6.9 out of 10

South Boston

Ranked 9th best neighborhood in Boston
42.340527382702 -71.0409514424458
Great for
  • Internet Access
  • Public Transport
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Eating Out
  • Clean & Green
Not great for
  • No ratings yet
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Beach Lovers

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+
Editors Choice

"Up and Coming is an Understatement...Young Professionals Dream Neigborhood"

For all you skeptics who think the worst of "Southie" this one's for you...

When I first started looking into apartment options in Boston I immediately ruled South Boston out. I heard the neighborhood was "up and coming" and "full of young professionals" but I honestly didn't believe it. All I could think of was drunk kids who think every day is St. Patrick's Day. I looked into Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Bay Village, and the South End & told my Realtor to NOT include any South Boston options. When my Realtor came back with options in my price range in my desired areas I was less than impressed. I guess that's what happens when you have Champagne taste on a Coors Light budget.

I gave up my apartment search and decided to wait until I saved more money and was able to afford a nicer place in my desired areas. In April of this year I was approached by a colleague asking if I was interested in moving "a block behind the beach". One of her 2 roommates was moving out of their 3 Bedroom apartment and they needed a tenant as soon as possible. I can remember my first trip on the Number 7 bus like it was yesterday. I work downtown, so the walk from our office to the bus stop was approx 2 minutes. On the bus I found nothing but young business professionals. I thought to myself, "maybe Southie wont be so bad". We got off at the East Broadway stop and walked past the Boston Beer Garden and the Playwright. It was an exceptionally warm day for Boston in April and both restaurants had their windows open exposing a young and lively crowd of mid 20 something year olds.... Maybe I misjudged this place. I wasn't going to let my colleague/potential roommate know this until I saw the apartment though.

We walked down K Street and I legitimately felt like I was walking down a street in Bay Village or the South End. The street is lined with trees and flowers and a portion of the apartments on the street have the "Boston Brownstone" facade. We turned onto Marine Road and walked into a 3 story apartment. Upon entering the apartment I already felt like I was home. The Apartment was 5x bigger than anything I had seen in my desired locations, and 5x cheaper! I wanted to take in the whole neighborhood before making a decision, so I asked my colleague/potential future roommate if we could take a walk along the beach. On our walk I saw young professional after young professional run by with either a friend or a 4 legged friend. The whole area was buzzing with life and energy and I just knew I needed to move here.

I have been living in Southie now for just a few months, but I already feel like its home. The streets are always buzzing with activity and excitement. I come from a small town so obviously I was concerned about safety in a city neighborhood... I can honestly say that I feel very safe in Southie. One of the many things I love about Southie are all the mom and pop shops. There is a chic boutique called Ku De Ta and surprisingly it is actually affordable! It's the perfect place for a girl with Champagne taste on a Coors Light budget! There is also a farm to table grocery store called American Provisions which offers a variety of locally sourced items with a strong emphasis on gourmet cheeses and quality meats along with a number of other locally grown items. The final place I will tell you about is Sidewalk Cafe... Best.Coffee.Ever. I am an impatient person and a Starbucks girl, but I will tell you one thing. I WILL wait in the 20 minute Sidewalk line for my Iced Banana Hazelnut coffee...rain or shine... on a Saturday & Sunday morning!

I could go on and on about South Boston and how much of a wonderful neighborhood it is for someone in their Mid-Late 20's but I'll let you come see for yourself what a great little place it is!
Pros
  • Very Young Neighborhood
  • Pedestrian & Pet Friendly
  • Numerous restaurants & bars
Cons
  • Parking Spots are Few and Far Between
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Beach Lovers
keelym2
keelym2 So many glaring reviews about Southie here, likely from just arrived yuppies who havent a clue about the neighborhood they spent a million on a 2 bedroom condo in. Check back in a year once youve discovered the entrenched organized crime, a raging drug problem, natives who despise outsiders
, especially outsiders whos last names arent Irish or who, God forbid , arent white.
Despite all the gentrification Southie is still a white ghetto and the natives are likely planing in stealing your car or breaking into your condo while youre at work. Dont say I didnt warn you;)
2yrs+
Add a comment...
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Walk to the Beach!"

