People move to Boston for a variety of reasons. Some come to school, some to work, and many who didn’t plan on staying this long. But if you ask someone who has lived here for several years what keeps them here, the answer often has less to do with famous landmarks and more to do with daily life.
Now you can walk almost anywhere. Whether it’s having a favorite bakery nearby, spending summer nights along the Charles River, or taking the commuter train out of town on the weekends. If you’re looking at homes in Boston and considering moving to Boston, take a closer look at what locals love about Boston and what residents love about living in Beantown.
Studies are part of everyday life
Even if you’re not a student, it’s hard to separate Boston from its academic roots. The city’s cluster of universities brings together new ideas, research, cultural events, and people from all over the world. “To me, Boston is known for its academic culture,” says photographer Adrian Mathiowetz. “This is most evident in the sheer number of universities in the region, but it also shows up in tangential ways: a thriving public radio and broadcasting community with multiple stations and distribution companies, top hospitals and research centers from Boston Children’s Hospital to Dana-Farber, and an M.F.A. Great museums up to Cordoba, and a writing, theater, comedy scene, etc. All of which encourage critical thinking, discussion and further research.As a portrait photographer, it was natural to start focusing my work almost entirely on this region.
Every neighborhood feels like home
Boston doesn’t have just one personality. Walking down Beacon Hill is no different than spending an afternoon in Allston or Jamaica Plain. That’s part of the charm. Even if you live a few miles away, you can experience a completely different city.
“Boston is one of the best places to live in the world,” says Seisha Shinde of Boston Interior Design. “We maintain a healthy balance of arts and cultural events while being a center for education and the growing biotechnology industry. The Charles River allows residents to enjoy the outdoors and frequent our beautiful neighborhood, including the shops and restaurants around Back Bay.”
People tend to be loyal to their neighborhoods, whether it’s the local coffee shop, the park they walk in each morning, or simply because they know the faces of the neighborhood.
>>Read: 20 Top Boston Neighborhoods: Where to Live in Boston
In fact, you can get around without driving.
Boston transportation gets a lot of attention, but many people living in the city don’t spend much time behind the wheel. Depending on where you live, you can walk to dinner, take the T-junction to work, or ride your bike along the Charles River without getting stuck in traffic. The city is not that big, so I think you can manage your daily errands.
There’s always a place to be outside
One of the biggest surprises for people who move to Boston is how much time people spend outdoors. You’ll see runners running on the Esplanade before work, people reading in the public gardens during lunch, and groups gathering on the Harborwalk when the weather warms. Even in the middle of downtown, it’s easy to find a place to relax for an hour.
“Boston offers a lifestyle that is difficult to replicate,” begins the team at Joshua Alan Interiors. “It is a center of architectural excellence, interior design, art, and culture, where America’s historic buildings and original landmarks sit side by side with thoughtfully designed contemporary spaces. With easy access to New England’s oceans, mountains, and lakes, the city makes it easy to balance urban sophistication with outdoor living. It is this rich intersection of history, design, and nature that continues to make Boston one of the most desirable hometowns in the country.”
Cities are hubs where industries gather
One of the reasons people think Boston is a great place to live and stay is the variety of career opportunities and mix of industries. “Boston is one of the few cities where world-class research, entrepreneurship, technology, and design are deeply intertwined,” says George Jen, a Harvard-trained architect and founder and CEO of Edensign, an AI virtual staging and real estate listing intelligence platform developed at the Harvard Innovation Lab. “Our proximity to Harvard and MIT, the Kendall Square startup ecosystem, the Longwood Medical District, and the city’s growing design technology community allows researchers, founders, investors, and creators to work closely together to turn new ideas into real products, companies, and urban solutions. Its innovation-driven culture, with its strong respect for historic character alongside thoughtful modern design, also influences the way Boston approaches architecture, housing, and neighborhood development.”
The city has long been known for its universities and hospitals, but that’s only part of the picture. “When people hear ‘technology hub,’ they think Boston primarily produces software. But as an industrial photographer, I can see how much of the region’s innovation is still physical,” explains industrial and commercial photographer David Degner.
“I’ve photographed climate change technology startups at the Greentown Institute, dairy farmers using digesters that turn fertilizer and food waste into renewable energy, neural implants that restore memory, large-scale marine infrastructure projects, and a new generation of apprentices learning the trade at local union halls. It’s this combination of academic research, skilled trades, and hands-on engineering that makes Boston’s economy and job market unique.”
past and present exist side by side
One of the things that gives Boston its character is its natural blend of old and new. Walk through cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old buildings and turn corners to discover modern office towers, new restaurants, and a growing biotech campus. “Boston is known for blending historic character with the energy of a modern, ever-evolving city,” elaborates photographer Heidi Kiln. “From distinctive neighborhoods and waterfront views to walkable streets, architecture, restaurants, and cultural institutions, this city offers something different at almost every corner. As a photographer, I especially appreciate how Boston’s history and modern life coexist so naturally, giving the city a strong sense of place.”
