Loved Salem - anywhere else like it?

[kingeorge]

Originally Posted by LovinLifeinMA

I would disagree with this if we are talking about downtown areas (outside down town is very residential). I lived in Beverly for 7 years (in a condo downtown) and the area has many young professionals as there are a few colleges in the area, and easy access to the T for commuters. There are many restaurants, shops and bars in the downtown area as well. Beach is also located a few blocks away.

Sure. I like Beverly too. But it has different vibe then Salem. Salem is really hard to match. Op would be happiest in Brookline or Cambridge, but RE prices are pushing OP out.

[seeriously]

Try Plymouth. Historic, nice old downtown, coastal locale.

[rethcir]

Depending where you're commuting, Portsmouth, Dover and Nashua NH could be options. Dover has the train to Boston, too.

I was pretty impressed with downtown Haverhill recently. Seemed walkable, though not a lot of people were walking at that time.

[jan0105]

I *love* Portsmouth. Would live there in a heartbeat if we didn't have family where we are.

[traffic_lover]

Originally Posted by MelissaMay29

Are you only looking on the northshore? There are great walkable town centers in the South Area of MA, like Canton, Mansfield, Sharon. Budget of 400k could get you a beautiful town home in any one of these areas.

M

I spent 18 years in mansfield & 1 in downtown salem. I can honestly not think of a single thing in common between the two downtowns. LOL.

[Valerie C]

The Haverhill commuter rail goes to North Station via Andover, Wilmington, Reading, Melrose, etc.
Lowell also goes to North Station via Billerica, Winchester, etc.

This map may help




As a former Haverhill resident, I love the direction that the downtown area is heading. Lots of restaurants, more coffee shops, storefronts and coming soon, a new U-Lowell building, but I would stop short of saying that you could purchase a 400k home and safely walk to the walkable areas. Just outside the d.owntown area are several questionable neighborhoods, However, there are many great neighborhoods along all of Haverhill's borders: the Riverside area borders the Merrimack River/Groveland, and East Haverhill/Rocks Village borders the town of Merrimac and the Merrimack River/W. Newbury. Upper Hilldale/North Broadway borders Salem, Atkinson, Plaistow NH, West Meadow area borders Methuen, MA. Any of these Haverhill neighborhoods would be safe to walk in at any given time of day or night, but as mentioned earlier, wouldn't be walkable to downtown...

Originally Posted by btownboss4

By any chance do you know where the Lowell and Haverhill lines go?
Lowell has more dining than Downtown Salem, its just the larger city.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by jan0105

I *love* Portsmouth. Would live there in a heartbeat if we didn't have family where we are.

Portsmouth is cool. I went out to eat in Kittery last weekend, there were some nice little spots there. I need to revisit.