Just south of Back Bay and Chinatown, South End is a bustling neighborhood that has unique Victorian style housing and arguably the most diverse array of restaurants, art galleries, shopping options, and recreational parks in the Boston area.
From a living perspective, South End has “restaurant row” on Tremont Street which has some of the newest and trendy restaurants and bars in the city. There is Prudential Center and Copley Mall 5-10 minutes away for commercial shopping in addition to many small boutiques. There is the Boston Ballet and Boston Center for the Arts for those interested in the arts. There are over 11 residential parks where you can spend time. There is also a strong LGBT community in this area.
Logistically, the South End has no T lines running directly through it which creates a true neighborhood vibe. Rather, it is flanked to the Northwest by the Green Line (Prudential/Copley) and the Orange Line (Back Bay and Massachusetts Avenue) and the East by the Red Line (Broadway). There is also a bus line that runs directly through the South End and is called the SL4 (Silver Line). Depending on where you live, getting to a T or bus can be anywhere from 5-10 minutes and getting to BWH or MGH could take 15-30 minutes depending on where you live. Back Bay, Chinatown, Boston Common and the Sea Port is all about 10-20 minute walk depending on where you live.
In terms of affordability, South End is on par with neighborhoods like Back Bay and Beacon Hill but there are a range of housing options including high rises and brownstones. As with most locations in Boston, using a realtor is usually required for most places but some places can be found on Craigslist or Zillow for no fees.
