This apartment is in a great location in an East Boston neighborhood free of the crush of tourists and more representative of real urban life of regular everyday people. The subway is within a short walk, where we jumped on the Blue Line and went straight to downtown without having to change trains. It was also easy to call an Uber and have someone arrive in a minute or two. Within a walkable couple of blocks are many small restaurants and family owned markets so we were able to easily get things to stock up the pantry. Also several laundromats within walking distance.
The neighborhood is ethnically diverse and very interesting, which is more reflective of an inner urban neighborhood in a large East Coast city. Moms walking by with baby carriages, kids coming home from soccer practice at the nearby park, families sitting out on the front steps at night, an ice cream truck going up and down the streets, and people walking their dogs. Nothing pretentious. We would keep the windows open at night to listen to people and music and the sounds all around. We felt safe and everyone was friendly enough.
The apartment was probably a one hundred year old building and inside were the original bricks on some of the walls. Although the hosts had remodeled it very nicely, they chose to preserve the character of the original structure. Modern amenities were there, but did not detract from the idea of an older era home. The ceilings had fans and there was a window air unit that worked well.
My perspective on this little home and the general area is that if you are looking for something more authentic for a Boston experience and do not like the tourist infestation of the downtown area, and would like to see life on a more genuine level, go HERE. It is reasonably priced and you can't beat it against the downtown hotel prices. There aren't any street performers here or Sephoras or sidewalk cafes serving lobster and fine wines, but you can walk into a pizza place that will greet you warmly and say sit in the back girls and we are glad you're here!