the National Register of Historic Places.

Chestnut Hill is largely a suburban residential area filled with immaculate and expensive real estate. The neighborhood has been home to many notable residents such as New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy, and Red Sox manager Theo Epstein. Chestnut Hill is probably most well known for being the home of Boston College and because of this fact there are number of local delis, cafes, eateries, and shops. Sporting events draw locals and Bostonians from the city and provide a great deal of entertainment for the fans.

Fisher Hill is known for its luxurious multi-million dollar estates and spacious landscaped surroundings. The area has long been home to some of Brookline’s elite residents since it was first designed by famous architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Fisher Hill is well known for its beautiful architecture and well-kept, picturesque homes. Fisher Hill is a residential area with the average single family detached home selling for well over $1.7 million dollars. The average household income for residents of Fisher Hill is approximately $200,000 annually.

The neighborhood has a rich history that dates back to the 1700’s and has housed many of the most wealthy people in the Boston and Brookline areas. Most of the children living in the neighborhood attend the highly successful John D. Runkle primary school, which is named after the second president of MIT. Fisher Hill features easy access to public transportation such as the Green Line T and Route 9.

Corey Hill is an upscale neighborhood in the city of Brookline, Massachusetts. The Corey Hill area has been home to several famous musicians, actors, and wealthy business people. Famous residents include Larry Bird, Barbara Walters, Michael Dukakis, and John F. Kennedy. Brookline is sometimes dubbed as the “Richest Town in America.” Corey Hill has all the amenities such as shopping and restaurants. Israeli and Russian cuisines are prevalent due to the large immigrant populations.

One of the best spots in Corey Hill is its namesake that provides one of the best views in the entire region. Walking up one of the three paths to the top of Corey Hill is like something out of a movie. The lush and dense tree canopy gives you a feeling like you’ve been transported to a different world until you reach the summit and can enjoy what is arguably the best view in the Brookline/Boston area.

Emerson Garden is a small neighborhood with a population of approximately 800 people. The neighborhood is mainly residential with homes, apartments, and townhouses. The area is very walkable and has plenty of shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

The average income of Emerson Garden residents is well over 100K annually and the homes typically sell for upwards of 1 million dollars. One of the highlights of the neighborhood is Emerson Garden Park, which was once home to the Emerson family. Today it is used as a recreational area that is great for joggers, sunbathers, and families with children. There are a number of bike and walking paths as well as spray pools for the kids to cool off in during the summer.

The Agassiz neighborhood runs from Porter Square to Harvard Square. The neighborhood is a very desirable place to live with its mature landscaping, beautiful foliage, and nearby resources. Real estate sales in Agassiz average approximately $1,000,000 for a single family home while condominiums average approximately $500,000. Along Mass Avenue you’ll find everything you need from restaurants, boutiques, and a hug variety of stores that sell everything from clothing, music, furniture, house wares, and books.

The neighborhood is extremely walkable and you could easily live without a car in Agassiz because of the nearby stores and public transportation options. The Red Line subway, commuter rail, and buses have stops throughout. Agassiz has several favorite family parks such as Sacramento Field and Alden Park that get heavy usage during the spring and summer. Agassiz is also home to Lesley University. Lesley is a private university founded in 1909 with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students.

North Dorchester, which is part of the greater Dorchester area of Boston is known as a hub of activity for the areas many Irish, Vietnamese, African American, and Latin American immigrants. With all of the ethnic populations residing in North Dorchester there are several amazing restaurants that serve up some of the best food in the city.

North Dorchester also features several great parks that have walking paths, toys for the kids, bike trails, and even a zoo. The neighborhood pride is strong in North Dorchester and has been home to many famous residents such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mr. Spock Leonard Nimoy, and actor Mark Wahlberg. A recent influx of young professionals and artists has added to the area’s eclectic mix, but North Dorchester still remains a working class neighborhood.

Allston Brighton is the place to be in Boston if you like people watching, great ethnic food, and hanging with the many thousands of college students that attend Boston area universities and colleges.

Allston Brighton is referred to as the student village, but also has a large group of Vietnamese and Russian immigrants. With the glut of college kids roaming the streets you’d expect there to be several coffee shops and bars. Allston Brighton does not disappoint as it features some of the best bars and clubs in Boston. One of the best places to enjoy live music ranging from indie rock to hip hop is Great Scott. This club has won several awards and is one of my all time favorites.

