Neighborhoods

Boston and the surrounding areas of Northeastern offer a wide variety of communities in which to live, each with their own personality and character. Below are the neighborhoods near Northeastern’s campus where many students live. It is important to consider proximity to campus, your rental budget, access to public transportation and type of housing (large building or multi-family home), as this will help determine your preferred neighborhood.

For more information on Boston’s neighborhoods, go to www.cityofboston.gov/neighborhoods or find cost comparison of average rents by neighborhood, here: offcampus.sites.northeastern.edu/rental-costs.

Back Bay

  • Home to: Boston Public Library, Newbury Street, Prudential Center, Boston Public Garden
  • Neighbors: Mostly professionals and some students
  • Proximity to Campus:  1 mile
  • T Access: Green line (B,C, D & E lines), orange line, many buses.
  • Commute to Campus: 15-20 minute walk or a 10 minute subway ride.
  • Description: Once water behind the Public Garden, the Back Bay now holds some of the most exclusive real estate in Boston, diverse and trendy shopping on Newbury Street, and elegant historic brownstone architecture. Back Bay is an exciting place to live that does come with higher rents!

Boston Downtown

  • Home to: Theatre District, Financial District, Dewey Square, South Station
  • Neighbors: Mostly professionals
  • Proximity to Campus:  1 mile
  • T Access: Green line (B,C, D & E lines), orange line, red line, silver line, many buses.
  • Commute to Campus: 15-20 minute walk or a 10 minute subway ride.
  • Description: Downtown is the heart of the city. Many companies and agencies have their headquarters in the area, and City Hall and the State House are also located here. The area comes alive each weekday around noontime as thousands of corporate employees break for lunch and do some quick shopping or run errands.

Fenway/Kenmore

  • Home to: Fenway Park, The Fens field and community gardens, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Museum of Fine Arts
  • Neighbors: Many students, some families, and young professionals
  • Proximity to Campus:  1 mile or less
  • T Access: Green line (B,C, D & E lines), orange line, red line, silver line, local buses.
  • Commute to Campus: 15-20 minute walk or a 10 minute subway ride.
  • Description: The Fenway is more than just Fenway Park. Many new restaurants have opened here recently creating a lot of buzz on this end of Boylston Street. Lansdowne Street continues to have a lot of nightlife near the ballpark.

Jamaica Plain

  • Home to: Jamaica Pond, the original J.P. Lick’s Ice Cream, Franklin Park Zoo, Arnold Arboretum
  • Neighbors: Families, professionals, and some students
  • Proximity to Campus:  2 miles
  • T Access: Orange line, 39 bus
  • Commute to Campus: 35 minute walk or a 15 minute subway ride.
  • Description: Jamaica Plain is a part of the city of Boston. Diversity is the strength of J.P., to which it is lovingly referred as by residents. The rich diversity in J.P. has created a strong character of social awareness and tolerance among neighbors and residents. It also has many green spaces and walking paths to enjoy!

Mission Hill

  • Home to: Brigham Circle shopping center, local restaurants, Fitzgerald Park, and Longwood medical area.
  • Neighbors: Families, professionals, and some students
  • Proximity to Campus:  1-1.5 miles
  • T Access: Orange line, green line (E line only), 39 bus
  • Commute to Campus: 20 minute walk or a 10 minute subway or bus ride.
  • Description: Once filled with farms and most of the breweries in Boston, Mission Hill today is a community  of long-time residents and students. It is an architectural landmark district with a combination of single family and three-decker homes. Many families, students, and staff from the nearby Longwood medical area come to Mission Hill for affordable rents and great city views.

Roxbury

  • Home to: Dudley Square business district and Roxbury Community College
  • Neighbors: Families, professionals, some students.
  • Proximity to Campus:  1-1.5 miles
  • T Access: Orange line, silver line, local buses.
  • Commute to Campus: 20-25 minute walk or a 15 minute subway or bus ride.
  • Description: Home to a great number of parks, schools, and churches, a visitor can see Boston’s history in the architecture and landmarks of the neighborhood. Roxbury is a thriving community with a multitude of housing options nestled among a diverse selection of shops and restaurants.

South End

  • Home to: Boston Medical Center, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston Ballet, SOWA market, and InkBlock district.
  • Neighbors: Families, professionals, and some students
  • Proximity to Campus:  1 mile
  • T Access: Orange line, 39 bus
  • Commute to Campus: 10-15 minute walk or a 5 minute subway ride.
  • Description: The South End, with its blocks of Victorian brick row houses, upscale restaurants and art galleries, has become a very trendy place to live in Boston. Trendy restaurants brush shoulders with coffee shops and local businesses between Tremont St. and Washington St.

More neighborhoods and towns to the north, south, east, and west of the Northeastern University campus:

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