considering retiring in the Boston area (Newton, Brookline: condominiums, neighborhood, YMCA)

[Jyber]

H and I are in our early 60s and thinking ahead to retirement. We have a D who is settled in Boston (long term, not likely to ever move from there) and is encouraging us to consider that area for retirement, in part so that we can be involved grandparents.

H and I have lived in the NYC suburbs, Philly suburbs, and CT.

What we want -- which may be hard to find:

A housing situation (probably a condo) that is gracious (but need not be fancy), low maintenance, preferably one floor, two bedrooms, and between 1,100 - 1,500 sq. feet.
It must be walking distance along good sidewalks to grocery shopping and a library. I will use a shopping cart for routine errands. We want to be as car independent as possible, but will keep one car.
H wants access to a year-round good sized pool (say at a YMCA). He is willing to drive to the pool.
Ideally (and this is probably the biggest challenge) I would like access to a little bit of ground on which to garden.
We both like having access to green space/parkland nearby.

We do not need to be very near our daughter (who lives in Back Bay) but would like to be able to see her and her family for the day without needing to overnight.

Brookline and Newton have been suggested to us.
Any ideas other than those towns?
Any suggestions for locations within those towns that could meet our criteria?

We are prepared to spend up to $600,000, but would prefer to keep the cost lower.

We will explore the area this summer, but are trying to get an initial idea of how workable this could be.

THANKS!!

[Brave Stranger]

Check out Arlington. Look at the Rembrant condo building right on Mass Ave. A 2 bedroom is about 365k. Good bus line, library down the street, 3 supermarkets on Mass Ave: Whole Foods, Stop & Shop & Trader Joe's. A pool at the Arlington Boy's & Girl's club abou a mile away.

There's also a new condo building in east Arlington on Mass Ave, but I can't recall the name. Still the Rembrant offers underground, inside parking. This new building is outside parking I believe. Another condo off Mass Ave is the Watermill.

[495neighbor]

Newtonville comes to mind, with its commuter rail stop and neighborhood Y. There are also luxury condominiums on the West Roxbury/Newton/Brookline border, another area with its own Y and commuter rail stops. Newtonville has a great Whole Foods. Jamaica Plain near the Brookline border could have possibilities. Lots of parks and little stores to walk to there.

[Jyber]

Thanks so much for the responses. Will check out the suggestions!