Cambridge vs. Somerville vs. Charlestown vs. NorthEnd (Burlington: real estate, apartments)

[Secchamps98]

Question in our search for residential area to live in - (hope to relocate in next 3-4mo)

Cambridge vs. Somerville vs. Charelstown vs. North End (or other location)

Will be commuting to Burlington for Job and wife will commute as well, TBD
PriceRange 400-600K
Looking for more modern - we have 2 cars
Hopefully 2 BR, 1400+ SF
Young professional environment (we are 40yr+), we have no children
Like to be near Cafes and Shops
Will need to go to Logan Frequently
Hoping to commute up to 40 min each way
Anything with a view?

Any suggestions would be great!

[HowGoesIt]

I would recommend Somerville, maybe even Cambridge. Anywhere around Davis Sq is a good bet. You should be able to find something pretty decent on the upper end of your price range. The commute to Burlington wouldn't be bad either.

[WannaGoHome]

I would recommend the waterfront portion of the North End. Real estate can be tough, but if you get a good deal (and right now is the best time for that) it would be fantastic. The North End is a wonderful place to live. Lots of cafes, plenty to eat. The Waterfront has more of the modern feel apartment wise and is right near the Blue line which takes you right to the airport. There tends to be parking included in some of the units on the waterfront as well. I love Charlestown, but it's not really hopping and there aren't a lot of modern places. Beautiful places, but not modern, unless you get on the waterfront (Navy Yard). But, the Yard isn't close to a subway line and would be, in my opinion, a little inconvenient. Good luck!

[Secchamps98]

Thanks! Can you be a bit more specific about the NorthEnd, regarding location? Sounds great about being able to hop a train into the airport.
I have read about Somerville, so that sounds good as well. Assume I could drive to Burlington, or would it be best to hop a train.

Thanks

[eevee]

technically, you can't take the train to the airport. you take it to the airport stop, then hop on a free shuttle to the airport, which stops at all the terminals

[Secchamps98]

Thanks for the airport clarification. If one were living in Somerville or Cambidge, is that car commute to Burlington in am (assuming to make it by 800 AM) or is that a train - which would be quicker? Realize it would be dependent on location.

[HowGoesIt]

Burlington is very suburban and spread out. Unless your work is right next to the train station, I would definitely drive.

[Cantabridgienne]

There's no train station in Burlington. It's only served by bus.

[WannaGoHome]

Hi there. For the north end, you could look on commercial st/atlantic ave. and any of the wharf areas. They are expensive sometimes, but you might be able to snag a deal because of the market. The biggest issue is going to be the square footage. Sometimes apartments are extremely well laid out and you don't need that much space, so try to be open to something right at 1400 or a little smaller. I remember one brownstone we looked at in the south end that we had all (5 of us total) pegged as roughly 2800 sf. It was 1750. Just extremely well laid out. Good luck!

[Secchamps98]

Very good point. DId not realize that about SF and the way some homes are laid out. We have 2200 SF in our current home, but it is choppy with several small rooms.
Thanks