If you like living somewhere with actual urban characteristics, this is the only part of Boston left like that. Everywhere else is either taken over by luxury condos and Starbucks, or by high crime that makes it unsafe to walk around after night fall and in some case, during the day also.

The Italian presence in East Boston has almost faded out but there is still a strong relic leftover here from that era... Santarpios Pizza on Chelsea St. Damn near close to the best pizza I've ever had with a robust tomatoey sauce, very flavorful like an old world recipe straight from Naples. Worth the trip on the blue line to get here (Maverick stop).

A neighborhood comprised mostly of Italians, some blacks, and Hispanics. Some good restaurants, but noisy even when you omit Logan Airport from the discussion. Lots of auto body shops and the like here.