Boston, MA

Back Bay

Inside the Neighborhood

Map
76
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Outdoors
Main Streets
Side Streets
Home Styles

Neighborhood Overview

Buy:
$135K - $33M
For Sale on Trulia:
184 homes
Rent:
$1K - $17.5K
For Rent on Trulia:
729 homes
To Downtown Boston:
12 minutes
Ratings unavailable
Map
76
All Photos
Outdoors
Main Streets
Side Streets
Home Styles

Explore the Area

What Locals Say about Back Bay

At least 236 Trulia users voted on each feature.

  • 91 % Say it's dog friendly

  • 91 % Say it's walkable to restaurants

  • 91 % Say there are sidewalks

  • 85 % Say it's walkable to grocery stores

  • 84 % Say people would walk alone at night

  • 83 % Say streets are well-lit

  • 61 % Say there's holiday spirit

  • 46 % Say they plan to stay for at least 5 years

  • 45 % Say it's quiet

  • 43 % Say neighbors are friendly

  • 39 % Say kids play outside

  • 36 % Say yards are well-kept

  • 35 % Say parking is easy

  • 31 % Say there's wildlife

  • 27 % Say there are community events

  • 21 % Say car is needed

Learn more about our methodology.
  • Shannon Frappied
    "I drive about 30 minutes outside the city to Framingham and on most days the commute isn’t too bad. "
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  • Trulia User
    "I take the orange line of the MBTA in since I work on that line during the day. other than the usual issues with Boston's public transit, it's a nice commute. "
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  • Trulia User
    "One of the best neighborhoods to live in Boston! Charming houses, best shopping, fine restaurants, culture and education are abundant! "
    2
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  • Byrnemckin
    "Historic row house neighborhood within walking distance to the Charles River, the financial district and area healthcare and educational institutions. "
    3
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  • Maria M.
    "Lots of parks, open spaces. Pretty crowded with pedestrians though. Not a lot of grassy areas near the sidewalks"
    2
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  • Tracy L. D.
    "I love that you are close to everything. It’s a great place to be if you live in the Boston area. Everything is very walkable from here."
    3
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  • Bostonbarkingboy
    "There is excellent public library which has held many events such as Asian Culture meeting and Kooking class . Boston marathon has been held in Back Bay every year . "
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  • Betty
    "There is a park and a dog park minutes away. The proximity to both is especially beneficial and enjoyable during the summer months, especially when there are concerts in the park."
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  • Donspino
    "By using the trolly system it is easy to get down town, or you can take Lyft, this neighborhood has a great bus system. "
    2
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  • Timkelleyink
    "Single guy who works downtown, love the area, been here for 3 years. Lots of families and young couples, plenty of restaurants to boot!"
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  • Mncullen17
    "We have Movie nights, fundraisers, holiday parties and various other events that occur throughout the year."
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  • Sophiecd
    "The area has a nice playground, a few preschools, and an amazing Halloween block party for all the kids in the neighborhood. "
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  • Eanthony
    "Good reverse commute. Pretty easy. Much better than the other way which I did for 27 years. "
    1
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  • CG
    "Not great school system. But very safe neighborhood. I’ve lived here my whole life and it would be a great place to raise kids."
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  • Reef L.
    "it’s easy and low-stress. take the orange line from back bay to DTX. there are occasional MBTA delays, but overall it’s a decent commute."
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  • Mary-ellen T.
    "Historic, very well maintained neighborhood central to downtown Boston. Lots of parks including the park along the Charles River. The area is very dog friendly. "
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  • Gravin_guillen86
    "There is a lot of stuff that happens in Boston. Back Bay is known for the Prudential Center and the Boston Public Library and the concerts at the Esplanade."
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  • Andrea S.
    "Nice area lots to do love the local flair and the location to everything can’t be beat enjoying all Boston has to offer"
    2
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  • Patricio C.
    "Short commute to east Boston, takes me 15 minutes in storrow drive with no traffic. Resident parking is difficult. Lots of tickets during the first year."
    1
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  • Timkelleyink
    "Farmers markets, favorite brunch spots and all the parades or fundraising events you can imagine! And tourists..."
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  • Carolyn K.
    "Quick and convenient access to the T from all parts of Back Bay, with easy bus connections at Copley and Kenmore stations."
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  • Miranda G.
    "I’ve lived in Back Bay for 2 years. It’s a very beautiful and convenient area. There are more tourists that I come into contact with than neighbors, however. Very dog friendly!"
    0
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  • Francesca P.
    "I walk to work so it’s super convenient! Lots of T options in the area if need be and Uber’s and taxis are always around. "
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  • Drew_lawrence
    "Walkable to everything. Restaurants, library, the esplanade. Right on the Commonwealth pedestrian mall."
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  • just an observer
    "You have to be a millionaire to live in the Back Bay. So a lot of “regular” people who walk the dogs you see and clean the townhouses don’t live here they work here. "
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  • Rchamp43
    "Dogs walk around a lot and their owners let them jump into flower beds and are generally careless. People with dogs will be right at home here, unless their dogs get into the bicycle lanes and get hit."
    1
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  • Audreymcropp
    "Old world feel. Very much an old Boston traditional neighborhood with beautiful architecture and excellent shopping. "
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  • Z d.
    "I lived here for couple of years and I love it. Best neighborhood of Boston. It’s close to everything "
    3
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  • Tan T.
    "It has a beautiful view, it's quiet, and there are lots of good stores and restaurants. It's nice to live here."
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  • Tan T.
    "It's a very safe place for kids."
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  • Thanh T.
    "Back Bay is a pet-friendly neighborhood."
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  • Monica J.
    "The dog parks are clean and spacious."
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  • Monica J.
    "There's easy access to public transportation, major hospitals, ethnic food stores, and bistros. There are a lot of different ethnic groups here. Also, lots of biking and hiking trails."
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  • Monica J.
    "It has fabulous playgrounds, nice parks, and friendly neighbors."
    0
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  • Thanh T.
    "It's safe and clean—a great place to live."
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  • Holly G.
    "I lived here at 100 Arlington, a nice apartment for over a year, very convenient and great restaurants near by, but the noise level is unbearable! Nonstopping sirens 24/7... "
    1
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  • Linda M.
    "Dogs LOVE the Public Garden and the Comm. Ave. Mall."
    0
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  • Maya B.
    "Dog owners would love the stretch of park that goes all down Commonwealth Avenue. They might also like walking along the water, on the Esplanade."
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  • Anne D.
    "There are a lot of dogs in the neighborhood, but no dedicated fenced-in dog park."
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  • Lcszychowski
    "Back Bay is a nice area. I really only recognize my neighbors by their dogs, because we often exchange dog names before we get to the level of actually meeting each other. Commonwealth Ave Mall is a great place to walk dogs or people watch. I live right next to Newbury Street, which can be super crowded with tourists in the summer. It’s a safe area but I have seen some shady drug deals going on occasionally. This is a city. So you’ll have that. Rent keeps going up and the neighborhood keeps feeling more like a shopping mall. The biggest win for me is the close proximity to the esplanade. "
    1
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Schools

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Homes in Back Bay

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