South Quincy - Quincy, MA

South Quincy lies directly to the south of Boston, in the town of Quincy. Quincy was named for Colonel John Quincy, and served as the birthplace of two former presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. As with many towns in New England, the locals have their own pronunciation, and may be quick to educate you on the proper way to say "Quincy." As part of the town, the South Quincy area became populated when the granite trade took off, since the area boasted quarries that produced large amounts of granite.

Today, South Quincy houses mostly apartments and homes, and has remained popular with workers commuting around the Boston area.

Since South Quincy remains fairly residential, residents tend to visit restaurants located closer to the downtown, commercial area of Quincy, just a short distance away. While the area includes some well-known chain restaurants, residents enjoy a wide variety of local food options, as well.

South Quincy's Pho Countryside serves up authentic Vietnamese dishes using locally sourced products and native Vietnamese herbs and spices. With an ever-changing rotation of menu items, patrons can always find a new option to try. As its name implies, the pho comes highly recommended, and locals also suggest trying one of the several types of spring rolls available.

For a night out in South Quincy, residents head to Maggy's Lounge. This bar, that also serves great pizza, was opened by four friends who wanted to provide a place for music, drinks and fun to an area that lacks a nightlife scene. Maggy's frequently hosts events like live music nights, improv shows and bingo, drawing crowds every night of the week. Maggy's has an extensive drink menu and features many signature cocktails and local brews.

If you want the best Italian food south of Boston, head to Gennaro's Eatery, a restaurant that prides itself on serving food that tastes like it came straight from Little Italy. This family-owned-and-operated restaurant serves huge portions that regulars say make great leftovers. Try their Italian classics such as meat lasagna and chicken parmigiana or New England favorites such as whoopee pie with an Italian twist.

Given South Quincy's proximity to Boston, getting around the area by public transportation remains a popular option. The Boston subway service, called the T, has a stop in South Quincy, the Quincy Adams station on its red line. Residents can take this subway all the way into the center of Boston or connect easily with the other T lines. The T runs directly to nearby Quincy Center and Boston's South Station, where commuter trains run to smaller suburbs outside of Boston's metro area.

As an urban neighborhood, locals consider South Quincy extremely walkable. Residents find plenty of sidewalk space and safe street crossings. Locals also enjoy bicycling around the neighborhood, and find that streets are wide enough to make biking safe and easy as a form of transportation.

Private cab companies operate in the town of Quincy and the surrounding area, so residents can easily call for a taxi or use Uber to hail a ride on their phones.

South Quincy remains an urban community, given its proximity to Boston, so residents generally go elsewhere in the state to find open park space. However, the neighborhood of South Quincy houses part of the Blue Hills Reservation, a Massachusetts state park known for its uninhabited terrain and scenic views of Boston and the Atlantic Ocean. Containing ponds, hills and trails for hikers and walkers, Blue Hills serves as a popular destination for Boston-area residents who want to spend the day outdoors close to home. Visitors can also stop by the Blue Hills Trailside Museum and see rotating exhibits about the animals and plants found in the park. During winter months, visitors can downhill or cross-country ski, and during the summer, the park designates several trails specifically for horseback riding.

South Quincy also houses Faxon Park, a 66-acre wooded area where residents can walk and hike, or enjoy a picnic.

South Quincy's location and residential community come with a higher cost of living than the Boston and Massachusetts averages. With an average rental rate of $1,257 per month renters in South Quincy pay slightly above the Massachusetts average. The popularity of apartments in this urban area helps to explain the slightly inflated rent costs.

The town of Quincy has several shopping centers where residents can find well-known stores such as Marshall's and Nordstrom for clothing, and Target or Goodwill for a range of other items. While South Quincy doesn't have a central shopping area, given its residential feeling, several local stores have opened successfully and provide additional shopping options.

Zamforia has a unique mission and strives to be a store with purpose. Originally opened by a brother and sister who were selling T-shirts out of a car, Zamforia has expanded into a store that sells men's and women's clothing, art and gifts. This popular local shop supports several local causes and donates money to organizations such as the Boston One Fund.

Another local spot, Finders Keepers, boasts an impressive collection of vintage and consignment clothes, as well as jewelry, bags and accessories. The inventory moves fast, so those who shop here do so regularly, finding quality items for a good price. Finders Keepers also has a children's section where parents can find books and games at deeply discounted prices.

South Quincy has several chain grocery stores available nearby, including Hannaford's and Stop & Shop. Locals also frequent smaller delis and markets such as Roxie's Market of Quincy, which features an extensive deli with prices cheaper than the chain stores.