Safest Area of Boston (Cambridge, Newton: oceanfront, house, university)

[NowOrNever]

What is the safest area of Boston and:

1. Does it happen to be on the water front?
2. Is it part of the high college population?

[evergrn]

Let me tell you where I think is the sketchy area. In general, the sketchy territory is south of Boston along the Orange Line past the Mass Ave station, as well as the area east of that part of Orange Line pretty much out to I-93. It's a pretty big area south of South End and north of Milton. That's a pretty general statement and there are pockets within that area that I'd consider pretty safe and then there are pockets that are particularly sketchy.

Other than the above, I think Boston is pretty safe everywhere. But maybe I'm forgetting somewhere. All of Brookline is definitely safe. Cambridge is also entirely safe, except maybe I wouldn't walk alone at night in certain parts of east Cambridge and also in the immediate vicinity of those projects near Alewife.

[Northern-Mike]

Beacon Hill is probably the safest area in Boston Proper.

[NowOrNever]

Is Beacon Hill, the safest area as you say, on the water? I hear many positive things about Boston which make it appear as though it is a desirable area to work and essentially live.

[Cliff Clavin]

City Point is on the water, and quite safe.

[Northern-Mike]

Originally Posted by NowOrNever

Is Beacon Hill, the safest area as you say, on the water? I hear many positive things about Boston which make it appear as though it is a desirable area to work and essentially live.

No, it is by the State House and after Government Center up through Charles St. and bordering the Back Bay.

[Verseau]

Are you dead-set on living by the water?

Somewhat surprisingly, most of the neighborhoods near the oceanfront in Boston tend to be less safe/desirable areas (aside from a few small pockets of affluence), until you get farther out (e.g. Marblehead) and the housing values skyrocket. Most of the coastal zones near downtown are industrial/commercial.

As far as residential areas go, I suppose you could consider the North End and parts of Charlestown as being "on the water," and these areas are generally quite safe. Beacon Hill and Back Bay are only "on the water" if you consider the Charles River as fitting the bill instead of Boston Harbor. City Point in South Boston is also fairly safe and is surrounded by the harbor.

[NowOrNever]

I would just like to reside, if I move, within the safest area of Boston. I just figured the safest area would happen to be near the water. From what I understand Boston is much safer and doesn't go from "safe street" to "murder row" on the next street as areas of Manhattan, a city I am a bit more familiar with.

[eevee]

Well, as mentioned, Beacon Hill is likely the safest neighborhood in Boston (minus the typical creepy people who may hang out in the Common very late at night), but it's very high priced. Also, due to the close proximity of Emerson and Suffolk University, it does have a population of college kids living there. Not many due to the high price of the area (it's no "student ghetto" like Allston), but given your second question, just thought you should know this.

Outside of Boston, but still close enough to be part of the metro area, look at Brookline and Newton. Newton has actually won "safest town/city in the nation" ranking several times and it's easily accessible to Boston via the green line. It's not close to the water, though, as mentioned, there are very few safe spots in the immediate Boston area that are on the water (IDK, the closest I can think of is possibly some parts of South Boston, but my geography is rusty right now...)

[massnative71]

West Roxbury, duh.