Jamaica Plain is difficult to characterize in a few words because of its diversity, richness, and depth.  Its diversity is reflected in the people who choose to live here - a myriad of backgrounds, lifestyles, and cultures.  Truly the melting pot of Boston, it is at once traditional and progressive and like no other neighborhood in the city.

The theme of diversity is also very evident in the rich and varied housing stock.  As far back as the eighteenth century, Jamaica Plain served as a summer retreat for Boston's wealthy merchants.  Just one of these eighteenth century summer estates - built for British Royal Navy officer, Joshua Loring - still stands.  Now maintained by the Tuesday Club, the house is open for public tours.  In 1834, the Boston & Providence Railroad began service to Jamaica Plain and soon the community became an accessible and highly desirable suburb of Boston.  Many of the houses built in the first half of the nineteenth century were in the Greek Revival style which was fashionable at the time.  These houses - with their columns and gables - were modeled on Greek temples.  Later in the century, many classic Victorian "Painted Ladies" sprung up, many of which still stand today.  During the 1870s, Jamaica Plain became accessible by streetcar and quickly developed into a "streetcar suburb" with working families riding the old trolley from Boston to attractive two-families and classic triple deckers.  Today, the housing stock in Jamaica Plain runs the gamut from condominiums and modest single family homes to suburban style colonials and ranches to Victorian gems.

The community's richness is felt in the depth of commitment, its residents' feel, clearly demonstrated by an unrivaled number of neighborhood associations, merchants' groups, arts collectives, active political organizations, and many, many more special interest groups, all bound by their commitment to the quality of life in Jamaica Plain. 

Residents take great pride in the fact that what first drew the rich gentry to Jamaica Plain centuries ago is still a prominent feature of the community - that is, abundant open space.  Jamaica Pond, Franklin Pond, the Arnold Arboretum, and the historic Forest Hills cemetery are just a partial list of the hundreds of acres of accessible green space affording ample opportunities for all kinds of recreational activities or simple communing with nature.  This access to green space is all the more impressive given that Jamaica Plain is just minutes away from Boston's Back Bay, downtown and the world renowned Medical Area.  Universities, museums, and other rich cultural offerings are a quick subway ride away.