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Buying vs. Renting: Might the Debate End in Charlestown?

By Brenda Phan
6 comments / new
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By Brenda Phan
6 comments / new

A month's worth of rent these days can be a mortgage payment in Boston. So what can you actually afford with your rent money in Boston? In one of the city's most beloved neighborhoods, Charlestown, it can actually get you a lot. These homes were listed in the last week between for between $525K and $1.7M. Exactly what can does that get you? A waterfront condo, a Parisian-style townhouse on a tree-lined street, private roof decks, even water taxi service to Boston. Assuming you have 20 percent down payment, these homes might be in your reach.


· Our Renters Week 2015 archive [Curbed Boston]
· Our Curbed Maps archive [Curbed Boston]

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197 Eighth Street #525

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Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $1,179,000
Monthly Mortgage: $5,329
Size: 1-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,767
The Pitch: “Enter into your waterfront retreat and have the ocean as your backdrop for cooking, entertaining, sleeping and surrounded by the ships passing by!”

197 8th Street #525, Boston, MA 02129

11 Harvard Street #2

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Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $1,089,000
Monthly Mortgage: $4,825
Size: 2-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,831
The Pitch: “Located in historic brownstone, on sought after gaslit street, this stunning triplex feels like a Parisian home with 12’ ceilings, floor to ceiling windows with Indian shutters, wide pine floors, renovated kitchen & spa bath!”

11 Harvard Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

35 Chestnut Street #205

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Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $979,000
Monthly Mortgage: $4,386
Size: 3-BR, 1.5-BA
Square Footage: 1,566
The Pitch: “Living room with wood burning fireplace and custom mantel! Lovely dining room, family room with sliders to giant private sun drenched deck! This easy access deck is a true expansion of your living space!”

35 Chestnut Street #205, Boston, MA 02129

30 High Street #1

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Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $939,900
Monthly Mortgage: $4,136
Size: 3-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,577
The Pitch: “All of your windows overlook your sun drenched private courtyard! Grill in the courtyard and enjoy cocktails on your awe-inspiring exclusive roof deck with breathtaking skyline and monument views! ”

30 High Street #1, Boston, MA 02129

47 Harvard Street #B101

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Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $759,000
Monthly Mortgage: $3,325
Size: 2-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,078
The Pitch: “What makes this sublime two bedroom, two full bath with sensational open floor plan special is that you have your own private entrance off of a beautifully landscaped garden.”

47 Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02129

197 Eighth Street #232

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Open House: Sunday, 12:00-4:00PM
Price: $689,000
Monthly Mortgage: $3,049
Size: 1-BR, 1.5-BA
Square Footage: 976
The Pitch: “The building offers luxury, full-service living at its finest; including 24 hour building concierge, valet garage parking, a state-of-the-art fitness gym and library.”

197 8th Street #232, Boston, MA 02129

32 Mead Street #2

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Open House: Sunday, 11:00-12:00PM
Price: $559,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,316
Size: 2-BR, 1.5-BA
Square Footage: 868
The Pitch: “Distinctive features include a sought after open layout with elegant living space with tall ceilings, bay window, wood burning fireplace and custom built-ins, flowing to a spacious dining area and chef's kitchen.”

32 Mead Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

108 High Street #2

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Open House: Sunday, 12:15-1:30PM
Price: $559,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,538
Size: 2-BR, 1-BA
Square Footage: 966
The Pitch: “Elegant living room features large corner windows, wood-burning fireplace, pine floors and adjoining private deck–perfect for entertaining.”

108 High Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

42 Eighth Street #1514

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Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:30PM
Price: $538,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,501
Size: 1-BR, 1-BA
Square Footage: 1,050
The Pitch: “Located in historic Charlestown Navy Yard, Parris Landing, is a full service elevator bldg. Featuring 24/7 concierge/on-site property management, state of the art fitness center, heated in ground pool, cabana, outdoor grill area, garden, business center and community room. The Navy Yard also offers a water taxi and shuttle to all waterfront piers.”

42 8th Street #1514, Charlestown, MA 02129

5 Auburn Street #1

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Open House: Sunday, 1:00-2:30PM
Price: $529,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,373
Size: 3-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,059
The Pitch: “Features include a spectacular private outdoor space, a wood fireplace with attractive mantle, oak hardwood floors, beautiful chair rail, wainscot trim and crown molding.”

5 Auburn Street #1, Charlestown, MA 02129

59 Elm Street #1

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Open House: Sunday, 11:00-12:00PM
Price: $525,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,197
Size: 2-BR, 1-BA
Square Footage: 1,049
The Pitch: “Hard to find home is filled with historic features, high ceilings, fir floors and corner exposures.”

