Malden vs. Salem for young couple with baby (Boston, Cambridge: real estate, crime)

[Nrk123]

Without going into all the pros and cons for either based our personal circumstances, I'm very curious about how you'd objectively compare these two specific towns. We would be looking for a home around 400k.

[robr2]

I'd go with Malden. IMHO, it's poised for gentrification and you would probably get a better return vis a vis Salem in a few years.

[Joel418]

If you want more bang for your housing buck, definitely Salem, though you would have a slim selection in Malden at 400k. If you want convenience via public transport, definitely Malden. If you want a lower crime rate, definitely Salem. If you want access to more diverse dining options, Malden, though Salem does have some great places in the town center. If you want convenient access to the beach, Salem is better. And on and on and on...

[SalamanderSmile]

Malden is very much a suburb town(Malden will keep correcting you that "it's a city da**it" but it feels like a town) of Boston while Salem is it's own city/destination. Salem is bigger and self contained. You have to leave Malden for anything other than groceries or a muffler. Malden is a much easier commute than Salem and there is a proximity to Boston/Cambridge for weekend stuff that Salem doesn't have. Salem however, has it's own waterfront and proximity to north shore beaches for weekend stuff. Salem is also almost one way in one way out so it's traffic/commuting is tiresome.

If I had to commute I'd pick Malden, if I worked from home I'd pick Salem. If I had kids the schools are a tossup of bad between the towns. Maybe I would pick Malden because there is the possibility of getting into the good charter school there.

I lived in Malden for about 4 years and hated it. I felt like I was in the same dirt and density as Cambridge and Somerville without the amenities. It was just families of townies stacked on top of each other in duplexes, nothing hip or young or to do at all.

[CaseyB]

I don't care for Malden at all so I'd pick Salem. As you've been told, the schools aren't great either place.

[tysmith95]

Salem is objectively better for everything other then location. But as they say in real estate location is everything.

[Amontillado]

Assuming at least one of you is working, it would be important where you commute to. If it's Boston, then having the subway in town would be very useful. Salem's on the commuter rail, but that costs much more, and you have to plan which train you'll catch. A lot hangs on whether you feel more comfortable in the city or outside it.

[gf2020]

Really depends on where you are working.

The commute from Salem to Boston, Cambridge or anywhere along 128 is far more challenging than from Malden.

[thisiswater]

I'd choose Salem hands down. Vibrant city with a robust arts scene and great restaurants, more popping up every day. If you love old houses check out the McIntyre district and the area around Salem Commons.

[rethcir]

Boston is actually the only place I would want to commute from Boston. Easy 30 min commuter rail ride to north station. To get anywhere else from there would be hellish. The city is gridlocked at rush hour due to the lack of major roads in and out of downtown. Took me about an hour to get from the downtown to the 128 on ramp onetime. I must say if you want an urban lifestyle Salem is a great place to be however with wonderful shops, restaurants, cafe's etc