Central Maverick Square-Paris St - East Boston, MA

Once known as Noddle's Island, Maverick Square was used by the Puritans for grazing livestock before it was connected to five neighboring islands to create East Boston. By the early 1800s, the East Boston Company formed to develop the land, building homes and shipyards that launched fast-sailing clippers. Airplanes came early to East Boston, with the first airfield opening in 1923 on the site of modern-day Logan Airport.

Maverick Square's fledgling art scene is on display at the Atlantic Works Gallery and nearby at the Harbor Art Project, where outdoor installations share space with a working shipyard. The annual HarborArts Festival welcomes visitors with live music, DJs, street food, and local artists selling their wares.

D'Amelio's serves large portions of tender lobster and shellfish in a casual but refined atmosphere that's perfect for a nice meal out or a family celebration. Seascape murals on the walls and a traditional Italian menu give the place a nostalgic feel, but regulars say the fresh ingredients and well-executed sauces never taste tired. Standouts include the clam chowder and Lobster Giuseppi, which arrives with a generous portion of lobster tails in a spicy red sauce. The busy establishment recommends reservations, especially for large groups, which can quickly fill the tiny dining room.

Santarpio's frequently makes the list for Best Pizza in Boston, winning Boston Magazine's pie award many years running. The pizzas here arrive bubbling with mozzarella over a tangy sauce, and the thin crust has the almost-charred spots that brick-oven fans appreciate. Though you won't find fancy toppings on these pies, the fresh ingredients do include a house-made sausage. The restaurant has a pizza-joint atmosphere better suited to casual nights out, but the space feels cozy with wooden booths and framed awards hanging on the walls.

Locals stop by Cafe Gigu for weekend pastries and espresso or after-work drinks and nibbles, such as panini sandwiches or shrimp ceviche. The small space has a welcoming atmosphere with exposed brick walls, bar stool perches, and a pair of plush armchairs in the back, along with a changing gallery display of works by local artists. The cafe keeps late hours, making it a good choice for a night out with friends; however, it won't be open for your morning coffee.

Maverick Square has several bars and taverns scattered throughout. Cafe Gigu occasionally hosts live shows, and the arts non-profit Zumix holds free summer concerts and open mics. At Eddie C's, locals share pitchers of beer and swap jukebox tunes, including a selection of Italian songs.

For tea-infused vodkas and craft brews, patrons come to Ecco, where the lounge area with leather sofas and curved bar lend a certain sophistication to the evening. The bar serves an extensive menu of wine and mixology-style cocktails, along with a dinner menu of Italian-influenced New American food.

Residents in the Maverick Square area have short commutes into downtown, good public transportation options, and Logan Airport right next door. Around Maverick Square, the busy streets let residents run most errands on foot, and many get around just fine without a car.

L-train riders can catch the blue line from the Maverick or Airport stations, and local bus routes 120 and 121 provide service to Orient Heights and Wood Island respectively. Uber and Hailo service the area along with local taxi companies, though locals warn that cabbies taking you home to East Boston often try to charge the cost of their return tolls.

Drivers commute into downtown Boston in less than 10 minutes, and I-90 lies close by for weekend getaways. Finding street parking near Maverick Square can prove a hassle, as many spaces require a residential parking sticker, but parking garages close to the airport provide a back-up plan, albeit at a high cost.

Cyclists can ride the dedicated bike lanes on Chelsea Street or the trails along the East Boston Greenway.

Small playgrounds and green spaces dot the area around Maverick Square, and several good-sized public parks close by give residents a chance to escape the city on summer days. Parents come to the Paris Street Playground to let kids climb and slide while grown-ups charge phones at the solar-powered USB hub benches, and small Central Square park provides a nice shaded plaza to read or eat lunch. Though the neighborhood has few dog-friendly parks, the East Boston Greenway lets pup explore on-leash with a long stretch of paved trail that's also used by bikers and runners.

Visitors to the four-acre LoPresti Park along the waterfront find sweeping views of the city skyline and a long pier for gazing out at the harbor. Basketball courts, athletic fields, and a playground keep kids busy, and fisherman come at dusk to catch dinner from the pier.

During the summer, locals can walk over to Piers Park for free live concerts hosted by Zumix or the Boston Landmarks Orchestra. Also nearby, the 18-acre Bremen Street Park and adjacent East Boston Memorial Park have trails for cyclists and runners, along with grassy lawns and tables for picnics. Kids come from all over the neighborhood on hot summer days to the large water-spray play area.

Living in Boston comes with a high price tag, but residents in the Maverick Square area catch a break on housing prices, making life here more affordable than other neighborhoods. The average one-bedroom apartment in Maverick Square rents for $1,650, considerably less than the city-wide average of just under $2,000. Groceries and utilities are typical for Boston, and the local restaurants and bars include both budget and upscale options. Gas prices are 10 percent higher than the national average, and the subway commute costs $2.65 each way.

Shopping varies in Maverick Square, with local pharmacies mixing with specialty stores. But with Boston a very short train ride away, shopping destinations are nearly endless. Boston's most famous shopping destination, historic Faneuil Hall and its Quincy Market, is a short seven minutes away on the T.

But you don't have to leave the neighborhood to find hidden gems. Soccer players from all over come to the Brazilian Soccer House, where discounted cleats line rack after rack in the small storefront, along with balls, bags, and team jerseys. Over at Hugisses, funny birthday cards and elaborate papercraft missives share the shelves with bottled confetti and coffee mugs. The store also sells Spanish language greeting cards and creates customized handmade wedding invitations, along with professional gift wrapping services.

Locals do the weekly grocery shopping at Shaw's, and several markets and ethnic grocers help supplement with produce and grocery staples. Carmella's Market sells fresh meat, cheeses, and specialty Italian items, and also makes a mean sandwich at the deli counter. During the warm months, residents go on to the East Boston Farmers Market at Lewis Mall (on Sumner Street behind the Maverick T station) for fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood. The market's tables display a diverse selection, including bok choy, amaranth, and hot peppers as well as more traditional staples. The market is open seasonally July through October every Wednesday afternoon.