Town Authority Series: South End, Boston: A Local’s Guide to Real Estate & Lifestyle
What makes the South End one of Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods? From the historic brownstones to the award-winning dining scene, we sat down with local realtor Davant Scarborough to get the inside scoop on what it's really like to live, work, and buy in the South End.
Life in Mass would like to thank Davant Scarborough for this interview!
Davant Scarborough, Compass Real Estate
617-650-0553
Davant’s Bio Online
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Mike Zarella (00:02.061)
Hi everyone, welcome to our Town Authority series, brought to you by lifeinmass.com. I am your host, Mike Zarella, and today we're going to be talking about the South End of Boston. And we have our special guest with us today. We've got Davant Scarborough of Compass Real Estate here to tell us all about the ins and outs of the location. Davant, thank you so much for being with us today.
Davant (00:24.194)
Thanks, thanks to you, Mike. I'm really excited. I'm basically excited just to tell you all about the South End. So what do you want to know?
Mike Zarella (00:30.201)
well, I think our viewers would like to know a little bit about you and yourself and why you're such an expert on the South End.
Davant (00:38.808)
Well, I wouldn't say I am an expert. I would say I'm the expert when it comes down to the South End. Kidding, of course, but at the same time, I moved up here from Charleston, South Carolina, probably twenty-seven years ago. And when I moved here I had no idea. No idea w who anybody was, where I was going to work, nothing at all. But I did know that the South End
was going to be my home. I knew this because I was this gay kid that had come in and before the apps and the internet and everything else that goes along with it, this was a community. So I decided I would settle into this community and never looked back. It has been fantastic ever since. That part of my life aside, I've made my home in Boston. I love all the other you know the neighborhoods, the Back Bay, the Fenway, Beacon Hill, you name it.
But the South End is just really special. and I'm excited to tell you why it's so special.
Mike Zarella (01:36.611)
So that's actually kinda funny, I'm I'm curious. So, you know, a lot of times New Englanders get that sort of bad rap of being kind of cold at first and such. Did you feel pretty welcomed right as you move to the south then as being from, you know, down south?
Davant (01:50.039)
Absolutely. Loved it. I mean well basically end the day this was a lot of young people. This was people that were coming out of the colleges and everybody was trying to find their way. And in doing so, the South End was relatively economical at the time. In other words, for a two bedroom apartment, I was paying fourteen hundred and fifty dollars. And in comparison to three. This would be nineteen ninety nineteen ninety-nine.
Mike Zarella (01:51.961)
That's great.
Mike Zarella (02:12.887)
And what what year was this?
Davant (02:19.496)
And so it it was it was it was something getting that first roommate and just getting into the whole scene of the South End and what a scene it was. It really it had everything. It had restaurants, it had just everything you could possibly want, bars, it was just such a welcoming place because it really was a melting pot. There were people that were there that had been in the neighborhood for twenty years or so, which I thought at the time was a really, really long time. But you have to remember that the South End
Mike Zarella (02:31.576)
No.
Davant (02:49.1)
Before this time in the 1970s, it was a really dodgy place to live. I mean, this place was sketchy. People could have, you know, entire brownstones for three thousand dollars, and you know, you would have some pretty interesting neighbors, to say the least. But with that being said, these neighbors eventually dissipated and ultimately this place got gentrified. And it was in the crux of this gentrification.
Mike Zarella (02:53.325)
Right.
Mike Zarella (03:04.428)
Yeah.
Mike Zarella (03:18.221)
Well, that actually leads us right into the first questions of things that I want to cover, which is real estate and fourteen fifty for a two-bedroom. Mm, that sounds amazing, but by today's ri for today's standards, that would maybe get you a parking spot.
Davant (03:29.538)
Ha ha ha.
Davant (03:33.56)
Yeah, pretty much.
Mike Zarella (03:34.657)
Yeah, so talk to talk to our viewers a little bit about like housing stock and inventory. So if somebody is coming to move to the South End, what do they expect to find? Like is everything more or less mostly condos? Do we see apartments? Do we see apartment buildings? Do we see any single families left? Like what what what's like the the housing stock comprised of and the architecture?
