September Events: What to Do This Month in Boston

September is here and fall is just around the corner! And just because summer is coming to an end, doesn't mean the events in the Boston Metro Area will be too. In fact, the month of September will host many local festivals and celebrations in the city, from a carnival in Cambridge to a music festival in Jamaica Plain to the South Boston Street Festival. 

The following events are all FREE and just a few of many ways to welcome in the new season in Boston:

Jamaica Plain Music Festival
Saturday, September 6, 2014; 12 PM to 7 PM
Pinebank Field at Perkins St and Jamaica Way
Jamaica Plain

The fourth annual Jamaica Plain Music Festival kicks off this Saturday with 21 bands on two stages. What's more, this is a truly local event as at least one member of each band has to have lived or worked in Jamaica Plain. Attendees can expect great music, food trucks, local vendors and businesses, and even activities for the kids.

Cambridge Carnival
Sunday, September 7, 2014; 12 PM to 7 PM
Parade will end on Main St. between Vassar and Ames
Cambridge

This local event will go on rain or shine to celebrate its 22nd year. The Cambridge Carnival was originally started to celebrate African traditions and this year will feature family-friendly activities like face painting, story telling, arts and crafts and a special costume parade.

South Boston Street Festival
Saturday, September 13, 2014; 11 AM to 5 PM
East Broadway between I and L Streets
South Boston

Another great music festival including performers from the local Woods School of Irish Step Dance in South Boston. Not only is this event free, but the Southie Shuttle will be giving away free rides to and from the festival. 

Boston Local Food Festival
Sunday, September 14, 2014; 11 AM to 5 PM
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
Boston

This annual free outdoor festival showcases local restaurants, food trucks, farmers and organizations specializing in healthy food from New England. There will be food samples, cooking demos, and tips on eating locally. The Boston Local Food Festival is geared toward healthy lifestyles and will be a zero-waste event, recycling and reusing 90 percent of their waste.

Contact me today for more recommendations in the Boston Metro Area and to chat about the local real estate market!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Boston Nearing Title of Most Walkable City in U.S.

This year as homebuyers set out on their search for properties in Boston, one of the items high on their wish list will be walkability. Today's buyers want to move to an area that can be easily navigated on foot. Well, you're in luck Boston, because the city is quickly becoming the most walkable in the country!

The walkability factor is one of Boston's major strengths—Walk Score even calls Boston a "pedestrian's perfect city"— and it's only going to improve from here on out.

One research group recently analyzed several cities and factors that contribute to their "walkability score," finding the top five to be Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, San Francisco and Chicago. However, according to Curbed Boston, a shakeup is in the works due to new construction which would put Boston in the Number One spot!

The research group took into account the construction and urbanization of Cambridge and the nearby suburbs to arrive at Boston's "walkability score." So where are the best places to live in the city if your plan is to stroll to your various errands, shopping spots, restaurants and nightlife? According to Walk Score, the North End, Chinatown and Bay Village all tied for first place (with a 98 out of possible 100) in terms of walkability in Boston.

The following are considered Boston's most walkable neighborhoods:

North End
The North End is the oldest neighborhood in Boston and today, is one where about 10K residents live. Many people know this area as Boston's "Little Italy" as it is home to many Italian restaurants and shops.

Chinatown
Located close to Boston's downtown shopping and financial district, Chinatown is rich in history, tradition, culture, culinary treasures and unique gifts. It is also the third largest Chinatown in the United States.

Bay Village
Bay Village is relatively quiet with little traffic, making it ideal for pedestrians. It is also located nearby numerous parks and gardens like Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden.

Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill describes itself as a "cozy enclave, filled with nearly 10,000 people, more like a village than an anonymous city." This area of Boston is filled with a strong community bond with beautiful homes, shops, and restaurants all within walking distance.

Downtown Crossing
Downtown Crossing is a shopping district located east of Boston Common and west of the financial district. With large department stores and souvenir sellers alike, this neighborhood also has streets closed to traffic which boosts its walkability factor.

