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- Back Bay -

Whether it's spring and the magnolia and dogwood blossoms are in full bloom (a striking contrast against the brownstones and wrought iron gates), or winter, with a light blanket of snow dusting the bare branches of the stately trees, the Back Bay enchants.

The entire eight-by-five block area sits on what was once a mud basin of the Charles River . One hundred years ago, in need of more residential space, the city filled the area with dirt hauled from the suburbs and formed the Back Bay--an address that quickly became, and continues to be, one of Boston 's most prestigious.

The neighborhood boasts more architectural styles within any single block than does any other city in the country. With styles ranging from Greek to Class­ical Revival this architectural panorama houses students and Brahmins alike, as well as schools and businesses.

Many of the apartments in this largely residential neighborhood have been converted to condominiums in recent years, and the trend is continu­ing. Rentals do exist, and finding a characteristic one, with 10-foot high ceilings, bay windows, and working fireplaces, makes a search worthwhile. Most of the buildings were first built as single-family homes, complete with servants' quarters, for Boston 's wealthier families. The changing times have forced most to be sold and converted into condominiums.

The unofficial entrance to the Back Bay is the Boston Public Garden , one of the city's most beautiful parks. In the spring and summer colorful plantings edge the walkways, and the enchanting swan boats float in the duck pond, retracing the path of the ducklings in the children's classic, " Make Way for Ducklings ". One of the best views of the Public Garden is from the nearby Ritz-Carlton Hotel at the corner of Newbury and Arlington streets.

Meandering down Newbury Street , you'll find a selec­tion of shops, galleries, and restaurants as varied as the area's archi­tecture. Avant-garde and traditional art, haute couture and collegiate fashion, beauty salons and hardware stores--they're all within steps of one another along Boston 's most fashionable street.

One block over on Boylston Street is Copley Square with the grand Copley Plaza Hotel, the Boston Public Library (an architectural and literary wonder), and the Richardson-designed Trinity Church . Towering above them all is a beacon for the Back Bay : the shimmering John Hancock Tower, whose panes of glass change color with the weather.

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- BEACON HILL -

Beacon Hill evokes the essence of picturesque Boston : cobble-stone streets, brick sidewalks, purple-tinted 18 th century windowpanes, gas street lamps, brass door knockers, and wrought iron grillwork. Despite its historic facade, Beacon Hill is a stunning example of the contemporary urban planning that offers a reasonable alternative to suburban living.

Perched in the shadow of the shining golden dome of Boston 's State House, Beacon Hill has been home to many famous people throughout its long history, including Daniel Webster and the son of president John Quincy Adams. The Hill is also home to many lesser-known folks--students, young professionals, and families, who enjoy the sense of community and historic atmosphere.

Many of Boston 's architectural gems are here, some divided into apart­ments or condominiums, others still maintained in their entirety by families or organizations. Housing is tight on the Hill, but rental and buying opportunities do exist. The lack of expendable space here has con­tributed to the creation of a unique enterprise: condominium parking garage spaces.

Much of this neighborhood's appeal lies in its sections, like the stately Louisburg Square , a privately-owned park surrounded by gorgeous mansions. Only residents here hold keys to the statue-studded park. And Mt. Ver­non , Pickney, and Chestnut streets boast stunning Federal-era homes. In an effort to preserve Beacon Hill 's unique character, local laws govern what alterations residents can make on the street-side walls of their homes.

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- Charlestown -

Charlestown is older than Boston itself, settled in 1629 by 10 Puritan families. Boston was founded later when a group of Charlestonians, suffering from Native American attacks and a lack of fresh water, crossed the bay to what was then called Shawmut.

This is a history buff's heaven. The 220-foot granite tower of the Bunker Hill Monument at Breed's Hill houses a museum featuring a diorama of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Navy Yard, a busy place until the last decade, has been preserved and developed as an historic waterfront park where the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy, is docked and open for tours.

The area is a mix of neighborhoods with old brownstones and apartment buildings, many of which have been renovated, including the navy yard and waterfront area. This, combined with Charlestown 's being so close to Boston (with a lovely view of downtown and the harbor), has made it a popular place to live.

Housing prices vary as much as styles. In the area of Monument Square at Bunker Hill , there are expensive townhouses and condominiums. Thompson Square , between historic Bunker Hill and Interstate 93, recently underwent renovations and is now offering somewhat more moderately priced housing. Bunker Hill Community College is in this area, and the Orange Line subway provides public transportation to and from Boston . A shopping mall, also in the Thompson Square section, caters to residents.

