What's going for it? If Boston were, say, in Sussex or Devon, you can rest assured its large, five-bedroom Georgian town houses would not be on the market for £200,000, even in the depths of a property price slump. But it's not. It's on the edge of Lincolnshire, therefore on the edge of the edge, and in a spot renowned for the slow decline of its agricultural economy, the plumpest citizens in Europe and some argy-bargy against economic migrants a few years ago. Places, like people, need second chances, and Boston definitely needs one or two of those. Wade beneath the reputation and it's a handsome, historic market town that's hit the ropes. A few hundred years ago, this was the second biggest port in the country, high on wool, grain and salt. The streets are studded with buildings that speak of riches past, fine town houses and churches, such as the Stump (lovely misericords, or seat carvings, to the uninitiated). From here, the Puritans escaped to found Boston's more famous namesake. The place still has a pulse. Just. Nurse, the defibrillator!

The case against Serious social deprivation, a sluggish economy, empty shops, local tension with its sizeable east European population (though this has abated in recent years) and the smell of brassicas from the surrounding fields. Plus one of the highest risks of flooding in the country and a plague of out-of-town retail sucking the centre dry. But those misericords are amazing.

Well connected? Out on a limb. It has a rail station, though it's hardly mainline: trains hourly to Skegness (40 minutes), change at Sleaford (22 minutes) to Newark and Lincoln.

Schools Primaries: Boston West, Carlton Road, Tower Road and St Mary's RC are all "good", says Ofsted. Secondaries: Boston High (girls, with boys in the sixth form) and Haven High Technology College are "good"; Boston Grammar (boys) is "satisfactory".

Hang out at… The Wheatsheaf does a fine local beer.

Where to buy Its stock of property could be its saving grace. A good historic core of mainly post-Georgian houses. Favoured suburbs are to the east, and west south of Sleaford Road towards Wyberton Fen.

Market values Large detacheds and town houses, £200,000-£450,000. Detacheds, £120,000-£200,000. Semis, £90,000-£160,000. Terraces, £65,000-£130,000.

Bargain of the week A rather lovely six-bed Georgian detached overlooking the river Witham, 10 minutes' walk from the centre, £374,995, with Newton Fallowell.

From the streets



Robin Whitehead "Transport links are improving, but a fast train to London would make a huge difference, as would the M11 going a bit farther. We would definitely welcome some more classy places to eat."

Paul Massey "Best place to drink is the Indian Queen in Dolphin Lane, a great rock'n'roll pub."

Katherine Naylor "Afternoon tea in the beautiful walled garden of Fydell House, the grandest house in town."

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