Inexpensive towns/cities to buy in? (w/in 1 hr. of Cambridge) (Boston: for sale, real estate)

[maraj]

I am starting to do some preliminary research on properties within about an hour's drive to the Cambridge/Boston area. Can anyone suggest any towns or cities that can offer a decent-sized 2+ bedroom (condo. or house) for under $150,000? So far, the least expensive places I have found have been in Lowell and Haverhill. Thanks.

Mara

[Valerie C]

Not surprising, Haverhill borders NH (Plaistow/Atkinson) and Lowell (Hudson/Lowell and seconds from Pelham) I'll check some other places that might work for you...

[MovingForward]

Haverhill is AWFUL. Lowell is supposed to be improving, but that will probably be a very slow improvement. Do you want to live North, West, or South of Boston?

Check out these listings:

boston craigslist > real estate for sale: search for "condo"

worcester craigslist > real estate for sale: search for "condo"

[surfingatwork]

lakeville, ma (southeastern mass) has a few SF under $150K but some are just seasonal properties.

[Valerie C]

What in particular do you find "awful" about Haverhill? I've noticed when I get to Haverhill that it is becoming quite a vibrant little city, especially the downtown area. Two train stops for commuters to Boston, plus the Downeaster stops there, bunches of resturants, the arts are starting to thrive in the area, and many of the former "shoe shops" that line the Merrimac River are starting to convert to condos. Some of the former areas that were "challenged" (Arlington St, Webster St., Franklin St., lower "aves" AKA "the acre" have come up quite a ways. I wish something could be done about all of the absentee landlords, but I guess that's probably a problem no matter what city you're in... l

[MovingForward]

I was in Haverhill several months ago and found it to be a depressed--and depressing--area. From what I understand, the school system is not good--which speaks for itself.

[ogre]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

What in particular do you find "awful" about Haverhill? I've noticed when I get to Haverhill that it is becoming quite a vibrant little city, especially the downtown area. Two train stops for commuters to Boston, plus the Downeaster stops there, bunches of resturants, the arts are starting to thrive in the area, and many of the former "shoe shops" that line the Merrimac River are starting to convert to condos. Some of the former areas that were "challenged" (Arlington St, Webster St., Franklin St., lower "aves" AKA "the acre" have come up quite a ways. I wish something could be done about all of the absentee landlords, but I guess that's probably a problem no matter what city you're in... l

I guess it depends on what appeals to the OP. In Lowell or Haverhill, it might be posssible to be in on the first few baby steps toward gentrification in a place that has been run down for years, but might eventually become a nice, vibrant small city, after quite a number of years, if the trend toward gentrification really gets going. As for now, you might find a decent neighborhood in either of these places, but you would be living in a city that overall would not exactly be a garden spot. There's a reason there was a house available in one of these towns for under 200, and it's not only that it's a fair distance from Boston. On the other hand, the one plus either of these towns might have for the right person would be an urban environment. Not a very appealing urban environment, but at least a place with the population density, and variety of basic businesses, found in a small city.

If the OP would prefer a place that's nice already, and would either prefer or be able to live with more of a small town, it's probably best to look south or west of Boston, though you'll have to go well outside the city to find something in the 150 neighborhood on price. Another option would be to look north, but farther north than Lowell or Haverhill, over the border in NH. This could be stretching the limits of the preferred commute time, but would offer some decent places to live with properties in the desired price range.

[maggiekate]

there was an article in the Boston Globe regarding Revere. Revere has gone down, however, this article was very intresting. Lawrence, which is near Lowell, maybe out near Hyde Park. Stay away from Brockton.

[missionhill]

Lawrence near Hyde Park? Is that what the Globe said? Those New York owners are letting things slide!

[maggiekate]

revere, is what the Globe did write about, real up class. Lawrence, I never did like, hype park, maybe for that money?

Oh, and today, what did happen to our Red Sox, keep the fingers crossed!