The South End

I live on a tidal marsh. It's true, under the hub of Boston food Mecca, bars, cafes and brownstones, was built on top a lot of water. Sounds kind of familiar to that place in SF? Remember that one? The Marina?

Well, hopefully, unlike (knock on wood) that other floating neighborhood, the South End is unlikely to go down in the next natural disaster. Hopefully.

Annnnyways. The South End is not to be confused with South Boston. I am not a Southie. I am South Ender. Maybe. I think. Or something of that regard. I'll get back to you on that one. (And let's be honest, at this point, I'm a San Franciscan that lives in Boston). 

Young and fashionable people started to move to the 'hood around 1870, where they were greeted by a planned community with brick townhouses (brownstones), iron railings and tiny parks. Pretty much the same thing I was greeted by a mere 140-ish years later.

These are my neighbors. Stoop livin'!!!!

Then, of course, for various reasons, the young and fashionable made a run for the hills, and in the next 100 years, the area found itself face to face with crime and poverty.

But! Alas! Leave it to the gays, jazz musicians and artist to save the day. Around 1950, they rolled in and began the slow gentrification of the South End (not without some hiccups, of course. In 1960, the South End was one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city).

So, in short, from my observations and chats with the locales so far, the neighborhood is not quite the flaming and Bohemia (wait, do they even do Bohemia in Boston?) area that it once was. It's now a historical and beautiful neighborhood, filled with young folks (that make it fun), gays (that make it pretty and clean), amazing chefs (that make it delicious) along with art galleries, a formaggio (!!!!!!!), local shops, a weekly farmers market/indie fair and more.

Better get exploring.

xo from the South End,
eb