Somerville

Somerville, the northern neighbor to Cambridge, MA, has managed to hold onto its blue-collar roots, while at the same time gentrifying. However, there are plans in motion to extend Boston's Green Line through Somerville, which has caused a recent increase in property values and rent prices which are shaking things up (in good and not-so-good ways).

As we're still pre-"Green Line Extension" though, Somerville really is a wonderful area that's close to comfortable amenities while still hosting plenty of parks, playgrounds and places to feel removed from the hustle and bustle.

Somerville neighborhoods include:

• Union Square
• Porter Square (shared with Cambridge, MA)
• Davis Square
• East Somerville
• Winter Hill
• Inman Square (shared with Cambridge, MA)

Update: the future of the Green Line Extension project, which would be the largest infrastructural improvement to the Boston area since the Big Dig and completely change the trajectory of deveopment in Somerville, is in jeopardy due to budget concerns. Stay tuned! Read more on the possibility of the project being cancelled.