Boston is sometimes called a "city of neighborhoods " because of the profusion of diverse subsections. The word "neighborhood" can take on various official and unofficial meanings. There are, however, 21 official neighborhoods in Boston used by the city. Bostonians also have a variety of overlapping districts which they consider neighborhoods, squares, areas, etc. Boundaries established by the city's residential parking districts, the U.S. Postal Service, and a variety of overlapping neighborhood associations serve as unofficial anchors for the terms used in everyday commerce and conversation.
"Neighborhoods" exist on both large and small scales. Brighton (including Allston), Charlestown, Dorchester (including Mattapan), Hyde Park, Roxbury, South Boston, and West Roxbury (including Roslindale and Jamaica Plain), have all at some point been municipalities independent from downtown Boston, providing a source of well-defined boundaries for the largest areas. Neighborhood associations often form around much smaller communities, or around a commercial district (often with "Square" in the name, though few intersections in Boston are rectilinear) with a well-defined center but poorly idefined extremities.
Boston's leveling and expansion by landfill has influenced the naming of certain neighborhoods, such as the Back Bay, South Cove, and Fort Point. The West End, North End, and South End are no longer at those geographic extremities, due to the annexation of surrounding communities.
Further information: History of Boston, MassachusettsOverview
Downtown Boston is the site of the Financial District, Government Center, Chinatown, and Leather District.
Surrounding downtown are the neighborhoods of the South End, North End, West End, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, and Back Bay. The South End is the center of the city's LGBT population and also populated by artists and young professionals. The North End retains an Italian flavor with its many Italian restaurants, though many of its Italian families have moved out, while young professionals have moved in. The Back Bay, west of the Public Garden, is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the United States. Beacon Hill, another wealthy neighborhood, is the site of the Massachusetts State House. The Back Bay and Beacon Hill are also home to national and local politicians, famous authors, and top business leaders and professionals. Bay Village is smallest and arguably least known neighborhood in Boston, most of its residents live in small brick row houses.
North and east of downtown are the neighborhoods of East Boston and Charlestown. East Boston has a growing Hispanic and Brazilian population with a remnant of older Italians. On the north bank of the Charles River is Charlestown, a predominantly Irish enclave and site of the Bunker Hill Monument.
West of downtown are the neighborhoods of Fenway-Kenmore, Allston-Brighton and Mission Hill. Fenway/Kenmore borders the campus of Boston University and houses many college students and young professionals and is the location of Fenway Park. Allston/Brighton is populated heavily by students from nearby universities, as well as recent graduates. Mission Hill is adjacent to the Longwood Medical district, full of world-class medical institutions.
South of downtown are the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and South Boston. Dorchester is Boston's largest neighborhood and predominately a working class community considered to be Boston's most diverse. Roxbury is populated largely by African Americans, Caribbean Americans, and Latinos and is historically the center of Boston's black community. Jamaica Plain is a community of white professionals and Latinos, and includes the Arnold Arboretum. South Boston is a predominately Irish-American neighborhood, which hosts the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
South of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Dorchester are the neighborhoods of Mattapan, Roslindale, Hyde Park, and West Roxbury. Mattapan, although predominately residential, is the most urban of the four neighborhoods. It is predominately African American and Caribbean American. Roslindale is known for its small business district. Hyde Park and West Roxbury have a distinct suburban feel, while still being a part of the city of Boston. Both neighborhoods have large areas of wooded parks and their populations are predominately white.
Official list of neighborhoods
The City of Boston is officially divided into 21 neighborhoods for purposes of neighborhood services programs. These are:
- Allston/Brighton
- Back Bay
- Bay Village
- Beacon Hill
- Charlestown
- Chinatown/Leather District
- Dorchester
- Downtown/Financial District
- East Boston
- Fenway/Kenmore
- Hyde Park
- Jamaica Plain
- Mattapan
- Mission Hill
- North End
- Roslindale
- Roxbury
- South Boston
- South End
- West End
- West Roxbury
List of neighborhoods, areas, and squares
- Allston/Brighton
- Allston Village
- Boston University
- Brighton Center
- Chestnut Hill
- Cleveland Circle
- Union Square
- Oak Square
- Packard's Corner
- Soldier's Field
- Back Bay
- Bay Village (also known as South Cove)
- Beacon Hill
- Louisburg Square
- Charlestown
- Bunker Hill
- The Neck
- The Navy Yard
- Hayes Square
- City Square
- Thompson Square
- Sullivan Square
- Chinatown
- Dorchester
- Adams Corner/Adams Village
- Andrew Square
- Ashmont
- Codman Square/Dorchester Center
- Columbia Point/Harbor Point
- Cedar Grove
- Fields Corner
- Four Corners
- Franklin Field
- Grove Hall
- Lower Mills
- Jones Hill
- Meeting House Hill
- Mount Bowdoin
- Neponset
- Peabody Square
- Polish Triangle
- Popes Hill
- Port Norfolk
- Savin Hill
- Uphams Corner
- Wellington Hill
- Downtown Boston
- Bulfinch Triangle
- Combat Zone (defunct)
- Downtown Crossing
- Financial District
- Government Center
- Haymarket Square (Boston)
- Theatre District
- Waterfront
- East Boston
- Bennington Street
- Central Square
- Chelsea Street
- Day Square
- Jeffries Point
- Logan International Airport
- Maverick Square
- Orient Heights
- Fenway/Kenmore
- Kenmore Square
- Hyde Park
- Readville
- Fairmont Hill
- Jamaica Plain
- Hyde Square
- Forest Hills
- Moss Hill
- Leather District
- Longwood
- Mattapan
- Mission Hill
- Brigham Circle
- Back of the Hill
- Parker Hill
- North End
- Ann Street (North Street)
- Roslindale
- Roxbury
- Dudley Square
- Egleston Square
- Franklin Park
- Roxbury Crossing
- South Boston
- D Street
- City Point
- Fort Point
- South Boston Waterfront/Seaport District
- South End
- West End
- Charles Street
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- West Roxbury
References
- ^ Boston - A City of Neighborhoods, at CityOfBoston.gov .
- ^ Official Boston neighborhoods, defined here.
- ^ http://www.cityofboston.gov/bra/pdf/maps/sullivansquare.pdf
- ^ Boston schoolyard sites
- ^ Layout
- ^ Four Corners Main Street
- ^ Egleston Square Neighborhood Association
External links
- Boston - A City of Neighborhoods. CityOfBoston.gov .
- Boston guide organized by square
- Maps of Boston neighborhoods
- Alliance of Boston neighborhoods
- List of Boston's Neighborhoods
- Things to Do in Boston's Neighborhoods - Photos &
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