Looking for a condo near Kendall Square so you can walk to work, hop on the Red Line, and enjoy Cambridge at your doorstep? You are not alone. With tech and life‑sciences momentum centered around MIT, demand here is steady and choices can feel overwhelming. This practical guide shows you what your budget buys, how HOA dues work, what to check in the documents, and how East Cambridge compares with Cambridgeport for commute and value. Let’s dive in.
Why Kendall Square draws buyers
Kendall Square sits at the heart of Cambridge’s innovation economy tied to MIT, with a dense cluster of tech and biotech employers and new mixed‑use projects that add housing, retail, and open space. This ecosystem keeps housing demand resilient and lifestyle convenient. You can read more about the neighborhood’s evolution on the Kendall Square overview and see how MIT’s Kendall Square Initiative has reshaped the area with labs, offices, and market‑rate housing.
If you want a short walk to work, direct Red Line access, and full‑service condo options, the streets around Kendall and East Cambridge often check the boxes.
What your budget buys near Kendall
As of January 2026, Redfin reported a median sale price of about $1.0M in 02141 (East Cambridge) and about $1.227M in 02139 (Cambridgeport and parts of Central). These zip medians include all home types, so individual condo values vary by building, size, finishes, views, and parking. Use them as a quick orientation, then narrow to building‑level comps with your agent.
Full‑service high‑rises
Along Museum Way and by the river, you will find full‑service high‑rises with concierge, on‑site management, and robust amenity packages. A representative example is the Regatta Riverview complex on Museum Way, which offers concierge, an indoor pool, fitness center, valet parking, and shuttle service. Recent listings in this complex have ranged from the mid‑$600k level for smaller one‑bed units to the high‑$700k to $1M+ range for larger or view units, with HOA dues that reflect the staffing and amenities.
What you trade: convenience and amenities for higher monthly dues. What you gain: elevator living, garage or valet parking options, and building services that simplify daily life.
Mid‑rise and boutique conversions
You will also see renovated factories, warehouse conversions, and smaller walk‑ups in East Cambridge and around Kendall. These buildings often carry lower HOA fees because they offer fewer shared services. You may give up a concierge, pool, or on‑site management, but you gain a lower monthly cost and a more intimate association.
Townhouse and rowhouse condos
Older Cambridge housing stock shows up as townhouse or rowhouse condominiums and small multi‑unit conversions. These homes can trade for a premium if they offer more square footage or outdoor space, and they appeal if you want a traditional neighborhood feel with private entry. You may not have elevator convenience, yet you often pick up more living area for the price.
Newer mixed‑use developments
Recent infill near Kendall has produced modern buildings that blend residential with office and lab uses. These projects emphasize strong mechanical systems and amenities that appeal to tech and biotech professionals, consistent with the MIT Kendall Square Initiative. Expect contemporary finishes, energy‑efficient design, and well‑managed common spaces.
HOA costs and how to read them
HOA dues are not just a line item. They are a window into building services, reserves, and risk. In full‑service towers, dues are higher because the association funds concierge or valet staffing, insurance, pool and gym maintenance, on‑site management, common utilities, and long‑term reserves. In smaller conversions with minimal amenities, dues are lower, but the association may have fewer services and smaller reserves.
A building like Regatta Riverview illustrates the spread: dues can run from several hundreds per month for smaller units to over a thousand for larger or amenity‑heavy units. When you compare options, consider the total monthly cost, not just the mortgage. A higher dues line can make sense if it replaces gym memberships, off‑site parking, and additional insurance.
What to request up front
Request these items before you fall in love with a unit:
- Master deed and bylaws, current operating budget and financial statements, reserve study or reserve evidence, the last 12 to 24 months of board meeting minutes, the association’s insurance summary, documentation of any pending or recent special assessments, rules on rentals and short‑term use, and details on parking and storage rights. Massachusetts condominium law gives associations record‑keeping and collection powers that matter to you as a buyer. Chapter 183A is often cited in commentary about owner rights to inspect records and in cases involving assessments and liens. For background, see this overview of association records and powers from New England Condominium and a federal docket that references Chapter 183A for assessment liens.
Links for background reading:
- Association records and owner rights under Chapter 183A
- Chapter 183A referenced in assessment and lien context
Commute and daily convenience
Kendall/MIT is directly on the MBTA Red Line, so travel to downtown is fast. According to the Red Line station listing, Kendall/MIT is typically four stops from South Station. That direct connectivity is a core reason many buyers pay a premium to live nearby.
