Salem is a great alternative. It's often referred to as the "Cambridge" of the North Shore.

Thoughts about Arlington? For folks who work in Cambridge/ Boston, it seems like a decent commute, and also seems to have some good condos on the market...

Rk,

How are you? Where are you moving from and where are you looking to move to, North or South of Boston? Do you work in the Boston or outside of Boston, and including your specific criteria on requirements for schools, land requirements and home features, i can best be able to suggest a community that would surve your needs yet still keep you within reach of Cambridge. Please feel free to email or call for a further discussion. Also, you can click on the link before, and visit the schools/community page for a more in depth view of the areas surrounding Cambridge.
http://www.petershomefinder.com

Best regards,


Peter J. Mlaguzi III
President of Real Estate Sales and Development http://www.PetersHomeFinder.com
peter@petershomefinder.com
C: 617-233-1476
F: 617-395-6867

Hi
There is Malden, Everett, Somerville,Medford Close to Cambridge. However it depends what other criteria you have in your mind. If you would like to talk more about it feel free to give me a call @ 617-407-9830

Regards
Maha N.Hanania

Hi Rk,

If you are considering Somerville and would like to get more information, please feel free to contact me. I'm more than happy to help.

Sincerely,

Jarinee Surette
Century21 Commonwealth
205 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144
jarinee.surete@commonmoves.com

Top three areas are closest to Cambridge:
Waltham: http://www.bostontre.com/results.aspx?p=1&custom=1251
Watertown: http://www.bostontre.com/results.aspx?p=1&custom=1252
Somerville: http://www.bostontre.com/results.aspx?p=1&custom=1239
Jamaica Plain: http://www.bostontre.com/results.aspx?p=1&custom=1193
West Roxbury: http://www.bostontre.com/results.aspx?p=1&custom=1207

I bet you hate answers that include, "that depends," but I have to give you that caveat. If you are looking for space, but close to the city, that's one thing: Medford, Melrose, Wakefield would work. If you want space, but you are willing to travel, Acton, Maynard, and Dedham come to mind. There is a lot of missing information, like where you are working, where you commute to, what you like to do.

So, it depends...do some research about towns on the link I put below.