Boston, MA 02134
Allston Real Estate
Triple-deckers, Union Square and Harvard Avenue, with the Green Line B on Comm Ave
Updated
- ZIP codes
- 02134
- Getting around
- Green Line B branch at Babcock Street, Packards Corner, Harvard Avenue, Griggs Street, Allston Street and Warren Street; bus routes 57, 64, 66
- Typical homes
- Wood triple-deckers and two-families, brick apartment buildings on Commonwealth Avenue, and Victorian houses in Lower Allston
Allston took its name in 1868 from the painter Washington Allston, when it was still the eastern end of the town of Brighton. Both joined Boston in 1874. Rail yards and stockyards shaped the early neighborhood, and the housing that grew around them (wood triple-deckers, two-families and brick apartment blocks) still defines most streets between Commonwealth Avenue and the Massachusetts Turnpike, with Lower Allston stretching north toward the Charles River.
Daily life runs along Brighton Avenue, Harvard Avenue and Cambridge Street, which meet near Union Square. Harvard and Brighton Avenues are lined with small shops, cafés and music venues such as Brighton Music Hall, while Comm Ave carries the Green Line B branch toward Kenmore. Ringer Park offers hilly woods and ball fields, and the Charles River paths are a short walk from Lower Allston. Buses including the 57 and 66 link the neighborhood to Kenmore, Watertown and Harvard Square.
North of the Turnpike, Harvard University's campus is expanding, with Harvard Business School, the athletic fields and the newer Science and Engineering Complex on Western Avenue. That growth, plus ongoing planning around the Turnpike interchange, is worth tracking if you are buying nearby.
Living in Allston
What makes Allston special
Union Square crossroads
Brighton Avenue, Cambridge Street and North Beacon Street meet at Union Square, the neighborhood's small commercial heart with shops, banks and bus connections.
Harvard Avenue strip
Harvard Avenue and Brighton Avenue hold a dense run of independent storefronts, cafés and live-music rooms, including Brighton Music Hall.
Green Line on Comm Ave
Six B branch stops from Babcock Street to Warren Street run down the middle of Commonwealth Avenue, with trains continuing through Kenmore to downtown.
Ringer Park
A wooded, hilly park off Allston Street with walking paths, playing fields and a playground, tucked between triple-decker blocks.
Charles River edge
Lower Allston borders the river, with paths along Soldiers Field Road and bridges across to Cambridge at Western Avenue and North Harvard Street.
The Market
Allston homes & real estate
Allston's housing is mostly multifamily. Wood triple-deckers and two-families from the late 1800s and early 1900s fill the side streets off Brighton Avenue and Cambridge Street, many now split into condominiums. Brick walk-up apartment buildings line Commonwealth Avenue and Gardner and Linden Streets, some converted to condos. Lower Allston, north of the Pike, has older Victorian single- and two-family houses. Newer mid-rise rental and condo buildings have gone up along Cambridge Street and near the Harvard campus.
Much of the stock here has been rented for decades, so buyers should look closely at deferred maintenance, the condition of porches and rear stairs, and whether a small condo association has real reserves and a written budget. Investors will want to review lease terms and the city's rental registration and inspection rules. Off-street parking is limited on many blocks. For recent sale prices on a specific street or a read on what your Allston property might bring, get in touch.
Helpful guides: Renting in BostonFirst-time buyer guideHow offers work in MassachusettsMortgage options by property typeSelling a house in Massachusetts
Getting around: Green Line guide
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What ZIP code covers Allston?
Allston is covered by ZIP code 02134.
How do you get to downtown Boston from Allston?
The Green Line B branch runs along Commonwealth Avenue through Kenmore and into the downtown subway tunnel. The MBTA plans to merge the Allston Street and Warren Street stops into one accessible station, with construction expected in 2027 and 2028. Bus routes such as the 57 run from Union Square toward Kenmore, and the Massachusetts Turnpike passes through the neighborhood for drivers.
What types of homes are for sale in Allston?
Most listings are condos in converted triple-deckers, two-families and brick apartment buildings, along with whole multifamily buildings. Lower Allston also has some Victorian single- and two-family houses.
What is Allston known for?
Allston is known for Union Square, the shops and music venues of Harvard Avenue and Brighton Avenue, its triple-decker streets, and its location between Boston University and Harvard's Allston campus.
Are Allston and Brighton the same neighborhood?
The city often groups them as Allston-Brighton, and Allston was historically part of the town of Brighton. Today they have separate ZIP codes (02134 for Allston, 02135 for Brighton) and are generally treated as two neighborhoods.
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