Living in Boston offers rich history, great food, world-class education, and spectacular entertainment. Commonly known as “Beantown” because of its famous baked beans, Boston is home to countless events and landmarks, including the Boston Marathon and Fenway Park.
Massachusetts real estate attorney Jordana Greenman beautifully describes Boston: “We have seasons. Sometimes we have all four in one day. The ocean has an unparalleled view of history, and just standing on the water’s edge connects us to centuries of stories. Sports are woven with championship traditions.”
Boston may not be the largest city in the United States, but this historic city has a lot to offer. So if you haven’t yet started considering renting an apartment or selling a home in Boston, here are the top 9 reasons why you’ll love this city as your new home.
1) Convenient transportation and easy walking
Getting around Boston is not difficult as it offers locals one of the best transportation systems in the world. Many Boston residents have given up their personal cars and instead rely heavily on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which serves nearly all of Boston’s neighborhoods and suburbs. According to Walkscore.com, Boston is a “walker’s paradise” with a Walk Score of 98. This means you don’t need a car for everyday errands. So, not only can you reduce your carbon footprint and get some much-needed fresh air, but you can also save on transportation costs. Easy access to shops and restaurants is just one reason to move to Boston.
2) Boston’s thriving food scene
From Boston Cream Pie and Parker House Rolls to Boston Baked Beans and Fenway Franks, Boston is a great place to enjoy food and drink. Boston also has an abundance of fresh seafood, so you can sample the best clam chowder, oysters, lobster rolls, and more. In addition to Boston’s traditional cuisine and famous seafood, this city offers just about every cuisine imaginable. If you want to sample just a few of Boston’s cuisines, be sure to check out Kava Neo-Taverna, Dakzen, Giulia, and Cafe Sushi.
The team at boutique closing firm Standard Title and Escrow says there’s no better place to live than Boston from May to October. For those who have just moved or are visiting temporarily, he recommends, “Try the classic North Shore three-way roast beef sandwich, a favorite of Standard Partner Dan Godefroy.”
3) Sports culture
Locals are passionate about Boston’s professional sports scene, and there’s something special about rooting for the Sox (MLB), Pats (NFL), Bruins (NHL), or Celtics (NBA). In Beantown, professional sports are a matter of pride. Grab a hot dog or kettle corn and enjoy your favorite game.
4) Rich history
As one of America’s first colonies, Boston is known as a history buff’s dream destination. Some of our nation’s deepest roots began in Boston and are still preserved today. If you decide to move to Boston, you’ll be living in the home of the Boston Tea Party, the spark that sparked the American Revolution. Immerse yourself in history at the African American History Museum, USS Constitution Museum, Granary Burial Ground, Paul Revere House, and Freedom Trail. No matter where you go in Boston, there is history to admire and enjoy, with historical markers and landmarks all around you.
5) Things to do
Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find something to do in Boston. From cultural activities to exciting professional sporting events, there’s something for everyone. Popular events held in Boston include the Boston Marathon, Harborfest, ArtWeek Boston, and the Boston Calling Music Festival. A perfect beachside day in a quaint town not far from Boston could be spent in the hamlet of Nantasket, Martha’s Vineyard on Nantucket Island, and numerous Cape Cod towns such as Eastham, MA, Provincetown, MA, and Hyannis, MA.
If you want to spend a day in the mountains, there are plenty of opportunities to escape the city. Explore Massachusetts’ Berkshire Mountains and visit towns like Lenox and Great Barrington. If you’re a mountain skier, snowboarder, or just want to tube down the mountainside, you can also visit Catamount Mountain Resort and Ski Butternut. You can also venture into Vermont and enjoy some steep descents in the Killington, Okemo, and Pico Mountains.
Boston also has a vibrant retail industry. Jonathan Lapat, Boston Managing Principal at SRS Real Estate Partners, recommends exploring Newbury Street. “Newbury Street is home to more recent brands such as Yeti and KÜHL, as well as Alo, Cartier, Sephora, Google, Zara, Birkenstock, Brandy Melville, Hoka and many more,” he says.
6) Outdoor access
From the Arnold Arboretum to the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, neighborhoods across Boston let you enjoy the outdoors without leaving the city. In fact, America’s first public park, Boston Common, is located in downtown Boston. You might also want to check out some other popular parks such as Public Gardens and Esplanade. Since Boston is surrounded by water, there are plenty of water activities to participate in, including whale watching, kayaking, and paddleboarding. If you want to get away from the city and go hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing, take a 10-minute drive north of the city to the Middlesex Fells Reservation.
If you’re visiting the Arnold Arboretum, says Greg Banks, owner of Boston-based stage production company Set the Stage Boston, “Whether you prefer wide, stroller-friendly paths or quiet forest trails that disappear into the trees, there’s always something new to discover.” Greg shares how the Arnold Arboretum offers something different each season, including an “explosion of color” and a “sledding hill.”
7) Weather
If you’re a four-season type of person, you’ll love owning a home or renting an apartment in Boston. While it’s true that some people consider Boston’s winters to be harsh, Boston’s climate is considered mild. Winters can be very cold and snowy, with an average minimum temperature of 26 degrees in January. Summer temperatures are high, reaching a high of 82 degrees in July. But nothing beats fall in New England. The autumn leaves are truly breathtaking.
8) Excellent medical care
There are many top-notch hospitals and doctors within city limits, making access to healthcare one of the top reasons to move to Boston. Some great hospitals to note include Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital.
9) Innovative culture
No list of reasons to move to Boston would be complete without mentioning its notorious educational institutions.
The team at Tandem, an online platform for finding office space to rent, says, “You can sit at Tatte in Kendall Square and be surrounded by Harvard and MIT students passionate about startups. This is a city where ambition is contagious, and everyone in the room seems convinced they’re building something important. That shared optimism is what makes living in Boston feel like part of something bigger.”
Methodology: Median home sales price data was obtained from April 2022 U.S. Housing Market Resources.