If you’re looking for some good eats you’ll find a wide variety of great ethnic and American food suited for any budget. From Spikes Junkyard Dogs to Jasmine Bistro you’ll find something that will satisfy your appetite.

Piety Corner was named in part because of the three churches located at the corners of the neighborhood. Today, there are only two churches in existence at the corner of Bacon Street and Totten Pond Street. The neighborhood is primarily residential and contains the beautiful Clark’s Pond which gives the area a real country type feel. Residents of the neighborhood love the area because it feels like you are a million miles from the city.

Homes in the area are affordable yet in comparison with the rest of Waltham, Piety Corner home prices are a little higher. Of all of the neighborhoods in Waltham, Piety Corner is one of the most popular next to North Waltham due to the area schools and natural landscape.

Newton Centre is not really the epicenter of Newton but does claim the name. Most of this neighborhood is commercial and lies in the shape of a triangle. It is the largest and most significant downtown areas of the Newton district with a wide variety of upscale shopping venues. Residents of Boston travel to Newton Centre to shop in some of the fine boutiques including Lalaa Nation, Jasmine Sola, Tess, National Jean Company, local high end jewelry stores and flower shops.

One of the best grocers in Newton Centre is the Whole Foods Market on Walnut Street. I don’t eat everything whole foods and organic by any means, but this market has it all and then some. It is a gem for fine meats, seafood, imported cheeses, and of course organic veggies.

The neighborhood of Brandeis in Waltham is primarily made up of Brandeis University and its outlying buildings. As with any college or university driven neighborhood, culture is heightened due to the presence of the school. Residents are more inclined to frequent local cafes, art galleries, and eclectic shops and boutiques. Brandeis offers a wide array of places to visit. Nearby orchestra and arts organizations provide a lot of culture to the neighborhood of Brandeis. The campus provides a lot of green space and lush trees and flowers. There are benches and tables outside to enjoy a quick bite to eat from one of the local cafes. In fact, the neighborhood is full of delis and small local eateries including Prime Deli on South Street or the vegan dining option known as Masao’s Kitchen on Moody Street.

Southside Island in Waltham is also referred to as just “the Island.” Located across the Charles River, the Island offers a wide range of residences including small cottage like homes, bungalows and capes, larger Victorian family homes, and a few multi-family houses.

The Island is also made up of a lot of commercially zoned areas that consist of office buildings, manufacturing warehouses, and operations. Most of the residential areas are along the Charles River and all other space consists of commercial businesses and offices. Smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood of Southside Island is Logan Park. The Waltham Parks and Rec manages the park and the green space enhances the quality of life for residents of the Island.

Thompsonville is your typical Newton neighborhood. There are a number of antique stores, good local restaurants and homes listed on the National Historic Registry. The most notable elementary school in the area is Bowen School and is highly rated with the Board of Education as well as parents. For families with high school aged students, Newton South High School is the recommended choice.

For retail therapy, most Thompsonville residents head to the Mall at Chestnut Hill in Thompsonville. The mall offers a wide array of clothing stores and boutiques including Benetton, Chicos, Lucky and Pottery Barn Kids. The mall offers a food court and several local restaurants and chain eateries. A cinema is also located nearby and provides block buster movies to area residents.

The most recognizable place in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Newton is Boston College which overlooks the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Some of the original farm buildings of the college still exist today and add distinction to this historical neighborhood. Aside from the college, Chestnut Hill offers one of the most significant historic districts as well as extensive shopping availability. The Atrium Mall provides shopping for just about every taste. The neighborhood is full of antique shops, flower shops, and card stores. One of the more popular antique stores in Chestnut Hill is known as Sonia Paines Antiques. There are also a number of fine local restaurants in the neighborhood as well as the ever popular Chestnut Hill Restaurant that offers a quality home cooked meal.

If you like Italian food, than Nonantum is the place to visit for great authentic cuisine. Most of the residents of Nonantum come from Italian decent and the culture’s influence can be seen across the neighborhood. A personal favorite of mine is Maria Di Napoli Ristorante which is one of the most authentic places for Italian food.

Also located in Nonantum are a number of antique stores and art galleries. Walking tours can be taken in and around the neighborhood to view the old homes and buildings that were constructed during the industrial boom in the Newton. Most of the buildings can be found on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are strolling through the village looking at architecture, be sure to visit the Silver Lake Cordage Company building located at 320 Nevada Street, which is one of the area’s landmarks.

