Upon arrival in Boston, you can tell immediately that the city is one of America's oldest. Everywhere you go, you will find cobblestone streets and brick houses from colonial times. Many parts of Boston have also been modernized and built up to give the city a youthful spark. Short Term Stay Boston can help situate you in one of Boston's many unique neighborhoods. You can choose a Boston furnished apartment near the Charles River's waterfront, look for a place in a quieter, more historical area, or seek out one of the city's ethnic communities that have sprung up thanks to immigration.

Back Bay:
One of the most affluent – and thus most expensive – neighborhoods in Boston is Back Bay. Here you will find professionals mixing with tourists who want to shop on trendy Newbury Street. Because it is a center for shopping and eating out, Back Bay does not have the most neighborhood-y feel. But if you want to be in the middle of the action, Back Bay is a great place to look for short term rentals in Boston.

Beacon Hill:
Go back in time with furnished apartments Boston in historical Beacon Hill, which is one of Boston's oldest neighborhoods. Despite the small colonial row houses, gas lamps, and brick sidewalks, this neighborhood is quite wealthy. The Massachusetts State House is located on top of Beacon Hill, which may be the reason why many local and national politicians settle in this neighborhood. One-square-mild Beacon Hill is also the home of some famous authors and business leaders.

Charlestown:
Charlestown is a clean and green neighborhood on the north bank of Boston Harbor and the Mystic River. The schools in this neighborhood have a good reputation and you will find a mix of Irish-Americans, students, and young professionals living here. Charlestown is also home of the Bunker Hill Monument as well as the USS Constitution and the Navy Yard, so if you are into maritime history you should look for a Boston short term rental in this area.

South End:
The South End is one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods: it is the center of Boston's LGBT community and also houses many artists, families, young professionals, and a thriving African American community. The area's diversity gives the neighborhood a friendly, energetic feel. Architecture lovers will love the South End's Victorian brownstones. The neighborhood is also a good location for those who like to shop and eat out.

South Boston:
Not to be confused with the South End, South Boston is the heart of the city's Irish-American population and the origin of the term "Southie." This neighborhood attracts professionals and families and it hosts Boston's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. South Boston is conveniently located on the river, which has led to a big waterfront renovation project that hopes to attract even more families and professionals.

Roxbury:
Roxbury is the center of Boston's black community and also has large populations of Caribbean-Americans, Latinos, and hipsters. Look for furnished apartments in Boston in Roxbury to be part of a diverse, up-and-coming area of the city. Roxbury's Center for the Arts, Culture, and Trade puts on myriad performances and exhibitions throughout the year, and the neighborhood has a newly-revitalized business district that has driven up the cost of living.

Jamaica Plain:
Originally part of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain has grown into its own neighborhood south of Boston. Here you will find a diverse mix of Latinos and white professionals surrounding part of the Arnold Arboretum. Outdoor recreation lovers will enjoy this lively neighborhood speckled with parks and can blend in with the locals strolling around Jamaica Pond or dining in one of the many restaurants. Theatre lovers may also enjoy attending a performance at the Footlight Club, the oldest community theatre in the U.S.

Cambridge:
Part of the Greater Boston area, Cambridge is most famous as the location of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This small city has a lively, bustling feel with gorgeous colonial houses and cobblestoned squares. Cambridge is affluent yet maintains diversity thanks to its large student populations and eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants and boutiques along with some great museums associated with the universities. Look for Boston short term rentals near the Charles River to join the early-morning exercisers and rowers before heading to brunch at one of Cambridge's many great cafes.

Brookline:
Brookline is a suburb on the western edge of Boston. The area is known for its high concentration of green space and for being an interesting mix of urban and suburban. The Brookline population is largely white and the suburb hosts parts of the Boston College and Boston University campuses. If you would like to live in a quieter area slightly outside the city, seek out short term rentals Boston in Brookline.

Somerville:
Another of Boston's surrounding suburbs is Somerville, a small city just north of Boston. Once known as a blue-collar center with a high crime rate, Somerville has been gentrified in the last 20 years and has become a diverse artistic center with an efficient government. You will find great food in Somerville, thanks to the large Italian- and Irish-American populations.

Boston’s narrow, winding streets are notoriously difficult to navigate and can be discouraging to visitors used to the grid-like layouts of Chicago or New York City. To its credit, Boston has developed one of the best public transportation systems in the U.S. Because the city itself is not geographically huge, walking is one of the best ways to get around and see the city. You will find walking tours leaving from all parts of the city. Short Term Stay Boston can find you a rental in an area with the best walking and public transport connections. If you dare to cycle in Boston, beware of potholed roads and lack of bike lanes.

