City Living, Under $300K
You get more bang for less buck if you head west to Worcester.
$299,900
50 SALISBURY STREET, UNIT 34, WORCESTER
SQUARE FOOTAGE 1,706
CONDO FEE $351 per month
BEDROOMS 2
BATHS 2 full
2007 TAXES $3,612
LAST SOLD FOR $325,000 in 2006
PROS Located in the turret of the old North High School, this unit's living room boasts soaring windows that look out at the Worcester Art Museum, whose facade is illuminated with star-shaped lights at night. The kitchen island helps delineate space in the open floor plan. At the building's entrance, you can almost hear students' voices as you climb the cement stairs. CONS The bathrooms are hotel generic. Contact Jeff Burk, RE/MAX Advantage 1, Worcester, 508-459-5582, jeffburk.com.
$289,900
37 SOMERSET STREET, UNIT 2, WORCESTER
SQUARE FOOTAGE 2,393
CONDO FEE None
BEDROOMS 5
BATHS 2 full
2007 TAXES $2,992
LAST SOLD FOR $91,000 in 1988
PROS Who'd expect to find a condo in a stucco house on a tree-lined street? Much of the original 1920 architecture is preserved, including woodwork, built-in dining room hutches, and multipaned wavy-glass windows in the living room and a sunroom. CONS The third floor, once a separate apartment, is not well integrated with the bulk of the space one story down. But that could be a bonus for roommates or spry in-laws. Contact Jeffrey Hall, RE/MAX Advantage 1, Worcester, 508-459-5516, jeffhall.net.
$285,000
160 FREMONT STREET, UNIT 108, WORCESTER
SQUARE FOOTAGE 1,890
CONDO FEE $330 per month
BEDROOMS 2
BATHS 2 full
2007 TAXES $3,607
LAST SOLD FOR First time on market
PROS This converted silk-weaving factory has a hip feel, with exposed brick and duct work, granite in the kitchen and baths, and, in this unit, bedrooms up in the loft. Extras include a community room with a TV and poker table, bike storage, an interior courtyard convenient for pets, a fitness center, and the ability to use your own television to see who's ringing the bell. CONS The windows, which tilt in for cleaning, are spectacular, but the views are not. Contact John Hoey, RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals, Shrewsbury, 508-353-9876, thefremont.com.
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