Columbia Point
by Nabewise
Infomation
Columbia Point, part of Dorchester, is often referred to as Bayside or Savin Hill. Columbia point offers great public amenities like views of Boston Harbor, easy downtown transit options, and access to JFK Library and UMASS Boston. A steady migration of South Endresidents over the last decade has lead to a transformation in the quality and variety of available housing stock, and Dorchester Avenue is now following suit with new (or newly renovated) dining and nightlife options. Serviced by the Red Line, two commuter rails, and the I-93 highway, this is a nabe for people looking for affordable comfort and convenient access to Downtown.
Columbia Point, Boston Data : Neighborhoods & Travel – Score out of 100
Columbia Point, Boston Reviews
Michael P.
Best value in all of Boston
The name “Dorchester” shouldn’t frighten you off. This northeastern section (Savin Hill/Bayside) is really an amazing neighborhood. I’ve lived in the Back Bay and theSouth End and I feel just as safe today in this neighborhood. Dorchester is a huge chunk of Boston – as big as the rest of the downtown neighborhoods combined – so people usually have a hard time differentiating the good from the bad.
I love this area because I live in a large, 7 BR, renovated Victorian house with a yard, drive-way, garage and it costs me less than a dingy, 3BR condo in the South End – and I’m 10 minutes to the South End, 5 minutes to South Boston and 10 minutes to downtown. I work in Cambridge and it takes me just 15 minutes to get there. If this area was not named “Dorchester” people would be flocking to this neighborhood and values would be sky-high. As the secret gets out, the neighborhood is already rapidly changing. I have lived here for four years and I highly, highly recommend it to anybody who wants to be smart with their money – I’m very glad I invested here.
Justin Green
This area of Dorchester is often referred to as “Bayside” or “Savin Hill”. This area is unlike any other in Boston – it is the only choice for professionals that want to buy a large, spacious, living space at a discount and still be within 10-15 minutes of the heart of the city. New neighbors have flocked to this area from the South End and over the last decade it has seen a real transformation in the quality and variety of available housing stock. Dorchester Avenue is now following suit with new (or newly renovated) dining and nightlife options populated the funky, urban boulevard. Serviced by the Red Line, two commuter rails and the I-93 highway, this is a neighborhood for people who want convenience and access throughout Greater Boston.
Sarah G.
Up and Coming Columbia Point
To previous generations of Bostonians Columbia Point still carries the stigma of its notorious past. This point used to house the drug-and-crime-riddled Columbia point public housing project which was condemned and cleared out decades ago. In the nineties the point was rebuilt with the award-winning Harbor Point project, a complex of charming brick apartment buildings and townhouses that have spectacular views of Dorchester Bay and the Boston skyline. Also on the point are the Boston campus of the University of Massachusetts and the JFK Memorial Library, a stunning modern building designed by I.M. Pei, architect of the glass pyramid at the Louvre.
The area is coming into its own after a rough past. The now defunct Bayside Expo Center has been purchased by the University of Massachusetts for development and small businesses are popping up along nearby Dorchester Avenue. Dorchester Ave, easily accessible by the JFK/UMASS stop on the Red Line is also home to local favorites the Sugar Bowl Café where students are often found having Brigham’s Ice Cream or a cup of coffee, The Banshee, a popular sports bar, and Stitch House, a hip and community-oriented knit shop that is always hosting open events for local crafters.
For now the neighborhood is definitely improving and is an excellent option for those looking for cheaper rent, quiet, and the added bonus of amazing outdoor recreation activities, including jogging, swimming, tennis, boating, and leisurely walks on the beach, along the Harborwalk.