Communities
Beacon Hill (www.beaconhillonline.com)
Steeped in New England’s rich history, Beacon Hill is one of the city’s favorite neighborhoods. Beacon Hill offers its residents – and many visitors – a wide array of restaurants and boutiques. It is quite close to Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden, some of the oldest green spaces in the United States, and the home to baseball fields, summer theater, the Frog Pond and winter skating. Narrow streets and cobblestone ways add to the picturesque appeal of Beacon Hill, and proximity to the state capital building imbues the neighborhood with a sense of history and currency that makes the enclave vibrant. Living options in this neighborhood range from grand Federal-, Greek Revival- and Victorian-style townhouses to cozy apartments.
Back Bay (www.nabbonline.com)
Best known for its upscale retail and dining options – particularly Newbury Street – Back Bay is considered one of the premier residential locations in the city. Copley Square, the Prudential Center, the Boston Public Library, Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden all offer ample and pleasant diversions for residents. For outdoor enthusiasts, sidewalks along the Charles River offer the perfect opportunity for walking, jogging, rollerblading and biking. During the summer months, small sail boats area available for use and Boston’s community boating is based at the Esplanade, which is also the occasional home of open-air concerts and fairs. Just steps from all the excitement are great living options in historic brownstones and luxury, full-service condominiums located at some of Boston’s most exclusive addresses.
South End (www.southend.org)
A perennially popular area to live, the South End is considered to be one of the most exciting areas of the city as it has continually reinvented itself since major renovations in the 1960s. Known for its artistic flair and its diverse population, the neighborhood is flanked by an array of parks, coffee shops and budding art galleries. The neighborhood is also becoming well-known for its restaurants, which range from authentic ethnic fare to urban bistros. Most homes in the South End are Victorian brick row houses, though luxury living options within the neighborhood are becoming a popular option.
Waterfront
The Waterfront has long been considered a desirable area of Boston. Many tourists and Bostonians take advantage of the many attractions along the waterfront, including whale watches, harbor cruises, various historic sites – including the Boston Tea Party boat – and trips to the famed New England Aquarium, not to mention you are steps away from the vibrant Italian culture found in the North End. Among the housing options along the waterfront, luxury condominiums are increasingly popular.
School Profiles
Boston Public Schools
The Boston Public School system is split into three districts – the East, the North and the West – at the elementary and middle school levels. The Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the South End and Waterfront neighborhoods all fall into the North Zone. High-schools, including the illustrious and competitive Boston Latin, are all open to students city-wide. To find out more about the many schools in the Boston Public School system, as well as about the school year calendar, requirements and registration, visit http://boston.k12.ma.us.
Private and Preparatory Schools
There are myriad private schools around the boston area meeting the needs of children and parents from many communities.
Schools outside of Boston
The towns surrounding Boston also offer a wealth of educational institutions you and your family might want to consider, including Buckingham, Browne and Nichols and the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, Beaver Country Day School, the Brimmer and May School and the Chestnut Hill School in Chestnut Hill, and many others in surrounding towns. There is a very helpful list and links available at http://privateschool.about.com.