Despite the small size of the neighborhood, there are more historic homes per capita than any other village or neighborhood in Newton. Newton Upper Falls has over a hundred homes listed on the National Historic Registry. Newton Upper Falls is also known for being the home of Hemlock Gorge and Echo Bridge.

Hemlock Gorge consists of a large preserve along the Charles River complete with a beautiful park and panoramic views. If you venture along Sullivan Avenue onto the unpaved private road portion you will eventually come across the Upper Falls Pot Hole – environmental marvel that is worth the visit. After exploring the Upper Falls area, a nice dinner can be eaten at the Echo Bridge Restaurant of at the New England Soup Factory. Both provide a relaxed atmosphere and tasty food. Tourists usually frequent the Richmond Glass Works Company for gifts and souvenirs.

Newton Highlands was once an agricultural neighborhood, similar to most of the area in Newton, but today offers a small commercial district amid a significantly residential neighborhood. June is my favorite time of year to visit Newton Highlands because the annual Village Day is hosted in Newton Highlands. The celebration includes a large number of local crafters, vendors, a taste of local food, local entertainment and bands, and the popular three mile race. This is a local festival you do not want to miss if you are in Newton Highlands at the time of the celebration.

The best place for coffee in Newton Highlands is the Lincoln Street Coffee café. Surrounding the coffee shop is the large number of antique stores and local shops. One of the most notable local shops is Marcia & Bea Antiques. The neighborhood is scattered with antique shops and second-hand stores filled with yesterday’s treasures.

Oak Hill is a primarily residential neighborhood with virtually no commercial aspect to the area. The entire area is known as Oak Hill Park rather than Oak Hill, almost a community within a community. Most of the housing has been renovated to capture the architecture of yesteryear, while some of the homes have completely been replaced by newer and more modern homes. Oak Hill is also home to Newton South High School, one of the better high schools in all of Newton if not Boston. Families with children move into the area for the high school even when their kids are still in elementary school so that they can take advantage of access to the highly rated high school. With no restaurants or shopping, nearly all of the local residents travel to the neighboring areas to grocery shop, dine out, or site-see.

Unlike most of the Newton neighborhoods, Newtonville has more to offer in terms of commercialism. Newtonville offers many shops and dining out options for the locals as well as those visiting from nearby neighborhoods. The Busy B Café is a great little lunch venue that provides a quick lunch to the working professionals, and the Colony Coin Company provides an interesting display of rare coins for the collector.

The first high school to be built in Newton put Newtonville on the map and drew attention to the area that was once filled with small farms and green space. Once the area was suburbanized, businesses and shops started popping up as city dwellers looked to vacate the hustle and bustle of Boston proper.

Today there are few existent farms in the outlying areas of Newtonville but the neighborhood has predominantly become suburbanized.

The very first village of Newton was named Newton Corner and established in the early 1600s as a farming community. A lot has changed since then. Today, Newton Corner is a well-established neighborhood complete with shops, restaurants, delis, offices, and businesses.

One of the most popular and well-recognized businesses in Newton Corner is known as Newton Corner Oriental Rug Corporation. The store is filled with much more than just rugs, but possibly every kind of flooring and home décor piece imaginable. For baked goods, the ever popular Spagnuolo Bakehouse can provide just what your taste buds long for. Getting their early on the weekends is a good thing, because the line can cause quite the wait.

Most of the homes in Newton Corner are historic and showcase the architecture and unique designs of the “olden days.” Some of the buildings, including the Jackson Homestead, are found on the National Register of Historic Places. Today the Jackson Homestead is home of the city museum.

There is not much commercialism in Waban in terms of shopping and dining out. Most residents travel to neighboring areas for dinner out and a movie. Most of the commercial district in Waban consists of offices although one restaurant that I do remember and have eaten at in Waban is known as Kouzina. Reservations are a must and this is a great romantic place to eat. Aside from a few delis, there are not many eateries to choose from.

Similar to most Newton neighborhoods, Waban is rich in history. Most of the homes and buildings in the area have been renovated and preserved to display the time periods in which they were built. Many of the homes in Waban are featured on the National Register of Historic Places. On just about every block you will see a mansion-like residence on a larger lot that displays architectural designs fitting for the era.

