Whats the first thing that comes to mind when you think of living in Boston, Massachusetts?
Cream pies, Fenway, Park, Boston Pops?
Or maybe youre thinking of notable historical sights or Bostons many exclusive colleges.
Whatever comes to mind, we are here to tell you that living in Boston is a treat.
Theres so much more to this diverse and eclectic metro area than most folks realize.
If helpful,heres the hotel I recommendto my own family and friends.
Perks of Moving to Boston
#1.
New York City, while not quite a day trip, is accessible in a four hour drive.
#2.
Bostons architecture documents the history of one of the United States first major cities.
#3.
Extensive public transportation system
Boston is home to Americas first subway system, which was built in 1897.
As the city grew up around the subway, routes were continually expanded to include new neighborhoods.
Considering the high cost of living in Boston, this can be a great money-saver, particularly for students.
The subway system is generally safe and runs on a regular schedule.
#4.
Essentially, living in Boston is safer thank most cities of its size or larger.
So if youre moving to Boston with a family in tow, consider it a good move!
#5.
With more than 3,000 restaurants, there is definitely something for everyone.
Interested to try Bostons dining scene for yourself?
Check out this helpful article on thebest outdoor dining options in Boston!
#6.
#7.
Comfortable summers
The winters in Boston might be frightful, but the summers are pleasant and mild.
#8.
Diverse neighborhoods
Boston is a city made up of many distinct neighborhoods.
#9.
Boston Commons is known for its history as Americas first public park, and for its iconic swan boats.
#10.
A 2018 report named Boston the American city with the fastest growth in job opportunities in the nation.
#11.
Massachusetts General Hospital, is ranked the3rd best hospital in America.
#12.
Cons of Living in Boston
#1.
Cost of living
Moving to Boston on a budget?
It will be tough.
Living in Boston has always been expensive and the cost of living continues to increase yearly.
#2.
Bitter winters
Living in Boston in the summer is a breeze.
The real test comes when winter hits!
The average winter temperatures hover around freezing, with occasional bouts of below-freezing dips.
Its not unusual to have snow and ice that lasts into March, or even April.Mercy!
Bostons average snowfall in January (based on the past thirty years) is just under thirteen inches.
Of course, the number of inches in any given year can fluctuate greatly from that average number.
#3.
Nightmare traffic
All those jokes youve heard about driving in Boston arent too far off base.
Boston is not an easy town to navigate.
Unlike New York City, Boston is not set up on a grid system.
Streets run every which way and roundabouts are common.
#4.
Parking is a headache
Parking in Boston is both expensive and difficult.
#5.
Lackluster nightlife
If youre moving to Boston for nightlife, you might be disappointed.
Clubs and bars close at 2 AM or earlier.
Because of the overall high cost of living, youll also find that drinking gets very expensive very quickly.
#6.
This equates to more expensive flights, which can really add up if youre a regular traveler.
While flights run regularly, on average, tickets are more expensive than from neighboring airports.
#7.
Difficult landlords
Finding and securing rental unit when moving to Boston can be incredibly tricky.
#8.
Its a place with a lot of turnover.
#9.
You know that whole high-cost-of-living in Boston thing we keep bringing up?
Keep in mind that it also equates to getting a smaller space for your money.
#10.
Lots of walking
Arguably, this could be a pro or a con of living in Boston.
Summer walking can be great, but you may find yourself cursing it come winter.
#11.
The greater Boston area is thethird most densely populated cityin the United States!
The city of Boston takes up substantially less land than most other cities with its population.
#12.
To recap, heres the complete list of the pros and cons of living in Boston.
What one person considers a pro, another might think of as a con.
Its not hard to see why so many folks enjoy living in Boston.