Did you know one of Boston's most desirable neighborhoods used to be a swamp?  It's true.  In the mid 1850's, the area was wetlands, a tidal bay.  Trains brought in gravel from places like Needham to fill in the 700 acres now known as the Back Bay.  These days, the Back Bay is considered to be one of Boston's top neighborhoods, with its stately brownstones, quaint shopping and top-notch restaurants. Talk about places in demand, according to LINK, the Back Bay had 112 condo sales in Q4 of 2021 with an average selling price of $2,972,135 and an average price per square foot of $1,555 (12% higher than 2020).

It is perhaps the most walkable part of the City.  The streets are a grid laid out in alphabetical order starting at Arlington Street. It's a short stroll to Fenway Park, Copley Place and the Prudential Center. In fact you can walk to all of the attractions in this area of the City, and it's one of the top areas in the City for bike riders.

Some of the most popular spots in the Back Bay:

Charles River Esplanade – Perfect for afternoon exercise, this State-owned park stretches in a 17 mile loop along the Charles River. It is one of Back Bay’s most popular spots when the weather warms up and is filled with playgrounds, hiking, and biking trails. You won't find a better place in the city for a picturesque run, walk, or picnic!  Watch the sailboats or rowers out on the river. It's THE place to be for the annual 4th of July concert by the Boston Pops and fireworks show at the Hatch Shell.

Newbury Street - Running from the Public Garden through Brookline Ave., Newbury Street is best known for its high-end shops and restaurants. Still, there is something for everyone and it is a wonderful place to wander and spend an afternoon.

Public Garden - The famous George Washington statue is there to greet you as you enter the Public Garden at the end of Commonwealth Ave.  It's one of the most photographed green spaces in the Country, let alone in Boston.  Sit under a tree in the shade and read a good book, or maybe take the kids and enjoy a ride on the iconic swan boats, or pose for a picture by the Make Way for Ducklings statues.

Boston Public Library - This Library has over 23-million items, making it one of the largest collections in the Country. It includes pieces from William Shakespeare, Mozart and the personal library of John Adams. Historian David McCullough called it one of the five most important libraries in the United States. Grab a coffee and read a book or make a reservation to have an elegant 90 minute dining experience at the Courtyard Tea Room.  Located in Copley Square, the Boston Public Library is a wonderful Back Bay treasure.

Now that it is March and the Winter months are starting to get behind us, it is now time to get ready for Spring! During those cold months, your home goes through a good amount of wear and tear which may require some repairs. It is important to conduct routine maintenance checks on your home to keep up with these minor repairs to help prevent larger problems in the future. Here are a few maintenance recommendations: 

Check, clean or replace your HVAC air filters. This helps keep clean, healthy air flowing throughout your home. Also, scheduling an HVAC maintenance professional to run diagnostics will keep the system running efficiently. 

Clean out your Gutters. If your home is close to or under trees, then chances are your gutters are full of debris. This can cause your gutters to clog, causing damage to them (freezing water can cause cracks/breaks), your siding and the foundation if there is not proper water run-off from your home. You can do this yourself if you're comfortable with heights and exercise caution, but many roofing and landscaping companies offer gutter clean-out services as well.

Check your Smoke and Carbon Detectors. Many of us weather-proofed our homes for Winter, which may have included plastic insulation on windows or under-door sealers to stop drafts/cold air from entering. While that weather-proofing can keep cold air out, it also has the potential of keeping in harmful gases if you are not getting fresh air from outside. It is important to make sure that your home detectors are working. 

This is the time of year our immune systems are on overdrive. Our bodies can use a boost and an easy fix is with some vitamins. Did you know peppers are a great source of Vitamin C? Broccoli can supply us with Vitamin sC, K and B9. Carrots are packed with a variety of nutrients, such as fiber, potassium, Vitamin C, manganese, Vitamin A, and [...]

Cryptocurrency is a digital form of money. It differs from other currencies in that it is purely virtual (not printed on a bill or coin) and most are decentralized (not issued from a central bank). Transactions are secured by cryptography using a decentralized network of [...]

Whether you rent or own, now that we are entering cold winter months, there are a few things that might be helpful to keep in mind. Most people know to weatherproof and seal any drafty doors or windows, but there are a few other things that can help make winter months more comfortable and [...]