Davant (03:58.702)
Well overall, well first and foremost, architecture. you you already hit a trigger word for me. I love the South End for its architecture. And we've got actually six, seven different types of architecture. I can tell you all about it. And if you come around with me to the South End, we're gonna see and I'm going to bore you to death with every sort of architectural fact. But let's get down to the probe summit. Let's get down to sure.
Mike Zarella (04:00.769)
Okay.
Mike Zarella (04:21.453)
How about one quick do you have a quick favorite you could tell our viewers?
Davant (04:25.614)
actually I do. It is located over on Concord Square and excuse me, I'm sorry, Rutland Square. And there is an Italian Renaissance sort of architecture. And golly, I maybe perhaps after editing we could flash up a picture. But these they are so neat. So back in eighteen eighty eight, a man named Captain John Smith, I believe, Smith Cook.
actually went through and he had gone to Italy and he designed these homes. And when he designed these homes, his own personal homes, well the the neighbors took on to it. And eventually an entire row of unusual brownstones came to pass. And it is an anomaly that there's six of them and they are different colors. And it's such a an interesting breakup of the typical red brick that is the South End. We have nothing but bays and bows
This is front with lots of detail, so it's just it's standout and it's just something that's really neat.
Mike Zarella (05:23.009)
And everyone loves to say brownstone, but I think technically we're calling them they're really actually brick brick row houses, correct?
Davant (05:29.546)
they are brick row houses, but there's actually stucco row houses that are the multiple different colors. And so that's that is just sort of a neat little thing. I can tell you all about later.
Mike Zarella (05:33.145)
That's very interesting. So sorry, I interrupted you. So tell me about the housing stock.
Davant (05:44.746)
So right now the housing stock, we are in a the market in 2026 is is much like it's always been. We're chugging along. We're in spring market right now. Now if you're looking to be a renter, you know, as I was, the inventory it remains fairly slim. most of the c these places have been condoized. So and if you were are looking for just get your toes wet in there.
You can expect to pay anywhere from a studio, just starting out in the low 2500, somewhere around there. And then you'd move up, obviously, as the place gets bigger. as far $2,500 would probably get you about 450 to 500 square feet. And so that would probably be where you would where you would be comfortable. you know, I'm not saying that you would have a dishwasher, but you would have some running water, a place to put your head.
Mike Zarella (06:21.773)
What kind of square feet would what kind of square feet would you get for that?
Davant (06:40.723)
And you'd have a dynamite location to walk out on. So
Mike Zarella (06:42.701)
But you know when you're living in the city you spend half your time outside anyway, so
Davant (06:46.311)
You spend more than that outside. And that being said, the condo market is we had a large development that actually came in and with it became a Whole Foods. And in that was called the Ink Block. And so the Ink Block has been we were nothing but brownstones forever. But now we've got our little taste of high-rises and we have got fantastic restaurants that have come in. We've got the Whole Foods, can't I have to say that twice because I do love that Whole Foods.
Mike Zarella (07:15.619)
Ha ha ha.
Davant (07:15.889)
And also wine stores and everything else that comes along with it. And you have with these high rises, you've got lots of condos and renters in there as well. So this is not like a back bay market, this is a south end market, which is just getting more and more different and as it goes along more and more interesting too. You still have got yeah.
Mike Zarella (07:37.559)
Yeah, I was gonna assume that that that's kinda like the yin and the yang, because you've got sort of the the late eighteen hundreds of the South End that, you know, obviously existed forever with all that kind of old school charm, but then you've got all these newer buildings that bring in all the modern amenities, which is kinda nice.
Davant (07:53.09)
Yes, absolutely. And so with it comes a whole different array of people. I you know, with the with the Brownstones, and you know, they are they're so beautiful, they're so amazing, but there are also a lot of steps. So a younger family now actually has an option to come and go in and live in these and well the high rises where they've got a doorman, they can get the stroller up and down, they can go very easily and have their tot spot.
Within the building. So that's another really nice feature that has not been available to us over the last 10 years or so.