Corey Farms or more properly referred to as Salisbury Road-Corey Farms is a hidden little neighborhood nestled across from Corey Hill and Washington Street. Most residents of the neighborhood call it Boston’s best kept secret because it is well hidden between Beacon Street and Brighton but not too far away from the great restaurants that Washington Square has to offer. The area is far removed from the noise level of Washington Square as well as the hustle and bustle of traffic and crowds.

The homes are fairly old-school, dating back to the early part of the 20th century and provide some unique and beautiful architecture and design. There are a few schools in the neighborhood as well but most send their kids into the neighboring districts.

Due to the location of the neighborhood, Corey Farms provides easy access to the wide number of restaurants and shopping around Brookline. Anna’s Taqueria (although a small chain) offers some great tex-mex if you are in the mood.

Buttonwood Village is highly affordable as far as Boston neighborhoods go, and because of this attracts young families with small children. The Brookline school district offers some of the best schools in the Boston area and families are continually moving into areas of Brookline they can afford. There are very few Victorian homes existing in Buttonwood and most of the residences are single family Colonials from the 1950s.

The rural and countryside feel of the neighborhood is another drawing card. The neighborhood boasts such green spaces as the Putterham Meadows Golf Course, Allendale Farm, and Larz Anderson Park. Taking your kids on a drive by Allendale Farm to see the cows can be quite the adventure.

Auburndale is situated along the banks of the Charles River which gives the backdrop of this neighborhood an enchanting feel. The area is home to some of the better schools in all of Boston, including Williams and Burr elementary schools and Lasell College.

There is a lot of history and old-age influence in the neighborhood. Many homes and historical sites are found on the National Registry of Historic Sites. There are also a large number of shops where tourists can find great little treasures and souvenirs. Some of the more popular shops that need not be missed include the Enchanted Child and Just Next Door Card Shop. While spending a day site-seeing and shopping, the best pizza in the area can be found near the shopping district at Tom’s Pizza.

West Newton has changed dramatically over the last several hundred years. What was once a couple of buildings and outlying farms is today a smaller yet complete neighborhood filled with some great local restaurants like Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q, French Bistro, Lumiere, and Coney Island Ice Cream Café.

Most of the buildings and homes date back to the 18th or 19th century and are found registered on the National Registry of Historic Places. The West Newton Cinema is still in existence today and is located in the West Newton Square and features smaller independent films. Many people from all over the city travel to West Newton to catch a glimpse of the antique architecture and history of Boston. Although some of the buildings have either been destroyed by fire or failed to withstand time, the neighborhood reveals a unique look into the past.

Like most of the neighborhoods located in Newton, Newton Lower Falls is a small village full of history. The first paper mill was built in Newton Lower Falls along Washington Street in 1790 and today is found on the National Register of Historic Places. The area where the mill sat is noted as a Newton Landmark Preservation Site and the dam that was used to provide power to the mill still stands to this day.

When visiting Newton Lower Falls, you will not find a large number of local shops or restaurants. For shopping and dining out, locals travel to the adjacent neighborhoods. There is not a lot to offer in Newton Lower Falls aside from taking a walking tour of the many historical sites. The Crehore Mill building seems to be the neighborhoods drawing card, but if you are not into history than you will be bored out of your mind when visiting this unique neighborhood.

The densely populated Mid-Cambridge has a lot more to offer than just traffic and crowds of people. Yes, there are major zoning constraints and a huge shortage in available housing but this neighborhood is quite diverse and offers a lot for the tourist. The buildings offer unique architecture and design, the residents are not lacking diversity, and there is a lot of shopping that can be found in the district. Mid-Cambridge combines the best and worst of Boston and mixes it altogether.

The only restaurant, if you would call it that, I have eaten in Mid-Cambridge is Bravo Pizza. It was okay for a Boston pizza joint. There just is not a lot to choose from in this neighborhood. It is really the epicenter of Harvard and Inman Square.

The neighborhood of Griggs Park surrounds what is known as Griggs Field, a previous wetland that now consists of weeping willows and mysterious paths. The neighborhood is beautiful because of the location and when standing on your front porch all you see are trees. The feel of living in the country is what Griggs Park has to offer. Most of the homes are from the early 20th century and the neighbors are just as unique as the homes.

My aunt has lived in one of the oldest homes along one of the two looped roads known as Griggs Terrace for as long as I can remember. Everybody in the neighborhood knows each other and they have lived in Griggs Park for an eternity. These people never move. There is not a lot to offer in terms of restaurants and shopping as this is more the country than city.

