Neighborhood Profiles & Descriptions
While living in the off-campus community, we encourage you to think of yourself not only as a BC student but also as a member of the local community. Take a look at these profiles to figure out which neighborhood you want to call home!
Brighton
Located west of downtown Boston, this area is very popular with students as it is home to both Boston College and Boston University. Renovations, new bars and restaurants, and major clean-up efforts on Harvard Avenue have made the area more desirable and have caused rents to rise quickly. Allston is still popular for roommate situations, with affordable rents available in multi-bedroom units.
Brighton is closer to BC and offers residential areas with many beautiful homes that have been converted into apartments, as well as ample open spaces. As in Allston, clean-up and rejuvenation efforts have raised rents in Brighton. This area is accessible by the B-line, about a 5- to 10-minute commute.
Check out the Brighton Profile for more information!
Brookline
Surrounded on three sides by Boston, Brookline is easily accessible by the MBTA's C and D Lines (Green Line), as well as by bus. A mixture of thriving urban and quaint suburban life, Brookline offers the convenience of the city for those who don't want to live in it. This town features both brick apartment buildings and beautiful wood houses, most of which have been converted into upscale condos. Brookline is in high demand, so prices tend to run a little higher.
Brookline features sub-communities such as Washington Square and Coolidge Corner that have a variety of small shops and restaurants. Brookline also offers many recreational parks for golf, hiking, and a variety of individual and team sports. The town does not permit overnight street parking. This area is accessible by the C and D lines, about a 5- to 15-minute commute.
Check out the Brookline Profile for more information!
Newton
Six miles west of Boston and accessible by several D Line (Green Line) stops, Newton is a quiet, affluent city with a suburban feel. Newton Centre is filled with clothing boutiques, restaurants, and stores. Bounded by the Charles River, Newton also offers various spots for outdoor recreation, such as Crystal Lake, Norumbega Park, the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, and Bullough's Pond. It is Boston's closest suburb. Newton is mostly residential, so you don't see as many apartments as you do condos or homes. This area is accessible with limited D-line access, about a 5- to 20-minute commute.
Check out the Newton Profile for more information!
Watertown
Watertown is approximately 15 minutes outside of Boston College. This community is diverse and less expensive than other suburbs. The Arsenal and Watertown Malls offer convenient shopping, while eleven parks provide space for many recreational activities. Watertown is cheaper than living directly in the city, but still has a lot of the city feel. Boston College is difficult to access via public transportation from Watertown, but it is a good area if you have a car. This area is accessible by car; it is about a 15-minute commute.
Check out the Watertown Profile for more information!
Boston Neighborhood Descriptions
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is only a short walk from the Financial District and is home to the Massachusetts State House, Cheers, and the Museum of African-American History. It is just steps from Boston Common, accessible from the Red Line via Charles/MGH Station. This area’s prime location and quaint charm have earned the neighborhood some of Boston's higher rents. But the unique nature of the area provides a quality of living that keeps residents there to stay. This area is accessible by about a 25–30 minute commute on the Red Line.
Cambridge
The proud home of both MIT and Harvard University; it has a very trendy atmosphere with lots of nightlife, cafes and restaurants. Most of Cambridge is beautiful, reflecting the nature of its Ivy League residents. The apartments are usually large and can be rather pricey, but they can be quite a bargain for someone interested in eclectic surroundings. If not yet renovated, multi-family housing can still be found cheaply in some areas.
Cambridge is very accessible by a string of stops on the Red Line, and permit parking is available. The up-and-coming nature of this eclectic area has made it a desirable place to live or visit. The shops and restaurants of Harvard Square have made it widely popular, and other areas, like Central Square, are becoming similarly chic in the wake of renovations. This area is accessible by Buses 86 and 66, about a 20-minute commute.
Fenway/Kenmore
Perhaps best known as the home of Fenway Park, Kenmore is also home to various colleges (such as BU, Simmons, Wheelock, and Northeastern) and museums (the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, and the Christian Science Museum). It's a popular rental spot for students. Condos are also available here.
The Fenway is home to part of Boston's Emerald Necklace, a five-mile sequence of six parks and waterways covering more than 1,000 acres of park and recreational space. Boston's community gardens provide a unique backdrop for a summer walk. Kenmore Square offers a more social, urban atmosphere. With the famous CITGO sign serving as a landmark, the bars, restaurants, and shops are popular places to hang out, as are the Lansdowne Street clubs for late-night action.
