What is the Seaport?
The Seaport District is Boston's newest neighborhood, built almost entirely in the last 15 years. It's a planned development featuring luxury high-rise condos, office towers, restaurants, and waterfront parks. Think of it as Boston's version of Hudson Yards or Battery Park City—modern, dense, and expensive.
Key Characteristics
- Brand New Everything: Most buildings date from 2010-2025, with modern amenities
- Luxury Focus: Almost exclusively high-end condos ($800K-$5M+)
- Waterfront Location: Harbor views, marinas, and parks
- Innovation District: Home to tech companies, startups, and life science firms
- Excellent Restaurants: Dense concentration of dining options
- Transit Access: Silver Line (BRT) connects to Red Line and Logan Airport
Who Lives in the Seaport?
The Seaport attracts a specific demographic:
- Young professionals: 25-45, working in tech, finance, or biotech
- Empty nesters: Downsizing from suburbs, want luxury urban living
- Wealthy buyers: Budget typically $1M+ for a 1-2 bedroom condo
- Low-maintenance seekers: Full-service buildings with amenities
NOT common: Families with school-age children (no neighborhood schools, small units)
Real Estate Market
What's Available
- 1-Bedroom Condos: $800K - $1.2M (600-900 sq ft)
- 2-Bedroom Condos: $1.2M - $2.5M (900-1,400 sq ft)
- 3-Bedroom Condos: $2M - $5M+ (1,400-2,500 sq ft)
- Penthouses: $5M - $15M+ (2,500+ sq ft)
Building Amenities (Typical)
- 24/7 concierge and doorman
- Fitness center with yoga studio
- Rooftop deck with harbor views
- Pet spa and dog run
- Private storage and bike room
- Guest suites for visitors
- Package room and dry cleaning service
HOA Fees
Expect $800-$1,500/month for a 1-2 bedroom condo. These fees cover all amenities, utilities (often including heat/AC), building maintenance, and staff salaries.
Commute & Transportation
To Financial District: 10-15 minutes (Silver Line or walk)
To Back Bay: 20-25 minutes (Silver Line + Red or Orange Line)
To Cambridge/Kendall: 30-35 minutes (Silver + Red Line)
To Logan Airport: 10-15 minutes (Silver Line direct)
Transit Options:
- Silver Line: Bus Rapid Transit to South Station (connects to Red Line)
- Water Taxi: Seasonal service to various harbor locations
- Walking: Can walk to Financial District, Fort Point, South Station
- Uber/Lyft: Very accessible, quick rides to most Boston destinations
Note: The Seaport is NOT well-served by the T. Silver Line is the only public transit option.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Restaurants & Dining
The Seaport has Boston's highest concentration of new restaurants. Expect upscale dining, trendy spots, and high prices. Popular areas: Seaport Boulevard, Northern Avenue, and the Waterfront.
Entertainment
- Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
- Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC)
- Music venues and comedy clubs
- Lawn on D (seasonal outdoor space)
- Seaport Cinema (luxury movie theater)
Outdoor Space
- Harborwalk (waterfront walking/running path)
- Martin's Park (accessible playground)
- Multiple small parks and plazas
- Waterfront views throughout
⚠️ Flood Risk Warning
The Seaport is built on filled land just feet above sea level. With climate change and sea level rise, this area faces significant long-term flood risk. Modern buildings have elevated first floors and flood protection measures, but this is a serious consideration for long-term ownership.
Action: Before buying, check FEMA flood zone maps and factor flood insurance costs into your budget. See our Flood Risk Checker guide.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Brand new construction with modern finishes and amenities
- Waterfront location with harbor views (in many units)
- Walkable to excellent restaurants and entertainment
- Low-maintenance living (building handles everything)
- Strong rental market (easy to rent if you relocate)
- Safe and well-lit (newer development with security)
- Close to Logan Airport for frequent travelers
- Dog-friendly with pet amenities
❌ Cons
- Very expensive ($1M+ for most units)
- High HOA fees ($800-$1,500/month)
- Flood risk (built on filled land at sea level)
- Limited transit options (Silver Line only)
- No neighborhood character (feels like a mall)
- Not family-friendly (no schools, small units)
- Can feel sterile and corporate
- Restaurants and shops skew expensive
- Gentrification concerns (displaced industrial uses)
- Unknown long-term value (neighborhood too new to predict)
Schools: A Major Limitation
The Seaport has no neighborhood schools. Families with children are assigned to Boston Public Schools through the lottery system, which can mean schools far from home. Most Seaport families either:
- Opt for private schools
- Move to suburbs when kids reach school age
- Accept uncertain BPS assignments
Bottom line: The Seaport is not ideal for families with school-age children.
Who Should Buy in the Seaport?
✅ Great Fit If You:
- Work in the Financial District or Seaport Innovation District
- Want brand new construction with luxury amenities
- Prefer low-maintenance, full-service living
- Have a budget of $1M+ for a condo
- Don't have kids (or plan to move before school age)
- Travel frequently (close to Logan Airport)
- Value walkability to restaurants and entertainment
❌ Consider Alternatives If You:
- Have school-age children or planning to
- Want neighborhood character and history
- Prefer older architecture or charm
- Budget is under $1M
- Want good transit access (beyond Silver Line)
- Concerned about flood risk and climate change
- Want a diverse, established community
Investment Perspective
Appreciation Potential
The Seaport is too new to have long-term data, but consider:
- Pro: Prime waterfront location, continued development
- Pro: Strong rental demand from young professionals
- Con: Oversupply risk (many units built simultaneously)
- Con: Climate change could impact long-term values
- Con: HOA fees eat into returns
Verdict: Good for 5-10 year hold, uncertain for 20+ years due to climate concerns.
Compare: Seaport vs Other Boston Neighborhoods
Seaport vs Back Bay: Back Bay has history, character, and better transit (Orange + Green Lines). Seaport is newer, more modern amenities. Back Bay holds value better long-term.
Seaport vs South End: South End has brownstones, established community, and character. Seaport is newer, more corporate. South End attracts families; Seaport attracts young professionals.
Seaport vs Financial District: Both are new-construction condo markets. Financial District is quieter at night but closer to Red/Orange/Blue Lines. Seaport has more restaurants and entertainment.