Mike Zarella (08:29.785)
Okay, so now talk to me about so that's kind of like you know your options for renting. Now if you're gonna buy, you said renting $2,500 kinda gets you in the door. What are we looking at if you want to purchase something?
Davant (08:41.911)
Well you're probably gonna be looking at I call it the the twelve. The twelve hundred dollars a square foot is probably where you're going to be. Anywhere
Mike Zarella (08:49.841)
how does that translate pri price point wise for people looking to start?
Davant (08:53.911)
So if you're looking for say a thousand square feet, you're going to probably be looking at about $1.2 million. And that would be for a that would probably be a two-floor or something along those in a brownstone. And so that would probably be where you would be. So for instance, a parlor, garden, that's really a fancy way of saying first floor and basement, then you would probably be looking at anywhere from eleven to twelve hundred dollars a square foot.
Mike Zarella (09:00.984)
Okay.
Davant (09:23.455)
As you go higher in the building and it's not over the third floor, you could be expecting to pay over fourteen hundred. It also depends on the on the actual finish of the place as well, whether or not it has a price back. Yes.
Mike Zarella (09:34.411)
Of course. So but as a as far as a starting price point, what what do I have to you know, where does that kind of start for anyone that's even considering the self?
Davant (09:45.778)
it well you'd probably be looking at around half a million dollars for a studio at this yeah, so five hundred would get you in the door to actually purchase. And there are plenty of options out there too. typically they do come on this time of year within the spring, because these are the ones that you know, folks that might be graduating that's whose parents had purchased for them because we also have universities right around the corner. We've got
Mike Zarella (09:50.967)
Five hundreds. Okay.
Mike Zarella (09:55.564)
Okay.
Mike Zarella (10:14.167)
Right.
Davant (10:14.451)
Education, medication, and location. Right here in the South End, because we've got so many great hospitals that are in town, and we also have Northeastern University. We've got it all. So those folks that are on say a university cycle of going to say BU Dental School, they would be selling their condo and then ultimately somebody else would be picking that up for a studio. And then that would run to about five thousand.
Mike Zarella (10:37.335)
What five hundred. so five hundred to get in there. So would you say that there's any kind of sweet spot of the market? Like is there like a prime price that gets you kind of what everyone sort of wants? And whenever that comes on, you know, those houses typically go first.
Davant (10:56.395)
I would say probably the nine hundred to the nine hundred to one point two million is the sweet spot. That is where you would be able to get yourself a one bedroom or a two bedroom and hopefully with parking if it was a one bedroom, in the round nine hundred. And then you would be able to get yourself into the at one point two million you would be able to find yourself a pretty two bedroom. and as far as and like I said, twelve hundred square feet is probably what you would be looking at, somewhere around there.
Mike Zarella (11:00.473)
Really? Okay.
Mike Zarella (11:25.342)
scribble.
Davant (11:25.505)
Hopefully have a little bit of private space too. Outdoor space. Yeah.
Mike Zarella (11:28.001)
Nice, very nice. So
What if I was someone that wanted to move into the South End and, you know, I didn't have as much money, so I wanted to buy something that maybe would be some of the older stock and I wanted to kind of renovate it, you know, do a new kitchen, new bathroom, things like that. how easy or difficult is that for someone to do in the South End? I know that there's some historical society stuff that you have to contend with and things like that. Is it easy to get permits? Is you know, it does it is it something that's typically people can do fairly easily, or does it cause a lot of frustration?
Davant (12:02.529)
Well, to be honest with you, we do call it up here in Boston or sp specifically the South End Hysterical Society. Yes, it is historical, but it's also hysterical. But that really only has to do with the outside of your home. So, you know, as far as windows, something along those lines, that's what you really have to adhere to. It's not all that bad. as far as the level of renovations that you would want to do, we do have Tintin Massav, which is our permits department.
In the neighborhood as well. And they have gotten very efficient. I will have to say there was a time in South End that this was not an efficient process. Mercifully, things have taken a lot of change and things have gotten a lot easier as far as pulling things, going through appeals. it's it's much more of a streamlined process rather than just sitting up there just banging your head. You should be banging, you know, a hammer.