The neighborhood is served by the Kenmore stop on the Green Line, making BC and the city easily accessible. The diversity and prime location of this area, combined with still-affordable prices, make it a great place to live. This area is accessible by the D-line, about a 15-20-minute commute.
Jamaica Plain
Jamaica Plain, or "JP" as the locals call it, is a classic "streetcar suburb" that has evolved into one of Boston's most diverse and dynamic neighborhoods. The ethnically diverse area is home to many Latinos, young families, and a growing gay and lesbian community. Hyde and Jackson Squares have significant Spanish-speaking populations. This blend of cultures is reflected in local businesses, such as the many different restaurants that line Centre Street, one of its main thoroughfares. Residents and visitors enjoy walking, biking, and running along Jamaica Pond situated on the Jamaica Way, part of Boston's Emerald Necklace. This area is accessible by car, about a 15-20 minute commute.
Mission Hill
With the addition of mixed-income housing, the renovation of One Brigham Circle and a strong business district along Tremont Street and Huntington Avenue, Mission Hill is alive with renewed energy while still retaining its original character. The community consists of a large African American and Hispanic population, a healthy collection of students from nearby colleges and young families who work in the Longwood Medical Area, making it one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Boston. New condominiums now join the traditional brick row houses and many three-decker homes that mark this architectural landmark district. Located just one mile from downtown Boston, Mission Hill also houses the historic Mission Church. This area is accessible by car, about a 15-minute commute.
Roslindale
Once considered a "garden suburb" of Boston, today's residents of Roslindale are still attracted to the neighborhood's natural beauty. Locals walk and bike in the Arnold Arboretum, a 265-acre oasis that is part of Frederick Law Olmsted's Emerald Necklace. Many of the neighborhoods' large colonial homes are being converted into condos to accommodate the influx of young professionals and families. Roslindale Village is the city's original Main Street district and is now one of the city's most vibrant, featuring several bistros, unique shops, and wireless Internet access. The MBTA Orange Line and Commuter Rail provide commuters with easy access to downtown. This area is accessible by car, about a 20-minute commute.
Somerville
Just northwest of Boston, Somerville is another area that is up and coming due to the urban sprawl. As Somerville is fairly large, it offers many different environments from which to choose. Some are very residential; others are more exciting, with high student populations. Somerville is home to many Harvard and Tufts students. Many of its apartments are considerably larger than those in Boston. MBTA subway service ( Red Line — Porter, Davis, and Alewife stops) and many bus lines make it easy to commute into downtown Boston. This area is accessible by car, about a 30-minute commute.
West Roxbury
As one of the most suburban of all neighborhoods surrounding Boston, West Roxbury offers primarily single-family homes. There is a vibrant shopping district on Centre Street; there is also a 100-acre park nearing completion with access to the Charles River. With quiet streets and a short distance from downtown, West Roxbury offers the best of suburbia in the city. This area is accessible by car; it is about a 15-minute commute.
Boston Metro Area Neighborhood Descriptions
Dedham
Dedham is directly south of campus, about 15-20 minutes. Also has shopping and some nice local places. But like Waltham, it's not directly linked to the city, so you feel close but not in it. Dedham is a diverse community, both in its physical development pattern and in the make-up of its population. It is unique from many towns, for it has distinctive neighborhoods that offer a range of housing options to people with quite different socioeconomic characteristics. This area is accessible by car, about a 15-20 minute commute.
Natick/Framingham
Natick is directly west of us. It's about a 25-minute commute, depending on where you are located. Natick has a large mall and lots of shopping, as well as a nice little downtown square. The commuter rail also runs from there into downtown if you're looking for a way to get into the city on the weekends without driving. This area is accessible by car, about a 25-minute commute.
Norwood/Walpole/Stoughton
This area is south of campus, anywhere from 35 to 55 minutes (depending on where you are traveling to and the time of day). The town squares have several nice restaurants and commons (parks) with a very New England feel to them. Because they require a commute, they are a little more affordable and are also easily accessible from two major highways (I-95 and I-93), but they have enough side streets to not have to take the highways to work. This area is accessible by car, about a 35-55 minute commute.
Waltham
This small former industrial city is about a 20–25-minute commute nine miles north of campus. The southern section is mainly multi-family housing, while the northern section has larger single-family houses. Waltham is home to Brandeis University and Bentley College, as well as eleven parks that offer many recreational activities. It is a nice New England town, more diverse than most areas, and has a great downtown strip with lots of restaurants and shops. This area is accessible by car, about a 20–25 minute commute.