Boston Trailer Park, Boston, MA

Introduction / Overview

For Massachusetts residents facing the constant challenge of finding affordable housing in the capital city, the Boston Trailer Park in West Roxbury represents a unique and critically important residential option. Often referred to as "Boston's only mobile home community," this long-established neighborhood is a true hidden gem and a testament to the power of community-led preservation efforts. It provides an accessible route to homeownership in one of Boston’s most desirable, yet expensive, areas.

Located on VFW Parkway, the community is not merely a collection of manufactured homes; it is a stable, long-term neighborhood with a distinct history of residents fighting to secure its future. The Boston Trailer Park Tenants' Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to maintaining this space as affordable housing for low-income, elderly, and handicapped residents of Boston, highlighting its crucial role in the city's affordable housing landscape. This structure ensures that the community's primary focus remains on preserving affordability and enhancing the residents' quality of life, rather than being driven by market-rate development profits.

The homes themselves, while varied in age—many being older mobile homes—offer residents their own private space and lot, a major advantage over the cramped, high-rent apartments common in Boston. The cost savings here are substantial, allowing a diverse mix of working-class people, retirees, and individuals on disability to remain in or near the city they call home, a feat nearly impossible under standard Boston rental or ownership models. As one resident noted, the monthly lot fee is "much cheaper than an apartment in the area," making it an unparalleled bargain for local users.

Location and Accessibility

The location of Boston Trailer Park is perhaps its most remarkable feature:

1515 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury, MA 02132, USA

. West Roxbury is a highly sought-after, primarily residential neighborhood in Boston, known for its strong community feel and suburban amenities, all within city limits.

The community’s positioning on the

VFW Parkway

(Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway) provides outstanding, direct access to major roadways that connect residents to both downtown Boston and the surrounding suburbs. While tucked away to maintain a quiet, peaceful atmosphere—often described as "a little oasis"—the community offers "everything you need at your fingertips."

Commuter Access: The park is a short drive from major arteries, facilitating a reasonable commute into Downtown Boston and Cambridge. Furthermore, the West Roxbury, Highland, and Bellevue Commuter Rail stations are accessible, providing a crucial transportation link to
South Station
.
Shopping and Amenities: Located near the Dedham/West Roxbury line, residents have quick access to extensive shopping, dining, and grocery options (such as Roche Bros and Star Market) along both VFW Parkway and in the nearby
Dedham Plaza
and
Legacy Place
areas.
Natural Surroundings: Despite being in the city, the community is uniquely situated near the
Charles River
, providing a connection to nature and opportunities for viewing wildlife, which is a beloved feature noted by long-term residents. Nearby green spaces include
Millennium Park
and the
George Wright Golf Course
.
Local Services: Proximity to major healthcare facilities, including the
West Roxbury Veterans Medical Center
and
Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital
, adds to the neighborhood’s convenience and suitability for residents of all ages.

Services Offered

The remarkable affordability of the Boston Trailer Park is due in large part to the comprehensive nature of its low monthly lot fee. For a current monthly fee of approximately

$425

(though this is subject to change), residents receive a bundled array of essential services that would cost significantly more if paid separately in a conventional rental or homeownership setting in this expensive locale. These included services are critical to the community's ongoing affordability:

Water and Sewer: Public water and sewer service costs are fully covered, removing one of the largest and most volatile utility bills from the residents’ responsibility.
Real Estate Taxes: The property taxes levied on the land are handled centrally through the park’s management/association, which is factored into the low monthly fee.
Refuse Removal: Regular trash and waste collection services are provided for the entire community.
Snow Plowing: Essential for safe travel during New England winters, plowing of common roads and areas within the park is included in the fee.
Road and Common Area Maintenance: The ongoing upkeep of internal roads (which are noted to be unpaved in parts) and other shared spaces is managed and financed through the lot fee.

Note that residents are responsible for their own home-specific utilities, such as gas and electric service, which is standard for manufactured home communities.

Features / Highlights

The Boston Trailer Park stands out among Boston’s neighborhoods due to its distinctive and compelling features:

Unmatched Affordability: It offers arguably the lowest entry point to homeownership in the entire city of Boston, with many homes selling for prices dramatically below the median price of a traditional home or even a small condo in West Roxbury.
Income-Restricted Stability: The park functions as a form of income-restricted affordable housing for Boston. Managed by the Boston Trailer Park Tenants' Association, a non-profit dedicated to low-income residents, it has eligibility requirements designed to maintain its commitment to affordability for those who need it most.
Security of Tenancy: The residents have a long history of successfully protecting their community from development pressure. The fact that many residents are "long term people that stay in the park" speaks to the stability and security of their residency, secured through decades of community organizing.
Quiet, Suburban Feel in the City: Despite being located in a major urban area, residents describe the park as a "little oasis" and a quiet neighborhood. This mix of suburban tranquility and urban convenience is virtually impossible to find elsewhere in Boston.
HOA but Private Land Use: While there is a Homeowners Association (HOA), residents value the fact that they have a private space for their home, which is anchored to a pad and offers features like insulated skirting and small lots, providing a degree of independence not found in apartment living.
Strong Community Ethos: The presence of the Tenants' Association and evidence of regular community gatherings, such as neighborhood parties, demonstrates a robust and supportive community culture where most residents "mind their own business" but also look out for one another.

Contact Information

Inquiries regarding residency and availability at the Boston Trailer Park are best directed to the resident organization responsible for the community’s welfare and management.

Address:

1515 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury, MA 02132, USA

Management/Association:

Boston Trailer Park Tenants' Association

Phone: While a direct line to the association’s office is often unlisted for general inquiries, the broader management, which has historically worked with the park, is often listed as:

617-323-1331

. It is highly recommended that interested parties contact the City of Boston’s Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) or an affordable housing resource like HousingWorks MA to understand the specific application and eligibility requirements for this unique income-restricted community.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

The Boston Trailer Park is an indispensable housing solution for Massachusetts locals who qualify for income-restricted properties and seek stability and homeownership in Boston. In a metropolitan area where the median home price can soar well above the million-dollar mark, this community provides a vital, affordable lifeline. The low monthly fees, which bundle critical services like water, taxes, and plowing, allow residents to manage their budgets effectively, freeing up funds that would otherwise be consumed by high Boston rents.

More than just a low cost, the park offers a highly valued quality of life—a quiet, established, and safe neighborhood environment with private outdoor space, all while maintaining incredible proximity to Boston’s employment centers, amenities, and excellent West Roxbury schools. This unique combination of urban convenience and suburban affordability, secured by a dedicated Tenants' Association, makes the Boston Trailer Park not just a suitable place to live, but a rare and exceptional opportunity for long-term, stable residence in the heart of the city.