The Eight Best Streets in Brighton and Brookline

A few weeks ago, The Boston Globe Magazine published a rather useless article on “The Best Zip Codes in Boston.” It told us stuff we mostly already knew — like it’s better to live in a diverse neighborhood where there are restaurants and stores, top-notch universities and public transportation than out in podunk-suburb.

So I decided to put together a useless list of my own. Hence, my “Best streets to live on in Brighton and Brookline.” To make my list, a street has to be near public transportation, be clean and well-maintained, have shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as parks and a little greenery nearby. Seems obvious, right?

In Brighton, I offer:

1. Kilsyth Road. Tree-lined and even pastoral, it’s near the restaurants and stores of Cleveland Circle, and the B, C and D lines. Waldstein Playground, Chestnut Hill Park and the Reservoir are just a few blocks away. There are some beautiful old Victorians in the neighborhood. Right now on this street, 126 KILSYTH RD is up for grabs.

2. Colliston Road. It’s a tiny little street right around the corner from Kilsyth, with all the same advantages. In this corner of Brighton, your neighbors are more likely to be BC professors than BC students. There’s a condo on the market at 15 Colliston.

3. Corey Road. I’m talking about the stretch AFTER Washington Street on the Brookline border. It’s quiet, near Whole Foods, and an easy walk to either the B or C lines. Right now, there’s one unit on the market at 63 Corey Road.

4. Allston Street, between Summit and Washington Avenue. This stretch of Allston has a well-maintained park, beautiful 100-year-old trees, and Whole Foods right next door. The B line is just a block away. Currently, at 300 Allston Street, there are five condos on the market.

In Brookline:

5. Beacon Street, between Coolidge Corner and St. Mary’s. Old world charm, gracious city living, the T right outside your door…need I say more? Amory Park is right behind you, Trader Joe’s just a few blocks away. One of the best buildings on the street has a unit on the market right now, at 1080 Beacon Street. 

6. James Street. I love this little street, tucked away right in Coolidge Corner. It couldn’t be more convenient, literally steps away from the shops and restaurants of Coolidge Corner. It’s even got the Brookline Public Library next door. There’s a unit on the market now at 12 James Street.

7. Parkman Street. I HAD to put this one on the list. I lived on Parkman Street back in the 90s, and I was always thrilled to step outside my door to enormous, stately trees that line the block. Right now, there’s a condo for sale at 64 Parkman Street.

8. Marshall Street. Not far from Parkman, but on the other side of Beacon Street, Marshall offers proximity to Coolidge Corner and the Longwood Medical area.