Saint Mary's

Saint Mary’s is among the most urban of all Brookline neighborhoods due to its proximity to Boston (it borders it in three directions). Living here affords residents all the benefits a big city has to offer - lots of things to do, restaurants to eat in, people to see, close to hospitals, etc. - while still having access to Brookline’s excellent public schools and desirable quality of life.

Located just west of Boston's Fenway Park, Saint Mary’s is less than a mile from where the Red Sox play, and roughly the same distance to the Longwood Medical area. It is a community rich in history that has evolved into an area with a number of contemporary amenities. A vibrant neighborhood that also borders Boston University, the Cottage Farm Historic District with many stately homes, as well as the Longwood neighborhood, Saint Mary’s is characterized by a blend of independent stores, a small market, a fabulous yoga studio and restaurants, appealing to the diverse mix of people who reside there.

It should be stated that some consider Longwood, Cottage Farm and Saint Mary’s to be one neighborhood. We understand the logic here but we like to separate them into three distinct areas because we feel they are sufficiently different. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon to hear residents refer to their home being “down by Saint Mary’s” or “by Longwood”.

Saint Mary’s was recently transformed with several new restaurants along Beacon Street directly across from the Saint Mary’s Green Line C-Branch T-Stop opening. In addition, H-Mart replaced Whole Foods as the area’s neighborhood grocery store.

If you want to live close to Boston this is certainly a neighborhood worth looking at. It really does have a different feel than other parts of Brookline.

Architecturally, however, Saint Mary's mirrors other Brookline neighborhoods, featuring a mix of housing. Predominant are the "Brownstones" – apartment complexes and townhouses constructed in various shades of red and brown brick. In addition, there are some beautiful single-family homes located on Carlton Street and Monmouth Street.

The neighborhood is also home to various businesses including bakeries, spas, cleaners, banks, a liquor store, a yoga studio, a coffee shop, and several excellent restaurants.

Public transportation to Saint Mary’s Street is convenient, with the C train on the green line stopping directly at St. Mary’s Street along Beacon Street. The C train goes to downtown Boston in one direction and originates at Cleveland Circle in the other making stops along Beacon Street through Coolidge Corner, Summit Avenue, and Washington Square. For those driving, metered street parking is available on Beacon Street​​ and parts of Carlton Street, and two hour parking is permitted on some of the other nearby side streets. There is also a bike lane for commuters who prefer to bike to work.

When it comes to green space, Saint Mary’s is flanked by the Riverway, which is part of the Emerald Necklace, and is easily accessible from the recently restored Carlton Street footbridge. In addition, Amory Park, a spacious field is a true gem, complete with clay tennis courts, two baseball fields, and a pond sanctuary offering tranquility to residents. Amory Park is less than a quarter of a mile from Saint Mary’s Street. If that’s not enough, there’s also the Longwood Mall, a beautiful park just a block from Carlton Street that features some of Brookline’s most magnificent trees on a quiet street in a serene setting.

Home Values

There are only a handful of streets in the Saint Mary’s Neighborhood (listed below).

• Beacon Street (parts of)
• Carlton Street (parts of)
• Euston Street (parts of)
• Ivy Street (parts of)
• Monmouth Court
• Monmouth Street
• St. Mary's Court
• St. Mary's Street

Below is a sampling of home values in the Saint Mary’s area according to the fiscal year 2025 assessed values:

• Monmouth Street: $4,613,155
• St. Mary's Street: $3,474,271

Notable 2023 Saint Mary's Homes Sold

There were no notable sales in the Saint Mary's area in 2024.

• 11 Carlton St.: $3,525,000
• 47 Monmouth St.: $3,250,000
• 90 Ivy St.: $3,100,000
• 121 Carlton St.: $2,900,000
• 18 Monmouth Ct.: $2,780,000

Public Transportation

The C-Line stops at St. Mary’s Street. But the Green Line D-Branch is also easy for residents to get to. The Carlton Street Path takes residents to the stop at Longwood or residents can venture a few steps towards Park Drive, cross the street and go down a set of stairs to the Fenway Park stop. If that’s not enough, the Green Line B-Branch is also just a short distance to Commonwealth Avenue.

