The house across the street from me in Roslindale sold recently for $750K and it was a 3 bed/2 bath 2000 sq foot house. The house 2 houses down sold for $535K and it's 3 bed/2 bath 1500 sq feet.

I think you can find what you're looking for in Roslindale, West Roxbury, Hyde Park or JP. You have easy access to the orange line to Back Bay in all of the aforementioned neighborhoods (Roz, W. Rox and HP by bus to Forest Hills) or you have the commuter rail to Back Bay from Roz or W. Rox, which is more expensive but faster, as an option as well.