---
title: Boston Neighborhood Guide
teaser:
tags: news,boston
author: Dan Croak
published_on: 2009-06-06
---

I have a friend from another city who is considering a Ruby job in Boston. He
asked me for advice on places to live.

## Cost of living

Expect to pay between $750-$1,250/month for a clean apartment close to Boston.
You should be able to knock it down to $500/month if you share a bedroom with
someone or live in Jamaica Plain.

## Cambridge

I've mostly lived in Cambridge over the last 5 years so let's start here. The
[Wikipedia entry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge,_Massachusetts) hits
the high points of Cambridge culture: Harvard University, MIT, the Charles
River, and [The Red
Line](http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/lines/?route=RED).

The Blue Line encompasses the sections of Cambridge I'd recommend: most of
Cambridge except areas that are more industrial or North Cambridge, which is
just a little too far from downtown Boston for my tastes.

<iframe src="http://quikmaps.com/ext2/105975?t=1&amp;ln=0&amp;sn=1&amp;zb=0&amp;d=1&amp;o=0&amp;lat=42.3701476&amp;lng=-71.1045456&amp;zl=13&amp;mt=2"
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I put three pushpins in Boston for reference: Fenway Park, the Prudential
Center, and Park Street at Boston Common ([where the thoughtbot office is
located](http://images.thoughtbot.com/ui/2009-6-6-Picture_3_tiny.png?1244311562)).

If, like my friend, you're not working downtown, but instead in Watertown,
Waltham, Somerville, Medford, or Charlestown, I'd strongly recommend Cambridge.

## Brookline

Again, the [Wikipedia
entry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookline,_Massachusetts) will give you a
good overview of the town and its culture: John F. Kennedy, The Country Club,
and [The Green
Line](http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/lines/?route=GREEN).

This is an area I'd recommend for people with kids. Quiet, safe, and great
schools. It's close to Waltham, Watertown, and the [Mass
Pike](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Turnpike) if you're working
out along Route 128. It's also extremely convenient if you're working in the
Longwood area, perhaps at one of the many hospitals and universities.

Within Brookline, Coolidge Corner, Washington Square are the two areas I would
focus on. They're both right on the Green Line along Beacon Street and have
plenty of things worth walking to.

<iframe src="http://quikmaps.com/ext2/105977?t=1&amp;ln=0&amp;sn=1&amp;zb=0&amp;d=1&amp;o=0&amp;lat=42.34075055&amp;lng=-71.12754819999999&amp;zl=14&amp;mt=2"
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## Jamaica Plain

Wikipedia calls Jamaica Plain [The Eden of
America](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_Plain,_Massachusetts#Present_day).
I can see that.

This is where you want to be if you'e a park lover or a real artist. The
population is diverse. The [Milky Way Lounge](http://www.milkywayjp.com) (Latin
dance nights), [JP Licks](http://www.jplicks.com) (ice cream), and [Doyle's
Cafe](http://www.doyles-cafe.com/history.aspx) (oldest Irish pub in Boston,
longtime evening hangout for the city's Irish politicians) are iconic
institutions.

The area I'd recommend is bounded by the [Orange
Line](http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/lines/?route=ORANGE) on the
right, the ponds on the left, and is split by Centre Street, which is filled
with attractive cafes, galleries, restaurants and shops.

<iframe src="http://quikmaps.com/ext2/105995?t=1&amp;ln=0&amp;sn=1&amp;zb=0&amp;d=1&amp;o=0&amp;lat=42.31478155&amp;lng=-71.1131501&amp;zl=14&amp;mt=2"
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## South End

Scan through the [Wikipedia entry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_End)
then take a walk through the area. If you're not touched by the signature brick
architecture of Boston that is prevalent in the South End, you have no heart.
You're probably a vampire. Might want to get that checked out.

The South End is known as a gay and artistic neighborhood. Tremont Street may
have the greatest concentration of "Saturday night date restaurants" in the
city. Unbelievable food. Lots of theaters, lots of music, lots of visual arts.

I've bounded the South End by some major streets.

<iframe src="http://quikmaps.com/ext2/105996?t=1&amp;ln=0&amp;sn=1&amp;zb=0&amp;d=1&amp;o=0&amp;lat=42.3423526&amp;lng=-71.07392549999999&amp;zl=15&amp;mt=2"
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It's a tricking balancing act of trying to live in the South End, however. The
closer you are to Copley, the closer you are to some of the highest rent areas
of Boston. The closer to Washington Street, the further you are from all subway
lines and the closer you are to some higher crime areas.

## Back Bay, Beacon Hill, North End

It wouldn't be tour through Boston's neighborhoods if I didn't point out the
[Back Bay](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_Bay,_Boston,_Massachusetts),
[Beacon Hill](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beacon_Hill,_Boston,_Massachusetts),
and the [North End](http://is.gd/QBEo)

These are all awesome neighborhoods but pricey.

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