Public Transportation:
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), better known as the “T,” is Boston’s network of subways, surface trains, trolleys, street cars, and buses. The subway has five color-coded lines that run through the city center and out to suburbs. Getting a CharlieCard from a machine in the stations is the best deal if you plan to use the “T” regularly. With a little attention to line directions, you will have no problem navigating the “T” system and getting around Boston smoothly.

Taxis:
Taxis in Boston are notoriously expensive – $5 for the first mile and $2.80 per mile after that – so try to avoid them if you want to save some cash. However, taking a taxi is often preferred to driving oneself, since at least the cabbies know their way around the city. Smurfs Transportation, Chill Out First Class Cab, Forest Hills Independent Taxi Service, and Bay State Taxi can easily get you from A to B in Boston.

Driving:
Most people will give you three words of advice for driving in Boston: don’t do it. Signs are confusing, many streets are narrow and one-way, drivers are aggressive, and there is little to no parking downtown. If you must have a car in the city, park it where you can and take public transport unless you are driving out of Boston.

For those driving into Boston from elsewhere, the city is conveniently located on or near the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), Massachusetts Service Route 9 (SR 9), I-93, and Massachusetts Service Route 128 (SR 128).

Airports:
Boston Logan International Airport has nearly completed renovations to improve conditions and efficiency for travelers. From Logan, you can fly to all major U.S. cities and international locations. The airport is conveniently located just two miles from downtown Boston – take the Airport Water Shuttle or the “T” Blue Line right into the city.

There are so many things to do in Boston that you could live in the city for years and not do them all. If you want to do and see a lot without spending too much money, consider investing in a GoBoston Card or Boston CityPASS, both of which offer discounted or free admission to various sites throughout the city. In Boston you will find everything from colonial history to professional sports to high culture. Choose short term rentals in Boston and start exploring.

Outdoor Activities:
Boston is an extremely walkable city and there are plenty of sights that you can see while strolling outdoors. Take a picnic to Boston Public Garden or one of the Emerald Necklace parks, all designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. For an island experience, take a ferry to Boston Harbor Islands National Park. Exercise enthusiasts will enjoy walking, running, or cycling along the Charles River Esplanade. For a self-led walking tour, follow the Freedom Trail to see 16 sites from Boston’s colonial history, including Boston Common, Ben Franklin’s statue, and Paul Revere’s house.

There are plenty of monuments and architectural treasures in Boston, too. Snap a night photo of the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge and then visit the Skywalk Observatory for some stargazing. Plenty of Boston furnished apartments are located near the I.M. Pei-designed John Hancock Tower. You will run across statues of famous historical Americans all over the city.

Sport for Spectators:
A Boston visit for sports fans is not complete without taking in a Boston Red Sox game at historical Fenway Park, the oldest baseball stadium in the U.S. that is still used by an MLB team. Red Sox tickets sell out fast, so book them well in advance.

If you are not a baseball fan, Boston offers myriad other professional sports-viewing options. Hardcore football fans can drive 25 miles southwest of Boston to catch a New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. If you would rather stay in the city, book tickets to see the Boston Celtics shoot hoops or check out the Boston Bruins on ice at the TD Garden. For some great Division I college sports action, attend a Boston College-Boston University hockey game or the Harvard-Yale football game.

For those who prefer individual to team sports, Boston hosts the international Head of the Charles rowing Regatta every October, and plenty of smaller regattas throughout the season. April’s Boston Marathon is the oldest in the U.S. and is a must-see (or must-run) for running enthusiasts. Stake out your cheering zone near Heartbreak Hill to watch the fittest in the world.

Arts&Culture:
The Boston Public Library, the first publically-funded library in the U.S., is located in the center of the city and is worth checking out for its large collection of historical documents. Once you are finished reading, take in a Boston Ballet performance at the seven-story Wang Center for the Performing Arts. If you prefer orchestral music, book tickets early to see the world-class Boston Symphony Orchestra or Boston Pops. You will find more affordable musical performances through one of Boston’s many conservatories, such as the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory. Theatre lovers should not miss an American Repertory Theatre show.

Boston also offers countless museums with a wide variety of focuses. Furnished apartments in Boston can be rented near the museum district of your choice. Colonial and presidential history buffs should check out the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library, as well as the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. If art is more your thing, do not miss the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Other museums worth seeing in the Boston area include:

• New England Aquarium
• Museum of Science
• Boston Children's Museum
• Mapparium
• Museum of African American History
• The Institute of Contemporary Art
• Sports Museum of New England
• Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology

Dining:
If you would like to get a taste of some of Boston’s nearly 2,000 restaurants, there are a few food tours that may be worth taking: Bites of Boston Food Tours are walking-and-eating tours; the North End Market Tour features Italian fare; and Boston Foodie Tours focuses on some of the city’s top-rated restaurants.