Mike Zarella (12:49.593)
That's
Davant (13:00.97)
rather than your head. That's kind of what I I've gone through the process many, many times.
Mike Zarella (13:06.123)
Right. Okay, so that's that's good to hear that's gotten better. how about people that are moving there? And it's probably less common because urban dwellers don't usually move there to raise families, but some do. What if I do have some children? what kind of options for local schools, public or private, are there in the area?
Davant (13:27.916)
Well, over the last twenty twenty seven years, and as the South End became just this Mecca of artists and you know just everybody that was coming in. You had working force, waitresses, you had business professionals, and then you really start to see the families move in. And now I call it the stroller derby because it really is the stroller derby. And you've got so many options. We've got s some really awesome schools. as far as the public school system
The Hurley School is fantastic. And that went under a massive renovation, probably about ten years ago, right here in the heart of the South End. And the there are families that are all over the Hurley School. And every Saturday morning, whenever I'm walking out of my house, they've got all the families are getting together. They're using the soccer field. They've got someone out there playing the guitar and for the younger set and a mommy and me group, it has got the cover from A to Z. And
Mike Zarella (14:02.041)
And that's right there in the cell phone, right?
Mike Zarella (14:27.003)
that's great. So there really is like a community for children, which is which is fantastic.
Davant (14:27.56)
It's it's really, really fantastic school. absolutely. Absolutely. And one of my favorite things to do in the South End also, you know, my days of going out and going to the bars on Halloween are now sat on my stoop. And because trick-or-treating is the best, hands down in the South End. I I cannot stress this enough. And whenever I'm actually showing certain streets, like say, hey, this is a trick-or-treat street.
You know, this is a really cool trick-or-treat street. And so everybody that if you're on the trick-or-treat street, it's good for the parents too. You can sit up there on your stoop, have a glass of wine, pass out some candies, and also just see some really neat costumes too. I love how.
Mike Zarella (14:56.281)
Mike Zarella (15:10.701)
That's great. That's great. talk to me about taxes. You know, I mean obviously it's a blanket statement kind of for the city of Boston, but how are taxes regarded? Are they expensive? Are they, you know, really high for what you get? is there well what kind of regard do people have for that?
Davant (15:30.72)
Well, obviously, you know, the more services that a building has, excuse me, not the the community has, like the South End, if we our taxes are going up. but the taxes do they are relatively calm at at the moment. it's nothing insane. You know, you're not paying anything extra that no one else is getting right now. So so for instance, the Back Bay is going to be higher because they have a few more the things in the way of services. Say Beacon Hill.
Also, they pay a little bit of a higher tax. So the South End it does pay a bit of a lower tax bracket too, because we are a big neighborhood. And so therefore they have it's expanded so much that the tax bracket you've got more of a higher end of living and a a little bit more of a working class that still exists in the South End too, that can exist, that doesn't exist elsewhere.
Mike Zarella (16:25.817)
Okay, sure.
Davant (16:28.428)
'Cause otherwise people wouldn't be able to afford to live there. And that was what part of the draw, well, you know, twenty five years ago that was bringing people into the South End was the lower taxes. And they continue to be lower today.
Mike Zarella (16:33.025)
Okay.
Mike Zarella (16:40.483)
that's good. how about commutability? Like if I live in the South End, but actually I work outside the s the city or I just like to travel outside the city, how easy is it to get in and out of the South End?
Davant (16:53.748)
The easiest. I go to Maine all the time. And honestly, I just jump on to 93, super easy, and it's right there at the ink block and you're on and off the highway. And this is whether you're going north, south, wherever, you are it's so easy to get on and off. And you know, it just depends if you are even jumping on the pike too. Literally the entrance is right there in the south end. So I would say it has got a travel score of a hundred out of a hundred, it's so easy to get in.
Mike Zarella (17:19.779)
That's great.
