Like most cities, Boston is a diverse place comprised of distinct neighborhoods—no one part of town can truly be called any more Boston than any other. That having been said, if there was such a neighborhood, it would be the Back Bay. Walking its streets feels like walking through our collective idea of Boston: signature architecture, nationally known landmarks, and the sparkling Charles River all come together to create a neighborhood that is, literally, as pretty as a postcard.

The Back Bay Real Estate Market

The backbone of the Back Bay is its rows of Victorian brownstones. In the 19^th and 20^th centuries they were sprawling mansions, homes to some of the brightest political, literary, and cultural lights. In more recent years, they’ve been converted to condos, but lost none of their original charm, from their Italianate, Second Empire and Queen Anne facades, to finer interior details, such as grand entrances, elaborate parquet flooring, ceiling-height windows and more. Unsurprisingly, these are among Boston’s most sought-after—and most expensive—homes. Even at a time when the market is facing some uncertainty, homes in the Back Bay remain a strong investment and they may, in fact, never be a better value than they are right now.

Lifestyle

While the most obvious appeal of living in the Back Bay may be aesthetic, its proximity to, well, more or less everything—is just as big a part of making it arguably Boston’s most desirable neighborhood. Boston is well known for its walkability, and no neighborhood rewards a stroll more completely, or is better located near other beautiful walking neighborhoods, than the Back Bay.

Within the Back Bay proper is access to the Charles River, with its paved paths, boat and kayak rentals, and even fishing spots. The neighborhood is also home to some of Boston’s most iconic buildings and landmarks, including the main branch of the Boston Public Library, the Trinity Church, and the Prudential Tower. It also happens to be Boston’s center of luxury shopping, with a strip of designer boutiques and upscale restaurants that, in normal times, is a hub of activity. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, inspired by the boulevards common in European cities, offers seven-plus blocks of wide, linear green space, with countless benches and trees, as well as some of the city’s best outdoor sculptures, including memorials to everything from revolutionaries and abolitionists to fallen firefighters and well-honored suffragists.

Beyond the bounds of the Back Bay, many of the city’s most charming neighborhoods are easily accessible within a few minutes’ walking. East is the breathtaking Public Garden, with its Swan Boats and winding, Frederick Law Olmstead-designed paths, and the Boston Common, the country’s first public park. Nearby you can also find world famous Beacon Hill, featuring the golden dome of the state house, actual cobblestones streets, and some of the best antique shopping in New England; indeed, Beacon Hill has everything but parking. And don’t forget Fenway to the west, or the South End, the only part of the city that can rival the Back Bay for brownstones-per-square-foot.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy in the Back Bay?

Living in the Back Bay is expensive—but with good reason. It’s hard to imagine a neighborhood that offers more, or puts it within easier reach. Whether you’re looking for a short commute to a job downtown or across the bridge in Cambridge, a richly historical living experience, a true connection to the most cosmopolitan elements of the city, or all of the above, the Back Bay is a great choice and an even better investment.