If you love being in the “thick of things” and always having something going on in your neighborhood, Fenway is perfect for you. As soon as you step foot in this neighborhood, the energy is contagious. The streets and businesses of this neighborhood are often populated with one of three people; students, young professionals, and Red Sox fans. You’ll see Red Sox gear absolutely everywhere and game days are always full of energy.
However, there is more to Fenway than just the Red Sox. It is also the home to many cultural institutions such as the Symphony Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts. The neighborhood is a great blend of sports fandom, culture, and intelligence. There are also many bars, restaurants, and trendy clubs that cater to the student and young professional demographic.
According to census data, 63% of the residents in this neighborhood are 18-24 years old, which reflects the massive student and young professional population here. This neighborhood is also perfect for renters as only 1% of homes are single-family dwellings, and most people live in multi unit buildings. Also, 91% of units in Fenway are occupied by renters, so this neighborhood is very renter-friendly and you have lots of options for housing.
This neighborhood came into existence when some land was annexed from Brookline in the 1870s. When it was originally planned, the neighborhood was supposed to be a high class neighborhood for the wealthy. However, as the value of properties rose, a number of educational institutions began popping up around the neighborhood. As a result, a number of students began to move to the neighborhood and that has continued into the present day.
Like most of Boston, the cost of living is relatively high in this neighborhood. However, as a student, young professional, or a Red Sox fan, the decision to live here makes a ton of sense based on the amenities and location. The overall cost of living is about 33% higher than the national average, which is fairly standard among most locations in Boston.
Unlike a lot of places in Boston, driving is actually fairly viable option here, as there are numerous places to park. Still, the subway or the bus is the most common option, especially among students who may not be able to afford a car. In terms of the subway, both the Green Line and the Orange Line make stops throughout the neighborhood. If taking the bus is more your forte, a number of different bus routes have stops throughout Fenway.
However, during Red Sox game days, things change. Driving is a horrendous option and the subway is usually extremely busy (even with extra service). You will be waiting for several trains to pass before you can even get on. If you can, walking to the park is a fun option and you will get to enjoy all the pre- and post-game excitement of the thousands of fans that walk along the streets to Fenway Park.
- Boston University
- Northeastern University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Massachusetts College of Pharmac
- Berklee College of Music
- Harvard Medical School
- The neighborhood is home to a ton of different university campuses and institutions. Some of the brightest minds in education reside in this neighborhood and the campuses are also gorgeous. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t visit a few of these many campuses.
- Fenway Park is the biggest and most notable attraction in the neighborhood. You need to check out a Red Sox game or take a tour of the stadium during the off-season. The Red Sox have some of the best fans in baseball and the experience of Fenway Park is like none other in the MLB.
- Do yourself a favour and pay a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts. This institution is famous for its variety of different collections of art that span multiple thousands of years.
- See a show or performance at the Symphony Hall. This concert hall puts on great shows in a great venue, and they even offer a free tour that will take you behind the scenes.
- The neighborhood is full of various bars and restaurants to check out. Some are trendy and cater to the student/young professional demographic, while others are more geared towards the hard-core Red Sox fan.
- One of the most unique things to check out in Fenway is the Mapparium. The Mapparium is a giant painted glass globe that you can walk through and learn about the history of the world over the last century. It’s an exhibit located in the Mary Baker Eddy Library.
