[Greenbuilding] Baseboard Radiators

[Steve Houlihan]

I am contemplating buying a house that has a boiler and baseboard 
radiators.  The house was built in 1975.  I've never experienced these 
so was wondering how they work, are they maintenance problems, are they 
quiet or noisy (like a wall furnace), are they an efficient way to heat?

These are rare here in Coastal California.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Steve