Boston used to be a spit of land on an Island that would be surrounded with water at the hightides sometime when the marshes surrounding it would flood. Over time they filled in what is called 'the Back Bay' and that gave them a lot more real estate.
So, ya, there's water all around it.
and when the tide is high the ocean almost wants to come into the streets.
If you stood in front of the Aquarium, on the Harbor, years ago, it was a secluded spot and when the tide was really high it would almost spill onto the walkway that went along the harbor side. But they've raised it so it's not so low anymore.
Boston was a lot cooler before it became super richo job-shop heaven.
all that Big Dig money made the realestate valuble and the locals can't really afford to live there anymore.