Porter Square seems to be the place to be, or at least purchase a new place of residence. Home-buyers and new merchants flock to the area to start a life. The neighborhood is vital and the economy is strong, which is why new businesses pop up on a continual basis. Another of the drawing cards of Porter Square is the offering of the suburban commuter rail line that transports people to the western side of Cambridge and as far as the North Station in Boston.

There are quite of few nice dining options in Porter Square. One of my favorites is Blue Fin located along Massachusetts Avenue. Of course, if you don’t like Japanese or sushi, you will probably disagree, but this is a fine establishment for people who love sushi. They also have a few Korean dishes and most entrees are under $10.

Unlike some of the other elite neighborhoods of Boston, North Cambridge offers affordable housing. There are many single family and multi-family residences and even affordable high rise apartments and dwellings. You will also find many local storefronts and churches on just about every corner.

The area is known for local politics and from my perspective, good food! Some of the local favorites are the Greek Corner Restaurant located at 2366 Massachusetts Avenue, Hana Sushi at 2372 Massachusetts Avenue, and Joe Sent Me at 2388 Massachusetts Avenue. Joe Sent Me is one of those hidden Boston gems but is becoming increasingly popular. Most all restaurants and shopping venues are scattered along Massachusetts Avenue.

Along the western outskirts of the neighborhood there is a lot of green space and parks. Biking, running, walking and just enjoying the outdoors can all be had in North Cambridge. This is a great place to hang out.

Harvard Square is home to Harvard University, as well as thirty to forty bookstores, unique boutiques, world-renowned restaurants, large hotels, and a repertory theatre. I love visiting Harvard Square in the summer because the sidewalks are lined with performers and the air is rich in diverse activity. The shopping is extremely diverse and you will never get bored window shopping or visiting the locally owned shops.

Some of my favorite places to shop in Harvard Square include Mint Julep (a funky little women’s boutique), Savenor’s (a gourmet grocer where the Kennedy’s and Rockefeller’s once trekked), and the Harvard Shop (a store devoted to Harvard merchandise). For the best kept secret for dining in Cambridge, check out 16 Garden Street Restaurant. This place offers the most authentic New England breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on the east coast.

Central Square is smack dab in the middle of Cambridge and offers a nice selection of diverse restaurants and cafes. Here you will find cuisines from all over the world including, India, the Mediterranean, Asia, France, the Caribbean, Ireland, and South America. Food lovers from all over Boston travel into Central Square for their favorite ethnic fare. There are also quite a few after work bars that serve young professionals seeking a quick drink before heading home for the evening.

Also located in Central Square are the Chamber of Commerce and the city government seat. The historical component of the neighborhood combined with the unique number of shops, cafes, and eclectic crowds make Central Square a popular place to visit.

Known as the epicenter of technology in Cambridge, Kendall Square is home of some major biotechnological industries such as Biogen, Draper Laboratory, and Genzyme. MIT can also be found in the neighborhood. If you walk through Kendall Square around noon on a weekday you will see a vast array of laptops, cell phones, and suits buzzing around the streets. There is more tech talk in the local cafes than scones!

The nightlife and movie scene is great in Kendall Square. The Kendall Square Cinema is the place to see a movie and known for its selection of first run foreign films, as well as independent American and Hollywood movies.

Aside from the great display of hip and modern restaurants and bars, Kendall Square can be quite the romantic place to visit. The area features one of the most dramatic panoramic scenes of Boston at the mouth of the Charles River.

This neighborhood sits along the Charles River which adds to its uniqueness and allure. What was once a working class neighborhood, Cambridgeport is now a modern mix of dynamic commercial buildings. Most of the historic buildings have been renovated or torn down to give place to newer customized architecture.

Most of the shops in the neighborhood are small and consist of a number of art galleries ran by local artists. Most of the art galleries and art supply shops host work from college students in the neighborhood. It is no wonder that the neighborhood is quite popular with the Cambridge Arts community.

There is a very unique restaurant and bar known as the River Gods Bar and Restaurant located at 125 River Street, that features good food, great live music and a trendy bar scene. It has been described as chic gothic in ambiance. It is well worth the visit.

