Downtown Boston

The Heart of Historic Boston
Downtown Boston is the busy epicenter of business, restaurants, retail, and nightlife. Historically it has been the longtime heart of the government since the 1700s. For reference, Downtown Crossing is a major intersection for both pedestrians and the T (underground transport).

Within Downtown, there are several historical attractions like the Freedom Trail, a popular destination. Other must-see sites include City Hall, Faneuil Hall Marketplace - a historic shopping center with both indoor and outdoor boutiques and retail stores - Old State House, and the Financial District. The parks in Downtown are also beautiful areas to enjoy the scene and include Rose Kennedy Greenway, Norman B. Leventhal Park, and Post Office Square. For grocery shopping convenience, the C-Mart Supermarket and Whole Foods Market are nearby.

Downtown is brimming with dining and nightlife. Restaurants include Neptune Oyster, Grotto, Blaze Pizza, Bistro du Midi, Maggiano's Little Italy, and Myers+Chang. Bars to grab a drink with friends include Porters Bar and Grill, Durty Nelly's, The Bell In Hand Tavern, Battery Park Bar & Patio, and Corner Pub. Downtown is perfect for people looking for a fast-paced lifestyle in the very historic heart of Boston.
What Downtown Boston Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
8.2
value
6.7
amenities
8.0
social
7.5
management
8.0
Median rents in Downtown Boston
Studio
$
2,775
1 Bedroom
$
3,390
2 Bedroom
$
4,400

Living in
Downtown Boston

Faneuil Hall
Center City
Boston Common
Public Transit
Great Restaurants and Bars
Expensive
Urban
Downtown Boston — 8.9/10 Rating (based on 20 neighborhood reviews)
The food around us is great! I also love the environment because there is always something to do. We are also close to the red green and orange lines and we are also close to South Station which is great if you're wanting to take Amtrak one weekend for a getaway. The neighborhood is relatively safe and I have never had a problem walking by myself. Chinatown is also a 10 minute walk to New England Law so it is a great commute!
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Radian
The Longfellow Towers are very close to 5 different train lines which makes it a very walkable area. There are lots of restaurants and bars close by, TD Garden one block over and two grocery stores within a couple of blocks. The Thoreau Path (walking trail) is directly out the back door of the buildings and leads to the Esplanade by the Charles River. From this location, anywhere in downtown Boston is within a 1 mile walk, and most less than that.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Towers at Longfellow
I personally wanted a city atmosphere and to be within walking distance of the places I needed to go (school, hospital, grocery store, etc.). I live in the center of just about anything so it's easy to walk or Uber everywhere I need to go. Some downsides of this can be the loud noises at night, and a higher risk of danger when walking at night. It can sometime be overly crowded and loud on the weekends from tourists and street performers, but I appreciate not having to commute into the city or to go to school.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Devonshire
Great neighborhood with everything you need within walking distance. It gets a little suspicious after dark but I haven't had any issues. I've felt safe but I have taken precautions to ensure that safety.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Tremont On The Common
Chinatown has great cheap food. Sometimes it can feel unsafe at night, but during the day it feels ok. There is a big presence of med/dental students and employees of Tufts Medical center
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Metropolitan Rentals
Super close to downtown crossing so it gets a little hectic and loud
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Devonshire
Overall I have had a good experience here. There have been a couple of times I was out at night that I felt unsafe, but generally that is not the case.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Devonshire
Close to public transit, close to work, close to the hospital, in a very active and social part of Boston.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Emerson Place
very safe and access to everything
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Emerson Place
Best downtown neighborhood
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
AVA Theater District
My experience in the West End has been great so far - especially for purposes of traveling to school. My walk to campus is roughly one mile - which takes about 20 minutes to walk. Sometimes the neighborhood is especially busy on nights where there are events at the TD Garden.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Towers at Longfellow
It is a very residential area which I like. I find it safe and calm but access to grocery stores, cafes and public transportation are very easy.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Emerson Place
Great place to live when you are in Boston, everything is very close.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
62 on the Park
It slows down at night. There are homeless people but as single female I never feel uncomfortable. They really keep to themselves and there are always other people around. The accessibility to public transportation is incredible.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Devonshire Apartments
There's a Chinatown grocery market nearby along with a movie theater, boston common, and easy access to the park street MBTA stop which makes it very easy to travel around Boston.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
660 Washington Apartments
The neighborhood is right next to the Charles River and Beacon Hill, two wonderful areas in Boston. The only grocery stores nearby are fairly expensive however.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Emerson Place
Expensive but good part of town. Needs a better grocery store nearby, otherwise no complaints! Great place to live. Roommates exceptional.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Emerson Place
Chinatown is beautiful and super fun to walk around/explore. At night however some streets can be a little shady.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
One Greenway
I loved the location, but I did not really explore much of Chinatown.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
660 Washington Apartments
Great food!
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
660 Washington Apartments


Getting to Know
Downtown Boston

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: Boston Common to Boston Harbor
North to South Boundaries: Charles River to Herald St
dining
Al’s South Street Cafe
Neptune Oyster
Porters Bar & Grill
Sam LaGrassa’s
Sweetgreen
Wow Barbecue
grocery
C-Mart
J Pace & Son
Whole Foods
convenience
CVS Pharmacy
Rite Aid
fitness
Boston Sports Clubs
Boston Sports Clubs
Boston Ultimate Fitness
iYoga Boston
parks
Norman B Leventhal Park
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
coffee
Al’s State Street Cafe
Boston Brewin Coffee
bus
426/450 (bus)
501/504/505 (bus)
rail
Blue Line (metro)
Fitchburg Line (rail)
parking
Laz Parking One Beacon Garage
Pilgrim Parking, Inc. 101 Arch Street Garage

Best Apartments
in Downtown Boston

The Kensington
Studio $3,200
1 Bed $3,600
2 Beds $4,999
Devonshire
1 Bed $3,175
2 Beds $4,755
7Ink

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One Greenway
Studio $2,875
1 Bed $3,025
2 Beds $3,600
345 Harrison

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Millennium Tower

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