Charlestown is a proud community and the many professional families who have moved in recently share the common concern of preserving older structures and historic sites, repaving the streets, and installing amenities such as gas street lamps.

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- Chinatown -

Boston has the country's third largest Chinese neighborhood, a small area located next to the Massachusetts Turnpike and bordered by the business district. The official boundaries of Chinatown are Beach, Hudson , and Tyler streets.

Chinese immigrants first came to Boston in the early 1800 ' s as laborers in textile mills and construction industries, and also as workers in Chinese restaurants and laundries. Many were simply saving money to send to families in their home country and eventually returned to China themselves. But the 1940 ' s saw a wave of Chinese immigrants settling in Boston , forming the cultural pocket that became Chinatown .

The area is densely populated, and almost exclusively Chinese. Tucked over, under, and between Chinatowns 's many small commercial establishments are apartments in older buildings.

Chinatown is convenient to public transportation, and to everything that makes Boston famous. The Theatre District and the Downtown Crossing shopping district, flank the neighborhood of Chinatown on either side.

A close-knit community, Chinatown has several civic groups which work to improve the quality of life through the support of neighborhood revitalization.

[note: unlike the other sections there is no mention of the style of housing available in this neighborhood]

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- The Fenway -

The Fenway is part of Frederick Law Olmsted's green belt, known as Boston 's "Emerald Necklace", to which the old Victory Gardens and the Muddy River also belong s . The area is South-Southeast of Boston's downtown, bordering Brookline on one side and Roxbury on the other.

The Fenway is unique in its combination of parks, numerous apartments, and cultural and entertainment attractions including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, and Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Several col­leges and universities are located here as well: Simmons, Northeastern, Massachusetts College of Art, Wheelock, and Emmanuel, as well as the renowned Harvard Medical School . On the Western fringe of the Fenway is Boston 's famous hospital district, with Beth Israel and Children's hospitals and the Sidney Farber Cancer Institute.

Apartments abound on Park Drive , Gainsboro, Peterboro, and Hemen­way Streets, and on Symphony Road . Most are in older buildings current­ly emerging from or undergoing renovation. Condominium conversions are common here as well as elsewhere in the City.

Residents are a hodge-podge of students, interns, and nurses because of the proximity of colleges, museums, and hospitals. Nearby Kenmore Square caters to every shopping and entertainment whim.

The area is close to transportation via the Green Line's Riverside or Arborway subways, and has all the ingredients for further growth, re­development, and general upgrading.

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- Jamaica Plain -

A city section just three miles from the heart of Boston , Jamaica Plain is an ideal location for those seeking a semi-suburban atmosphere with a relatively short commute into Boston .

Some of the lovely old Colonials and Victorians in the area have been converted into distinctive condominiums offering more residents the pleasant view of Jamaica Pond and the convenient location of the Center Street area.

On nearby Sumner Hill, there are many Victorian homes situated on large lots providing housing for mostly elderly residents, but these homes are attracting more young adults and families as replacement buyers. The common goals in these Jamaica Plain neighborhoods are to keep streets safe, property values up, and to maintain the harmonious mix of diverse resident backgrounds and interests.

Jamaica Plain is situated along Boston 's extensive planned park system, 19th-century landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted's "Emerald Necklace". Arnold Arboretum, a kind of botanical garden with ponds and open landscapes, and the park land banking the Jamaicaway are part of this system and compliment this unique neighborhood.

Proximity to museums, colleges, employment, hospitals, and the best of Boston 's shopping makes this an ideal place for city professionals who want a touch of suburbia.

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- North End -

The North End, Boston 's "Little Italy", is a charming world unto itself, located just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Boston 's downtown and the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The city's oldest resi­dential neighborhood and home to generations of immigrants, the North End was once predominantly Italian. The sights, smells, and spirit here make the North End one of Boston 's most vital neighborhoods.

Bordering the waterfront on one side and the central artery on the other, the small, densely packed North End probably boasts more restau­rants, grocery stores, bakeries, and pizza shops per square foot than any other neighborhood in the city. Here you can find delectables like homemade pasta, fresh breads, imported olive oil, rum-laden pastries, spices and coffees from around the world, and countless other treats.

This is a close-knit community where everyone keeps an eye on each other's property. Such consistency has given the North End a reputation for be­ing a very safe place to live.

