safety in certain area of Dorchester, MA (Boston, Quincy: crime, homes)

[cmwyatt]

How safe is the area of Dorchester around Monadnock street?

[bgrasser]

I used to hang around that area back in the early sixtys before the bottom fell out; it was a safe and friendly area. In this day and age I wouldn't be caught dead within a three mile radius of the Monadnock St area.

[goyguy]

That neighborhood's been in a sorry state for some 25 years or so due to "White flight" and housing deterioration. It's in a high-crime area - lots of gang activity, shootings, robberies, all that fun stuff. You should be OK if you're visiting or working during the day, keeping your wits about you and an eye on your surroundings. Don't give relocating there any thought, though, and be gone by sundown.

[eevee]

Originally Posted by cmwyatt

How safe is the area of Dorchester around Monadnock street?

in Uphams Corner near Columbia Rd? I'd avoid it (had family in that area that moved out years ago due to the rising crime)

[Urban Peasant]

Very bad area indeed. A LOT of gang activity and rival families/clans that have squared off for years.

Look east of Dorchester Avenue or south of Gallivan Blvd. for safe parts of Dorchester.

[virginiag]

What about Columbia Road right next to Dorchester Ave. Is that a bad area?

[Urban Peasant]

I consider Dorchester Ave at Coumbia Road to be moderately rough but definitely better than Uphams Corner. The problem is that it is still quite close to Uphams Corner although lately that area has become popular with college students and some young urban professionals.

[virginiag]

thanks for the info. don't know boston at all . . .

[bostonguy1960]

I drive a taxi in Boston, but Monadnock is one of those areas I won't take calls at night.

As I always say, even bad parts of Boston do have nice homes here and there, but stay away from the Dudley St./Uphams Corner corridor. Columbia and Dot Ave intersection area is better, near JFK red line. Savin Hill area near there is very nice in most parts, as are pparts of the Pleasant St. area.. Ashmont Hill near Gallivan Blvd is very nice in parts, as is Lower Mills and Adams Village. Melville Park area is nice; I love the Wellesley Park enclave. But all of these are close to bad areas, in my mind.

Dorchester Reporter is a small weekly; not sure if online.

Try Quincy, MA, where I've lived for 5 years. Not fancy, but safer neighborhoods. Located next to a part of Dorchester.

[bostonguy1960]

Actually, Dorchester is becoming popular with gays in recent years, as downtown has prices have forced them out. Not all gay men are rich, contrary to popular perception. Bay Windows weekly (gay) has ads for Savin Hill area "over the bridge" or OTB, targeting gays; but Jones Hill (lovely Victorians) and Pleasant St. area attracts them also -- without being a gay ghetto.

Lots of Vietnamese business along the 900-1500 block of Dot Ave. More and more graffiti on steel grates of small storefronts as I drive by at night. Hate that, but most people don't seem to notice or mind. Prostitution seemed to be a problem on Dot Ave until about 10 yrs. Ago.