Charlestown is one of Boston's oldest and most storied neighborhoods. A living tapestry of American history, Charlestown is perhaps best known as the home of the historic Bunker Hill monument, the U.S.S. Constitution - or "Old Ironsides", the oldest commissioned floating ship in the world - and the setting for the film, "The Town" - and residents beg to differ with the movie’s portrayal of the area! Since we do not live in a perfect world, surely there is crime about us, but Charlestown is fairly quiet in this respect. However, it might be helpful to check on crime reports wherever you choose to live.

Situated on a peninsula between the Charles River and the Mystic River, the neighborhood was founded as an independent city by the Puritans in 1628. In 1775, the city made history as the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the first major conflicts of the American Revolutionary War. The historic battle was forever memorialized by the 220-foot Bunker Hill Monument, erected in 1825 and still towering atop the peninsula today.

Annexed by the city of Boston in 1873, the contemporary neighborhood developed around the now-decommissioned Navy Yard, experiencing dramatic shifts in population and industry over the past several decades. The Navy Yard, also a national historic landmark, has been converted to residential and office space, and an increasing number of young professionals are relocating there, joining families who have lived in the area for years. These newcomers are discovering the neighborhood's renovated rowhouses and its accessibility to downtown Boston and the North End. Many residents walk to work in downtown or simply down to the nearby waterfront, both of which are only minutes away.

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) initiated plans to demolish and redevelop sixty percent of the housing in Charlestown, but vociferous Charlestown residents opposed the plan by an overwhelming majority. Consequently, the plan was reduced to tearing down only eleven percent of the neighborhood. Any housing that the BRA had a hand in requires sellers to ante up 2% of the sale price back into the BPDA kitty.

Drawn to its proximity to downtown and its colonial, red-brick, row-house housing stock, similar to that of Beacon Hill, many upper-middle class professionals have moved into the neighborhood. Today the neighborhood is a mix of upper-middle and middle-class residences, housing projects, and remnants of the large, working class Irish-American demographic who settled in Charlestown.

There are plenty of sights to see while strolling through Charlestown’s narrow, gas-lamp-lined streets. Charlestown has two very distinct types of architecture. Along Main Street, you will find traditional townhouses and brownstones; but, as you make your way to the Navy Yard, you will be surrounded by new luxury developments not only boasting high-end amenities, but also some of the most amazing city views you will find anywhere!

So, for that Beacon Hill or Back Bay charm but without the high price tag, Charlestown is the perfect alternative for you. Large homes from 1600 square feet range are still available under $700,000 - amazing the value you get just by crossing over the Charles River - single family homes with 3 bedrooms and 2 or more bathrooms in "Boston" for well under a million dollars and we are not talking tear downs; some have been gut renovated recently. However, off-street parking can be hard to come by.

If walking to work is not your thing, you can also find public transit in Charlestown. Info on the harbor ferry can be found here.

Boston is a city of neighborhoods by means of annexation. Access the City of Boston's official website, including the neighborhood of Charlestown. If you have school-age children, Charlestown lies in the Boston Public School district. Its transportation policies are outlined here.

The Boston Police have a web page dedicated to Charlestown which you can access for their latest news.

To keep up with daily goings on you can check in online with the Charlestown Patriot-Bridge, The Patch, or, of course, the Boston Globe, and the Boston Herald.

If you have a specific property in mind that you think you might like to buy, The City of Boston maintains a database for the City Assessor which you can access to see what value the City gives the property and what the annual taxes are. Boston does offer a residential tax break for primary residences for which you might need to apply after your purchase.

Search Charlestown Real Estate

This is Charlestown's best real estate site to search for: homes, land and foreclosure properties. It is seriously the only site you will ever need to find your next home or investment property! Bookmark this page and check back anytime to see what is currently available in Charlestown. Unlike other search sites which includes properties already under contract, this site only shows properties that are truly available. This site is updated by the official REALTOR®’s database every 15 minutes.

Here, you can save searches, and get daily email alerts of new listings, price changes, sold data, and market reports. Use our map search which allows you to search and view properties on a map! After you open the map search feature, zoom in or out on your preferred area and then, click on the hexagonal symbol to the top far right of the map, click on the map where you'd like to mark your outer limit search, then continue clicking to end and begin the each line segment until you have created a search box. Alternatively, click on Revise Search and enter the town and area you wish to focus on. Click here to open the Interactive Map Search.

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Curious about what’s happening in your neighborhood? You can create a custom market report to see what’s active, under contract, and sold in your neighborhood! Not tech savvy? Contact us and we'll set it up for you or assist you in any other way to make your next move painless and perhaps enjoyable!