421 E 3rd Street, Unit 1, South BostonBoston, MA 02127Price: $579,900

If your South Boston search keeps forcing the same choice—great location or real outdoor space—this East Side condo offers a different answer. Step outside your kitchen into more than 550 square feet of private, fenced backyard: room for morning coffee, dinner with friends, gardening, or simply giving your dog a place to get outside without leaving home. Inside, the layout makes smart use of every room. The updated kitchen opens naturally to the living area, while hardwood floors, crown molding, and high ceilings bring classic South Boston character. The second bedroom gives you something especially valuable in a city condo: options. Keep it as a true bedroom, create the dedicated home office you've been looking for, or make it comfortable guest space. Useful basement storage keeps bikes, seasonal gear, and everything else from taking over your living space, while common laundry and a low condo fee add everyday practicality. Pets are permitted, too. Then there's the East Side location, with neighborhood restaurants, cafés, shopping, the beach, Castle Island, public transportation, the Seaport, and downtown Boston all part of the lifestyle. Some condos give you another room. This one gives you more ways to live—inside and out—and a financing incentive designed to help make the monthly payment more manageable.