How rough is South Boston? (condos, roughest, safest neighborhood)

[Mhundred]

From watching movies like the departed and The Town you'd think it was some sort of white compton. How rough is south boston really?

[Cliff Clavin]

Southie used to be one of the roughest neighborhoods in Boston, so these movies are based on some historical truths, but those days are long gone. Today it's been almost entirely gentrified, and is probably one of the safest neighborhoods in the city.

Also, The Town was set in Charlestown. Similar past. Similar gentrification trends.

[Verseau]

Yes, both South Boston and Charlestown have undergone significant gentrification. Southie is one of the most attractive and desirable neighborhoods of the city these days. The area around Andrew Square still retains some of the original "roughness," but it's nothing like Compton.

It makes for good cinema, but it's based more on a romanticized image from the past than on present-day reality.

[Cantabridgienne]

Like many neighborhoods, avoiding gang activity is a good way to avoid being a victim of crime.

[xS☺B☺s]

Gangs of South Boston hangin' in the 'hood (Castle Island Park)

[TAM88]

South Boston has undergone massive gentrification over the last decade plus. The number of condos that have been built in the last 5 years, that are currently under construction or planned is crazy. It seems like a new building is going up on every corner. There is a store that serves artisan cheeses. Ask a person from South Boston in 1995 if they thought there would be such a store, they would laugh at you.

Truth is, South Boston is not rough at all. Calling in the white Compton would be a bit extreme. Is there crime? Yes. It's still a city. But the area has definitely calmed down quite a bit.

Also, movies a lot of times having a way of embellishing things.

[civic94]

I would say that its a little bad but not rough around the andrew staiton red line, other than that its not bad at all. I went there last year (all over south boston) and its pretty much gentrified and only for the middle class and rich, since its so close to boston. I believe there is 2 busses that go to boston, and of course, the red line.

[miu]

South Boston has issues with open drug abuse. There have been lots of articles about it in the news recently. So no street gangs, but problems with break-ins by addicts looking for things to steal, pawn and then buy drugs with. If you live in South Boston, keep your valuables secure in a hidden safe or get a safe deposit box at a bank. I'd also not park on the streets at night and leave electronic gadgets like a GPS unit visible in the car. That would leave encourage a quick smash and grab for sure.

Boston's Drug Epidemic IS a Crisis Situation - South End, MA Patch

[Mr. Joshua]

When I drive through Southie all I see are pretty twenty-something yuppie girls (don't really notice the guys). It was never anything like a white Compton.

You're seeing Hollywood.

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by Mhundred

From watching movies like the departed and The Town you'd think it was some sort of white compton. How rough is south boston really?

If yuppies, gays, and a handful of left-over, harmless elderly toughs from the 70's is considered rough, then yes, Southie is rough.