Lynn.

Lynn is a coastal city on the North Shore, wedged between Boston's northern suburbs and Swampscott. It's one of the larger cities in the area, with a diverse housing stock spanning historic multi-families, condos, and single-family neighborhoods — much of it priced more accessibly than its neighboring beach towns.

Lynn Shore Drive and King's Beach give it a genuine oceanfront, and its commuter rail and bus connections make it a practical option for buyers commuting into Boston who want more home for the money.