The North End streets are alive with people in the warmer weather. It's not an uncommon sight to find the sidewalks lined with neighbors chatting on kitchen chairs, conversations held from apartment window to sidewalk, or old men playing "bocce". In the summer months there are festivals that draw thousands of visitors.

Not only is the North End a rich repository of Italian heritage, it is also a living museum for American history. Here stands the 17th-century home of Paul Revere (the oldest frame building in Boston ), St. Stephen's Church ( Boston 's only standing church by architect Charles Bulfinch), the famed Old North Church (where lanterns were hung signaling the British attack), and Copps Hill Cemetery (the second one in the colony). Winding your way through the narrow, cobble-stone streets, you will also see a majestic statue honoring Revere .

Condominiums are the only types of housing available in the North End. Higher priced units stand next to subsidized housing for senior citizens and stylishly renovated apartments are found tucked in back alleys behind charming gar­dens. Still, no amount of redevelopment can threaten the spirit of the place, that which makes the North End unique and endearing.

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- South Boston -

Connected to downtown Boston and the harbor, South Boston is convenient to work and leisure. Homes are passed down through families from generation to generation, and the neighborhoods themselves are close-knit. Old brownstones with attractive details and quality workmanship have been revived and converted into condominiums and apartments. This, of course, has triggering an influx of new business.

Housing styles vary here, from older triple-decker apartments to brownstones and single-family homes in established neighborhoods.

The spirit of the Irish has dominated history in South Boston, the peninsula which juts out into Boston Harbor . It is still home for many people of Irish descent, whose Catholic ancestors supervised the building of St. Augustine 's Chapel at 9 F Street , the first Catholic church in the Commonwealth. The chapel's cemetery is the resting place of Boston 's first Irish policeman. Even George Washington acknowledged the heritage of residents when he made the password to his concealed fort site "St. Patrick" during the American Revolution.

The Southeast Expressway gets drivers into South Boston , and the MBTA Red Line makes stops in the area. South Boston benefits from its urban/suburban location by being just minutes away from work and leisure activities.

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- South End -

The South End is another city neighborhood where you will find the townhouses being revamped and attracting new residents taking part in the back-to-the-city flight. Newer residents are also often former suburbanites who no longer need their large homes and wish to be close to work and entertainment. Located just over the line from the Pru­dential Center in Back Bay/Copley Square , the South End is has enjoyed a renewal which to makes it one of the city's most desirable locations.

Built as a fashionable new residential neighborhood in the mid-1800 ' s, the South End's brick bow-front townhouses are often smaller than those on Beacon Hill and in the Back Bay . The homes have exposed brick walls, beamed ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and massive archways inside and out that mark entrances and stairways. Jutting walls, overhanging rooms, balconies, and hidden backyards abound here.

Years ago a shell of a house needing major interior and exterior renovation could be found for a moderate price. Today that same address in good condition will fetch many times the old price. Restored townhouses and condominiums carry high price tags.

Newer street lighting serving the dual purpose of safety and beauty, newly paved streets and sidewalks, nine pockets of parks set off by handsome iron fences, and an exciting array of newly-planted trees combine to contribute to this area's charm. The Holy Ghost Cathedral and Boston City and Boston University hospitals are neighbors to about 50 restau­rants, jazz clubs, and eateries, making the South End a much-visited section of Boston .

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Neighborhoods of Somerville

- Central Hill -
Central Hill is home to Somerville High School, the Public Library, and City Hall, as well as a small residential area clustered around the hub on Highland Ave. The area is situated at the top of a hill, affording wide views north, east, and south.

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- Cobble Hill -
Cobble Hill is a wide area running from Somerville Ave south to Beacon Street, and on the east side from Porter Square all the way to Interstate 93 Although the east side of this diverse district is predominately industrial, a thriving residential neighborhood can be found tucked away behind the commercial strip along Somerville Ave. The Purple commuter line to Fitchburg runs through this area, which features easy access to shopping and transportation, and proximity to Harvard Square. Porter Square has begun spilling over into Cobble Hill to join the established community here.

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- Davis Square -
The Davis Square area, centered around busy Davis Square, is comprised of a mix of residential and commercial streets. Davis Square itself boasts a variety of restaurants, shops, and commercial establishments, including used books and records stores, clubs bars, and even a movie theatre. The surrounding neighborhood is mostly residential, bounded by Highland Ave on the north and Massachusetts Ave on the south. Houses and yards tend to be more ample here, and gardens and funky Victorian paint jobs are more common here than elsewhere in Somerville. Davis Square is well situated between Harvard Square, Cambridge and Tufts, and is on the MBTA Red Line.

