It is true that Boston, MA real estate is the third most expensive in the country, right behind Honolulu and San Francisco. This does not mean, however, that you won't be able to find an affordable home. It might mean that you don't buy in Beacon Hill, but that may not even be your style.

Boston is a city of distinctive neighborhoods. From Dorchester staid Victorian to the architectural landmark district of Mission Hill, once the site of farms and breweries, you have a lot to choose from. You'll be hard pressed not to find a house you would love to call home.

Things to Consider about Boston, MA Real Estate

Tax on real property is a major source of government revenue for the 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Once you buy Boston, MA real estate, you'll be contributing your share. But what is your share? Tax is levied on an individual basis, calculated on the assessed value of the property. These assessments are made every January 1.

Across the approximate 252,000 residences within Boston's city limits in 2000, the median house value was about $192,000. This figure is statistically accurate but perhaps a bit misleading. A detached six-room, one-bath early 20th century house in Dorchester recently sold for $239,000, for example. A good number of smaller Colonial and Victorian Boston, MA real estate were priced in the $300,000s. The classic all-American single-family home with four bedrooms and two baths fell between $400,000 and $500,000.