For last‑mile needs, Cambridge’s bike‑share network and local investments make short trips easy. Bluebikes docks are positioned near Kendall and One Broadway, and the region funds bike‑share and pedestrian improvements through the Transportation Improvement Program. When you tour, time your actual walk from the building lobby to the Kendall/MIT entrance or your office, not just the distance to the T on a map.
East Cambridge vs. Cambridgeport
Both neighborhoods are popular, but they offer different tradeoffs.
- Proximity: East Cambridge sits immediately north and east of Kendall, so many buildings are a quick walk to offices, labs, and the Red Line. Cambridgeport lies south of MIT across Massachusetts Ave and closer to the river, which can mean a slightly longer walk or a short bike ride to Kendall.
- Pricing context: As of January 2026, the 02141 median sale price was about $1.0M and the 02139 median was about $1.227M. Micro‑location still rules. Tree‑lined side streets, river views, and larger floor plans in Cambridgeport can push prices above zip medians, and East Cambridge full‑service towers can command premiums for views and amenities.
- Housing type: East Cambridge near Kendall skews toward full‑service towers and mid‑rise buildings. Cambridgeport shows more rowhouse and townhouse stock, which can feel more residential and offer more space for the money depending on the market moment.
There is no single “best” choice. If you value a very short walk and amenity convenience, East Cambridge is hard to beat. If you prefer a more residential feel and possibly more square footage, Cambridgeport can be compelling while staying commute‑friendly.
A smart touring checklist
Use this quick checklist to keep tours focused and efficient:
- Commute test. Time your walk to your most frequent destination and the Kendall/MIT station. A 10‑minute walk feels very different from 20 minutes in winter.
- Elevator access. Check wait times and whether the elevator reaches garage levels for easier winter parking.
- Building systems. In mixed‑use or converted buildings, confirm any limits on heavy equipment or electrical upgrades that could affect your use case.
- HOA health. Ask for the budget, financials, reserve study, and recent minutes. Look for repeated repair topics, pending assessments, or litigation.
- Insurance. Review the master policy and where your owner policy must pick up. River‑edge buildings may have additional flood considerations.
- Parking and storage. Verify whether parking is deeded, assigned, or valet and if there are transfer fees. Confirm storage locker rights and bike storage.
- Rental policy. Note any investor caps or short‑term rental rules since they affect flexibility and financing.
- Collections and arrears. Ask about delinquencies. Chapter 183A allows associations to place liens for unpaid assessments, which can signal risk.
- Amenity condition. Compare the gym, pool, and common spaces to the level of dues. Do they match expectations?
- Lender pre‑check. Before you write, confirm your lender accepts the building. Some lenders have project‑approval lists and rules on owner‑occupancy or litigation.
Financing and underwriting notes
Condo loans can have extra project‑level screens. Lenders often review owner‑occupancy ratios, whether short‑term rentals provide material income to the association, reserve levels, and litigation. If a building is small or investor‑heavy, start a condo questionnaire with your lender early so you are not surprised during underwriting.
Also consider the full monthly payment, not just principal and interest. HOA dues, taxes, and any parking fees will shape comfort and long‑term affordability.
Next steps
A confident purchase starts with clarity on your must‑haves and how you live each day. Dial in your commute tolerance, amenity needs, and budget, then focus on a short list of buildings that fit. From there, document review and lender pre‑checks will tell you if the association is as strong as the location.
If you want tailored guidance on East Cambridge and Cambridgeport micro‑markets, recent building comps, and off‑market opportunities, connect with Sandrine Deschaux. With two decades of Cambridge experience and a consultative approach, you get a clear plan and a steady advocate from tour to closing.
FAQs
How much are condos near Kendall Square in 2026?
- As of January 2026, zip medians were about $1.0M in 02141 and $1.227M in 02139, with individual condo prices varying by building, size, views, parking, and amenities.
What do HOA dues typically cover near Kendall?
- Dues fund concierge or valet staffing, building insurance, maintenance for pool and gym, common utilities, on‑site management, and reserves, which is why full‑service towers cost more monthly.
What documents should I review before buying a Cambridge condo?
- Ask for the master deed and bylaws, current budget and financials, reserve study, recent board minutes, insurance summary, details on any special assessments, rental rules, and parking and storage rights.
Is East Cambridge or Cambridgeport better for commuting to Kendall?
- East Cambridge usually offers the shortest walk to Kendall and the Red Line, while Cambridgeport trades a slightly longer walk for more townhouse stock and a more residential feel.
How far is Kendall/MIT from South Station on the Red Line?
- Kendall/MIT is typically four Red Line stops from South Station, which makes downtown commutes and transfers straightforward.
