Chinatown & Leather District

Allston and its sibling, Brighton, are meccas for college students. Boston University and Boston College are bookends to this neighborhood. Yet with that being said, Harvard University continues to rapidly expand its footprint on these communities with the latest development being the new School of Engineering & Applied Science (SEAS) campus. This new campus will feature state-of-the-art classrooms, active learning labs, faculty labs, community spaces, and cafés. This area will also be the future home of a new performance and research facility for the American Repertory Theater.

Thanks in part to the concentration of fresh-faced university and college students making their way through the world, a plethora of hip, trendy dining options and vibrant music clubs seem to pop out of the woodwork to cater to this younger crowd. Craving a fabulous cup of tea? A vegan veggie burger on a gluten-free bun? A smoothie bowl to die for? You'll find it here. You'll also find a variety of thrift shops, ethnic foods galore, and one of the best local farmer's markets in the city.

 

While a large percentage of Allston and Brighton's residents are students, many long-term residents love the diverse atmosphere and the fresh flavors that the influx of young, new personalities offer each year. One hallmark of the city is Allston Christmas, which occurs on September 1st each year and is marked by a massive unloading of furniture onto the curbs, free for the taking as students swap apartments to move in at the beginning of the new school year.

Allston and Brighton are pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Brighton’s MBTA Green Line and Allston’s bus lines make commuting in and around the city a breeze. On the banks of the Charles River, Artesabu Park and Playground provide wading pools and boat rentals as well as running trails and outdoor activities for sports enthusiasts.

Its vibrancy and hip scene make Allston and Brighton a well-sought-after community for those professionals who crave reasonable housing options—it’s a brilliantly located spot for anyone in search of a thriving atmosphere peppered with excellent restaurants, a diverse population, and easy proximity to the best Boston as to offer.

Since the emergence of New Balance’s corporate, mixed-use development and the Boston Landing Commuter Rail station, Allston and Brighton’s new commercial and residential construction is booming! Many new residential developments located next to the commuter rail offer residents easy access to the city.