Dorchester

Lovers of open spaces should have no problem settling into the tightly knit Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. Franklin Park, which represents the most popular park within the Emerald Necklace Park System, includes more than 500 acres of green space that attracts families from all over greater Boston. The park hosts a renowned zoo and an 18-hole public golf course. Located on the neighborhood's southern border, Neponset River Reservation provides a bucolic change of pace to the hustle and bustle of urban life. Several species of birds call the reservation that encloses the Neponset river home during the warmer months of the year. The combination of recreational activities and the opportunity to commune with nature creates a brisk demand for residential housing in Dorchester.

As Boston's largest and most populous neighborhood, Dorchester offers residents the benefits of living in a large city, without the headaches that accompany urban life. Neighborhood planners preserve the unique layout of the neighborhood that includes myriad small squares that resemble the town squares formed during the 17th and 18th centuries. Uphams Corner represents the primary business district in Dorchester. The vibrant commercial center of Dorchester includes ethnic restaurants, boutique clothing stores, and antique shops that present relics that predate the Revolutionary War. Harrison Square Historic District receives national architecture acclaim for its vast inventory of Italianate Mansard residences. The John F. Kennedy Library acts as the cultural epicenter for the Dorchester neighborhood.

The University of Massachusetts Boston is the second largest campus operating within the University of Massachusetts system. Residential housing near the campus provides shelter for a young, transient population. However, the rest of Dorchester comprises well-established multi-level homes that have remained in the same families for generations. The popularity of Dorchester stems somewhat for the neighborhood's transportation system. Interstate 93 cuts through the heart of Dorchester, which gives residents a main artery to reach downtown Boston. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Red Line makes five stops within Dorchester. Several state highways traverse Dorchester and take residents to outlying Boston suburbs.