What’s On Sale Near Salem Station?
Earlier, I was talking up a storm about getting young, urban potential buyers to look north, and enter the market earlier rather than later. If you’re a JP or Cambridge dweller, Salem is almost perfect. It might not have Cambridge’s cultural life, but it is still diverse, brainy and full of cafes. When you get to Salem on the train, a scant 26 minutes from North Station, you face a water view on one side and giant yellow condos in what was once a factory.
But what else is out there? We looked at a property on Smith St., and another on Lemon St., just a few blocks north of the train station. There’s a ton of construction around there, due to be finished in about 2 years according to the city engineer, and it’s about as car friendly as Cambridge, though without the pretense of street cleaning no-parking days (*$#!& you Pat’s Towing!).
But what’s going to emerge is a diverse neighborhood with gorgeous cast iron street lights, a short walking and bike path to the train station, and parks with water views at the ends of the blocks. Get in now — the areas around the train station are going to go the way of the half-million dollar condos around Derby Wharf — which is, incidentally, within easy walking distance.
Stop by the Salem City Engineer’s office and ask to see the plans for it all — if you’re not going to leave Mass., why not buy in and see where 5 years of equity can take your investment? And isn’t the ability to walk home from good bars and live music why you REALLY want to live in Cambridge or JP 
Take a closer look at some of these.
| There are a couple of places for sale near Smith St. This is a great location, a little cul de sac off of Bridge St. |
This place had “make an offer” right in the listing at one point — which, I take it, means “motivated seller.” Almost 4800 square feet! This house was listed for $460k in October — it’s a bargain and a half!Price: $324,900
36 NORTHEY ST Salem, MA 01970 5-11 WOODBURY CT is high on the cute factor, and pretty cheap for the square footage you get…and oh how I long for a garage….Price: $404,900 Another gorgeous condo a few blocks north of Smith:Price: $289,900
5 SAUNDERS ST #3 As you cross Bridge Street from these properties, you’re getting closer and closer to Derby Wharf and the Mcintyre District, and all of the legitimized historic architecture, and there’s plenty of stuff on the map — but I really like the side that faces the North River waterfront.
