Neighborhood Amenities to Look for When Moving to Boston

Picking which neighborhood to apartment or house hunt in can be both exciting and stressful. With so many great Boston neighborhoods, the options can feel overwhelming. We compiled a list of neighborhood amenities to consider which will be helpful for picking the best neighborhood in Boston for you.

Outdoor Space:

While some people are more into the outdoors than others, neighborhoods with green spaces can be much more comfortable for anyone to live in. Oftentimes parks are more than just a place to hold picnics—many have local events such as farmers markets or neighborhood parties. Not only are these events fun on your own, but they are also a great way to get to know your neighbors! In many Urban areas of Greater Boston, lots of people prefer parks than a back yard because there is less maintenance and larger spaces to conduct activities such as flying kites or toy remote controlled devices. It’s also a lot easier to meet people and get involved in a pick up game of flag football or basketball. Outdoor space is definitely one of the more sought after neighborhood amenities.

The Commute:

If you are researching neighborhoods, chances are one of the first things you look into relates to how long the commute will be. Instead of just looking at time, it is important to look into the ease of the commute as well. For example, a bus stop could be right down the street from you, but if that bus is never on time it is not going to be a good amenity. Whether you are traveling to work, school, or anywhere in between it is important to research how comfortable and reliable your commute will be! There are also great new apps out there to check out that can predict when your Public transportation is coming so you can finish up your coffee at the right time and walk out the door without wasting a minute.

Food and Retail:

We’ve all been there—you get home after a long day only to realize you forgot to pick up the milk you need for dinner and toilet paper to restock the bathroom. In situations like this, there is no overestimating the convenience of having retail shops and grocery stores/restaurants nearby. It’s always nice to have a good mix of places to buy groceries and places to get take out. If you don’t have shops nearby, start thinking about buying in bulk so make sure the pad you pick has either a generous pantry or a good basement to store larger bulky supplies such as paper towels.

Personal Deal Breakers:

The reason different neighborhoods have their own unique culture and features is because everyone has different tastes or education or work responsibilities. People move to specific areas for reasons such as nightlife, schools, art galleries, shopping and more. Of course, there are also deal breakers that could keep you away from a certain neighborhood.

For example, if you are a light sleeper and bothered by loud noises, it is probably best to avoid anywhere close to Logan airport if the house hasn’t been properly outfitted with noise cancelling windows and other sound dampeners. It makes sense to watch and know the flight path of airplanes. If you are into history and old homes, you probably do not want to move to an area with a lot of construction and new developments. Make a list of your personal deal breakers, and rank them from most to least important. This will be incredibly helpful in helping you make the final choice of where to move!

Whatever neighborhood amenities you are looking for, Boston Pads has local specialists who can help you find the best place for you to call home!