Price Check National Edition

5 houses and condos for sale around Boston, where prices are lower per square foot than NYC

By Rebecca Fishbein  | July 13, 2018 - 12:00PM
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This three-bedroom, two-bath brownstone was built in 1840 and is located on Boston's historic Bond Street in the South End.

Compass

As a child, I went to an overnight camp in New Hampshire where most of the other attendees hailed from the Boston area. There were only a few of us from New York. One of the counselors used to announce the scores of Yankees/Red Sox games at mealtimes, prompting some pretty vicious Boston versus New York screaming matches.

That experience instilled me with a deep hatred of New England that lasted throughout my childhood. But as an adult, I've discovered the Boston area is, in fact, pretty spectacular, thanks in part to its great food, gorgeous historic architecture, and thriving communities, not to mention the brilliant colored leaves come autumn. 

Of course, all those upsides make Boston an attractive real estate market, and prices in popular neighborhoods like the North End, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill are climbing. According to Curbed Boston, nine Boston neighborhoods saw an average asking price of $1,000 per square foot in June. For comparison's sake, the average price per square foot in New York is around $1,462 according to Trulia, so moving up north can get you about 33 percent less per square foot.

You also get more space and proximity to clam chowder in Boston. Here's a taste of what's on tap.

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Compass

3 Bond St., South End

This roomy three-bedroom, two-bath townhouse, also pictured above, features exposed brick, an eat-in kitchen, walk-in closets, and at least one fireplace, as befitting its vintage 1840 construction. Other highlights include hardwood flooring, bay windows, and an unfinished basement. The house is located in Boston's posh South End, where the elegant townhouses and Victorians there earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The neighborhood also features trendy boutiques, hip cocktail bars, and upscale restaurants, in addition to a smattering of parks. It is priced at $1,690,000.

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Boston Green Realty

172 Pearl St., Somerville

The city of Somerville is like Boston's hip younger cousin, with thrift shops, cool restaurants, and a farmer's market in Union Square. This six-bedroom, three-bath house is located on the East Somerville border, about a five-minute drive from Union Square's hustle and bustle, and a five-minute walk from famed Turkish eatery Sarma. House highlights include high ceilings, hardwood floors, and a refinished basement and attic. There's also a white stone backyard and front porch, if you're looking for outdoor space. It is priced at $700,000.

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Mission Realty Advisors

225 Amory St., Jamaica Plain

Jamaica Plain, or JP, is basically the Brooklyn of Boston. Once a streetcar suburb, JP is now part of Boston proper, boasting yoga studios, coffee shops, boutiques, and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, one of the Emerald Necklace parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. This four-bedroom, four-bath house was built in 1900 and features central cooling, covered terraces, a renovated kitchen, and a finished basement. It is on the market for $779,900.

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Keller Williams Realty

271 Dartmouth St., Apt. 6G, Back Bay

This one-bedroom, one-bath condo takes up the top floor of the gorgeous historic Copley Building, built in 1885. Highlights include crown moldings, high ceilings, a stately fireplace, and a renovated kitchen with a separate dining room. There's also a roof deck. The condo is located in Boston's Back Bay, an upscale neighborhood known for its mansions and Victorians, the popular Newbury Street shopping strip, and the touristy Copley Square. It is asking $699,000.

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Compass

112 Fulton St., #1C, North End

Boston's North End is food-lover's paradise. The neighborhood, which is Boston's oldest residential area, is home to a slew of Italian restaurants, offering classic red-sauce joints and upscale contemporary eateries. This two-bedroom, one-bath condo is located just a few blocks from popular spots like Regina Pizzeria and Giacomo's, and features a loft-like design, complete with exposed wooden beams and door-less bedrooms. Other highlights include central air-conditioning and bike storage. It is priced at $789,000.

 

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