When Massachusetts native Scott Dragos found himself moving back to the city after several years living in San Diego, the hopes that he and his girlfriend, Marta Sienczylo, would find an apartment that didn’t just allow pets, but would actually welcome their new dog, Franklin, weren’t exactly high. So, when they found The Residence at River’s Edge, a newly built complex in Medford right by the Malden River, and surrounded by park and green space, they knew they had struck gold. The couple moved in with Franklin at the beginning of the year, while the building was still being completed.
“We really wanted a dog-friendly apartment complex that was relatively new and had a lot of open space. This is perfect,” says Dragos. “There’s a lot of conservation land that’s been preserved by the developers, and it’s got tons of wildlife and birds. Besides that, the amenities are class A all the way,” adds the 34-year-old, who works in commercial real estate.
River’s Edge is part of an environmental triumph. A $2 million cleanup of the former polluted industrial wasteland into green space, and restored vital wetlands, preceded the development of the apartment block. Despite the rural feel, the Wellington Circle T stop is only a six minute walk away, whisking the couple into the city for work. But when they get home at night, they look forward to winding down with a walk with Franklin. “It’s a tight-knit community. There’s a lot of dog owners; the dogs play together out there every night,” says Dragos.
