VCDrake

Myrtle Street crosses Beacon Hill. This is the way I walked for a few years from work in downtown Boston to my apartment on Beacon Hill. I had to cross over the entire hill, so Myrtle was a natural choice. I worked in the evening, so it was lovely to walk by the windows of people's homes, these historic and very famous brownstones, and be able to peek in when the curtains were parted and see the gorgeous furnishings. One place in particular had the kitchen on the street level and the window always offered a perfect view of a kitchen you'd expect to see in a restaurant or on TV. It is a hilly street as it is not on the fringes of the hill, but very walkable.

Music is a natural association with Massachusetts Avenue. There once was a huge two-story music store on the corner of Mass Ave and Newbury Street, but that was back in the 80s and 90s. Still, Berklee School of Music is on this street along with the Boston Symphony, at different locations, of course. Daddy's Junky Music Store which has been in New England for more than three decades is on Massachusetts. Cross the Mass Ave Bridge and in Cambridge, you'll find clubs, like the Lizard Lounge and Plough & Stars in Central Square.

The famed Cheers bar - Bull & Finch Pub - from the television show is on Beacon Street at Brimmer Street on Beacon Hill. It sits across from the Public Garden. It's just around the corner from shops-filled Charles Street. Brimmer Street is a nice residential street on the lower part of Beacon Hill. It is not far from the Charles River and the Hatch Shell where amongst others, the Boston Symphony plays. There are very lovely homes here. There's something about this area. It feels like another country. This is a good street for families.

Charles Street is the main thoroughfare of Beacon Hill. The street is full of restaurants, shops, bakeries, a drugstore, realtor's offices and DeLuca's Market. The Kennedy family has property on Beacon Hill and when I worked at DeLuca's, a very nice woman who worked for them would come in and make purchases. I spent many hours at the outdoor cafe smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee and writing. Charles Street goes right between the beautiful Public Garden and Boston Common as it heads south away from Beacon Hill. It's not far from Charles River or the T.

Some of the most amazing condos and houses are on Back Street overlooking Storrow Drive and the Charles River. There are balconies here that make you look twice. A night under the stars in a hot tub on Back Street is a good night indeed. The views from here are incredible. You can see over the river to Cambridge and there's nice views of Back Bay. If you're a hard worker that also likes to live it up, then this a good location for you. Easy access via Storrow Drive and the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge to both Boston and Cambridge.

When I dream of returning to Boston, I always fantasize about living on Commonwealth Avenue with its promenade or greenway, known as the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. I can just imagine living on the top floor of one of the beautiful condos there. Quiet and peaceful. Brings out the spirit of the poet or artist. On one side is Newbury Street with shops and restaurants. On the other side is the Charles River for scenic outdoor exercise. Follow the statues on the Mall down to the Public Garden and the Boston Common. Downtown is just beyond. On the other end is Kenmore Square. Lots and trees and grass. In my opinion, it is Boston's premier address.

One of the loveliest streets in Boston is Marlborough Street. It runs in-between and parallel to both the famed Newbury Street and Beacon Street. It is just a few blocks from Charles River, a great place to walk, bike and jog. It runs into the Public Garden where the swan boats sail smoothly on the water. Right across the street is the oldest park in America, the Boston Common. The red brick brownstones on Marlborough are very well-maintained and tend to be geared more toward being family homes rather than apartments. It is considered to be one of the most scenic streets in Boston.

Clark Street in the North End of Boston is a wonderful place to live. It is a quiet street that doesn't get a lot of traffic. The North End is known as the Little Italy of Boston. From one of my windows, I could overlook the courtyard of St. Stephen Catholic Church. It was a quiet area with great Italian restaurants and bakeries. I got all of my furniture from an old antiques store just down the street. We walked the furniture into my place. People were more talkative and friendlier in this neighborhood than in other Boston neighborhoods. It feels like a tight-knit family community. Just as when I lived on Beacon Hill, I could walk to work, which can't be beat. Boston is the best walking town I've ever lived in.

Big beautiful gray stone buildings take up the block of Charlesgate East that is to the south of I-90 across the street from the park - the Back Bay Fens. These buildings are several stories tall and have old-fashioned elevators with a sliding grate. This is a phenomenal location because Fenway Park where the Red Sox play is only a couple of blocks away. It's a quiet residential street, but there are night clubs and restaurants everywhere. Boylston Street and Newbury Street with their world-class shops are just a few blocks away. The Massachusetts Avenue Bridge can take you right over to Cambridge and it's a short ride on The T to downtown Boston. Berklee College of Music and Northeastern University are very close by. Charlesgate East is also on the north side of I-90.

Lindall Place on the north side of Beacon Hill is a tiny street with just a few buildings on it. The subway tracks of the Red Line of Boston's train, The T, are actually attached to one of the buildings. This little street comes off of the busier Cambridge Street right before it crosses the Charles River into Cambridge. Lindall is also conveniently located right around the corner from Charles Street, the main street of Beacon Hill, full of shops and restaurants. It's a great place to live and I wish I could've stayed forever.

