Back Bay

Boston Sophistication

Back Bay is known for its picturesque apartments and large buildings stretching down Commonwealth Avenue. It’s also home to Boston’s upscale shopping neighborhood, Newbury Street. Before it was transformed into the beauty that it is today, the land that now makes up Back Bay was quite literally, a bay! A milldam was originally built for the bay, but presented problems and was more expensive than the builders originally expected. This drove a transformation - the area was filled with land, and it launched a beautiful neighborhood. Today, the area boasts plenty of dining destinations and shopping areas to enjoy. Newbury Street is a popular spot, featuring art galleries, fashion stores, designer boutiques, and cafes. There are also historic landmarks that date back to the 1800s. The Boston Public Library and Trinity Church are two examples. Hugging Charles River also gives the residents of Back Bay envious views of the water.

There are many restaurants and bars to visit in Back Bay. Restaurants include Saltie Girl, Dig Inn, La Voile, Legal Sea Foods, and Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse. Bars for enjoying a night out with friends include The Hawthorne, Bill's Bar & Lounge, Bukowski Tavern, and McGreevy's Boston. Back Bay is great for people looking to live in a neighborhood brimming with sophistication, beauty, and entertainment.

What Back Bay Residents
Think About Their Apartments

overall

7.7

value

7.2

amenities

6.3

social

7.5

management

8.0

Median rents in Back Bay

Studio

3,300

1 Bedroom

4,385

2 Bedroom

5,755

Living in
Back Bay

Good Restaurant and Bar Scene

Walkable

Shopping

More Expensive Rent

Newbury Street

Groceries

Upscale

Back Bay — 8.9/10 Rating (based on 22 neighborhood reviews)

close to school, close to transport that takes you to CTC
6 minute walk to beacon campus. Bus available every 10 minutes to go to CTC. can also take T Green line (every 10 min) or NECO Shuttle (weekdays, schedule vary).
Area relatively noisy (ambulance and fire trucks), although I've been to much noisier areas.

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Reviewed by

Anne Ibraheem, NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

371 Commonwealth Avenue

Close to campus! Close to Newbury street and the Prudential Center. Also close to BU campus and Fenway.

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Reviewed by

NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

491 Beacon St

Very safe and always lots of people and light even at night.

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Reviewed by

Sarah, NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

362 Commonwealth Ave

Very safe
Professional neighborhood and beautiful

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Reviewed by

Boston Resident

/10

Neighborhood Rating

1 Gloucester street

It’s amazing, very green, busy streets lots going on around my apartment. Super beautiful as well

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Reviewed by

Babson Olin Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

60 St Germain st

Very safe. Close to school and the esplanade. Accessible transit.

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Reviewed by

NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

491 Beacon St, Apt 1

Trader Joes is 5 minutes away. What more can I say?

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Reviewed by

Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

405 Beacon Street

Short walk to restaurants, stores and transit. Neighborhood is a mix of families and young professionals with a few college students.

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Reviewed by

megan

/10

Neighborhood Rating

421 marlborough st

Everything around the corner

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Reviewed by

NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

336 Marlborough St. Apt 4

Safe with many resources available.

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Reviewed by

Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

27 Massachusetts Ave

Safe neighborhood close to food and activities

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Reviewed by

NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

323 Beacon st

The building is a short walk to Newbury St and Fenway Park and there is a T stop very close by. There are lots of restaurants nearby and a convince store on the first level.

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Reviewed by

NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

491 Beacon St

I love Back Bay. It is mostly safe and there are many restaurants and bars nearby. It is also pretty central, so it is easy to get to other areas of Boston fairly quickly. The only down sides to Back Bay is that it can be noisy (lots of honking and yelling) and it is expensive.

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Reviewed by

Janine, NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

371 Commonwealth Avenue

Back Bay is a beautiful neighborhood with lots of character

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Reviewed by

NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Clearway Apartments

I feel very safe in this neighborhood. It is close to both work and school, as well as multiple shops and restaurants

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Reviewed by

New England Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

319 Dartmouth St Unit 1

Great area with lots of food, close to all transportation, walking distance from medical campus

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Greenhouse Apartments

Noise from the street isn’t great. Otherwise the location is great.

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Reviewed by

NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

491 Beacon St

Close to most things in Boston, makes the city very walk-able. However it is expensive and parking is a real pain. Much more central than Fenway and not nearly as crowded as the South End or Beacon Hill

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Reviewed by

Boston Resident

/10

Neighborhood Rating

236 Beacon St

Marlborough is the most gorgeous street

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Reviewed by

NECO Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating