Because of the pandemic, rent prices in Boston, MA, have been going down. Because of this, the city – or the Hub, or Beantown – is seeing an increase in the number of people willing to relocate here.
Moving to a different city, let alone a different state, is always stressful, and there are too many things to take into account. In this article, we’ll discuss the positive and negative sides of living in Boston, and hopefully, it’ll help you make up your mind.
Is It Worth Moving to Boston?
Boston is a unique city, which obviously has its benefits and drawbacks. As harsh as it may sound, anyone considering moving to the Hub needs to fit into certain criteria to live here comfortably.
By criteria, we mean being able to afford the rent since Boston is still a very expensive city. However, on a more positive note, it also has excellent healthcare, a relatively low crime rate, rich history, and many quirks that make this place so desirable to move to.
Is Boston a Good City to Live In?
With so many people relocating to Beantown, there must be a reason for it. In fact, the Boston metropolitan area has been mentioned in a recent ranking of the best cities to live in the US and New England, in particular.
Boston is a historical hub, so if you’re excited to explore the landmarks, you will be pleasantly surprised by the museums and libraries that the city has to offer. There are many job opportunities as well, especially in the tech industry. So, if you already work in this field or are planning to, you don’t need to worry about the high cost of living.
Is Boston a Bad Place to Live?
Surely, there are always downsides to living in a certain place, and Boston is no exception. As we’ve mentioned before, the cost of living is very high – nearly twice as high as the US average. This makes the city even more expensive than other major US cities like Seattle or Chicago.
You should also be prepared for the heavy traffic in the daytime, long winters, and snowstorms.
But if you use public transportation, which is convenient and well-designed, and have a stable job and a nice apartment with central heating, you’re going to enjoy living in Boston.
What Should You Know Before Moving to Boston?
There are many things to consider before starting a new life. First and foremost, you need to choose which neighborhood in Boston you want to reside in.
Generally, the rent in Boston has become lower compared to several years ago because of the pandemic. The lower prices make apartments in the city area more appealing than larger houses in the suburbs. These are the top Boston neighborhoods within the city boundaries:
- South Boston, also called “Southie.” It’s full of young people, many of whom stayed after graduating college, and there’s always something going on in this area.
- South End. The rent prices here are a little higher than in other areas of the city, but it’s definitely the most picturesque area in Boston.
- North End. This is a beautiful neighborhood with a rich history and a great public transportation system.
- Back Bay. This area is known for the legendary Boston brownstones, and if you can afford to live in one, definitely go for it.
If you’re looking for a place outside of city limits, we recommend choosing one of the following neighborhoods:
- Cambridge. It’s a college town full of ambitious students, home to MIT, Harvard University, Lesley University, and other world-famous schools.
- Somerville. More and more people are choosing Somerville as their home because of the lower rent prices. Still, this neighborhood isn’t too far from the big city.
- Arlington. It’s just one train ride away from downtown, but the prices here are quite low, too. Arlington has a nice restaurant and bar scene.
Besides housing and accommodation, you also need to take into consideration a few peculiarities about Boston:
- Bostonians are infamous for aggressive driving, and the streets might not be easy to navigate for those who didn’t grow up dealing with this. So, you might consider taking public transport in the first few months.
- Very few parking spaces in the Hub. You may end up circulating for hours until you find an empty parking spot.
- People from Boston are proud of their hometown. You don’t want to wear Yankees gear walking around the city, that’s for sure.
- Boston is full of historic places like the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, the USS Constitution Museum, and many others.
- Public transportation closes at 1 a.m., whereas bars are usually open until 2 a.m., so make sure you’ve got enough cash for an Uber whenever you’re going out.
- You can always get fresh food at farmers’ markets, so it’s a perfect place to stay healthy.
- You get access to excellent healthcare.
- If you’re interested in music and art, you have a wide range of museums and concert halls to visit. The list includes the Harvard Art Museum, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum as well as Boston Pops.
So, have you made the decision yet? If you’re ready, you might need a moving company to help you out with your relocation to Boston or the surrounding areas. No reason to worry – professional Boston movers at Flash Moving will ensure that your items are safe and taken care of. You won’t have to deal with the big move on your own. Feel free to contact us anytime, and our managers will get back to you as soon as possible.
