$315,000

Head up to the top floor, and the light gets to you first, pouring through the windows, the ceilings sitting higher than you'd expect for a top floor space. Hardwood floors, a pressed-tin backsplash in the kitchen, and storage tucked into the eaves. There's real room to live here, close to 800 square feet, which is spacious for a Salem one-bedroom. The living room stands on its own; the dining area can double as a work-from-home space if you need one, and the compact, open kitchen has what you need. Out back, a shared garden patio waits for warm evenings. And it stays livable month to month: the condo fee is $175 and covers water, sewer, insurance, and maintenance. Outside, Salem Common and Collins Cove are minutes away, downtown's restaurants are close by, and Boston is a short ride out on the commuter rail or the ferry.