Mike Zarella (17:23.373)
great. Perfect. And what about like walkability and you know parking? So like typically, you know, you move to the city because you don't want to deal with your car, you just want to be able walk places. some urban locations I know are better for this than others, but some, you know, depending on where you are in the neighborhood, you might still be walking pretty far just to go to the grocery store or a corner market or anything like that. How does how is the South End fair for that?
Davant (17:23.436)
Very handy.
Davant (17:52.512)
South end so years and years ago, the South End of the parking situation, I still park on the street every single day. And so I have yet to get a parking space. And it's actually pretty easy. the only thing that you will have to worry about is keep up keep your mind on those parking signs because I can tell you right now, you will get towed if you if you do not adhere to the street cleaning and that goes in from A street cleaning between April and and December.
Mike Zarella (17:58.497)
Okay.
Mike Zarella (18:16.185)
Straight cleaning.
Davant (18:21.865)
That is when you have got to make sure that you parked legally because otherwise you will be paying $300 to get your car taken back from the good people of the city of Boston. parking, if it some of the places do have parking on site, but there are pockets, for instance, the 8 Streets of Boston, excuse me, of the South End, they might not have parking in the back alley. So it is a little bit more competitive. So if you were to rent a
Mike Zarella (18:29.241)
Yeah.
Mike Zarella (18:39.064)
Yeah.
Mike Zarella (18:50.403)
So the the eight streets, just for our viewers who may not know exactly what that is, eight streets being sort of the back bay side of the South End, correct? Okay.
Davant (18:51.722)
Yeah, go ahead.
Davant (19:00.437)
Correct. And so that is the beautiful historical homes, but they might not have an alleyway to park in the back. So you're going to be looking at a little bit more of a competition. I live off of the eight streets, but I don't I I can find parking just about every day. Also, too, gotta remember, we're in the city and Uber has become so, so handy. And so a lot of people have just gotten rid of their cars altogether as well.
Mike Zarella (19:27.597)
Mm-hmm.
Davant (19:27.731)
we also have the orange line where the south end and the back bait meet. And that is super handy. If you want to get down to the Haymarket in the north end, which I'm about to do in just a few minutes, I'm just gonna go and jump on the train. And even though it's a beautiful day outside, I'm still gonna go jump on the train and I'm going to be there in ten minutes and get all my fruits and vegetables. And I I feel like I'd remiss by not changing the subject, but there is
Another market, it's called the SOWA market that I'm super excited. We're finally back open and that happens during the weekends and I'm excited to tell you more about that in just a little bit too.
Mike Zarella (20:05.965)
We will get to that for sure, thank you. so you started talking about hay market and, you know, food and such like that. Let's get into food. So I'm pretty sure that about twenty or thirty years ago when the South End, like you said, became more and more popular, I think one of the things that was kind of anchoring it was restaurants. And it was sort of becoming well known because people were, you know, coming from out of town and those restaurants were almost more destinations.
What is that like these days? or you know, let's just say I was in town for the weekend and I'm like, okay, I want to have a really good meal. Where are we gonna go?
Davant (20:44.081)
I I don't even know where to start. Okay, now you've really hit all the buttons too, because one thing is for sure, I love to eat. And I'm from Charleston, South Carolina. And when I moved up here, you know, Boston itself isn't just really synonymous, if you will, with fine dining, creative sort of thing. It's all sort of like pub fair is what you're thinking of, but the South End did not have much in the way of that. Yeah, they do, but the South End definitely did not play it safe. And so and by play it safe,
Mike Zarella (20:46.637)
Yeah.
Davant (21:12.965)
we for instance last night I went to Ethiopian and it was phenomenal. I it was brand new and it was flavors and spices and it's just fantastic. But you've got such an array. Right beside the Ethiopian place is just an institution. It's called Mike's Diner. And Mike's Diner is fantastic. It's one of the few places that I can still get grits and not be stared at by a w a waiter or waitress and say, Hey no man, like what are you talking about? They've got grits and the grits are really, really good too.
You also have everything you know, just you've got pasta, you've got oyster bars, you have anything and everything you could possibly want in in this in this little pocket of the South End. And it's creative dining too. When I first moved into the South End, the Back Bay, I mean, I think the most creative thing that they had was the TGI Fridays. And that was and it's true, it really was. But then but moving in the South End, I have something just to choose from every single night.
