Where to buy NW of Boston? (Lowell, Cambridge: real estate, houses, condos)

[bostonfoodie]

This is my first post...so let me introduce myself a bit.

We're newlyweds living in Waltham right now. We love Moody Street, the restaurants, and general walkability of the city center. I wish the red line was out here, but commuter rail gets me to work in Cambridge ok - I just wish there were more trains! Also, it's slowly dawned on me that, despite the cheap rent, we would like a better neighborhood - I saw a drug deal on my street and the 5 years olds curse like sailors.

We would like a small house with a small yard near a nice downtown village area with transit. We have been looking in Arlington (East Arlington especially), but there's not too many houses there and we can't even afford the condos! As much as I would love to live near Alewife, I'm starting to consider living further out. I definitely don't want to live in the middle of car-dependent cookie cutter suburbia. And I really don't want to rely on a bus, ruling out other parts of Arlington.

DH works in Woburn, so ideally I would like a town between there and Cambridge. I was thinking Reading and my realtor also suggested Melrose. Any thoughts on those? Any other cute New England town centers with commuter rail? Towns like Winchester, Lexington, Concord are definitely out of our price range, unfortunately. Before we go for the tiny condo in Arlington with no yard, I'd like to see what our other options are.

TIA!

[CityGirl52]

I always loved Melrose, I used to go to Oak Grove's orange line from there all the time and cut through their downtown to get to it. We meet family members at Turner's restaurant several times a year there. It's got really good seafood too, so remember that. I know a few people that live on and in the vicinity of Lincoln St. in Melrose and it's SO SO nice all through there. Quite steep though, but SO charming.

I didn't see one blessed house or even a condo under 375 in Melrose that jumped out at me! It's brutal now everywhere with $$$ and real estate, just brutal.

If you really don't want suburbia and you know? I don't blame you ONE bit. I know exactly what you're talking about too, trust me!

Stick with your gut feelings and stay close like you said. I want to tell you that one day my sister was out jogging and she found her house that way, we'll never forget it! This gem had the sign right on the lawn "For Sale By Owner". So don't give up, you're going to find exactly what you want. It might take some time, but do NOT give up on that whole area yet by moving further away. You'll go crazy with the commute and I'm not kidding you.

I'm sending you a private message, so look for it, I found something that looks SO nice and it's where you're looking around. I think it's a "gem" for you guys. Look for my email okay?

Good luck and keep us posted....

[bostonfoodie]

Thanks for the reply, Citygirl. I drove out to Reading on Sunday to look at a couple of open houses, and wasn't blown away by the small downtown area. It seemed a little stale and spread out. But maybe I was in the wrong part? No matter, because I would need to live close to the train, and that's the area that it's in. They are investing $$ in downtown area, and in 10 years it may be great, but not yet. At least, not what I was looking for. Too bad, because one of the houses was really cute.

The house in Melrose looks cute. We may go out to look at it and the neighborhood.

[scarletfire]

There are some parts of Waltham that are nicer than others. Off of Lake Street (Mokema, Amherst Ave, etc) is a nice area. My grandparents lived in that area for more than 30 years and we always felt it was safe.

[prudence]

Take a look at Lowell. Might be a little too far out for you....but it is still on the T line.

www.lookatlowellnow.com

[guateek]

I think Medford would also be a good option. I currently live in Medford and work in Boston. I live close to the sqaure which is great plus also with in walking distance to Commuter Rail, Train Station and Bus routes. They have great family programs for free as well as adult classes for free also. If you would like more info on Medford feel free PM me and I would ba happy to Show my Big city little town feel off.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by bostonfoodie

Thanks for the reply, Citygirl. I drove out to Reading on Sunday to look at a couple of open houses, and wasn't blown away by the small downtown area. It seemed a little stale and spread out. But maybe I was in the wrong part? No matter, because I would need to live close to the train, and that's the area that it's in. They are investing $$ in downtown area, and in 10 years it may be great, but not yet. At least, not what I was looking for. Too bad, because one of the houses was really cute.

The house in Melrose looks cute. We may go out to look at it and the neighborhood.

Hey BF,
Just so happens that I was about to ask what Reading was like, when I saw your post. I have to consider areas with good schools with available rentals not too far from the city which is why I was looking at Reading. Could you give me your thoughts on it and a bit more on the town center area? We live in Ca. so it's a bit hard to visualize without a good description. Feel free to PM if easier. Thanks!