I chose to write about Winthrop, aka the Throp as its a hidden gem that lies in the ocean/harbor just outside of Boston. I was just recently told that it was as easy and as close to Boston as Medford, if that helps.
When people ask where I live, I don't even want to tell them because i simply don't want to explain. Winthrop is a small coastal, marina town that borders Boston. People may think its bad because the airport is so close, but thats only 1/3 true. Where I live we don't get the noise like you would down the Point (Shirley).
I love to drive down Pleasant st to see all the large victorian houses, then you come up on a marina and a really cute picturesque scene. It is exactly what you would expect to find in a coastal town, but only no one knows this one at all.
Its safe, its quiet and its relaxing. I enjoy coming home from work as during the summer there is always an ocean breeze. Don't forget that the Throp is surrounded by water on 3 sides. Winthrop can be reached via car, subway/bus and hopefully soon to be ferry. To get here one must take the blue line to orient heights and then take either bus line to wherever you want to go. Downtown winthrop is as cute as it gets, so small and quaint that you can walk the whole thing in less than 5 minutes, however, within those limits are stores, food, banks and booze. I mean what else could you ask for?
There are a variety of restaurants, bakeries and stores within the town and all have unique things to offer. The beach is always a short walk as the town is only 1 square mile. The golf course gives lucky people an amazing view from their homes and a place for people to play golf. There are 2 main beaches, Winthrop Beach and Yirrell Beach, both with their on quirks. Deer Island kind of reminds me of Castle Island in South Boston, only without the annoying people surrounding you on all sides. When you walk the deer island trail you might come up on a total of 5 people on the 2.6 mile journey. You will also see AMAZING views of the city that you will never see from any other surrounding town.
Because people do not know this town exists, the beaches are always empty and clean and the parking is always plentiful. Rents and housing are cheap and large. One can find a pretty large 2 bedroom, ocean view apartment for less than $1200 a month. And when i say less than, I mean it.
Because the town is so small, there isn't really much in the way of a nightlife so you would have to travel to Boston, which is usually about 25 mins to get downtown. Winthrop also has a very affordable flat rate taxi, Viking Taxi, which costs about $22 for a ride to south station area, more than half the price of metered cabs.
Shore Drive is i think a mile long and is great for walking and jogging as it is along Winthrop Beach. You get amazing ocean views in either direction you go. read more