Famous for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and its Irish roots, South Boston has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the City. Located between the Seaport District, the South End and Dorchester, “Southie” has a fresh vibe mixed in with old school charm. Have a pint at one of the classic neighborhood taverns and take a stroll the beach.  You can pretty much do it all in Southie.

The South Boston real estate market has experienced a steady climb and its rentals are constantly in demand. According to the latest quarterly report from LINK Boston, condo sales in South Boston are up 23% compared to a year ago and the average sale price per square foot is up 5% to $797/SF.

Things to Do:

Castle Island - A perfect place for a quick stroll or to spend the day. This 22-acre location offers endless activities for a day out of the house.   Stroll around the harborwalk, watch the planes land at Logan Airport, take a swim, walk the dog or tour historic Fort Independence.  It’s one of the more popular outdoor areas in the city with plenty of room to roam.

Lawn on D - Get some fresh air, surf the web with free WiFi and enjoy the wide assortment of games and light-up swings. A popular place to spend a relaxing evening.

Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant - One of the many award-winning eateries in Southie.  If you want a great burger, this is your place.  It won Boston Magazine's “Battle of the Burger” competition in 2019.  If you’re in the mood for pizza, Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant can satisfy that craving too, winning Eater Boston's “Best Pizza in Boston” in 2014.

The Broadway - Just down the road from Lincoln you can find another popular hangout, The Broadway. It's known for always having a great atmosphere and widely recognized for its brunch and wood-fired pizza. A wonderful spot to hang out with old friends or make new ones.

The L Street Tavern - This place is quintessential Southie. A popular place to hang out and a tourist attraction, thanks to the movie Good Will Hunting. Come see where Matt Damon and Ben Affleck hung out and took some of their first steps to Hollywood superstardom!

September is Emergency Preparedness Month, but shouldn’t we really be prepared every day living in New England? We have excessive summer heat, thunderstorms, nor’easters, hurricanes, tornados and flooding.  With the risk of each of these, we can lose power and access to other things we rely on a daily [...]

Right up there with the Fall tradition of leaf peeping is going apple picking in Massachusetts. Who can resist hopping on a hayride, filling a bag with a variety of fresh apples, and enjoying some delicious hot or cold apple cider and apple cider doughnuts? Fun for the entire family!

Here are a few fun farms and orchards to try:

Shelburne Farms (Stow, MA) - https://www.shelburnefarm.com/

Belkin Family Lookout Farm (S Natick, MA) - https://www.lookoutfarm.com/

Brooksby Farm (Peabody, MA) - https://brooksbyfarm.org/

Honey Pot Hill Orchards (Stow, MA) - https://www.honeypothill.com/

Cider Hill Farm (Amesbury, MA) - https://www.ciderhill.com/

Carlson Orchards (Harvard, MA) - https://carlsonorchards.com/

Coming out of the pandemic, Back Bay businesses and institutions are preparing to welcome back employees and students this Fall. Despite numerous closings of landmark restaurants and retail operations, the City is welcoming new and exciting spots for gathering.

• The Quin House recently opened its doors as a private social club in Back Bay following a multi-million dollar makeover. It replaces the Algonquin Club, a Brahmin institution from 1888 which had long lost its luster. Located at 217 Commonwealth Avenue, in a grand McKim, Mead & White limestone mansion, this members-only club promises to bring together “the interesting and interested” for drinking/dining, fitness, learning, and playing. 
   
• Contessa, a new restaurant by Major Food Group has opened on the rooftop garden/terrace atop luxury hotel The Newbury Boston. It features northern Italian food and cocktails, overlooking the Public Garden in a sumptuous space designed by Ken Fulk. 
   
• A Michelin-rated pizza and wine bar just opened on Newbury Street. Double Zero, as it is named, features plant-based vegan versions of classic pizza and pasta. The chef and owner, Matthew Kenney says “with the right vision and effort, plant-based menus can be as exciting and revelatory as their counterparts”. Plant based dining has exploded in popularity for obvious health benefits, along with the added environmental benefits.

It’s a distinctive Boston neighborhood with a style all its own. The South End. The mere mention of the name immediately brings to mind images of stately Victorian homes, quaint side streets and parks galore. It has become one of Boston’s most desirable places to live. The location is fantastic, situated between Boston’s Back Bay and Bay [...]