Boston has a centuries-long history. The capital of Massachusetts is home to some of the country’s earliest and most historic events, from the Boston Tea Party in 1773 to Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride. It was also once home to Founding Fathers like John Adams and John Hancock.
Today, Boston is sometimes called the “City of Neighborhoods.” It is a composite of brownstone-lined streets, glass skyscrapers overlooking the harbor and ivy-covered university buildings. Here’s what you need to know about living in one of the country’s oldest cities.
The Pros and Cons of Living in Boston, MA
Living in Boston means fresh New England clam chowder and proximity to other East Coast cities like New York. However, it can also mean pesky seagulls, tourist traffic and a high cost of living. Before putting down roots, it is important to weigh the potential pros and cons.
Advantages of Life in Boston
- Top-Ranked Colleges and Universities
- Convenient Public Transit System
- The Food Scene
- Plenty of Things to Do
Top-Ranked Colleges and Universities
Boston is home to some of the country’s top-ranked colleges, including Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern. These universities offer access to public lecture series, athletic events and experimental live theater. They also provide plenty of employment opportunities.
More than 40,000 residents work at higher education institutions within this great city. Moreover, students contribute to a thriving economy, spending well over $500 million annually on off-campus expenses.
Convenient Public Transit System
The Tremont Street Line, the country’s first-ever subway route, opened in downtown Boston in 1897. Today, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – better known as MBTA – reports a weekly ridership of nearly 800,000. That makes it one of the country’s most used public transit systems. Residents swipe their Charlie Cards to hop between neighborhoods on “The T” or even ride the ferry to reach Logan Airport.
The Food Scene
Boston’s location on the harbor means a wide variety of fresh seafood, and it’s widely considered one of the country’s best culinary cities. There are dim sum carts in Chinatown, hot brick oven pizza in Little Italy, and bakery counters across the city that advertise Boston Cream donuts.
Plenty of Things to See and Do
Living in Boston offers access to a variety of cultural opportunities. Fenway Park is home to the Boston Red Sox, street performers usually wait to entertain tourists outside Faneuil Hall, and the 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail offers history lessons on the Revolutionary War along the way. Other attractions include the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), the Boston Science Museum and the MIT Museum.
Disadvantages of Life in Boston
- High Cost of Living
- Traffic and Congestion
- Chilly Winters
- Limited Nightlife
High Cost of Living
Research from PayScale indicates that Boston’s cost of living is 47% higher than the national average overall. This statistic factors in housing, utilities, groceries and transportation.
Traffic and Congestion
Despite large-scale infrastructure projects like the Big Dig, Boston’s traffic is ranked the fourth-worst in the county (and eighth-worst in the world) by INRIX’s Global Traffic Scorecard. According to data from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, downtown cars travel at an average of 10 miles per hour. Massachusetts’ roads are also notorious for potholes and ice damage. A 2020 study from CoPilot indicates that Boston has the seventh-worst roadways in the country.
Chilly Winters and Dwindling Daylight
Although Boston summers tend to be mild thanks to winds off the Atlantic, winters require puffy jackets and four-wheel drive. Temperatures hover in the 30s, and the sun sets before 5:00 p.m. for much of December and January.
Limited Nightlife
Unlike bustling cities like Manhattan and Las Vegas, Boston is a city that eventually sleeps. It can be a positive for families with school-age children, but it’s a downside if you want the nightlife of bars or clubs that operate into the early morning hours.
The Cost of Living in Boston
According to Payscale, the cost of living in Beantown is 47% more than the national average, making it one of the country’s most expensive places to call home.
Housing Costs
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that over 53% of Boston housing falls between $500,000 and $1 million, with the median home value sitting at $703,600. “If you have a home, that’s about $1,000 per square foot,” says Matthew Foley, a real estate agent with Fenway Property Advisors. “It’s a pretty balanced market, but we’re still seeing issues in more affordable price ranges, and affordable houses are snatched up quickly.”
Transportation Costs
According to PayScale, transportation costs in Boston are 17% higher than the national average. That calculation includes public transportation fares and gas prices.
Food and Entertainment Costs
Groceries in Boston cost about 5% more than the national average, according to PayScale. Entertainment can also get pricey; movie tickets, for instance, average around $16 in Boston, significantly higher than the national standard of $11.90.
The Boston Job Market
The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the employment rate in Boston is 68.2%, which is higher than the state average of 64.4%. Over 60,000 Bostonians work for the healthcare industry, and Massachusetts General Hospital represents the city’s largest employer.
Finance and insurance companies like Liberty Mutual and Fidelity also contribute to the city’s job market. Boston is also an East Coast tech hub. Giants like Amazon, Google, Apple and Meta have offices in Boston.
Understanding the Boston Real Estate Market
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 35.9% of Boston residents are homeowners. There are 301,702 housing units within the city, and nearly 93% are occupied. This means that housing is in high demand. “Despite the changing larger economic trends, the market in Boston tends to be pretty stable,” Foley says.
Tips for Finding a Home in Boston:
When it comes time to find a home in Boston, Lina Kriva of Keller Williams has a crucial piece of advice. “You need to interview realtors or find someone who’s been recommended by a friend,” Kriva says. “You need to find someone that has the experience and understands the market here, someone who has a fiduciary responsibility to you and you alone.”
Boston Neighborhoods
Boston is called the “City of Neighborhoods,” and it is home to dozens of distinct communities. If you plan on moving to Boston, you’ll find that each neighborhood offers something unique, from the narrow cobblestone streets in Beacon Hill to penthouses in the Seaport District.
The Best Neighborhoods for Families
Jamaica Plain has a tight-knit network of parks and a mix of single-family and multifamily homes. “Jamaica Plain has a neighborhood feel,” says Foley. He also points to Roslindale, also known as “Rozzie.” That area boasts a brand new playground near Fallon Field and is serviced by A-plus-rated magnet schools like the Boston Latin School.
The Best Neighborhoods for Young Professionals
“Young professionals are going to South Boston as well as the Fenway area, which is near the baseball stadium,” says Kriva. “But it really depends if they’re renting or buying. For rentals, they’ll go wherever they can find something.” Fenway has become “the vibe” in recent years. It is home to up-and-coming restaurants and music venues and borders Back Bay.
The Best Neighborhoods for Nightlife
“The great part is that there are great live music venues, bars and nightlife across all of the Greater Boston area from Seaport to the Downtown Crossing area to Kenmore Square and The Fenway Park and over to Cambridge and Somerville,” says Kriva. She recommends checking out Abe & Louie’s and Faccia Faccia in Back Bay and Lolita’s in Seaport.
The Best Neighborhoods for Foodies
According to Foley, Boston’s South End and Back Bay neighborhoods, in particular, are known for their food scenes. Popular South End stops include SRV for pasta and Myers + Cheng for pan-Asian cuisine. Cusser’s in Back Bay is famous for its roast beef. Charlie Gagnon, born and raised in the Boston area and a current Cambridge resident, also highlights Bova’s Bakery in the North End, known for its cannolis.
Things to do in Boston
Outdoor Activities
Boston’s Freedom Trail is a popular tourist attraction. It’s a 2.5-mile route that passes by Granary Burying Ground, the Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre in 1770. Families can also ride swan boats in the Public Garden, pack picnics to enjoy in the Commons or watch Harvard and MIT crew teams practice on the Charles.
Cultural Attractions
Faneuil Hall has been a popular marketplace in Boston since the 1740s. It’s home to clam chowder stalls, clothing retailers and souvenir shops selling “Cheers” merchandise. Art appreciators can invest in memberships at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Meanwhile, the Boston Aquarium welcomes upwards of one million annual visitors.
Professional sports teams like the Boston Red Sox and Celtics are based in Boston, playing at Fenway Park and TD Garden, respectively. The New England Patriots kick off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, about 30 miles from the city.
Theater and Entertainment
From the Emerson Colonial to Harvard’s American Repertory, there are plenty of opportunities for live theater in Boston. Broadway musicals sometimes try out runs in Beantown before heading to New York. In addition, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is considered part of America’s elite “Big Five.”
Getting Around Boston
Public Transportation System
Public transit in Boston includes the T, a subway system comprising three heavy rails, two light rails and bus rapid transit. Colors distinguish routes: there’s the Red Line, Orange, Green, Blue and Silver, which connects Boston Logan International Airport to South Station. One-way fares are $2.40.
“The city has made an effort to improve public transit even more in the last few years,” says Gagnon. “There are plenty of places that should be easier to reach, but the subway makes the city much more accessible without a car than most other places I’ve visited in the country.” MBTA’s commuter rail system offers passage to nearby cities like Providence, Rhode Island. Meanwhile, Amtrak’s Northeast Regional Line connects Boston to Washington, D.C., and beyond.
Biking and Walking
Downtown neighborhoods like the Seaport District are considered “very walkable,” with a Walk Score of 81/100. You can also bring your bike on the Red, Orange and Blue lines. The city is expanding bike lanes and separating them from sidewalks to ensure maximum safety. The Seaport District’s Bike Score is 76/100.
Driving and Parking
Downtown Boston has over a dozen public parking garages, although street parking can be tricky. Securing spots in residential parts of the city, like Jamaica Plain and Charlestown, is more manageable.
Is Boston Right for You?
“I moved 20 years ago, and I adore this town,” says Kriva. “You’re close to the ocean and a hop, skip and a jump from Europe.” Boston is a blend of centuries-old brick buildings and new glass skyscrapers. It offers Revolutionary War-era historical sites and continued relevance in the tech sector.
The cost of living can be a barrier within the city’s more established neighborhoods. However, many choose to stomach the expense of living in Boston because of its proximity to employment, entertainment and an ever-expanding culinary scene.
Sara Caskey has written about hundreds of neighborhoods for Homes.com, researching everything from real estate trends to local pizza places. She previously freelanced for sites like The List, Women.com and ClothedUp, specializing in lifestyle, beauty and celebrity news. Sara graduated from Brown University in Providence, RI with a B.A. in Literary Arts.
