Affordable neighborhoods with good public transport where it's possible to find a yard? (Boston: house)

[mcarnett]

Does this even exist?? My family is looking into relocating to Boston - what areas might have affordable housing with the possibility of a yard/garage/workshop/etc, just some extra space? We are willing to look outside Boston proper, as long as there is good public transport, walkable,and/or bike friendly, since we will have one car. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

[MikePRU]

Can you define what is affordable in your eyes? One man's affordable is another man's pipe dream.

[495neighbor]

Based on some of your criteria from your other threads, you might want to explore Quincy or Salem. These are the best mix of affordable housing, diversity and recreation around Boston. Salem has the Peabody Essex and many historic sites. Quincy has the Adams estate and is a quick train ride to the JFK Museum, ICA, Children's Museum and the other cultural and educational fun in Boston and Cambridge.

[mcarnett]

Quincy is one we've seen, have to look at Salem.

Affordable for us means less than $2K/month. Just don't know if that's even doable

[dravogadro]

We chose Waltham for this reason. You may be okay with parts of Watertown as well. The bus and commuter rail aren't as convenient as the T but they are good enough. We really wanted to be on the T but it was impossible with our space wants. We considered Quincy for this reason but it would have been a terrible daily commute, which was a deal breaker.

[TAM88]

Originally Posted by mcarnett

Quincy is one we've seen, have to look at Salem.

Affordable for us means less than $2K/month. Just don't know if that's even doable

Quincy is the better option vs. Salem. It's a lot closer to Boston and has red line access in addition to multiple bus lines that make runs into Boston.

You can find places in multiple Boston neighborhoods for under $2k/month. How many bedrooms are you looking for?

[charolastra00]

I live in a 3 bedroom in Medford with a small yard (along with most of the neighborhood) and we pay $1800 a month. We're in a two family, so the yard and garden is shared with our downstairs neighbors. It hasn't been a problem, though. Two families tend to be easier to work with than triple deckers regarding yards. Several neighbors have small sheds or use their enclosed back porches as sheds/workshop areas. Look in West Medford and the area of Medford between the Mystic River and Tufts. Lots of two families with yards, lots of public transit (15 minutes/mile and a half to either Davis Square/Red line or 20 minutes/2 miles to Sullivan Square/Orange line by bus), walkable and bikeable though having a car would be good for family grocery shopping, and lots going on in the community.

[mcarnett]

We need 2 bedrooms, would prefer 3. Although we'd give up the third bedroom to live closer. Right now, we live in a 2 bed 1100 sq ft house with a one car garage on a 5500 sq ft lot, which is a good size.

[mcarnett]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

Lots of two families with yards, lots of public transit (15 minutes/mile and a half to either Davis Square/Red line or 20 minutes/2 miles to Sullivan Square/Orange line by bus), walkable and bikeable though having a car would be good for family grocery shopping, and lots going on in the community.

We will have hopefully one car, possibly two. My husband wants to drive since he does construction, but my goal is to drive once a week at most.

[Aafanlynness]

sure, honey, welcome to Mattapan..