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- East Somerville -
Commercial property predominates in those areas of Somerville east of Interstate 93. Assembly Square is the location of the Assembly Square Mall. A cinemaplex and retail superstores like Circuit City and Home Depot anchor the retail sector on the east side of Route 93, which also includes office space and other commercial property. The Mystic River borders the area to the north, as shown here.

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- Inman Square -
Inman Square is actually in Cambridge, but borders Somerville. This city neighborhood is a relaxing urban landscape of coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, bookstores and boutiques. The city has begun a major renewal project on Cambridge Street, which, along with Hampshire St., is one of the two main thoroughfares in this neighborhood of single-family, as well as two- and three-family homes.

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- Magoun/Albion -
Magoun Square serves the large residential neighborhood of West Somerville as well as the neighborhood known as Winter Hill on lower Broadway. Compared to the recent development of areas closer to Tuft University and those neighborhoods bordering Cambridge this residential area remains largely unchanged. It offers convenient access out of the city west into Arlington and North Cambridge, and east onto Route 29 and Interstate 93.

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- Porter Square -
Though located in Cambridge, Porter Square, with its shopping, restaurants and access to the MBTA Redline and Commuter Rail Stations, is a central destination for the thousands of Somerville residents living close by. The large influx of students, artists and professionals, who have moved into Somerville in recent years find the area around Porter Square especially desirable. It is within walking distance of Harvard Square in Cambridge, and Davis Square in Somerville.

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- Powder House -
Powderhouse Circle, with a few restaurants and business establishments, overlooks the athletic fields and campus of Tuft University. The neighborhood boasts large homes and larger lots than most Somerville neighborhoods and more closely resembles the nearby suburban neighborhoods of Arlington and Medford. Powderhouse is only a short distance from both Teele and Davis Squares.

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- Prospect Hill -
Prospect Hill is a residential area lying directly south of Central Hill. It is a neighborhood of wide, tree-lined streets where large, older houses are the norm. At the highest point of the area is Summit Ave, where the Monument presides over a magnificent view of Cambridge and Boston. The area has several parks but no public transportation.

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- Spring Hill -
Spring Hill is a largely residential area east of Porter Square, which runs from Highland Ave south to Somerville Ave, and from Hancock Street east to Central Ave. Like many Somerville neighborhoods, this one is quite hilly, affording handsome views into Cambridge and Boston beyond. Tree-lined streets and numerous gardens make this one of the most picturesque districts in Somerville—as long as you don't mind walking up a lot of hills.

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- Sullivan Square -
Sullivan Square is the Northeast tip of the city of Boston. It borders Somerville and serves as a transportation hub in and out of the city. Sullivan Square is an Orange Line stop on the MBTA and there is a large bus terminal nearby. Like many of the old warehouses in the area, the Schrafts Candy building, a city landmark, has been converted into commercial office space. I-93 runs through the southeastern corner of the area.

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- Ten Hills -
Ten Hills offers unique access to the Mystic River, along Shore Drive. The river area was a popular bathing spot at the turn of the century, and today you can picnic there as all the river frontage is MDC park land. The neighborhood itself boasts some interesting older houses amid newer, more functional constructions. Some light industrial establishments remain, reminders of the areas gritty past. A historic note: Ten Hills was the site of Governor John Winthrop's house in the seventeenth century and of Captain Robert Temple's elegant mansion in the eighteenth century.

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- Tufts & Teele Square -
The Tufts area is primarily composed of Tufts University and surrounding community. A well-maintained college neighborhood with easy access to Tufts University, Davis Square, Red Line, shopping, and recreation. Powderhouse Park borders it on the east, West Somerville on the west, and Davis Square on the south. It shares a border with neighboring Medford as well.
Teele Square, with several popular nightspots, seems almost an extension of thriving Davis Square, which is just a short walk down Holland Street. But most of this bustling commercial sector serves local residents. Teele Square borders Medford and is a short distance from Tufts University, Route 16 and the Arlington line.

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- Unoin Square -
Like Porter and Davis Squares, the commercial area of Union Square has become a popular destination for visitors beyond the immediate area. Union Square boasts many excellent restaurants and specialty stores, plenty of parking and convenient access to Interstate 93. The affordability of office space attracts a variety of entrepreneurs. Union Square borders Cambridge and is a short distance one from of that city's popular visitor destinations, Inman Square. The lion shown here stands outside the well-known Neighborhood Restaurant.

