How is the Area around Fenway Park?

<p>I’d like the opinions of some parents from cc. Those of you who have been to Fenway Park or the nearby area what did you think of it? Was it safe? Would you send your son/daughter to school in that area? I’m considering going to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and it is literally 3min. from Fenway Park. Any info is greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>It is an area, like in many cities, that can be fine on one block and get sketchy on another block. Overall, I’d say it is fairly safe and I would be comfortable sending my child to school in that area. As I’m sure you know, there are many colleges in the area so it is a popular area for students. Lots to do and see!</p>

<p>School there? Sure.</p>

<p>Now parking…that’s another matter.</p>

<p>Thanks , I’m trying to decide between it and West Philly.</p>

<p>I attended MA College of Art and Design which is in the same area as MA College of Pharmacy. I commuted so i didn’t have the experience of living in that area. The only time i felt nervous was walking to the green line (trolley) in the Fenway area at night. Other than that, I always felt safe. It is a good idea, to be alert no matter where you go to school. Try to travel in pairs or groups and use common sense.
What school in Philly are you considering, if you don’t mind me asking?</p>

<p>University of the Sciences</p>

<p>I’m not familiar with that school or the area it’s in so I can’t help you compare. Philadelphia and Boston are both great cities. I live near Boston and grew up here so I am partial to it :slight_smile: Good luck with your decision.</p>

<p>I lived in that area for 5 years during the 80’s. My daughter’s looking at Art Institute of Boston which is right in Kenmore square. A really fun place to be a student and the T makes it really easy to get around town. Like other posters said, you have to be city smart and would not walk alone late at night, etc, but that would be true in Philly as well (also a fun city to be a student!).</p>

<p>Last fall I visited D1 who lived about 3 miles due west of Fenway. We actually went to see The Town at the theatre right by Fenway and went at night; I also know this is a theatre that D1 regularly goes to with friends, and as we were walking from the T to the theatre, it never once occurred to me that I should be worried about D walking around there. It is so close to Boston University that it’s a highly student-dense populated area, so take that for what it’s worth. When we were looking at real estate this past spring, we also looked at an area near there called Coolidge Corner, which is lovely. Brookline, Brighton, Allston… those are all fairly safe areas, but again, lots of college students.</p>

<p>It is holy ground. </p>

<p>Seriously, it is fine. Urban normal fine that is.</p>

<p>The area is fine, perhaps really late at night, you might want to be careful. My D is applying to colleges in that area too. she takes the T now. Boston is a great city and would be great to go to school in. and this is from a worry wart mother.</p>

<p>D has lived in the area for two years and overall it is a safe area, but you should always use common sense when walking around at night.
Oh - yes - Fenway Park is holy ground:)</p>

<p>As others have said. One thing to note, as you’re making your decision, is that Philly is, in general, a cheaper city than Boston in terms of finding housing (and this holds true for the neighborhoods around USciences and MCP respectively). A nice 1br apartment in West Philly is 600-700/month, max. Near Fenway, you’re looking at 1300-1500/month at least. If you’re planning to live off campus, that difference in cost will add up over the years.</p>

<p>Back in the 80’s, H lived quite close to Fenway park for one year, and then moved to the other side of the back bay fens for the next 3 years (closer to the Symphony and Northeastern). That further side seemed a bit pricier and safer, but the closer side was fine too. H could often hear noises from Fenway which was great and the Fens are a wonderful park (part of the emerald necklace - an interlinked series of parks that go from the Boston Commons downtown, out to Jamaica pond and beyond).</p>

<p>Just a note here about the Fens. As some other posters have mentioned one block can make a difference and the housing market in Boston is interesting. You can and will find something safe if you choose the school in Boston you may find that a short commute on the T will get you a cheaper and safer place. Often the best bets are shared places with a room in a house a little further outside the city.<br>
As far as the area right around the Fens I know that my DS who is a 250 lb weightlifter and has lived in Boston five years is cautious in parts of that area at night.</p>

<p>Red Sox season ticket holder here; we go to Fenway quite often. I’d agree with what most posters have said. The Fenway area is basically safe, but it can change from block to block. Parking will be an issue if your student has a car. Best bet is to register the car in MA and get a resident parking sticker. Also–as eb. (#15 post) pointed out–walking through the Fens at night is not a good idea. Lots of BU and Northeastern students live in that area. Might check Craig’s List for shared housing.</p>

<p>My D has a studio apt. very close to Fenway and in Kenmore Square. As all other posters have said, generally safe are, but at night, you still need to be smart in any city. Boston U is also right there and there are 1000’s of students nearby. Great city and area for college age.</p>

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<p>Just be prepared… this, alone, will be an expensive endeavor. In order to register the car, you will need a MA driver’s license, which, from what i remember, was $100+. And to insure a car in that area is even more expensive, on top of the registration fees and sticker permit. </p>

<p>Although D was already 22 when she moved to Boston, and decided to give up her car, after a few months she got a MA driver’s license when she found out if you plan to attend events at the Boston Garden, and are under the age of 25, they need a MA ID to buy a beer.</p>

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<p>It’s the same at Fenway; the servers ask everyone who is buying beer to show an ID. If you don’t have one, you can’t buy beer. I’m 50-something and am always asked to show an ID when buying beer at Fenway.</p>

<p>Interesting note - S mentioned the other day, that close to 80% of rental unit contracts have a September 1st start date. September 1st is the day that Boston turns into U-Haul city.</p>