Single Female
 

I'm a single female planning a trip to Boston. What are the better areas to stay in?

There are not too many real unsafe areas of Boston unless you get into some sections of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, etc that are outside the center. I'd also prefer to stay outside of China Town/Theatre district, but there are a few nice hotels there. Back Bay and Copley are probably the best locations, but you could even go to Kenmore/Fenway for lower rates, or even central areas of Cambridge, like Harvard Square and you'll be fine.

I second that advice. I prefer the Back Bay and Copley area myself. Do not, under any circumstances, wander in Roxbury/Dorchester!!

I live in Jamaica Plain (single female) and feel safer here than some places downtown. However, this doesn't answer your question since there aren't hotels in Jamaica Plain. Stay in Back Bay or Cambridge (Charles Hotel is nice). Definitely avoid the Chinatown area (an older man was beaten to death at 8 in the morning there the other day) and anything called Downtown such as the Swishotel. I work downtown, and have walked around there at 10 in the evening, but I wouldn't make a habit of it.

I'll have to disagree with the last poster. We have been to Boston several times and have always found the downtown area safe. We went to Jamaica Plain last August to attend the Carribean festival. There must have been a thousand cops, otherwise we would have turned tail and headed back for the downtown area. We are returning to Boston in November and will be staying at the Hyatt Downtown, that was just recently converted from the Swisshotel that the last poster said to stay away from. Been there before and did not feel unsafe at all. BTW we are from a small town in Florida.

This is so ironic because I was just going to post a message similar to this. Im going to Boston for the weekend the first of October, by myself, and I am a bit apprehensive. I have booked the Hyatt and Im trying not to let the one poster scare me, but could you give me some advice, how far away are things, etc? Im more on the shy side, so this is a bit scary for me.

There is no need to worry about coming to Boston! EVERYTHING in Boston is relatively close to everything else- ie, if you had to walk to any place from where you are staying, it would be very do-able. the T (aka "subway" for those non bostonians ;) ) is also very handy and relatively easy to navagate using the T maps in every station. people really do tend to be helpful and friendly, so don't be timid about asking directions. and I have walked around Boston late at night and felt comfortable- just use common sense and stay in lighted areas, don't put your bag down and turn away, etc. as the second poster said, there really aren't too many unsafe areas of Boston. I don't mind downtown, and I think you should be just fine at the Hyatt.

The Hyatt, formerly Swissotel, is two blocks from the main downtown shopping district ("Downtown Crossing") in one direction, two blocks from the Theater District in the opposite direction, and two blocks from Boston Common as well -- an excellent location for tourists, IMHO.

Jamaica Plain is a large and varied section of town -- some parts are completely uppified, and some parts are indeed a little scary.

I work in Boston very near the former Swissotel, now the "Hyatt Downtown". While the neighborhood has improved in recent years, largely due to the new Millennium project (a new Ritz Carlton, Sportsclub LA, movie theater and residential condos), it is still somewhat of a "fringe" area. As a female, I do not make a habit of walking around in that area alone after dark. In fact, the whole "Financial District" in Boston empties out after about 9:00 p.m. While it is not a terrible area, you do have to be aware that you are in the middle of a major city. I don't want to alarm anyone, but you have to be prepared for this if you are going to stay there. You can not compare this area of Boston to the Back Bay, which has many restaurants, stores, and residences and therefore has a lot of foot traffic after dark. I would look at some of the hotels in that area (such as the Marriott or Westin at Copley Place; the Sheraton at Prudential). That's just my opinion.

In my experiences in Boston, I have never felt intimidated by the Financial District/Downtown area of Boston. I have never seen any "shadows" lurking, or felt uncomfortable with the area that I was in. My husband has not always appeared at my side due to other obligations, and maybe I am a little naive, but I have never had that "gosh I wish I were somewhere else" feeling that I have experienced in other big city's. But then again, I have been to a lot of BIG cities! Don't want to taint my opinion!!!!!!!!!!

Reading these replies makes me feel much better! I have narrowed it down to the Hyatt or the Copley Square. Does anyone have any thoughts on Copley Square? I spoke to my friend last night and he said it is a lovely hotel and great area to be in. Of course, this is the more expensive of the two hotels, but if it is more centrally located I will go with it.

I would be more comfortable in the Copley Square area. The location of the Hyatt is okay but Copley Square/Back Bay area is preferable from a safety point of view but also from a convenience point of view. Crime can happen anywhere but you just have to take measure to reduce the likelihood that you'll be a victim - like keeping to busy, well lit areas of the city.

To Harmony:

Go with the Copley Square hotel. You will not regret the choice of location. Have a great time in Boston -early October is one of the best times to visit!

Highbay, your first reply says it all in one single word - WE - stayed. The Hyatt is most definately on a fringe area, not a problem with a group, but as a single woman it just doesn't make sense. Yes Boston is a safe wonderful city. Simply ask why the Hyatt/Sisshotel is always the best deal in town for a quality hotel? People who know the area do not want to stay there therefor they must offer huge discounts.

On the same subject of safety, what is the best way to get around at night in Boston? We are going there in a couple of weeks for the first time. I know in the evenings we will be interested in going to restaurants and bars. Is it safe to take the T and walk from the station back to the Hotel? We will be staying at the Radisson Hotel in the theater district.
Thanks.

If by night, you mean around 10 or 11 pm, there are still usually quite a few people around that you will feel fairly safe taking the T or walking. If you are with someone else you'll probably feel safe at any time. If you are alone, and it is after 11, I would take a cab.

Saramarie and Marie F are right on track. Stay in the Back Bay/Copley Square area. Lots to do/see. Legal Seafoods at the Prudential Center is a great, comfortable place to dine solo.
The "new" Ritz Carlton on Avery St is lovely, but definitely in a fringe area.
Try the Boston Park Plaza, Lenox Hotel, Copley Square Hotel, Marriott Copley Place, Westin Copley Place or Copley Plaza hotels. ALL in most excellent, shopping, eating, peoplewatching areas.

Also, a less expensive, but only a 10 minute walk away is the Radisson Hotel on Stuart Street. It's one block away from the theatre district. SKIP the Cheers Bar. It's a big tourist trap.
Wear comfortable shoes and have a great time treking around this great city!

Boston is a VERY safe city. I can't remember the last time a tourist was affected by violent crime, and there are a llLOT of tourists here. I would have no compunction about staying at any of the above places.

Frankly Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester are all quite safe as well - I know plenty of young women living in all of them, who have no issue. Jamaica Plain especially is fairly upmarket - its a place where a lot of young doctors live.

That said, your best bet as a tourist is to stay in the back bay.