South End

Hip Community

Situated near Northeastern University, South End Boston is a great place for commuting students. Filled with bars, trendy eateries, and popular clubs, many students enjoy life here while attending classes. Gracing South-End streets are rows of brownstones, which offer strollers great views of stately houses, overflowing flower boxes, and gaslight street lamps. Many popular food trucks visit the neighborhood on Sundays - which the residents flock to for a sampling of delicious street food. There is also Peters Park, a popular social hub for socializing where locals enjoy basketball and tennis. There is also a garden and dog-friendly area at the park where pets have room to run and play. For food shopping, there’s Ming’s Market, Whole Foods Market, and Tropical Foods.

South End is filled with places to grab some grub or have a drink with friends. Restaurants include Toro Boston, Vejigantes Restaurant, Giacomo's, KAVA neo-taverna, and Myers+Chang. Bars to hit up for a drink with friends include Slades Bar & Grill, Bukowski Tavern, McGreevy's Boston, and Avery Bar. South End is great for college students attending Northeastern University thanks to its convenient location and hip hotspots.

What South End Residents
Think About Their Apartments

overall

8.0

value

7.0

amenities

8.0

social

7.8

management

8.0

Median rents in South End

Studio

2,970

1 Bedroom

3,535

2 Bedroom

4,530

Living in
South End

Developed

Students

Safe

Centrally Located

Walkable

Northeastern University

Peter's Park

Trendy

South End — 8.5/10 Rating (based on 44 neighborhood reviews)

Best part of dental school is living in the South End. There's so much to do, easy walking, great restaurants (I wish there were more bars though), family oriented, and safe (if you avoid Mass Ave.). Living closer to the school (3 minute walk), I'm definitely at the far edge of the South End, which means I have a longer walk than most people to get to the fun spots around town, but I don't mind the walk and I value living closer to the school anyway.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Brookline St.

As a traditional student in my 20s I see a lot of people who are my age in and around the neighborhood. I also see lots of other people who come in to shop at the whole foods or residents of neighborhood buildings who are working professionals, young families and lots of people with pets :)) People are friendly here. With lots of cafes and restaurants near by (and being so close to china town) if I ever don’t feel like making food I always have a back up plan! It’s a super safe neighborhood. I will walk to/from a friends place across the street at night and there’s always a few cars on the street, some times even patrolling cars (though not that often). I always see young adults out late on the weekends when I am also getting home from somewhere and it comforts me to walk on well lit streets not all alone!

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Reviewed by

New England Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

7Ink

South End is a very quiet and safe neighborhood. It has a few restaurants and entertainment places, but you can find attractions and restaurants around Chinatown, Boston Common or Newbury street, which takes about 30 minutes walk.

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Reviewed by

BU Grad Medical Sciences Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Smith

I enjoy being so close to school, and the South End does have a solid food scene. My main complaint with the South End is that it is not very dense, so every point of interest involves at least a 10-minute walk. I also feel like the lack of nearby affordable grocery stores and reasonably priced gyms is a deterrent. All that said, I'd still prefer to live in the South End, because the convenience of commute is worthwhile.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James and Harrison Court Apartments

There is a lot of great restaurants everywhere and we are about a 20 minute walk from anything in the city. Only downside is that we are not that close to any T-station (closest is about a 15-20 minute walk).

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Reviewed by

BU Public Health Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Cosmopolitan

I've been here all 10 years I've been in Boston. You just can't beat it. This location is particularly good because you are on the border of the back bay.

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Reviewed by

BU Questrom Grad Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

22 Yarmouth Street, Boston, MA

The south end is very expensive, but it's cute and has great restaurants. I do wish it was a bit more lively compared to other areas of Boston.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James and Harrison Court Apartments

Absolutely love the South End as a neighborhood. Most of it is very safe and family friendly. The restaurants and bars are incredible. There is so much beauty and lots of park/green space. By far my favorite neighborhood in Boston.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

233 Northampton Street

I love living in the South End. Quick walk to amazing bars/restaurants. Very close to school and my work.

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Reviewed by

BU Public Health Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Smith

Lots of cool restaurants and coffee shops. Relatively safe

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

41 Worcester Sq

The South End was once the up and coming neighborhood. Now it's just "here". It's very developed, perfect for all walks of life, fantastic shopping, restaurants, bars, etc..
Safe neighborhood that is quite centrally located.

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Reviewed by

Boston Resident

/10

Neighborhood Rating

TROY Boston

It isn't the best part of the city because of proximity to BMC, but it is right near school so the location is perfect

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James and Harrison Court Apartments

It is close to BU Dental School which is very convenient. I don't like the surroundings. I don't recommend walking late at night.
A lot of good places to eat around the neighborhood.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James Court

So close to school but not much to do or places to shop

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Reviewed by

BU Grad Medical Sciences Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James Court

Expensive, but nice. Lots of fun restaurants and near the med campus, which is what I needed.