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- West Somerville -
West Somerville is due west of the Davis Square and Tufts areas, and is the last community before exiting Somerville into Arlington. The neighborhood itself is mostly residential, and features many older homes. Nearby Davis and Teele Squares offer shopping and restaurants. Easy access to Alewife T, Route 2, and Alewife Brook Parkway.

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- Winter Hill -
Winter Hill is a large residential area north of Highland Ave in central Somerville. Great for families, the area boasts plenty of shopping and several large parks. Houses here tend to be somewhat more affordable than similar homes in areas closer to Cambridge.

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Neighborhoods of Cambridge

- Agassiz -
A small neighborhood east of Massachusetts Avenue and north of Harvard Square, more than half of Agassiz is occupied by Harvard University and Lesley College. This is the home of Harvard Law School and many of Harvard's renowned art and science museums can be found here. The northern point of Agassiz is Porter Square. The large shopping complex here recently underwent major renovations. Agassiz borders a particularly thriving stretch of Massachusetts Avenue with restaurants, independent stores and a small mall in what was once a Sears & Roebuck. The mall includes a health club and numerous shops and restaurants, many with an accent on Japanese food and fashions. Residential property consists mostly of single- and two-family homes with some larger multi-family units and dormitories. Porter Square provides MBTA Redline access as well as Commuter Rail access to Boston's North Station.

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- Avon Hill -
Avon Hill is an upscale residential neighborhood close to Porter Square. A mixture of stately old houses and classic brick apartment buildings, the neighborhood is easily accessible to Massachusetts Avenue without the noise and traffic.

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- Cambridge Highlands -
North of Fresh Pond and separated from the rest of Cambridge by the Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge Highlands, with about 600 residents, is the smallest of Cambridge's neighborhoods. The Highlands borders Belmont and includes the Fresh Pond Mall. The neighborhood also borders the Alewife MBTA station and has convenient access to Route 2.

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- Cambridgeport -
Like East Cambridge, the neighborhood of Cambridgeport has made the transition from a traditional factory-based economy to a more modern and dynamic mix of commercial endeavors. Cambridgeport adjoins MIT on its eastern border, and its proximity to this renowned high tech/research Mecca has made the neighborhood attractive to entrepreneurs and professionals in both its commercial and residential sectors. The neighborhood borders the Charles River to the south and offers convenient access in and out Boston via Memorial Drive, Storrow Drive and the Massachusetts Turnpike. The residential property is a mix of single-family and multi-family homes as well as large apartment buildings. The neighborhood has retained some of its working class roots and is popular with the Cambridge arts community.

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- Central Square -
Area 4 is one of the most densely populated residential areas in the city. The neighborhood abuts Central Square and includes the numerous restaurants and retail establishments along Massachusetts Avenue between Prospect St. to the north and MIT to the south. Residences consist mostly of two- and three-family houses, and large apartment buildings. The Central Square Red Line MBTA Station offers convenient access to Boston. The neighborhood also borders both Inman and Kendall Squares.

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- East Cambridge -
East Cambridge has benefited in recent years from its proximity to M.I.T. The old factory buildings, in what was once one of the region's major industrial districts, now serve as headquarters for a variety of high tech start ups and even an art gallery, The Zeitgeist, on Broadway. East Cambridge borders the Charles River and enjoys convenient access to Boston via the Lechmere MBTA Green Line Station and connections to major thoroughfares in and out of the Boston area. East Cambridge has many parks, ethnic restaurants, boutiques, and independently owned stores, while the northeast corner is home to a booming shopping complex, the Cambridgeside Galleria. The city has embarked on a neighborhood renewal project for East Cambridge and is currently developing a transportation and urban redesign plan for Cambridge Street.

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- Harvard Square -
Mid-Cambridge represents the institutional and geographic hub of the city. The main campus for Harvard University is found here, as are Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, Cambridge Hospital, City Hall and the main branch of the Cambridge Public Library. Most of this bustling neighborhood is framed by Cambridge St. to the north, Prospect St. to the east and Mass. Ave. to the south and west, with another major city throughway, Broadway, running east to west through its center. Mid-Cambridge also adjoins Central, Inman and Harvard Squares, three of the five busiest squares in the city. The residential mix includes much of Harvard's student housing.