If you would rather choose your own food, you have plenty of options. Do not leave the city without indulging in some New England clam chowder and lobster at Legal Sea Foods, or classic New England baked beans at Faneuil Hall’s Durgin-Park. If you prefer traditional American fare, stop by Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage in Harvard Square for a juicy burger and crispy onion rings. Boston also has a large amount of ice cream joints, such as Christina’s and JP Licks. For an Italian spin, grab some gelato from GiGi Gelateria in the North End.

Great ethnic food can be found in the North End (Italian), Chinatown, Allston, and Coolidge Corner; you can find a great furnished apartment in Boston in any of these neighborhoods. Pizzeria Regina has some of the best in Boston, and you will find great French food at Brasserie Jo in Back Bay. Elephant Walk serves delicious French and Cambodian food – separately, not fusion – and is vegetarian-friendly. Dim sum lovers will find an authentic meal at Chau Chow City in Chinatown.

Nightlife:
Boston is the home of Sam Adams beer; if you are a fan, check out the Samuel Adams Brewery for a tour and plenty of tasting. Following the Irish tradition, you can find plenty of other beer joints throughout the city, such as Mr. Dooley’s Boston Tavern or the Green Dragon Tavern. Fritz is a great gay bar in the South End, while Whisky Park offers plenty of its namesake drink. Pop in and out of bars on Canal Street, Bolyston Street, or Northern Ave on the Waterfront.

Some great dance clubs and live music venues can be found throughout Boston. The Paradise Rock Club is a popular spot for loud rock music, while Dick’s Beantown Comedy Vault offers 18+ comedy shows every night of the week. Club-hoppers should head to Boylston Place or Allston. Dance the night away at Havana Club, which teaches salsa dancing and lets you make up your own moves on the floor. Boston also has some great LGBT-friendly clubs, like Rumor (Latin music and drag shows), the Estate, and Pink (for the ladies).

Shopping:
Boston abounds with shopping areas. Whether you prefer malls, markets, or window-shopping along the street, you will surely find short term rentals Boston near some great shopping. For historic market-style shopping, check out Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and Haymarket for everything from food to clothing. Newbury Street in the Back Bay is the center of upscale shopping; head there to browse in Neiman Marcus or Tiffany & Co. Beacon Hill features plenty of gift shops and antiques dealers.

Book lovers will enjoy getting lost in the antiques of Brattle Book Shop of Boston as well as the Old Corner Bookstore and the Harvard Coop in Cambridge.

Any furnished apartments Boston you choose to inhabit will be located near hospitals and schools. Boston has a large network of hospitals and medical schools, and there are many great schools and universities in the metropolitan area.

Hospitals:

• Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Faulkner Hospital
• Children's Hospital Boston
• Tufts Medical Center
• Carney Hospital
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Schools:
If you will be in Boston long enough for you or your family members to require schooling, you will find plenty of public and private options in the Boston area. Do some research into the schools below before choosing an area to for your furnished apartments in Boston.

Elementary Schools:

• Learning Project Elementary School
• Kids are People Elementary School
• Farragut
• Eliot Elementary
• Josiah Quincy
• Boston Renaissance Charter School
• Blackstone
• Kingsley Montessori School

Middle Schools:

• Harbor School
• Smith Leadership Academy Charter Public School
• Mission Hill School
• British School of Boston
• Cathedral Grammar School
• St. John School
Excel Academy Charter School
• Hurley K-8 School

High Schools:

• Boston Latin
• The English High
• Quincy Upper School
• City on a Hill Charter Public School
• Boston Trinity Academy
• Boston University Academy
• Snowden Int'l High
• Heath Careers Academy Charter School

Many people know Boston as the home of Harvard and MIT, but those are not the only higher education institutions in the city. On the contrary, the Boston area has almost 70 colleges and universities for all your higher education needs, including a strong group of art and music schools.

• Boston Architectural College
• Boston Conservatory
• Emerson College
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt)
• New England School of Law
• Northeastern Uiversity
• Suffolk University
• Wentworth Institute of Technology
• Lesley University

Places of Worship:

Churches:

• All Nations Mission Church in Boston
• Beacon Hill Baptist Church
• Beacon Hill Friends Meeting
• Bethel AME Church
• Boston Chinese Evangelical Church
• Boston Harbor Community Church
• Roxbury Presbyterian Church
• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

Synagogues:

• Boston Jewish Spirit
• Temple Israel of Boston
• Temple Ohabei Shalom
• Chabad House BU
• Nehar Shalom

Mosques & Islamic Centers:

• Masjid Lil-Hamdulillah
• Masjid Al-Noor
• Islamic Society of Boston University
• Islamic Society of Northeastern University