Pros
  • Numerous restaurants & bars
  • Pedestrian & Pet Friendly
  • Very Young Neighborhood
Cons
  • Parking Spots are Few and Far Between
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
1/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 1/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 1/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 1/5
  • Schools 1/5
  • Childcare 1/5
2yrs+

"Expensive white ghetto"

I read all the rave reviews for this neighborhood and I can't believe it???? Are these people talking about the same South Boston???? The place is a Hive of hoodlums, junkies and theives. The natives are ignorant, uneducated, racist brutes who despise newcomers, non whites, anybody "not from Southie" and anybody who is not close minded,Irish-American,from the same working class ideology as them...pretty sad really. They have a male incarceration rate, teenage pregnancy, drug addiction, crowded district court that give Roxbury a run for the money.Even with all the new $500,000 condos SOUTHIE IS STILL A WHITE GHETTO.
4/5
2yrs+

"Erin Go Bragh!"

South Boston means two things to Bostonians - it’s the site of the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and it is also home to Castle Island, a large park on the waterfront. It’s a mixed neighborhood of business and residences and has an intense sense of community. Locals call themselves Southies. Originally, it was largely Irish American but they’ve been joined by young professionals, and several additional ethnic groups. Still on St Patrick’s Day, you will find everyone wearing green and Erin Go Bragh painted on buildings. Harborwalk is still under construction but will eventually lead to 43 miles of walkways along the harbor front.

You won't find a friendlier or more fun neighborhood. It's got bars, beaches, and versatility!
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
2yrs+

"Beaches and parks and the most loyal neighbors on the planet"

South Boston neighbors are one of a kind, gentle, hospitable, loving and loyal. You will be hard-pressed to find another neighborhood like South Boston on the planet. The area oozes with neighborhood pride and residents are quick to defend themselves and the area. The neighborhood is densely populated lots and lots of row homes and triple-deckers. You will find some single family homes scattered throughout but most are row houses.

The neighborhood is packed with great pubs and bars filled with singles and couples out for an evening. Locals can always be found in the pubs and make for an exciting time of singing and dancing. Stroll up and down Broadway for some great shopping or eating at one of the many up and coming restaurants in the area.

If you are looking for a beach venue, South Boston is the place. There are miles of beaches and parks that form into Castle Island. This is a great place to venture in the warmer months. Sullivan’s is the place to eat, the playgrounds entertain the kids, and you can even fish off of the pier. South Boston has it all.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

Travelling to South Boston?

Find Hotels

Unranked Streets in South Boston

East 4th St

3.5/5
"Close to restaurants and beach"
42.3347374963607 -71.0374787240504
"Pretty good but overpriced"
42.3356181386682 -71.0359482693232

Farragut Rd

3.5/5
"This is a good one"
42.3354476262737 -71.0250610037164
"The "row houses" on O'Callaghan Way"
42.3261583076657 -71.0549593616962
"Mostly done over, edge of residental, edge of industrial, edge of commerical, close to everything"
42.3414424127468 -71.0513020670024

West 4th St

3.5/5
"Best street in west part of Southie"
42.340851587048 -71.0559389694924

Best Neighborhoods to Live In

Best Cities to Live In

Tell everyone what you love about your neighborhood!

Leave a Review

Have a question?

How are schools? Is the area safe? What about public transit options?" Why not ask our community of locals!

Ask Now

Selling or Renting Your Home?

Maximize the selling price of your home by sharing what you love about your suburb to increase its appeal...

Leave a Review

Corporate Relocation Manager?

Enable your employees to share local knowledge in a private, trusted environment with those relocating... while building community.

Learn More