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- Huron Village -
Huron Village is bordered by Harvard Square on the East, and Fresh Pond on the west. It is an upscale residential neighborhood, with many attractive older homes. The area offers plenty of convenient access to Fresh Pond recreation areas, shopping, and Route 16.

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- Inman Square -
West of East Cambridge, and about half the size, Wellington Harrington includes Inman Square, a relaxing urban landscape of coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, bookstores and boutiques. The city has begun a major renewal project on Cambridge Street, which, along with Hampshire St., is one of the two main thoroughfares in this neighborhood of single-family, as well as two- and three-family homes.

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- Kendal Square/MIT -
Area 2 is a triangle shaped neighborhood abutting the Charles River on its longest side. The area consists almost entirely of the MIT campus, as well as some office and commercial property. Residents of the neighborhood are predominately MIT students. There is a small shopping mall across the street from the MIT dome on Massachusetts Avenue and convenient access to the MBTA red line. The banks of the Charles River are especially popular here for outdoor recreation.

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- Larchwood -
Larchwood, just northwest of Harvard Square, is close to Avon Hill and Porter Square Largely residential, with many attractive older homes, it is considered a highly desirable area to live.

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- Mid-Cambridge -
Mid-Cambridge represents the institutional and geographic hub of the city. The main campus for Harvard University is found here, as are Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, Cambridge Hospital, City Hall and the main branch of the Cambridge Public Library. Most of this bustling neighborhood is framed by Cambridge St. to the north, Prospect St. to the east and Mass. Ave. to the south and west with another major city throughway, Broadway, running east to west through its center. Mid-Cambridge also adjoins Central, Inman and Harvard Squares, three of the five busiest squares in the city. The residential mix includes much of Harvard's student housing.

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- North Cambridge -
North Cambridge is a large and diverse neighborhood. The southern section is close to Porter Square and the commercially vibrant section of Massachusetts Avenue north of Porter. The eastern section is close to Somerville's Davis Square, which, like Porter Square, underwent an astonishing transformation in the 1990's. The area west of Alewife Brook Parkway consists largely of industrial/commercial property and is the location of the MBTA Alewife T-Station. Shopping abounds in the area around Alewife near the towering Fresh Pond Apartments. The neighborhood's central area, west of Massachusetts Avenue, is predominantly residential with single- and multi-unit dwellings.

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- Porter Square -
Porter Square, with its shopping, restaurants, and access to the MBTA Redline and Commuter Rail Stations is a bustling community shared by Cambridge and Somerville residents alike. The neighborhood is comprised of single and multifamily homes, of all shapes and sizes. It is within walking distance of Harvard Square in Cambridge, and Davis Square in Somerville.

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- Riverside -
Riverside stretches from the Charles River to the south up to Harvard Square, which is known all over the world for its unique array of shops, restaurants and cultural and recreational activities and as the home of Harvard University. Harvard dormitories occupy the northwest section of the neighborhood and there are two parks, Holt Field and Riverside Press Park. The main Post Office and Police Station are also located in Riverside on the eastern tip near Central Square. Despite its large and vital commercial and tourist sector, Riverside, in nearly all crime categories, is below the city average. Residents enjoy easy access to both the Central Square and Harvard Square Red Line MBTA stops.

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- Strawberry Hill -
The area west of the Fresh Pond Parkway and south of the Fresh Pond reservation is the small Cambridge neighborhood of Strawberry Hill. This neighborhood is known for its large single-family homes and small lots. West Cambridge's two primary roads, Brattle St. and Huron Ave., extend into Strawberry Hill. The neighborhood borders both Belmont and Watertown and has convenient access into and out of Boston and Cambridge via the Fresh Pond Parkway.

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- Wellington-Harrington -
West of East Cambridge, and about half the size, Wellington Harrington includes Inman Square, a relaxing urban landscape of coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, bookstores and boutiques. The city has begun a major renewal project on Cambridge Street, which, along with Hampshire St., is one of the two main thoroughfares in this neighborhood of single-family, as well as two- and three-family homes.

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- West Cambridge -
Brattle Street runs from Harvard Square through the center of this neighborhood of stately homes on large lots. The eastern section encompasses much of Harvard Square, with Kingsley Park and Fresh Pond making up the Western sector of Cambridge’s largest neighborhood. The Charles River marks the southern border, and there is quick access to Memorial and Storrow Drives. This is one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in Eastern Massachusetts. The neighborhood has a substantial institutional presence with Mt. Auburn Hospital, the Buckingham Brown and Nichols School, many Harvard properties and several elementary schools all located here.

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