Best location for young professionals looking to buy in the city? (Boston: real estate, for rent)

[alexirhae]

Help! We are a young professional couple in our late 20's-early 30's looking to buy a 2-3 bedroom condo in Boston in the 500-575K range. We want to be in the city with not-too-difficult commutes to our jobs downtown and on the red line in Cambridge. We've gotten away from the idea of the South End/Back Bay/Beacon Hill, where we can't get the space we want, and have started looking at alternatives like South Boston and Charlestown, but we aren't terribly familiar with the neighborhoods. Which is the better spot to buy and why?

[snatale1]

Southie and Charlestown are about equal. Some parts are very nice, some are crap. What kind of space are you looking for? Most apts/condo's in either neighborhood will most likely be small, not that there's not bigger one's but there the minority.

[TaezZ]

what about Watertown?

[BostonJad]

Somerville may be your cup of tea esp near Porter Sq or Davis Sq. You can generally find 1500 sq ft condo including a parking spot in the 450-500K range.

[unit731]

Melrose near the Malden line. Near the T Station. Or anywhere in Melrose near the train stations - Melrose has 3 stops.

[chaxey]

You should not buy without renting first. At least for 6 months...

How long do you plan on living in this property? If you are at the age you might be thinking about settling down with kids, South Boston would probably be superiour to Charlestown as there is more park space and more options for private schools. Plus it is much more convenient to the Red Line and Cambridge points north of Kendal Square. If you are going to Kendal, then Charlestown is a perhaps better option as far as commutes go. Your money will go farther in southie than charlestown (generally), but you should be choosey about the area you are in. You'll want to be on teh east side and south of East Broadway (generally). I think the nicest parts of Charlestown are much nicer than the nicest parts of southie, but the worst parts of charelstown are much worse than the worst parts of southie. The best housing stock in Charlestown is in and around the Gas Light district, and will trump anything in Southie, though there are similar streets in southie, nothing will equate to that old boston feel and the homes in that area of Charlestown.

You might also consider Arlington if you are priced out of Cambridge or what something more suburban. Watertown is a good value, but I tend to not like the housing stock there. Medford you'd get a TON for your buck, but not sure you'd like the commute to cambridge from there. Downtown wouldnt' be a problem though.

[miu]

I second the idea for renting first before buying anything. In this economy and housing market, don't rush into buying any real estate.

[Beantown_mama]

I always thought that the Davis Square area would be fun to live in. It is a bit cheaper than in the city and there is a ton to do.

[RC1981]

Originally Posted by unit731

Melrose near the Malden line. Near the T Station. Or anywhere in Melrose near the train stations - Melrose has 3 stops.

Melrose might be a bit too far out of the city if they're looking for "in the city"...Melrose is pretty much where the "sprawl" ends and the "country" begins.

But, if you are willing to add 20 or so minutes onto your commute, you could find something awesome up there that would be well within your price range (probably even quite a bit lower), not to mention some pretty good public schools for later on if you decide to have children.

If you're set on being in the city though, I'd recommend the North End. You'll find something easily in your price range and it's a great little community. Just make sure you're out of there before you have to start thinking about schools though, which might make renting a better idea than buying, unless you have the money for private schools.

[Boston_Burbs]

I would look in Brighton Center / Oak Square.

Express bus