Riverside is aptly named because it overlooks the Charles River. The neighborhood houses many students from MIT and Harvard. I have spent a lot of time in this area and visited most all of the dormitories located along north section of Riverside at Harvard University. This is a popular area for college students to hang out and visit with friends. There are also two parks located in the neighborhood which are also popular among local residents and Harvard students. The parks in Riverside are known as Holt Field and Riverside Press Park.

Riverside is a tourist area due to the university’s presence but interestingly enough has not increased in population since the 1960s. Convenient accesses to shopping and dining options are available near Central Square and Harvard Square. There are more coffee shops than one can count and the Square’s are filled with small dining venues.

The neighborhood of Fenway/Kenmore is home to the Green Monster or Fenway Park’s famous or infamous green wall as well as the Boston Red Sox. Aside from the park, this neighborhood hosts many cultural facilities like the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall.

The residential areas of Fenway/Kenmore offer significant green spaces such as Back Bay Fens which was designed by the famous Frederick Law Olmstead. There are a lot of young people in the neighborhood due in part because of the area’s academic presence. In the area you will find the Boston Latin School also known as the first American public school, as well as many other higher learning institutions. Along Landsdowne Street, there are a number of lively bars and nightclubs that draw in the college student crowd. A few shops and boutiques can be found in this area as well.

Arguably one of the more diverse neighborhoods in Boston, Mission Hill contains mixed income housing, lots of renovated buildings, and a large community of African American and Hispanic population. Its close proximity to area colleges makes the neighborhood popular with students and young professionals who work in the Longwood Medical area.

The one time I visited this neighborhood was to see the Mission Church, which is a historic masterpiece located about one mile from downtown Boston proper. I noticed a number of traditional brick row houses joined with new condominiums and many of those three decker homes. The neighborhood was rich in character and full of diversity. With a number of college students in the area, the neighborhood is scattered with coffee shops along Huntington Avenue and Tremont Street.

For the most part, Charlestown is one of those neighborhoods that everyone loves. There is a nice combination of history and renovation, along with great places for families and young professionals. One reason for Charlestown’s popularity is the convenient location and accessibility to Boston’s downtown area as well as North End. Many residents of the neighborhood find it easy to walk to their workplaces rather than drive. The neighborhood is also near the waterfront. Just a five minute walk around the neighborhood will cover all of your bases.

I had some friend who lived in the Navy Yard. Not what it sounds like but yes, a national historic landmark. The Navy Yard has been renovated into residential and business spaces. This is a great place for single or young professional couples. The highly sought after residence is also close to a number of great eateries and coffee shops.

East Boston is the most culturally diverse neighborhood in all of Boston, if not the world! Immigrants flood the area from such places as Eastern Europe, Haiti, South America, and South East Asia. The rich culture makes East Boston like no other are of the city. It is full of wonderful restaurants that represent every ethnicity. Some of my favorite Italian restaurants and Brazilian cafes are located in the neighborhood, including Rino’s Place. Rino’s Place offers the most authentic Italian fare and is known across the eastern states for its red sauce. Rino’s is located along Saratoga Street in a residential area. They serve a lot of food at very reasonable prices. My only complaint is that they don’t allow you to share food or split orders.

Architecture and housing in East Boston is a mix of newly remodeled and historic buildings. Triple-deckers line the neighborhood and a lot of restoration is going on. Residents take pride in renovating their homes to their original style.

Downtown Boston is the prime location to live if you are looking for high rise, full-service penthouse living. Luxury living at its finest can be located in Downtown Boston. A large commercial area makes shopping available to all and restaurants and delis abound as corporate professionals break for lunch. Expect the area to be pumping when the clock reaches the noon hour on a weekday. Business men and women are seen bustling about grabbing a bite to eat at local sandwich shops and running errands.

Nightlife is superb in Downtown Boston. There are clubs scattered throughout the commercial district. Locals and visitors can choose from Roxy Nightclub, Rise, Gypsy Bar, or Felt. Depending on the type and atmosphere of club you are looking for, Boston will deliver. The new Roxy Club is located along Tremont in downtown and promises a night like no other.

Also located in Downtown Boston is the City Hall and State House. Both offer some fine views of Boston architecture. Most large companies and business agency headquarters are found in the Downtown area.

