Lower Washington-Mount Hope - Roslindale, MA

The Lower Washington-Mount Hope neighborhood had its first settlers in the 1600s. Since then, the neighborhood has gone from unused wooded, hilly terrain to a suburban residential area where families gather to be near to the center of Boston. In the 20th century when public transit became available, people began to flock to the area. Luckily, much of the area has been preserved and cannot be used for further building purposes.

The Emerald Necklace Park system ends with its final three parks surrounding the Lower Washington-Mount Hope neighborhood, as well as the Jamaican Plains neighborhood. These parks were designed in the 19th century by Fredrick Law Olmsted, a journalist and landscape architect who grew up in the 1800s. A lot more about the history of the neighborhood can be discovered at Bay State Model Railroad Museum or the Lars Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline.

The various dining options and abundance of pubs make the neighborhood great for those who like to dine out or grab a drink and socialize in the evening. Whether you crave traditional American dishes or ethnic cuisines, Lower Washington-Mount Hope has it all.

Local art, live music and great American food from The Dogwood will keep any local happy. Located on Washington Street, the beautiful exposed brick walls and warm woods inside create a relaxing environment aside from the huge outdoor patio surrounded by trees and greenery. Craft beer and brick-oven pizza will keep you coming back for more. While you wait for your pizza, try the ahi tuna nachos, as the wasabi mayo gives the appetizer a wonderful spiciness.

Sophia’s Grotto serves unique Mediterranean-influenced dishes in the northernmost part of the neighborhood. The interior of the restaurant showcases brick walls with crates from floor to ceiling full of wine. While you slowly relish in every bite of your flavorful pasta dish, be sure to sip on a cocktail, fine wine or craft beer. Take advantage of the large patio in the warmer weather months. It truly captures the essence of southern Europe with its large umbrellas, bistro sets, brick and greenery.

A surplus of dive bars and lounges lie within the neighborhood, so you can gather with friends for a drink with ease. If you love to play pool while you enjoy a cold one, check out Napper Tandy’s of Roslindale. While the place reminds you of every other typical Irish bar, the locals constantly rave about the food. Several pool tables and a large patio make the place even more exciting.

With the MBTA Forest Hills Station in close proximity, you can take the Orange Line to Boston. Otherwise, well-maintained roads and safe streets make it easy for residents to drive, walk or cycle wherever they need to go. Hyde Park Avenue and the American Legion Highway also make travel much easier. Residents also find that Highway 28 makes commuting simple.

For a quick lift, request an Uber or call for a cab. Another option for those who wish to leave to leave their private vehicle at home is to hop on the bus. Free parking lots and plenty of on-street parking make finding a place to rest the vehicle much simpler throughout the community of Lower Washington-Mount Hope.

Residents of the Lower Washington-Mount Hope neighborhood get the pleasure of being surrounded by untouched natural settings and large parks. As part of the Emerald Necklace park system, Franklin Park provides residents with over 485 acres of land, partially occupied by a cemetery and the Franklin Park Zoo. The park provides trails, picnic areas, vistas, cafes, playgrounds, free parking, and areas for pets to roam and play while leashed.

Franklin Park holds several events throughout the year. Aside from sledding and other small things planned through the park, it holds festivals such as the Winter Snow Festival, the Kite and Bike Festival, and the Fall Forest Festival. All of these festivals appeal to people of all ages, especially to the children in the area.

For more fun in the outdoors, check out the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaican Pond or any of the other small grassy areas provided throughout the neighborhood and its surroundings. These parks all provide trails and areas to use the restroom or sip on water.

Aside from the beautiful landscapes, the cheaper cost of living and close proximity to Boston make the neighborhood even more desirable. The average rental rate for a one bedroom apartment in Lower Washington-Mount Hope costs an average of $1,355 a month. Boston’s average one-bedroom rental rate remains closer to $2,000.

For a gallon of gas, residents expect to pay around 1 percent higher than the national average; yet, it isn’t quite as expensive as getting fuel in the heart of Boston. Calling for an UberX ride to the major city will cost about $21 for a one-way trip, while taking the Orange Line from the MBTA in Forest Hills costs $2.65. To grab a cold draft in the neighborhood, you’ll spend about $4 a drink, while a meal ranges anywhere from $10 to $20 on average.

Shopping in the neighborhood presents many opportunities to purchase groceries, clothes, furniture, antiques, and anything else your heart desires or your home needs. While heading north to the Jamaican Plains neighborhood gives even more of a selection when it comes to shopping, thrift shops, flower stores and specialty shopping make the neighborhood of Lower Washington-Mount Hope more unique.

Head to the Thrift Shop of Boston on Corinth Street where you can buy all types of gently used and vintage items. From clothing for all ages to home decor and furniture, you will certainly find greatly priced items to purchase. Spending an hour or more in the large shop should be expected if you like to browse through everything.

Birch Street House and Garden located on the corner of Birch and South Street has a variety of one-of-a-kind pieces for the home. Home decor for any room can be purchased through this small, decorative shop. Walk in and be greeted by the owner, Erin, who tends to be there on a regular basis. The inventories change often and as new pieces frequent the shop, it’s hard not to leave with something for the home or garden.

Two main farmers markets of the area, which both sit right by each other, give locals the chance to shop for an array of different foods. Fresh produce, meat, bakery and ethnic foods from around the world can be purchased from Roslindale Farmers Market or Tony’s Market. The Roslindale Farmers Market sits upon 2 acres of land and opens every Saturday, rain or shine. The outdoor market opens in June and closes in November, until the next season. If farmers markets don’t appeal to you, head to Stop and Shop or Save-A-Lot nearby.