Best Towns and Neighborhoods near Boston

Looking for the right place near Boston that fits your lifestyle? Explore towns and neighborhoods across the greater Boston area using our interactive search grid. Filter by MBTA access, for convenient public transit into the city, waterfront locations or affordability to match your budget.

Whether you’re house-hunting, relocating, or simply comparing options for better value, shorter commutes, or a more relaxed setting just outside Boston, this guide highlights communities that balance proximity to the city with the amenities and character you’re looking for.

Allston

$$MBTABusMetro Center

City Living, University Energy, and Boston Convenience

Arlington

$$$MBTABusMetro Center

Residential streets, outdoor space, and convenient access to Cambridge and Boston.

Back Bay

$$$$WaterfrontMBTAMetro Center

Historic brownstones, full-service buildings, and walkable access to Newbury Street and the Public Garden.

Beacon Hill

$$$$MBTABusMetro Center

Historic brick townhouses, cobblestone streets, and a distinctive neighborhood character.

Belmont

$$$$RailBusMetro West

Strong schools, green spaces, and quiet residential streets.

Brighton

$$MBTABusMetro Center

Diverse residential streets, Green Line access, and neighborhood convenience.

Brookline

$$$WaterfrontMBTAMetro Center

Strong schools, Green Line access, and upscale residential streets.

Cambridge

$$$WaterfrontMBTARailMetro Center

University energy, Red Line access, and walkable city living.

Charlestown

$$$WaterfrontBusMetro Center

Historic streets, waterfront options, and a residential neighborhood feel.

Chelsea

$$WaterfrontMBTABusMetro North

Diverse waterfront city with Silver Line access and relative value.

Chinatown

$$$MBTABusMetro Center

Vibrant markets, restaurants, and central downtown location.

Dorchester

$$WaterfrontMBTABusMetro South

Boston’s largest neighborhood with Red Line access and diverse housing options.

Town	Type	Tagline
Allston	neighborhood	City Living, University Energy, and Boston Convenience $$MBTABusMetro Center
Arlington	town	Residential streets, outdoor space, and convenient access to Cambridge and Boston. $$$MBTABusMetro Center
Back Bay	neighborhood	Historic brownstones, full-service buildings, and walkable access to Newbury Street and the Public Garden. $$$$WaterfrontMBTAMetro Center
Beacon Hill	neighborhood	Historic brick townhouses, cobblestone streets, and a distinctive neighborhood character. $$$$MBTABusMetro Center
Belmont	town	Strong schools, green spaces, and quiet residential streets. $$$$RailBusMetro West
Brighton	neighborhood	Diverse residential streets, Green Line access, and neighborhood convenience. $$MBTABusMetro Center
Brookline	town	Strong schools, Green Line access, and upscale residential streets. $$$WaterfrontMBTAMetro Center
Cambridge	town	University energy, Red Line access, and walkable city living. $$$WaterfrontMBTARailMetro Center
Charlestown	neighborhood	Historic streets, waterfront options, and a residential neighborhood feel. $$$WaterfrontBusMetro Center
Chelsea	town	Diverse waterfront city with Silver Line access and relative value. $$WaterfrontMBTABusMetro North
Chinatown	neighborhood	Vibrant markets, restaurants, and central downtown location. $$$MBTABusMetro Center
Dorchester	neighborhood	Boston’s largest neighborhood with Red Line access and diverse housing options. $$WaterfrontMBTABusMetro South
East Boston	neighborhood	Blue Line access, harbor views, and a growing selection of homes. $$WaterfrontMBTABusMetro Center
Everett	town	Compact city with waterfront options and convenient access to Boston. $$WaterfrontBusMetro North
Fenway	neighborhood	Energetic neighborhood near Fenway Park, museums, and Green Line transit. $$$MBTABus
Financial District	neighborhood	High-rise living in Boston’s central business core with maximum transit access. $$$$MBTARailBusMetro Center
Hyde Park	neighborhood	Quieter residential streets, single-family homes, and a small-town feel. $$RailBusMetro Center
Jamaica Plain	neighborhood	Parks, Jamaica Pond, diverse dining, and Orange Line access. $$$MBTABusMetro South
Lexington	town	Prestigious historic suburb with top schools and conservation land. $$$BusMetro West
Lynn	town	Coastal city with beaches, commuter rail, and relative value. $$WaterfrontRailBusMetro North
Malden	town	Orange Line access, diverse neighborhoods, and convenient Boston connections. $$MBTABusMetro North
Mattapan	neighborhood	Diverse residential neighborhood with green spaces and relative value. $$MBTABusMetro South
Medford	town	Tufts University, Mystic River access, and convenient connections to Boston. $$RailBusMetro North
Melrose	town	Walkable downtown, strong schools, and charming residential streets. $$$Rail
Milton	town	Leafy streets, Blue Hills access, and strong schools. $$$MBTAMetro South
Mission Hill	neighborhood	Hilltop neighborhood near medical centers, universities, and Orange Line access. $$$MBTARailBusMetro Center
Nahant	town	Small coastal peninsula with beaches, ocean views, and quiet residential streets. $$$WaterfrontMetro North
Needham	town	Strong schools, walkable downtown, and residential streets west of Boston. $$$RailMetro West
Newton	town	Multiple villages, strong schools, and convenient Green Line access. $$$MBTAMetro West
North End	neighborhood	Historic Italian neighborhood with restaurants, narrow streets, and waterfront proximity. $$$WaterfrontMBTAMetro Center
Quincy	town	Red Line access, coastal neighborhoods, and a wide range of housing options. $$WaterfrontBusMetro South
Revere	town	Blue Line access, beachfront options, and coastal convenience. $$WaterfrontMBTABusMetro North
Roslindale	neighborhood	Village square, diverse dining, and access to the Arnold Arboretum. $$RailBusMetro West
Roxbury	neighborhood	Historic neighborhood, Orange Line access, and relative value. $$MBTAMetro West
Saugus	town	Practical suburb with Route 1 shopping and residential streets. $$BusMetro North
Seaport	neighborhood	Modern full-service buildings, harbor views, and contemporary waterfront living. $$$WaterfrontMBTAMetro Center
Somerville	town	Walkable streets, Green Line access, and independent restaurants. $$$WaterfrontMBTABusMetro Center
South Boston	neighborhood	Residential streets, beach access, and Red Line convenience. $$$WaterfrontMBTAMetro South
South End	neighborhood	Victorian brownstones, strong restaurant scene, and walkable residential streets. $$$$MBTAMetro Center
Stoneham	town	Small suburb with Spot Pond, reservation access, and residential streets. $$BusMetro North
Wakefield	town	Lake Quannapowitt, walkable downtown, and charming residential streets. $$$WaterfrontRailBusMetro North
Waltham	town	Moody Street dining, commuter rail, and a mix of residential options. $$RailBusMetro West
Watertown	town	Practical residential streets, outdoor space, and convenient access to Cambridge and Boston. $$$BusMetro West
Wellesley	town	Affluent suburb with strong schools, Wellesley College, and upscale residential streets. $$$$RailMetro West
West End	neighborhood	Modern high-rises near TD Garden, the river, and downtown. $$$MBTAMetro Center
West Roxbury	neighborhood	Tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and a quieter residential pace. $$$RailBusMetro West
Winchester	town	Exclusive suburb with top schools, Mystic Lakes, and refined residential streets. $$$$RailMetro North
Winthrop	town	Coastal peninsula with beaches, harbor views, and a small-town feel. $$$WaterfrontBusMetro North
Woburn	town	Growing suburb with Horn Pond, shopping, and convenient highway access. $$RailMetro North