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Reviewed by

BU Public Health Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

542 Massachusetts Ave

Good restaurants around, Whole foods and CVS close by

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

345 Harrison

It’s great to be close to school.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

The Smith

Good area

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Reviewed by

BU Grad Medical Sciences Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James Court

good

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James Court

Neighborhood is surrounded by homeless sometimes. My building is safe and free of homeless people.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Girard

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Parmelee Court Homes

Lots of things to do and eat, but very expensive

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Reviewed by

BU Public Health Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Ink Block

I love the south end. I’ve lived here for 6 years. I’ve built relationships with the families that I babysit for and have explored the many restaurants close by. I have experienced the cost of living in this neighborhood increase immensely over my six years so unfortunately it is not sustainable for me to stay in the neighborhood once I graduate.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Langham Court

The area is a quiet place since it is close to the school. It is a close walk to Back Bay, Prudential, and Chinatown. There are individuals walking around everywhere and the parks nearby are great! The only con is that there isn't much grocery stores close by except for Foodie's & Wholefoods.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James and Harrison Court Apartments

Im more on the outskirts of the south end being closer to the medical campus, but its an easy 10 minutes to get closer to the area with all the restaurants and I love this neighborhood.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

105 E Brookline Street

The main drawback to living in the MSR is the neighborhood. While being close to the med school and BMC is great, the neighborhood lacks in amenities, restaurants, places to hang out, or a T stop (there is only the bus). However, the BU Shuttle (which is free) can bring you to the orange line, the Hynes T stop/Boylston/Newbury, and down into the Charles River Campus. It is also generally not safe to walk around by yourself at night in the area due to the large homeless/substance use issue in the area.

Further north within the South End, there are more restaurants, nice brownstones, etc.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Medical Student Residence

A fair number of people loiter outside a safe injection site between the MSR and BUSM campus, which some may perceive as creating an unsafe environment. However, there have been no safety concerns as far as I know. I personally like the neighborhood and love how walkable it is.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Medical Student Residence

South end is a pretty nice place to live. It’s close to school and most of my classmates live nearby as well. It is important to be safe at night though.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

James Court

The South End is a great neighborhood, close to school with lots to do. There are a mix of incomes, families, and single person housing.

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Reviewed by

New England Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

556 Columbus Ave

It's good. There are few convenience stores nearby for basic things in emergency. A lot of bank ATMs are in vicinity.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Medical Student Residence

The neighborhood is great for walks, some local restaurants, proximity to campus, and schools. It is very residential with parks and charm. That being said, the closest T stop is a 20-25 minute walk away so transportation here is primarily through cars or buses. Also, there is not a big variety of grocery stores for the budget conscious; closest one is a Whole Foods. Bonuses would be the pharmacies and banks all a 10-15 minute walk from the apartment. Most of South End is quite safe, but be forewarned that the closer you get to BMC and the South End shelters, the more homeless people you will encounter.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

74 E Brookline Street, Unit 3

We are on the border of South End and Roxbury, which are two very different neighborhoods. We are also very close to Mass and Cass. You can walk 10 minutes in one direction and end up in a nice area with restaurants, or you could walk 10 minutes in a different direction and feel unsafe. You have to walk at least 10 minutes to get to anything except the hospital or 1 bus - silver line, BU shuttle, convenience store, grocery store, restaurants, bars, etc are all AT LEAST 10 minutes away, some are 20 minutes away, which is frustrating.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Medical Student Residence

The South End is a lovely neighborhood which is close to school, but it is way too expensive for students to live comfortably.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

601 Albany Street

South End is good for living near BU Dental and BUMC. Lots of restaurants but not many affordable grocery stores within walking distance. I live here for the convenience of getting to school

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

10 Saint George street

Close to school. It’s on a side street so its safer than Mass Ave

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

None

Not much in terms of public transportation but I don't see this as a problem since you can get blue bikes or walk. Safest neighborhood I have lived in.

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Reviewed by

BU Dental Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

284 Shawmut Ave

Pros: in the city, near BU Medical campus, near Foodie's grocery store, near Boston Sports Club, great restaurants and cafes nearby, lots of street parking.

Cons: Next to government-subsidized housing, far from subway, close to methadone clinic (0.5mi)

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Reviewed by

Boston Resident

/10

Neighborhood Rating

601 Albany Street

South End is great. Feels fairly safe.

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Reviewed by

BU SOM Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating