I can also see the ends of the Commuter Rail lines being good too...like Haverhill for instance  The Salem/Beverly area is great and pretty pro-development/housing from what I'm hearing.

I really hate the city because of taxes and water bills but the charming neighborhoods with a strong sense of community seem to be Lauraville, Beverly, Hamilton and Franklintown.

@Mike Levene I am a 2x house hacker in Beverly, MA, just north of Boston, and yes, the cost is brutal, but the appreciation is worth it.

I am a two time house hacker in Beverly, MA.

In that time, I've purchased two duplexes in Beverly, MA.

Developers and interim owners have for decades retained these rights when selling the rest of the real estate in case oil is ever struck a la Beverly Hillbillys.

The cost of plumbing, drywall, electrical, roof, etc. is the same cost whether you build in Beverly Hills or in Pacoima.

@Renee Pohle I am located in Beverly, MA, and I am on my second house hack here.

@Dave Estochen I used a heloc to finance the Reno on my second house hack in Beverly, MA.

This Spring the inspection scheduler "Beverly" retired and the whole program moved to a 3rd party contractor out of California who now handles scheduling (with the expected miscommunication and inability to make quick decisions resulting).I have been a supporter of LMHA and the Section 8 housing choice voucher program here in Toledo, Lucas County, Maumee, Perrysburg, and surrounding areas but the program really is now costing far more than we get out of it.