As your local Boston real estate expert, I'd love to help you find a home that fits your homebuyer wish list, including one in a walkable neighborhood. Contact me today to find out which neighborhood would best suit your needs!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Celebrate Valentine's Day in Boston

Love is in the air in Boston! The sweetest holiday of the year is coming up next Friday, February 14^th. Whether you’re single or attached, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your loved ones how much you care. If you recently decided to buy a home in Boston, you might be stumped as to how you can celebrate. Luckily, I’ve come up with a few ideas that will help make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable. You may even get to explore a side of town you’ve never seen before! Without further adieu, here are my suggestions for celebrating Valentine’s Day in Boston.

Take a cruise around the harbor 

The Spirit of Boston will host a special Valentine’s Day cruise on February 14^th. Dinner, dancing, and a champagne toast will make this a romantic way to celebrate Valentine’s Day at sea.

“In Love with Wine and Chocolate” class and dinner

Take your favorite chocolate lover to Boston Wine School’s “In Love with Wine and Chocolate” event. Taste European and South American chocolates, sip delicious wine, and dine on Penne Fedora, Pollo Cristina and Spinach Florentine.

Dining in the Dark at Hampshire House 

Enjoy a four-course meal in one of Beacon Hill’s most fabulous mansions – in complete darkness! A sensory adventure like no other, this Valentine’s Day is sure to be unforgettable in the best possible way at Dining in the Dark.

Catch a theatrical or musical performance

There’s no shortage of ways to be dazzled and entertained in Boston this Valentine’s Day. Watch West Side Story at Boston Symphony Hall, Blue Man Group at Charles Playhouse, or take the whole family to see Disney on Ice at TD Garden. Get your tickets today!

Valentine’s Day gives us a great excuse to plan a special night on the town. Whether you choose to dine in complete darkness or take a cruise around the harbor, your first Valentine’s Day in Boston is sure to be unforgettable. Do you have anything special scheduled for next Friday night? If so, feel free to share your plans on the KenSnyderHomes Facebook page. While you’re there, take a look at some of the articles I’ve posted recently. Anyone who has plans to buy or sell a home in Boston this year is sure to find helpful tips and information.

If you haven’t yet ventured into the Boston real estate market and are thinking about taking the leap this spring, please get in touch with me. Though it’s only the beginning of February, spring will be here before we know it. And, along with the transition of the seasons will come a surge of activity in the Boston real estate market. As your Boston real estate agent, I’d be honored to guide you through the home buying or home selling process from start to finish. I look forward to working with you!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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Boston: Home of HGTV Urban Oasis 2013!

If you recently decided to buy a home in Boston, you already know what a fantastic city it is. From the shopping, dining, and entertainment options to the rich history and beautiful architecture, Boston is second to none. As it turns out, we aren’t the only ones who have taken notice. If you haven’t heard, Boston is the home of HGTV Urban Oasis 2013. A 1,000 square foot condo located on the 24^th floor of the Residences at W Boston, this year’s HGTV Urban Oasis is undoubtedly the envy of many homebuyers in the Boston real estate market. If you plan to try your luck at winning the property, here’s a little bit about what you can expect from the floor plan, the building, and the neighborhood.

The Floor Plan

Interior designer Lindsay Pumpa furnished the interior of this smashing condo. The unit features one bedroom, one and a half bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, and sweeping views of the Charles River, Boston Common and Public Garden.

The Building

The 28-story structure is home to more than just the Residences at W Boston. The mixed-use development also includes restaurant, spa, retail, and bar components. Furthermore, a 235-room hotel gives guests a place to stay under the same roof.

The Neighborhood

HGTV Urban Oasis 2013 is located in Bay Village, adjacent to Boston’s Theater District. Recently, Bay Village was named the most walkable neighborhood in Boston with 1,246 residents enjoying easy access to shops, restaurants, and public transportation.

The HGTV Urban Oasis Giveaway® has drawn a lot of attention to the Boston real estate market as of late. And with good reason! Boston provides the perfect blend of history and an urban atmosphere, making it easy for homebuyers to fall in love at first sight. If you’re feeling lucky, you can enter to win the luxuriously finished condo twice per day through Friday, October 18^th. If you’re looking for a backup plan in case you aren’t the lucky winner, please get in touch with me. As a Boston real estate agent, I’d be happy to show you comparable properties in the area that will fit your budget and lifestyle perfectly. I look forward to working with you!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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See Homes for Sale in Boston
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