Jamaica Plain is one of Boston’s most diverse neighborhoods with a growing number of young ethnic families populated most of the area. There is a large gay and lesbian community that steadily increases year after year and due to the neighborhood’s diversity is a very dynamic place to live. Many of the local businesses scattered along Centre Street have a predominantly Spanish influence. Most of the shop owners are Cuban or from the Dominican Republic. Traffic is pretty heavy in the area and most locals prefer to walk to their destination. There are great walking and biking trails along Jamaica Pond and on weekends the entire stretch is quite busy. Jamaica Pond sits along the Jamaica Way and is a nice place to visit.

The picturesque neighborhood of South End appears to be right out of the storybooks. Complete with Victorian brick row homes, art galleries, an occasional pub, and a large number of upscale dining options make South End one of the most popular neighborhoods to visit.

If you are looking for trendy restaurants that sit alongside a mom and pop grocer then you will find it in South End. The neighborhood has an artistic and eclectic feel. I love trekking down Tremont Street and venturing off on the side streets and then all the way down to Washington Street. You will experience art at its finest and sometimes most raw form. Many up and coming artists are beginning to take up residence in South End and as a result galleries are popping up just about on every street.

If you like to blend the city with a dash of suburban life than you will love Hyde Park. In the neighborhood you will find a lot of green open space, in fact the George Wright Golf Course can be found here. I have heard the mayor of Boston also calls Hyde Park home which is no surprise to hear that locals call Hyde Park some of the best living in Boston.

The parks are complete with soccer venues where the kids’ leagues can be seen. Driving by on a Saturday afternoon will seem like you are in the country as opposed to the city. Also located in the area is the Academy of the Pacific Rim, a charter public school that is highly recognized making Hyde Park a great place for families and child-rearing neighborhood.

Mattapan is a predominantly residential neighborhood in Boston. Here you will find a lot more single family homes as well as larger family homes than most other neighborhoods in Boston. I am most familiar with the commercial hub or heart of the neighborhood known as Mattapan Square. At the point where Blue Hill Avenue, Cummins Highway, and River Street all meet is where you will find some great shopping and delectable restaurants. From find BBQ to Chinese, it can all be found in Mattapan Square.

The historical component of Mattapan is interesting. According to a gentleman at a local coffee shop a couple of years ago, Mattapan was developed as part of Dorchester but annexed in the late 1800s. It was also created as railroads and streetcars arose the downtown area of Boston more accessible.

South Boston neighbors are one of a kind, gentle, hospitable, loving and loyal. You will be hard-pressed to find another neighborhood like South Boston on the planet. The area oozes with neighborhood pride and residents are quick to defend themselves and the area. The neighborhood is densely populated lots and lots of row homes and triple-deckers. You will find some single family homes scattered throughout but most are row houses.

The neighborhood is packed with great pubs and bars filled with singles and couples out for an evening. Locals can always be found in the pubs and make for an exciting time of singing and dancing. Stroll up and down Broadway for some great shopping or eating at one of the many up and coming restaurants in the area.

If you are looking for a beach venue, South Boston is the place. There are miles of beaches and parks that form into Castle Island. This is a great place to venture in the warmer months. Sullivan’s is the place to eat, the playgrounds entertain the kids, and you can even fish off of the pier. South Boston has it all.

A friend of mine lived in West Roxbury for what seemed like forever. Fittingly she was a political activist which was one of the reasons she called West Roxbury home. Not much into civic or political activism, I frequented West Roxbury solely because of the fine display of local restaurants along the main thoroughfare of Centre Street. Here you will find a large display of commercial establishments as well.

The neighborhood is full of parishes and fields for local athletic leagues and the tree lined streets give this area a real suburban feel amongst the Boston urban setting. There are a lot of single family homes in the neighborhood and West Roxbury has largely become one of the more popular areas for singles and young families alike.

Roslindale, or Rozzie, as called by the locals is a very unique and extensively Greek neighborhood. Diversity in this area is more common than not and as a result, ethnic eateries and cultural shops are in abundance. People from all races, countries, backgrounds and social status reside in Rozzie. Located in the heart of the neighborhood is the Roslindale Square, home of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street award. Yes, Rozzie’s know how to care for their neighborhood and it shows in this clean and well put together district.

Aside from the clean sidewalks and litter free streets, some of the best pizza in Boston can be found in Roslindale. At the corner of Corinth and Washington, you will find Romano’s Pizzeria and Taqueria. Yes, this pizza joint serves Mexican food as well. Shopping in Rozzie is convenient because the neighborhood is just six miles from downtown. Lots of local shops are accessible via bicycle and just a short jaunt from the Square.