Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and, with a population of around 700,000, also the largest city in the state. By American standards, Boston is relatively small and is known as “the walkable city” Also by American standards, Boston is a very old city, as its founding dates back to 1630, making it one of the oldest cities in the United States. It is a beautiful city, and like all New England cities, it has retained its old European charm, as there are many old buildings interspersed with modern ones. It is rich in parks and green spaces, is crossed by rivers and is surrounded by bays.
Transportation is good, but worse than in other, more modern American cities, and when there is snow in the winter, getting around by public transportation becomes really problematic. Speaking of snow, Boston has a typical continental climate with hot summers and very cold winters, as the city is located only 200 kilometers from the Canadian border. The weather is also unpredictable because the city is located in an area where the warm currents from the Gulf and the cold currents from Canada meet.
Living in Boston is expensive, everything is expensive: food, transportation, utilities, and housing. A studio in a good area of the city costs about $2,500 a month. Only in New York and San Francisco are housing prices higher. Contrary to what you might think given the large number of students, Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the United States.
Compared to other American cities, people in Boston and New England are more private and reserved. However, they are very tolerant, not very racist and open to all kinds of sexual, religious and cultural orientations. The percentage of highly educated people in Boston is higher than the U.S. average because many of the students who graduate from one of the universities go on to work in the city.
Boston is a vibrant city full of students who come from all over the United States and many countries around the world, to study at one of the many universities, such as the University of Massachusetts, Boston University or Harvard. Boston has the highest concentration of universities in the country and possibly in the world, and almost half of the city’s residents are students.
Therefore, the city offers an interesting cultural and intellectual scene: museums, theater performances, film festivals, musical events, etc. There is also a lively nightlife. In the surrounding area, you can hike, ski, go to the beach, walk in the woods, bike, or do other sports. Also not to be underestimated is the fact that the crime rate is below the national average. By American standards, Boston is a ‘very safe’ city, and you can usually even walk alone at night without risk of being robbed.
On the subject of jobs, Boston is a city that offers many job opportunities, and the unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the United States. However, the job offer is mainly related to highly skilled workers. One of the best ways to secure a good job is to study at one of the famous universities, and at the end of the course you will have a ‘practically’ guaranteed job.
Living and working in Boston – pros and cons
Living in Boston, pros
- Beautiful old city and full of history
- Ease of finding highly skilled jobs
- Pleasant environment (forests, lakes, parks, rivers, mountains, etc.)
- A high level of security
- An education system that is among the best in the world
- A health care system that is among the best in the world (world famous hospitals)
Living in Boston, cons
- High cost of living
- Reserved people
- Very cold winter
Living and working in Boston, conclusion
Massachusetts is considered the most livable state in the United States, and Boston is the best city in Massachusetts. Living in Boston is like living in a large, vibrant college town where there is always plenty to do and a variety of job opportunities. However, the city is not cheap, especially housing costs are very high, but if you can afford the rent, you will enjoy a quality of life that is second to none in America.
If you want all the information about moving to USA, read the article: Move to the US
