Living in East Boston
East Boston is a neighborhood of the City of Boston. It sits across the harbor, northeast of downtown, and it was built on several islands joined by landfill. Logan International Airport is in East Boston.
The waterfront is a big part of daily life here:
- Piers Park: known for its views of the Boston skyline.
- Constitution Beach and Belle Isle Marsh Reservation: places to walk and spend time outdoors.
- East Boston Greenway: a linear park on an old rail line that links Piers Park and Bremen Street Park.
Getting around
- Blue Line: stops in East Boston include Maverick, Airport and Orient Heights. Aquarium is the first downtown stop after the line crosses under the harbor.
- Silver Line SL3: runs from Airport station to South Station in one direction and to Chelsea in the other.
- By car: the Callahan, Ted Williams and Sumner tunnels link East Boston to the rest of the city.
Living close to the airport is handy for frequent flyers. If you are sensitive to noise, visit a home at different times of day before you buy.
Condos and 2- and 3-family homes
Most East Boston listings are condos and multi-family homes. You will see condos in converted houses, newer buildings and waterfront developments, plus 2- and 3-family homes.
- Condos: ask for the condo fee, the budget, the reserves and any planned special assessments. For an FHA loan, the building needs FHA approval or the unit needs a Single-Unit Approval.
- 2- and 3-family homes: you can live in one unit and rent the others. Owner-occupied loans can need much less down than investor loans.
- Older homes: if the home was built before 1978, the seller must give you the state lead paint notice before the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
Taxes and Boston buyer programs
Boston's residential tax rate for fiscal year 2026 is $12.40 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The City of Boston First-Time Homebuyer Program offers:
- Up to 3% of the price plus eligible closing costs, up to $50,000, for households under 100% of area median income.
- Up to 2%, up to $35,000, for households at 101% to 135% of area median income.
- A grant for Boston residents. Since September 15, 2026, buyers who are not Boston residents get a 0% deferred loan instead.
It covers 1–3 family homes and condos you will live in. You must take a CHAPA-approved homebuying class, and applications are available in Spanish and other languages.
How Luis helps in East Boston
Luis Tejada has worked in Greater Boston real estate since 1994. He was a mortgage broker and is a notary public with hundreds of loan signings. He helps you compare condo documents, run the numbers on a multi-family, and understand every page, in English or Spanish.
Sources: Boston Planning: East Boston at a glance · Boston Planning: East Boston Greenway · nycsubway.org: MBTA Blue Line · Wikipedia: Silver Line (MBTA), route SL3 · City of Boston Assessing: How we tax your property · GBH News: Boston FY2026 property tax rates · City of Boston: First-Time Homebuyer Program · HUD: Condominium mortgage insurance (FHA project and single-unit approval) · Mass.gov: Property Transfer Lead Paint Notification