Mike Zarella (22:03.575)
Davant (22:12.189)
And dive bars too. the dive bar that prior to the reason we went to the Ethiopian place is because my local dive bar has been discovered. And it was called Anchovies. And this is a place that you can get a fantastic pizza, you can get a dr a bottle of wine and you can get out the door for less than fifty bucks. Really, really good. And you know, for a night out.
Mike Zarella (22:33.313)
I was gonna ask you about favorite I was gonna ask you about favorite places for pizza, so you covered that.
Davant (22:38.823)
Anchovy's his hands down.
Mike Zarella (22:41.879)
So let's just say I have a kid and I wanna bring my kid along. Any places that are more kid friendly and more than others?
Davant (22:49.395)
I would say yes, absolutely, because you've got some that have one outdoor dining, and so that's a lot, you know, if you want to just roll the stroller in, and this is in the nicer part of the areas too. The Buttery, I highly recommend, and that is fantastic for kids. There's actually a tot spot in there, and so you can go in. Mom and dad can have a glass of wine, the kid can enjoy the bottle, but their own bottle, of course. And so
And I would say Petit Robert is another great just for kids too. But this is by kids, this is also kid friendly food where they could get a grilled cheese, they could have something along those lines where if you've got a picky little one on your hands, they do a little bit more on the way to accommodations for all.
Mike Zarella (23:34.947)
We're not starting them on oysters at age three.
Davant (23:38.075)
Yeah, you never know. Listen, these kids, I mean, they can get whatever they want at this point, but I agree.
Mike Zarella (23:45.752)
So you talked about the lifestyle in terms of being able to get in and out of the city, but let's just say I'm someone that lives in the South End and I I don't want to go to the Cape for the weekend, I don't want to go to the Berkshires, I don't wanna go to New Hampshire, I kinda wanna stay local. What are some of the the the top activities people will, you know, take advantage of in the area?
Davant (24:07.817)
Well, I mean, first and foremost, you're probably gonna see me and I'm probably going to be boring somebody to death about the architectural tour of Char of excuse me, ball of the South End. So, you know, you're always welcome just to come and hang out with me. And so I'll be walking up and down Columbus and Tremont Street. But there are, there's tons of stuff to do during the weekend. First of all, we have the Calderwood Theater and that has got productions that come in every six weeks or so, just different productions. So that's always a good time.
Mike Zarella (24:11.841)
I think.
Davant (24:36.764)
And as far as things like there's also the chocolate tour. And so they go from different places where you can go and get like everything from hot cocoa to the latest chocolate the creation. We have three chocolate places down in the south end as well. Kakoa overall, Massav is fantastic, really, really tasty. in the spring, the there's also let me see the half the the tour of homes.
That is going on, and where you can actually see some of these old historical homes, and that's that's fantastic. But there is something going on every single weekend within the community. And then finally, I was glad we touched on the SOA market. So if you want a taste of everything, this means south of Washington Street. Washington Street is one of the oldest streets in Boston, particularly in the South End as well. So a an entire fair of food trucks have come in there.
Mike Zarella (25:18.929)
yeah.
Davant (25:32.84)
And with these food trucks, we have all these artisanal goods. I mean, you can find everything from you know goat cheese from Vermont to artisanal light bulbs from Honolulu if you wanted to. It's crazy, all the things that have come in. But you've got a fresh array of fruits, vegetables, you've got you know, soaps, you've got anything and everything, but it's all really neat stuff. And that's an all-day thing too. So I go typically on Saturdays and just hang out.
Mike Zarella (26:00.238)
Mm-hmm.
Davant (26:02.507)
And it just just explore the whole day. They've got thrift stores. I can't even begin to tell you all the things there are that there is to be done. Absolutely. Yeah exactly.
Mike Zarella (26:09.401)
Well, they're just gonna have to check that out for themselves then. Or call you and you're there to be, you know, their 20. so the South End's changed a lot over the past 27 years that you've seen. Where do you see it in five years from now?
