Best Old House Neighborhoods 2009: Fixer-Uppers

After a fire decimated downtown Fall River in 1843, the city's wealthy mill owners built opulent mansions—castles even—overlooking the Taunton River and Mount Hope Bay in what's now known as the Highlands neighborhood. The Highlands is still known as Fall River's finest neighborhood, home to both the affluent and the middle class.

The Houses
Massive Italianates, Greek Revivals, Queen Annes, Second Empires, Colonial Revivals, and Shingle-style houses and mansions are available for between $200,000 and $800,000.

Why Buy Now?
Fall River's motto is "We'll Try." And as this former textile town tries to rebound from a high unemployment rate and city budget cuts—results of the current recession—we're hoping you'll take a chance and restore one of its beautiful homes, many of which have original woodwork intact. Less than 50 miles from Boston and about 20 minutes from Providence, Rhode Island, Fall River is a great place for commuters.

Among the best places for: Fixer-Uppers, Bedroom Communities, Waterfront, Bargains, Northeast