Visiting Boston - Where to avoid? Bad neighborhoods?

Question

This time next week I'll be in Boston for a week :), my first ever trip there. I'll be solo, and expect to do a lot of walking around, including late at night.

After reading about recent shootings in Roxbury...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=roxbury+mass

I've crossed that off my list of places to stroll around at night.

Are there any bad hoods I should avoid in Boston? I'll be staying in the South End and hope to visit most all of Boston in the week I'm there. Where should I not find myself late at night?

Also, is the T relatively safe late at night?

I'm no chickensh*t, but I figure I should use some common sense and ask where not to go. :)

Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

dorchester dont want to go there....http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 2

Most of Dorchester is fine; pay little attention to the Answerers above.  Even many parts of Roxbury are not dangerous at all.

And the South End does have its share of crime (it is mostly residential with streets not being brightly lit at night)

Yes the T is relatively safe.  

Answer 3

1st of all the person who said West Roxbury should be waterboarded.

Roxbury, Dorchester, parts of Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, East Boston and the South End are sketchy.

These parts are not typically see by tourists anyway. Like any large city stay where the population is and you will have no problems.

Answer 4

hmm..the t is relatively safe. dont go to dorchester.

Answer 5

Skip Jamaica Plain, Dorchester and China Town in the evening.  For the most part, the "T" is safe - as a general rule of thumb, ride the car nearest the T driver.  

You should be able to see a good majority of the city during the day and won't need to be in any of the shady areas in the evening.  Stick to the touristy areas at night - Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market (pubs, shops, boutiques), near the waterfront/harbor (near the Aquarium) and Cheers (Beacon Hill).  You could also take in a show at the Charles Street Theater (Blue Man Group - www.bluemangroup.com - has shows here and it's an okay area of town.

Or for something different, take a graveyard tour - cemetaries at night - you'll be with a group and you won't have to worry.  

Good luck!!

Answer 6

I would stay away from the Red Line on the T (at night at least). That takes you to all the more unsafe cities and there's nothing to see there anyways. Stick to areas such as Fanueil Hall, Copley, North End, Fenway. All the crowded touristy areas. Have fun!

Answer 7

stay away from roxbury, west roxbury, dorchester and brockton. do go to the north and south ends, fanual hall and the boston common :)

have fun!

Answer 8

all the above answers are good.

Green line is pretty safe and takes you to most touristy sections. Someone did say the Boston Commons - which are a must to visit...but do so during the day...no need to walk thru there alone late at night.

The T is safe, use common sense though. There are plenty of cabs if you are unsure about the T or if the T is closed.

Answer 9

Dorchester, Roxbury, West Roxbury and Hyde Park are the main ones...

Answer 10

I wouldn't walk alone in ANY unfamiliar city at night. I think that's common sense. Dorchester does have safe parts, but since you aren't from here, avoiding Dorchester altogether is a good idea. The same can be said for Roxbury. It isn't just "minority" neighborhoods that have this problem after dark. I wouldn't step foot in Southie (not to be confused with the South End) if I had a tan. Most people in Boston will leave you alone.  

Answer 11

Bad neighborhoods are

Mattapan

Roxbury

Dorchester

Roslindale

Basically use common sense and don't go to shady places!

Answer 12

yeaah avoid those places that other people said..

the T is kindaa safe..but go with friends..NEVER EVER go on the T alone!