Sun-filled, Overlooks Park, Pet-Friendly, Indoor Parking

This sun-filled condo has 11 south and west facing windows that overlook leafy Harvard Mall on historic Town Hill, with its gas lights and fine 19th century architecture, just up from City Square in Charlestown.

On our first morning here, we looked out to see an artist at an easel below, painting the beautiful street scene of brick townhouses we can see from our windows. We can also see the Zakim Bridge towers and walk a few blocks to the USS Constitution.

With its sun and views of the park, we think that B202 is the best located unit in the highly desirable Courtyard Condominium. It's close to the elevator, though with only one flight up, its often as easy to use the stairs.

There's a spacious, sunny living/dining room large enough for dinner parties. The convenient, well-organized kitchen has solid wood maple cabinets, GE Profile appliances and new granite countertops.

Oak flooring throughout the living area has just been refinished. Both bedrooms are carpeted; both bathrooms have tile floors and solid wood cabinets. HVAC is supplied by two heat pumps, with back up (never needed) from electric baseboard heaters. An over/under washer drier and a 50-gallon Rheem hot water tank are included.

The building is pet-friendly, allowing one cat and one dog per unit. Kids are also welcome, and we love hearing the piping voices of toddlers in the playground in the park across the street on many mornings. Otherwise, its very quiet here, with little traffic.

The enclosed garage is easily entered through an automatic door on Main Street. The deeded parking space near the door is one of the few on the same level as the elevator, making it easy to bring in groceries. There's also a space in the garage to park your bikes.

The Courtyard has a public meeting room available to residents for private functions and a well-equipped exercise room. And of course, it has its famous grassy Courtyard, with a view looking up to the Bunker Hill Monument. A small hard working on-site staff keeps the whole place in tip-top condition.

We love the convenience of Town Hill. Johnnie's Food Mart, the Post Office, banks, the library, and lots of good restaurants are all within easy walking distance. The MBTA Orange line is a short walk away, and the No. 92 bus stops right next to The Courtyard on Main Street. Or you can walk through City Square and across the bridge to downtown Boston.

Town Hill was the original home of the Massachusetts Bay colony. It was here that John Harvard lived and taught. A schoolhouse sat at the top of Town Hill from his time until late in the 20th century. The last of these was the brick former schoolhouse built about a hundred years ago that is now the central building of The Courtyard.  Unit B202 is housed in one of the two new buildings more recently built around the periphery of the old schoolyard to complete the condominium.