Moving to Brookline: a practical guide
Housing and what it costs
Brookline is one of the most expensive places to live in Greater Boston, and most Orthodox families there live in apartments, condos or two- and three-family houses rather than single-family homes. Brighton, just over the line in the City of Boston, is somewhat less expensive and has much of the same community within walking distance. Figures are approximate as of mid-2026 — use the apartment search above for live listings.
Picking an area
The choice usually comes down to Brookline or Brighton, and then which shul. In Brookline, the Young Israel of Brookline on Green Street, the Bostoner Rebbe’s Beth Pinchas on Beacon Street and the Maimonides Minyan on Philbrick Road are the anchors. In Brighton, Chai Odom, the Kollel of Greater Boston, Khal Tiferes Yosef, the Sephardic Community of Greater Boston and Kadimah-Toras Moshe are within a few blocks of each other near the Brookline line.
Kosher and daily life
Kosher shopping and restaurants run along Harvard Street in Brookline, and Brighton has two mikvaos listed on mikvah.org. The Greater Boston Eruv covers major parts of the area — see the note above for its status line.
Schools
The Maimonides School, the Modern Orthodox day school founded by Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik, is in Brookline, and other day schools serve the wider area. Confirm current admissions and busing directly with each school.
Commuting
The MBTA Green Line runs through Brookline and Brighton into downtown Boston, and the Longwood Medical Area and the universities are close by, which is why so many academics, doctors and students are part of the community. It fits families and young professionals who want a walkable Orthodox community inside a major city.