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West Roxbury … 7.2 miles (and 100,000 miles) from Boston

The Globe profiles West Roxbury in today’s real estate section.

Once the host for a 19th century egalitarian community, this neighborhood has since evolved into what is often called the most suburban section of Boston.

Block upon block of single-family homes radiate from the commercial centers along Centre and Washington streets, which are lined with many locally owned small businesses.

“Its tree-lined streets and single-family homes give it a suburban feel in an urban setting,” is how the Boston Redevelopment Authority describes it.

There are 28,000 residents in West Roxbury; that’s about the size of a big town or a small city.

For comparison, 7.2 miles from Boston to the South puts you on Squantum Street, in Milton. And, 7.2 miles from Boston to the North puts you on Dale Street, in Everett.

My point being, Boston’s too big. And, the interests and concerns of those in neighborhoods such as West Roxbury, Roslindale, and Hyde Park (hi, Mayor!) are not shared by those in Central Boston.

Do we need to de-annex?


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17 Responses to “West Roxbury … 7.2 miles (and 100,000 miles) from Boston” »»

  1. Comment by BrendanEff | 02/17/08 at 4:04 pm

    Since when did central Boston get to decide where Boston is? And what possible reasons do you have for saying that Boston is too big?

  2. Comment by BrendanEff | 02/17/08 at 4:07 pm

    Should New York keep Manhattan, but ditch Queens, or Staten Island, or Brooklyn?

  3. Comment by John A Keith | 02/17/08 at 4:11 pm

    It’s probably not my best idea.

  4. Comment by Tammy | 02/17/08 at 4:35 pm

    I live in West Roxbury and used to live in Back Bay. My interests and concerns (re: Boston) are almost exactly the same as they were when I lived in the city. While we might not be part of “Down Town”, we still share the same core ideas and interests re: Boston as those who do. And hey, we pay your taxes too… ditch us and expect your taxes to go up significantly!

  5. Rob
    Comment by Rob | 02/17/08 at 6:05 pm

    I usually like a lot of what you have to say, but I hope this is a joke. Boston is not all about the downtown neighborhoods. As someone who grew up in West Roxbury, I’m insulted by even that suggestion. Of course there are different people in Boston with varying interests. That’s how a city works. This post strikes of some serious elitsim, I’m sorry to say. Nevermind that Boston is actually really small as influential cities go in the first place.

  6. Comment by John A Keith | 02/17/08 at 6:11 pm

    Rob, thanks for the comment.

    I never said downtown Boston was better than the other neighborhoods, so it wasn’t supposed to be an “us vs. them” type of thing.

    I think the interests of the outer neighborhoods are more “suburban” in focus, that’s all.

  7. Comment by John A Keith | 02/17/08 at 6:12 pm

    And, Brendan: Brooklyn has over 2 million people in it. So, maybe.

  8. Rob
    Comment by Rob | 02/17/08 at 6:19 pm

    I suppose I should have spelled elitism wrong, anyway ha. My interests have always been about Boston - safe streets, good schools, less potholes, etc. My orientation is towards the city and not Dedham or Needham even though they are much closer geographically. The outer areas need downtown for the economic base and entertainment opportunities; downtown needs the neighborhoods for workers, public safety (so many cops and firefighters live here), and diversity. I think it’s a good partnership. If anything, I wish Boston were bigger but that ship left the port a long time ago I think.

  9. Comment by John A Keith | 02/17/08 at 6:28 pm

    Well, if we’re going to go in that direction, I say why not ask Chelsea if they want to join the party. Would it benefit them to be a part of the Boston school system?

  10. Rob
    Comment by Rob | 02/17/08 at 6:36 pm

    I don’t know enough about Chelsea compared to Somerville, Cambridge, or Brookline to be able to comment specifically. But regardless, at this point it would be pretty tough to add any surrounding towns or cities to Boston since they all have their own distinct identity unconnected to Boston. I was more referring to a wish that Boston had added those communities to it back in the 1800s when everything was still developing, similar to how West Roxbury was added in 1874. It’s all moot now, I was just throwing it out there as an impossible wish.

  11. Comment by Hard rain | 02/17/08 at 7:26 pm

    You neglected to include JP, another backwater…

  12. Comment by Hank | 02/17/08 at 7:37 pm

    I have to agree with Rob and the others. It is silly to suggest Rozzie or Westie aren’t properly part of Boston. I live in Roslindale because it is Boston. If I wanted Needham, I would move there.

  13. jon
    Comment by jon | 02/17/08 at 8:29 pm

    It’s a shame you didn’t think of this before busing.

  14. Comment by I Agree | 02/17/08 at 10:46 pm

    Let’s ditch everythingbut Back Bay, the South End and Beacon Hill. They are the only places that REALLY matter.

  15. Comment by Rich | 02/18/08 at 11:23 am

    It may be a good idea since most people who live in West Roxbury have to send their kids to private schools if they want to get a good education. Let’s do it NOW!!!

  16. Comment by John | 02/18/08 at 7:55 pm

    Yes to de-annexing.

    And start with Allston and Brighton!

    Check IDs right where Comm Ave crosses over the Pike.

    And make all my neighbors who put cones out to save their parking spaces (365 days per year) move to Southie!

  17. Comment by wellbasically | 02/19/08 at 4:04 pm

    The thing not understood here is that these parts of the city pay much more than they get. For instance, W Rox and Allston Brighton would be much better off outside the corrupt zoning system in Boston.

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