Davant (26:22.36)
yes.
Davant (26:26.526)
Well the the thing is is that it's a blue chip. from a real estate just talking about real estate itself, this is a blue chip investment at the end of the day. I say this because I stress into medication, education, and location. Because these are the things that people will pay for and will have to continue to pay for. So for instance, like an independent college, let's say in up in you know central Massachusetts or something like that.
Ultimately that degree from that university is going to have to it could probably be gotten online with online classes. But here's the ticket. With the South End, we've got Northeastern, we have all these medical schools, we've got everything in anything as far as dentistry, optometry, we've i i it just covers the gamut. But you have to be here for in order for you to get your degree in these things. This isn't like a sociology degree or something like that.
These are tech schools where you need to be hands-on. So ultimately, as these universities grow, this is going to be the the South End is going to just be get exponentially higher in value too. Because medication, you always have to be there on site. And the hospitals are growing too. So it's it's a solid investment. It really is.
Mike Zarella (27:46.136)
Okay. I mean speaking to that, is there anything that you would give to buyers it as as advice that might not necessarily be in the brochure, you know, the obvious that they would know, but only someone local and someone like you would really know? Like what what should they be aware of?
Davant (28:05.731)
as far, let's see, what that should they be aware of? one street cleaning for sure. But watch out for those days on Wednesdays and Mondays. But I would also say you know just the the community itself is a changing community and it is a very friendly community, and just go ahead and you know don't be afraid to go anywhere in and explore the neighborhood.
Mike Zarella (28:06.616)
Yeah.
Mike Zarella (28:12.002)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Mike Zarella (28:18.444)
Okay.
Davant (28:34.43)
You know, there is a pocket of the South End, also known as the Villa Victoria. And it for ages people thought, my goodness, this is some sort of urban housing. And with it, it was almost like stigmatized, but it's not. This is a community where you can go through, the neighbors are all super friendly. Like you can learn to salsa dance, everybody is just getting along, and it seems as though the whole barrier of the of
The class system is sort of breaking down and everybody's just getting along. It's a super neighborhood, and everybody's really, really friendly. So you've got these homes that are going for two thousand dollars a square foot next to homes that are government subsidized, but everybody is getting along. And I think that's also something that is so enriching with the neighborhood, too, that keeps it grounded, but it's also a very, very vibrant neighborhood, and it it's it's a special place to live.
Mike Zarella (29:30.253)
That's great, that's great. So of course, no perfect place exists. So is there anything about the South End that you could tell people that is a little subpar or not as great, whether it's parking's tough or you know, th things like that.
Davant (29:48.522)
Well, I still think that the South End is probably as mo the most perfect place that you could possibly live, sure. I would have to say that you know, there is a small lack of coffee shops that and certain pockets that but mercifully that is being addressed. but aside from that, that is everything has been really, really fantastic throughout. if I would say one other thing, yes.
Mike Zarella (29:53.463)
Ha ha ha.
Me
Mike Zarella (30:13.016)
Okay.
Davant (30:17.204)
The the meter maids. Watch out for those. They get me every time.
Mike Zarella (30:19.225)
No worries. anything else that I missed that we didn't cover that you want to add that people you you think should know about the South End?
Davant (30:29.864)
Know that I'm going to be there in the South End. And if you do have any sort of questions about the South End, I can tell you anything and everything that there is to know about the South End, historical and what's going on now. And just to tap my own horn, I do I have lived in the South End for so long. I genuinely love it and I would like to see you in my neighborhood very soon.
Mike Zarella (30:51.385)
Well Davant, thank you so much for all your valuable insight. So if someone's looking to move to the South End or they have more questions, what's the best way for them to get in touch with you?
Davant (31:00.936)
You can call me on my cell (617-650-0553). And you can also just reach me via the my compass web platform at Davant Realty.
Mike Zarella (31:12.941)
Fantastic. And we'll have your contact information down below as well for for our viewers. Devanne, thank you so much for your time today. It was really great having you.
Davant (31:21.461)
Thanks Mike, I appreciate it. Have a great day.