59 Elm Street #1, Boston, MA 02129

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197 Eighth Street #525

197 8th Street #525, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $1,179,000
Monthly Mortgage: $5,329
Size: 1-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,767
The Pitch: “Enter into your waterfront retreat and have the ocean as your backdrop for cooking, entertaining, sleeping and surrounded by the ships passing by!”

197 8th Street #525, Boston, MA 02129

11 Harvard Street #2

11 Harvard Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $1,089,000
Monthly Mortgage: $4,825
Size: 2-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,831
The Pitch: “Located in historic brownstone, on sought after gaslit street, this stunning triplex feels like a Parisian home with 12’ ceilings, floor to ceiling windows with Indian shutters, wide pine floors, renovated kitchen & spa bath!”

11 Harvard Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

35 Chestnut Street #205

35 Chestnut Street #205, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $979,000
Monthly Mortgage: $4,386
Size: 3-BR, 1.5-BA
Square Footage: 1,566
The Pitch: “Living room with wood burning fireplace and custom mantel! Lovely dining room, family room with sliders to giant private sun drenched deck! This easy access deck is a true expansion of your living space!”

35 Chestnut Street #205, Boston, MA 02129

30 High Street #1

30 High Street #1, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $939,900
Monthly Mortgage: $4,136
Size: 3-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,577
The Pitch: “All of your windows overlook your sun drenched private courtyard! Grill in the courtyard and enjoy cocktails on your awe-inspiring exclusive roof deck with breathtaking skyline and monument views! ”

30 High Street #1, Boston, MA 02129

47 Harvard Street #B101

47 Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:00PM
Price: $759,000
Monthly Mortgage: $3,325
Size: 2-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,078
The Pitch: “What makes this sublime two bedroom, two full bath with sensational open floor plan special is that you have your own private entrance off of a beautifully landscaped garden.”

47 Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02129

197 Eighth Street #232

197 8th Street #232, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 12:00-4:00PM
Price: $689,000
Monthly Mortgage: $3,049
Size: 1-BR, 1.5-BA
Square Footage: 976
The Pitch: “The building offers luxury, full-service living at its finest; including 24 hour building concierge, valet garage parking, a state-of-the-art fitness gym and library.”

197 8th Street #232, Boston, MA 02129

32 Mead Street #2

32 Mead Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 11:00-12:00PM
Price: $559,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,316
Size: 2-BR, 1.5-BA
Square Footage: 868
The Pitch: “Distinctive features include a sought after open layout with elegant living space with tall ceilings, bay window, wood burning fireplace and custom built-ins, flowing to a spacious dining area and chef's kitchen.”

32 Mead Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

108 High Street #2

108 High Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 12:15-1:30PM
Price: $559,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,538
Size: 2-BR, 1-BA
Square Footage: 966
The Pitch: “Elegant living room features large corner windows, wood-burning fireplace, pine floors and adjoining private deck–perfect for entertaining.”

108 High Street #2, Boston, MA 02129

42 Eighth Street #1514

42 8th Street #1514, Charlestown, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 12:00-1:30PM
Price: $538,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,501
Size: 1-BR, 1-BA
Square Footage: 1,050
The Pitch: “Located in historic Charlestown Navy Yard, Parris Landing, is a full service elevator bldg. Featuring 24/7 concierge/on-site property management, state of the art fitness center, heated in ground pool, cabana, outdoor grill area, garden, business center and community room. The Navy Yard also offers a water taxi and shuttle to all waterfront piers.”

42 8th Street #1514, Charlestown, MA 02129

5 Auburn Street #1

5 Auburn Street #1, Charlestown, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 1:00-2:30PM
Price: $529,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,373
Size: 3-BR, 2-BA
Square Footage: 1,059
The Pitch: “Features include a spectacular private outdoor space, a wood fireplace with attractive mantle, oak hardwood floors, beautiful chair rail, wainscot trim and crown molding.”

5 Auburn Street #1, Charlestown, MA 02129

59 Elm Street #1

59 Elm Street #1, Boston, MA 02129

Open House: Sunday, 11:00-12:00PM
Price: $525,000
Monthly Mortgage: $2,197
Size: 2-BR, 1-BA
Square Footage: 1,049
The Pitch: “Hard to find home is filled with historic features, high ceilings, fir floors and corner exposures.”

59 Elm Street #1, Boston, MA 02129