Allston is where you live in a young and free atmosphere in Boston.

In a nutshell, this neighborhood is a "planet for college students."

With many universities like Harvard, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, Northeastern University, and MIT, students are everywhere, and in the evenings, young people flood the streets. Thus, the atmosphere here is always lively and youthful. The infrastructure, including hospital facilities, is also quite good, so many retirees live here as well.

Even in a single café, someone is working on music with a laptop, while at the next table, friends are seriously discussing social issues or art. The housing prices are slightly cheaper than in downtown Boston, and with a large gathering of young generations, it has naturally established itself as a neighborhood full of culture and individuality.

The iconic scenery of Allston is the graffiti murals visible between the old brownstone buildings. This place is so active in street art that it is called the 'mecca of street art.' Murals are painted in every alley, and each store's exterior has different colors and pictures, making it fun to walk around. Especially, Harvard Avenue is the heart of Allston. During the day, cafés and restaurants are bustling, and at night, live bars and music venues open their doors.

Buskers are common on the streets, and on weekends, flea markets are held on the streets. It is truly a place where youth and art blend naturally. Allston's food culture is also unique. You can find cuisines from around the world, including Korean, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Indian, and Middle Eastern, all on one street. Particularly, there are many Korean restaurants, which is why Korean students often seek out Allston when they first arrive in Boston. You can find kimchi stew, bulgogi, chicken places, and karaoke. It's a neighborhood where you can grill pork belly late at night and chat over a beer with your American friends next door. Moreover, with a large student population, prices are relatively reasonable.

Even if the rooms are small, the warm atmosphere of the neighborhood makes it not lonely to live alone. The transportation is convenient. The Green Line subway runs through, and there are various bus routes, making it quick to get to downtown Boston or Cambridge. So, it's possible to live without a car. However, parking is a serious issue. Every street has 'Resident Parking Only' signs, so newcomers often struggle to find parking spots for a while. Also, due to the large number of students, there is a unique rhythm where the area empties out during the summer break and fills up again when the fall semester starts.

So, in September, the whole neighborhood is bustling with moving trucks. People refer to this time as 'Allston Christmas' because discarded furniture and items are piled up on the streets during moves. Among them, there are many usable items, so residents often pick up what they need. It's a neighborhood with a bit of chaos but also a delightful sense of humor. Allston shows another face at night.

With many bars, pubs, and small performance venues, music flows out every night. Especially, there are many band performances by Berklee students, and the genres vary from jazz to indie to rock. Thus, the nights in Allston are always filled with energy. Thanks to this culture, many artists gather and independent films or small exhibitions are held frequently. Of course, there are downsides.

Many houses are old, and soundproofing is weak, so you might hear music or party noise at times. But even that noise is part of the rhythm of this neighborhood. The people here do not interfere with each other, but they have a warm spirit that helps out when needed.

Living in Allston is not just about living near a university; it seems to be the charm of experiencing different colors of energy every day.