The Town of Winthrop is situated on a peninsula extending into Boston Harbor. Although it is located within five miles of downtown Boston, it has retained its reputation for being a safe and pleasant place to live. Winthrop is a close-knit, family-oriented community where everything is within walking distance.

There is a public bus route which travels throughout the town and connects to the Orient Heights stop on the Blue Line of the MBTA. There are numerous parks and playgrounds, six public beaches, four tennis courts, five athletic fields, a public landing for boats and an indoor skating rink. The Recreation Department offers supervised programs for children in the parks during the summer as well as various programs throughout the year for children and adults.

There is a youth center as well as a senior center which both offer many activities and programs. Additionally, active organizations include the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, American Legion, Amvets, Knights of Columbus, Little League, Soccer Association, Elks, Sons of Italy, Boy and Girl Scouts, Historical Society, Beautification Committees, Council on Aging, Youth Commission, Winthrop Playmakers, three yacht clubs and a golf club. There is a newly-revitalized Winthrop Center with a multitude of shops as well as small clusters of stores in other sections of the town.

There are numerous physicians and dentists in the community as well as a 110 bed hospital with CCU and ICU facilities and a community ambulance service. Public facilities include gas, sewer, water, electricity and cable to the entire town and trash is collected weekly with provision for recycling.