Get to Know Back Bay

Picture a perfect Boston block and a vision of Back Bay will likely spring to mind. Back Bay is the quintessential Boston neighborhood, boasting graceful streets lined with stately Victorian townhouses, the leafy allée of Commonwealth Avenue, the Charles River Esplanade, and the boutiques of Newbury Street. Back Bay was literally built on the back bay, in the marshes between Boston and Cambridge. In the mid-1800s, Boston had a shortage of luxury housing, and city planners came up with the idea of creating a new neighborhood to meet the need. And so, the tidal lands were filled in and architects designed an elegant neighborhood to fit: Wide tree-lined boulevards, inspired by Paris, form an orderly grid, while townhouses in shades of brick and brownstone flank the streets. Upon its completion, Back Bay immediately became a highly desired neighborhood and has remained so ever since.

Nearby Neighborhoods:

Get to know our homes for sale in Back Bay

You can also check out our homes for rent in Back Bay

Living in Boston

Boston has a strong sense of place, befitting a city that inspires incredible loyalty in its residents. It’s also a city steeped in history, culture, and personality, with iconic institutions and landmarks in every neighborhood, and a distinct vernacular that’s influenced by everything from Fenway Park to Harvard Yard. Boston is a gorgeous city, blessed with four temperate seasons, with the extremes of summer and winter moderated by its waterfront location. The city’s architecture is clad in red brick, creamy marble, and somber granite, with the occasional flash of sparkling glass for the skyscrapers rising along the water’s edge. The sea is always close by, whether it’s the gentle ripples of the Charles River or the magnificent waves in Boston Harbor, while the city’s many parks and gardens soften the urban grid, offering green spaces to enjoy all year round.