North Shore or South Shore apartments (Boston, Medford: apartment complex, for rent, condos)

[hancox17]

I grew up outside of Boston and now, many years later, my husband and I are thinking of moving back. We've looked at both the South Shore and North Shore--we really want to be near the water-but can't decide. We would both be working in Boston and need good public transportation.

Also, we currently live in NYC so our idea of "reasonable rents" is a little skewed. We don't want to live in an apt. in someone's house. Are there areas in say Beverly or Swampscott that are close to the train and have apartment buildings? I know this sounds strange but we drove through a lot of areas last summer and didn't really see apartment buildings like we do in Queens.

Any advice anyone can offer would be great--thanks!

[andrea5150]

I know there is a new apartment complex at the old Hingham shipyard. The ferry to Boston is right there and it's only minutes to the new Greenbush line. It looks very nice and a bit expensive but I'm sure rents in NYC are pretty high too. Good luck!

[clevedark]

You could live on the waterfront in a big apartment building in Boston proper, in the North End, for example, or in Charlestown, which is super super cute.

[lissa2343]

I would say Charlestown or Revere

[hancox17]

I remember Revere as being, well, rough. Has it changed a lot? Thanks for your suggestions!

[Sikaranista]

Originally Posted by hancox17

I grew up outside of Boston and now, many years later, my husband and I are thinking of moving back. We've looked at both the South Shore and North Shore--we really want to be near the water-but can't decide. We would both be working in Boston and need good public transportation.

Also, we currently live in NYC so our idea of "reasonable rents" is a little skewed. We don't want to live in an apt. in someone's house. Are there areas in say Beverly or Swampscott that are close to the train and have apartment buildings? I know this sounds strange but we drove through a lot of areas last summer and didn't really see apartment buildings like we do in Queens.

Any advice anyone can offer would be great--thanks!

Being close to the train can mean being close to train noise, so many of the apartment buildings on the North Shore are a bit further away from the tracks. One exception is Jefferson Salem Station, on Bridge Street in Salem, which is right next to the Salem Station T.

There are other apartments available that are within a short drive of the train stations, however all of the train stations on the north shore have limited parking facilities.

I am a corporate professional that lived on the North Shore for 10 years. For a good part of that time, I was in a wonderful apartment complex in Peabody, MA, which was right off Rte 128 and near Rte 1 The apartment was right off the highway, however the complex had installed very good quality windows that sealed most/all of the traffic noise. This may not be an option that you are looking for as Peabody is not on the water, but I found the highway convenience to be fantastic.

I lived there when I worked in the city. There were times I drove to the commuter rail in Salem. However, taking the Commuter Rail also means being dependent on the Commuter Rail's schedule. I found it easier to drive down to the Orange Line at Wellington Station in Medford, which has a large parking garage (as well as an overflow lot).

There are some condos around Salem and Beverly that are on the waterfront (Tuck Point, Pickering Wharf) and occasionally come up for rent. Not all of the waterfront apartments are great, some apartments in Beverly are on the water but overlook the Salem Harbor Power Station....which doesn't exactly make for much of a vista.

Closer to town, the apartments in Charlestown and the North End are very cute, and are very close to the water even if they don't overlook the water. They are also extremely tiny compared to what you would find on the 128 belt.

Be mindful of parking if you have a car or two. In the city, parking is scarce and extremely expensive. The apartment buildings near suburban downtowns often have limited parking (1 car usually fine, 2 cars can be difficult). The apartment buildings away from suburban downtowns typically have ample parking.

Revere has not changed a lot. The nightclub near Wonderland Station (end of the Blue Line) has had several stabbings over the past year. The City of Revere has greater-than-average issues with budget shortfalls and political corruption. Some neighborhoods aren't bad, but overall I don't find Revere or its beaches to be very appealing.

[hancox17]

Thanks very much for your help. It's been so long since I lived in the area, I don't know what things are like now. And the parking advice is very helpful--we have one car but don't want to be driving into the city.
Thanks again!

[Citizen08]

Charlestown and North End apartments will be about twice as expensive as apartment complexes on the north or south shore. Those are among the two most expensive areas in Massachusetts now, they have gentrified to the hilt.

Revere has not improved much in recent years and it still has a reputation for drug problems on the beach. My money is on Salem, the apartment complex at Jefferson Salem Station that the other poster mentioned has water views and is walking distance to Salem's downtown and commuter rail for reasonable price.

Driving to the orange line from the waterfront towns is easier said than done during weekdays in rush hour. You may not end up saving any time unless you live in a town west of the north shore waterfront.