Finally, there are also multiple buses that run along Park Drive and take passengers to the Longwood Medical area, Cambridge, South Boston, Charlestown, and more.

The 8 makes stops at various points in Boston en route to South Boston while the 47 originates in Central Square, Cambridge en route to the Broadway station in Boston.

The C2T originates at Ruggles Station by Northeastern University and goes to Sullivan Square in Charlestown with stops at various points in Boston and Cambridge along the way.

Schools

• Lawrence School: One of the smaller public elementary schools in Brookline and known for its strong academic programs and a warm, community-focused environment.
• Brookline High School: BHS, as it is frequently referred to, is known for its exceptional academic programs, diverse student body, and thought leadership in the world of high school academics.
• St. Mary of the Assumption School: Catholic elementary school right in the neighborhood that prides itself on its rich tradition of Catholic education.
• Brookline Arts Center: Founded in 1964, this Monmouth Street institution serves over 5,000 individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities each year through classes and workshops, community outreach programs, exhibitions, public art activities, and special events.

Restaurants & Eateries

Living in Saint Mary’s offers you a ton of food choices along Beacon Street into Boston and the surrounding Fenway area. Fenway has undergone significant development in the past several years and a number of new restaurants and shops have opened.

• Bar 'Cino: This hot-spot on Beacon Street across from the Saint Mary’s T Stop is filled nightly and serves delicious Italian food from shared-plates, pizza, piadine, pasta, salads and more.
• Taberna de Haro: This long-standing Spanish tapas restaurant offers a large selection of wine in a cozy atmosphere in the Saint Mary’s neighborhood. And it has a large outdoor seating area that’s great for people watching.
• Cafe Landwer: Just over the Brookline border in Boston, on Beacon Street, this low key Mediterranean restaurant creates healthy & hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Make sure to try the hummus!
• Matsu-Nori: Small and unassuming hand roll bar serving some of the freshest and tastiest sushi in Boston.
• Time Out Market: Food court in Fenway with a variety of tasty options from top local restaurants, bakeries and chocolatiers. And with Trillium Brewery right outside, this is a fun place to grab some food and sample a beer from one of New England’s most popular local brewers.
• Eastern Standard: Happening scene serving creative cocktails & modern brasserie fare in a great atmosphere just over the border in Boston.
• Blue Ribbon Sushi: This Greenwich Village New York City original offers a swanky scene in nearby Kenmore Square.
• Blue Ribbon Brasserie: When Eastern Standard moved, it created an opportunity for a new restaurant, and Blue Ribbon Brasserie stepped in. Serving neighborhood regulars and culinary industry insiders since 1992, this Kenmore Square newcomer has a menu that has too many good things to choose just one.

Coffee Shops

• Tatte Great place to sit outside on a nice day and enjoy a drink, pastry or hearty food.

Daycares

• Longwood Medical Area Child Care Center: Established to meet the child care needs of employees of participating Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA) institutions. Also offers care to community members when slots are available.
• St. Mary of the Assumption School: Focuses on critical developmental milestones, competencies, and concepts—from social-emotional skills to the beginnings of numeracy, literacy, and critical thinking.
• Little Children Schoolhouse: Three locations in the Brookline Village area.

Shopping & Other Staples

• Down Under Yoga: One of the most popular yoga studios in Brookline offers a variety of yoga types 7 days a week with some of the best teachers in the area.
• The Wine Press: Longtime neighborhood staple selling your favorite wine, beer and spirits.
• REI: Located on Park Drive in Boston next to Time Out Market, sits this popular outdoor retailer.

Paths

• Carlton Path: A secluded, relatively unknown path at the back of Monmouth Court that provides a convenient way for residents in the Monmouth Street area to shave off a couple of minutes on their way to and from the Longwood T Stop.