Allston, MA Area Guide

Once part of Watertown when it was first settled in 1630, Allston was given to Cambridge, which it remained a part of until 1807. The completion of the Allston Depot in 1887 drew professionals from Boston, who began building houses nearby. Harvard University followed shortly after, purchasing 80 acres of land from an Allston farmer in 1890. Once a place for farmers, the development of both the Allston Depot and Harvard campus brought in students and business professionals.

Notable residents of Allston include the members of Aerosmith, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Emily Deschanel, comedian Janeane Garofalo and actor/musician Jared Leto. The Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum, located near Boston University, showcases exhibits and original artwork. Art School 99 sits off Franklin Street and has classes for budding artists of all ages. The Harvest Festival, sponsored by the Allston farmer's market and held in October, features local music and food.

Allston's dining options include a diverse mix of cuisines, such as a wide selection of Asian establishments, along with Middle Eastern, Italian and Mexican options. American favorites, such as barbecues, burgers, and vegan options are plentiful. Many of Allston's restaurants sit off Brighton and Harvard Avenues.

Garlic ‘n Lemons offers a build-your-own-shawarma plate, with your choice of meat, sauce, and salad, plus hummus and rice. The portions are large enough to be split between two people or to be taken home to eat later. Carlo's Cucina Italiana provides homemade, authentic Italian food in a quiet, romantic setting. As a smaller establishment, waits can be long on busier evenings.

Nearly 50 percent of Allston’s residents use some form of public transportation. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority's green line runs along Commonwealth Avenue, also running several buses though the area, including bus routes 57, 64, 66, 70 and 86. Residents can also call a cab or book a ride through Uber. Both I-90 and US Route 20 run through Allston, making them easily accessible to residents.

As Boston’s 13th most-walkable neighborhood, most errands in the neighborhood can be accomplished on foot. The entire area being relatively flat makes the neighborhood easy to bike around, and it also has multiple bike lanes and other accommodations for bike riders.

Ringer Park sits on over 12 acres of land between Brighton Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue. It features tennis courts, basketball courts, a baseball field, a playground and walking paths. It is also pet friendly, as long as owners clean up after and control their furry friends.

Smith Playground is in the north of Allston, and has softball diamonds, basketball courts and an asphalt court that residents can use for hockey, soccer and other games. Come to Smith on a nice day and catch a game of bike polo, which is exactly what it sounds like.

Renters living in Allston pay an average of $2,538/month to rent an apartment, compared to the Boston city average of $3,300. City dwellers exploring houses for rent in Allston can expect to pay around $3,195/month. For those looking to buy, the average house is valued at $556,272, compared to the city average of $768,000.

Most shops in Allston line Franklin Street. These include high-end and high-value specialty shops and chain stores. From thrift stores to trending tech shops, locals enjoy perusing a variety of stores throughout the neighborhood. True to its academic roots, students often get a discount when they bring a student ID. Allston also offers a large variety of international food markets. Residents can pick up traditional Latin American and Asian ingredients to prepare a specialty dinner for the night, or head to a local grocery chain to fill their fridge for the week.