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
10
/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
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
491 Beacon St
Great area with lots of food, close to all transportation, walking distance from medical campus
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Greenhouse Apartments
Very safe. Close to school and the esplanade. Accessible transit.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
491 Beacon St, Apt 1
Back Bay is a beautiful neighborhood with lots of character
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Clearway Apartments
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
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
236 Beacon St
Trader Joes is 5 minutes away. What more can I say?
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
405 Beacon Street
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
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
319 Dartmouth St Unit 1
Marlborough is the most gorgeous street
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
379 Marlborough Street
Would live here again.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
21 Massachusetts Avenue
Safe neighborhood close to food and activities
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Reviewed by
8
/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
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
491 Beacon St
It’s amazing, very green, busy streets lots going on around my apartment. Super beautiful as well
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
60 St Germain 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
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
371 Commonwealth Avenue
Very safe and always lots of people and light even at night.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
362 Commonwealth Ave
Very safe
Professional neighborhood and beautiful
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1 Gloucester street
Noise from the street isn’t great. Otherwise the location is great.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
491 Beacon St
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
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
421 marlborough st
Close to everything including transportation, food, laundry, grocery store, gym-everything
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Apartments in Back Bay
Everything around the corner
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
336 Marlborough St. Apt 4
Safe with many resources available.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
27 Massachusetts Ave
Close to food and school
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
491 Beacon St


Getting to Know
Back Bay

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: Charlesgate to Arlington St
North to South Boundaries: Storrow Dr to Titus Sparrow Park
dining
Abe & Louie’s Steakhouse
Dirty Water Dough Co.
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar
Shake Shack
Stephanie’s On Newbury
grocery
Store 24
Trader Joe’s
Whole Foods
convenience
CVS Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy
Walgreens
fitness
Boston Sports Clubs
David Barton Gym
Healthworks Fitness Center
Reebok CrossFit Back Bay - Back Bay Location
parks
Copley Square Fountain
Frieda Garcia Park
Titus Sparrow Park
coffee
Barrington Coffee Roasting Company
Starbucks
bus
1/CT1 (bus)
39/9 (bus)
502/503 (bus)
parking
HILTON - Back Bay
Vpne Parking Solutions 100 Clarendon St

Best Apartments
in Back Bay

371 Commonwealth Avenue

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Avalon Exeter
Studio $3,250
1 Bed $5,000
2 Beds $6,045

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464 Commonwealth Avenue
2 Beds $3,495

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Burbank Apartments
Studio $1,716
1 Bed $2,435
2 Beds $3,445

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The W Residences

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405 Beacon Street

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Nearby Neighborhoods

Neighborhood Guide
North End
Boston's Little Italy
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Fenway/Kenmore
Signature Boston
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Financial District
Thriving Hub for Business and Commerce
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Harvard Square
Intellectual and Offbeat Atmosphere
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Chinatown
Bustling with Energy
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Mission Hill
Known for its Brick Rowhouses and Triple-Decker Homes
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Beacon Hill
Upscale Boston Living
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Wellesley
Residential Suburban Area Home to Babson College
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Allston
Perfect for Students
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West End
Blend of Old and New Boston
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South End
Hip Community