Jamaica Plain, or JP, as it's widely known, is a residential and commercially active Boston neighborhood. Located on the city's western edge, it borders affluent Brookline, and like its neighbor, Jamaica Plain is a community that mixes urban convenience with suburban appeal. Today, Jamaica Plain is a neighborhood of economic and ethnic diversity. It long-time residents and recent arrivals, families and single professionals all call this friendly and vibrant community their home.
In the late 18th Century, Jamaica Plan was a summertime destination for wealthy Bostonians who built resort homes around the Jamaica Pond. Construction of the Boston and Providence Railroad along the Stony Brook Valley in 1834 opened the neighborhood to industrial and additional residential development. The extension of streetcar service from Boston in the 1870's further prompted residential development, while construction of the Jamaicaway for automobiles prompted more suburban development.
The neighborhood still offers options for commuters who can access a network of major roads or else, take advantage of bus and train service provided by the MBTA. Today, Centre Street is the commercial center for much of the neighborhood, where ethnic and specialty restaurants, cafes, bookstores and shops line the street as a reminder of the neighborhoods unique, multicultural richness.
One of the community's greatest assets is the 265 acre Arnold Arboretum. With wetlands, brooks, rock formations, forests, hills, meadows and more of natures beauty, the grounds boast impressive lilac and bonsai collections. Anyone who enjoys spending outdoors would appreciate the paths for walking and bicycling that run through the Arboretum that is managed by Harvard University and part of the Boston Parks Department.
Though a wide variety of residential architecture exists, one characteristic feature of many Jamaica Plain homes is the triple decker--a three story structure with one porch over the other. Jamaica Plain is appealing to its residents as a tightly-knit neighborhood that retains open space, but that is only minutes by train, bus or car from Downtown Boston.
In July 2007, the average home sales price for a single family home or condo in Jamaica Plain, MA was $447,913. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
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