Moving to Massachusetts: The Ultimate Guide for Newcomers
What You Need to Know about Moving to Massachusetts
Thinking of moving to Massachusetts? Great idea! Massachusetts is a thriving, diverse state with a whole slew of regions, cities and towns to choose from. There’s a lot more to Massachusetts than the Red Sox and the Boston Tea Party, so let me break down for you what it really means to move to Massachusetts and embrace one of the country’s most historic communities.
What are the different regions in Massachusetts?
Greater Boston/Metrowest
Boston is MA’s major hub and the largest city in New England. The city and its surrounding cities and towns, including Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, and Framingham, are some of the most densely populated in the state. The area is known for its large number of colleges and universities, most notably Harvard University, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Tufts University, Boston College and Boston University, as well as its many high quality healthcare providers and scientific institutions.
All of New England’s professional sports teams are based in this region - the Boston Red Sox (MLB), Boston Celtics (NBA), and Bruins (NHL) in Boston, and the Patriots (NFL) in Foxborough. The annual Boston Marathon also takes place here, starting in the MetroWest town of Hopkinton and ending in Copley Square in Boston. This area is also Massachusetts’ cultural center, particularly with its historical ties to the American Revolution and its art museums.
North Shore
This region encompasses the coastal area between Boston and New Hampshire and includes some important historical and cultural areas including Salem (of the Salem Witch Trials), which is particularly popular around Halloween, and old fishing and whaling towns like Gloucester and Rockport. Its large amounts of coastline and marshland make it a great area for nature walks and beach days.
South Shore
The South Shore is the coastal area between Boston and Cape Cod. It includes the historic town of Plymouth (of the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock) and several state forests and nature preserves. It is one of the more affluent regions in the state, with average income rates over $100k and average real estate prices over $550k. The South Shore sprawls into Norfolk County, which includes towns like Dedham and Franklin.
Cape Cod & Islands
The Cape Cod peninsula and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are popular summer vacation areas for beach activities, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, golfing, and nightlife — not to mention clam chowder. The Cape is accessible by car via two bridges across the Cape Cod Canal as well as ferries to Provincetown at its tip and the islands.
Worcester/Central MA
Worcester is the second most populous city in New England after Boston and just like Boston is a center for higher education, healthcare, and biotech, as well as a home to several museums. Central MA is largely rural and much of it is covered in woodland including a number of state forests. It’s also home to the Quabbin Reservoir, the largest inland body of water in the state which serves as the primary water supply for Boston.
Springfield/Western Massachusetts
Western MA, which encompasses the Connecticut River Valley to the east and The Berkshire Mountains to the west, is lightly populated apart from its cities, especially near Springfield, Pittsfield, and North Adams. Springfield is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame as well as a number of annual festivals and events, including The Big E which is New England’s collective state fair and the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard. Western MA is also home to a number of well-known colleges including UMass Amherst and Williams College. Western Massachusetts is also home to a number of small towns, which boast an idyllic New England vibe.
What’s the weather like in Massachusetts?
The Bay State has cold winters and warm summers, on average ranging from 60-80 °F in July to 20-40 °F in January, although extremes of above 90 and below 0 are not uncommon. The coast and Boston-area tend to stay warmer in the winter than the western part of the state. It averages about 48 inches of rain annually, which puts it at 12th in the country, and about 51 inches of snowfall, which is 8th place. Some extreme weather such as blizzards and tropical tropical storms can be expected, with the occasional tornado. Springs are usually wet and cloudy, and cool falls make for colorful New England leaf peeping. Interestingly, Boston is the windiest city in America with average wind speeds of 12.3mph, peaking in the fall and winter months.
Where should I work in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a strong economy with the 11th highest GDP and third highest income per capita in the country, although it does currently rank 40th with an unemployment rate of 7.8%. Its major industries include higher education, healthcare, tourism, finance, and defense, and employees in those industries are often relocating to Massachusetts for work. There are twelve Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state, including Liberty Mutual, Raytheon, General Electric, and Boston Scientific, and there are a number of popular footwear companies in the state, such as Converse and New Balance. It also has a large nonprofit contingent - nonprofits make up a sixth of the state’s workforce - and is the second largest producer of cranberries after Wisconsin.
Do I need a car and driver’s license to live in Massachusetts?
This depends on your region, your commute, and how interested you are in taking public transportation. The metro-Boston area is well-served by the MBTA, which offers subway service (the “T”), bus lines and a commuter rail that stretches from Rhode Island to New Hampshire. If your day-to-day travel can be well-served by the MBTA, you can join the many Massachusetts residents who have chosen to go car-free. However, if you plan to spend a lot of time in the suburbs, or in Central/Western Mass., you may not want to be beholden to the MBTA bus schedule. In this case, you’re likely better off visiting the Massachusetts RMV and having your own transportation.
What is the real estate market like in Massachusetts?
If you’re considering moving to a new home in Massachusetts, you should know that high housing prices are one of the state’s few downsides. As the third densest state in the country, housing is competitive and therefore living in the Bay State is expensive. The average price of a single family home rose to $467,000 in January 2021, the third highest in the country, and the state’s average rent is $1,282 which puts it at the 5th highest. The cost of living in the Boston area is about 20 percent above the national average.
Boston is particularly expensive at an average of $2,090, which makes it the fourth most expensive city to live in behind San Francisco, New York City, and San Jose. If you’re looking for more information on buying a home in Massachusetts, please reach out and we can explore your options.
Related: Where is the Boston Housing Market Heading?
Is Massachusetts a fun place for nightlife?
Nightlife in Massachusetts varies depending on location and is usually more active in the bigger cities and near colleges. As the largest city, Boston has the most options with its variety of sports teams, concert venues, theaters, bars and restaurants. Particularly popular areas include Faneuil Hall, the North End, Chinatown, and more recently the Seaport, which has grown rapidly in the last several years. It’s not a ‘stay out until sunrise’ city, however, since last call at most bars is 2am at the latest, and the MBTA stops running around 12:30am.
Does Massachusetts have good schools?
The State of Massachusetts public school system is consistently ranked among the best in the county and its students boast some of the highest reading, math, and science high school test scores in the world. The University of Massachusetts is its public university system, which has campuses in Amherst (the flagship campus), Lowell, Dartmouth, Boston, a medical school in Worcester, and a satellite campus in Springfield. The highest ranking school districts include Lexington, Needham, and Wellesley.
What are the best parts about living in Massachusetts?
If you ask me, the best part about living in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is you get a little bit of everything: all four seasons, good sports, good culture and American history, a diverse array of food, the ocean and the mountains, the city and nature. As a small state you can get anywhere you want in a few hours. Boston to New York is just a four hour drive or train ride away. Adventures in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine are all quite close. I highly recommend moving to Massachusetts — the best state — because you’re sure to find something you’ll love.