Troy Alley is on lower Nob Hill off of Hyde Street. It is near one of the most famous hills in the world and it is a very steep one. Troy Alley isn't steep though and it is a little alley just like its name denotes. There are entrances to apartments on it. It is fun for a little walk and turn around if you're taking the dog out for a spin. There are bakeries, restaurants and stores nearby. A few nice images of Troy Alley can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/10995714@N07/1565367791. Cable cars run nearby that will take you downtown and to the waterfront.

Margrave Place in North Beach is a lovely area to live in if you love those cozy little streets that are more like alleys. This address comes with the perk of being in one of the closest proximities to downtown of any of the districts in San Francisco. This is the Italian neighborhood, so you have all the well-known Italian eateries and bakeries with the bonus of Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown being nearby. Broadway Street is not too far away and there's a mixture of shops and nightlife on that street.

The nice residential neighborhood on 10th Avenue off of Geary Street is a great street to live on if you work at or own one of the infinite shops or restaurants. It's convenient to have a walk-up flat or house that close to your business. Park Presidio Boulevard is just a couple of blocks away and it is the expressway that can connect you to the Golden Gate Bridge on the north. If you take it south through Golden Gate Park, it will change names and come out as 19th Avenue in the Sunset District.

Own a sailboat or love to windsurf? Then Capra Way in the Marina District is perfect for you. You can keep your boat close by and enjoy the perks of being near the gorgeous Palace of Fine Arts built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The streets are wider here in this part of San Francisco and there's lots of sunshine. There's shopping and restaurants on Chestnut Street. The Presidio is nearby offering lots of green space. Great views of both bridges too, particularly the Golden Gate Bridge.

Orben Place in Lower Pacific Heights is an exclusive little street near the chic section of Fillmore Street. I lived right up the hill from Orben on California Street in a lovely apartment. Believe it or not, we were chosen out of hundreds of applicants because the owner liked our St. Bernard. It is a great area because of all the nearby dog parks and the proximity to downtown. There are gorgeous mansions just up the hill and the views of the Bay from the top of the hill are incredible. The shops and restaurants on Fillmore Street and Sacramento Street make it a superb neighborhood

Java Street offers all the fun and excitement of Haight Ashbury. It's located right up the hill above Haight Street and runs right into Buena Vista Park, a park that is a hill. This is a good street to live on if you are an artist, jewelry-maker or musician when proximity to all the action is essential. All the sights of the hippie culture are right at your doorstep.

Marvel Court near Clement Street has Lincoln Park as its backyard, a gorgeous park that includes an 18-hole golf course and seasonal art shows. The views from here are breathtaking. You'll be able to see Marin County and photography-worthy views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's only half a block long. More of a neighborhood setting with shops not too far away.

33rd Avenue near Fulton Street is a very quiet neighborhood. The streets are even, no hills out here, so it's a great place to run or jog. Golden Gate Park, one of the biggest city parks in the world is practically across the street and offers an endless wealth of nature and beauty. A great place for students or professionals as the vibe is conducive to study.

An apartment on 28th Avenue on the second or third floors may well afford you a view of the Golden Gate Bridge right from your living room or bedroom window. Situated near to the exclusive Sea Cliff neighborhood, this street allows you access to all the restaurants and shops on Geary Street. The apartments are large and roomy and are housed in nicely-kept buildings.

Sutro Heights Avenue is a tiny, little street way out west on a cliff above the ocean in the Richmond District. It is next to a park with views of the ocean and just a block away from Land's End with views of the entrance to the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. The infamous Cliff House and a great little restaurant offering home cooking are right there. If you live here, you'll have the sound of the ocean to lull you to sleep each night. Lots of surfers live in this neighborhood.

I had a great walk-up with a ton of space. It was so wonderful to use my feet to get everywhere instead of a car. I had access to restaurants, cafes, shopping and work. I really enjoyed my walks there. It's not too far from South Street where all the hip shopping can be found. The waterfront is just down from there for even more to do. I had a small park right across the street, so I could enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature right in the heart of the city. There were red brick brownstones around one edge of the park that were just lovely. It's a great place to live if you are single.

I love my place. There are palm trees and lots of flowers and green plants right out the front door of my garden apartment. I am close to San Diego State University where I attend graduate school. I have never hit traffic too bad and I work all the way out on Point Loma. My apartment is roomy and not too expensive. For anyone unfamiliar with the area, I would recommend choosing this neighborhood if you are comfortable with a very urban landscape. It's a borderline area that is nice, but I would consider it average, quite normal actually. It's just south of the wealth of Kensington and the hills overlooking Mission Valley, the hipness of Normal Heights, and the family homes of Talmadge. There's a a few rougher areas around, more to the south and pretty small at that.