People relocate to Boston every day. If you’re planning a move to this incredible city, there are a few tips and pieces of information that might ease your transition. Once you’ve been here a while, Boston will ruin you for other places (in the best way). It’s hard to compete with this city! However, while you’re still in the adjustment phase, bear these 14 things in mind:
- Try to live near your workplace.
Flickr/Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Yes, you may change jobs, but commuting is a huge time suck and your quality of life will be infinitely better if you live just a few T stops or a short drive from your work. Now being able to afford a home near your work may be a whole other story…
- Rent is high and competition is fierce.
Flickr/amslerPIX While not New York expensive, rent here is probably higher than what you’re accustomed to paying. Using a rental agent can make the rental process smoother and lead to a better outcome. Depending on where you’re relocating from, the idea of using a realtor for renting may seem bizarre, but it’s well worth considering, in spite of the added cost.
- We think Boston drivers suck, but we’re the exception.
Flickr/jon collier Over time, you get used to people driving sideways and making a left turn to cut you off the second the light turns green. If you’re coming from somewhere else, these maneuvers may surprise. FYI: it is sometimes legal to drive in the breakdown lane.
- Don’t expect the roads to make sense.
Flickr/Chris Yiu There isn’t a grid system here, but we do have one-way streets to send you in completely the wrong direction. After The Great Boston Fire of 1872 much of the city was destroyed and there was talk of restructuring the layout of streets. However, it was considered too expensive and disruptive. If you’re arriving with a moving van DO NOT take Storrow Drive unless you want to be “Storrowed.”
- The joke about Boston having two seasons - winter and construction - has some basis in reality.
Flickr/iluvgadgets But I will say, you hardly ever see an idle roadwork crew. Those folks are hauling butt to get work finished before the cold weather sets in.
- That being said, fall is spectacular.
Flickr/Bill Ilott Pinterest hasn’t been lying to you. You’re in for a colorful treat come autumn.
- Shoveling snow – to free your car or clear the sidewalk – always takes longer than you think.
Flickr/Doc Searls Allow plenty of time before you need to get anywhere. And never ever move a space saver. The rule is that if you shovel out a space, it’s yours for the 48 hours following a snow emergency. This is perfectly legal (except in the South End) and the Space Saver Wars can get hardcore.
- If you’re lucky, you’ll have random days off that you’ve probably never celebrated - or even heard of - before.
Wikimedia Commons/Petty Officer 3rd Class MICHAEL ACHTERLING Bunker Hill Day, Evacuation Day, Patriots’ Day… It’s good to be a Masshole.
- The liquor laws are confusing.
Gordon’s Fine Wines & Liquors - Boston / Facebook Forget Happy Hour. Those were made illegal in Boston following a drunk driving tragedy. You’ll be buying your booze at a package store (packie) or at the grocery store - possibly. Each grocery store chain gets three locations where they can sell liquor and the rest of their stores must be liquor free.
- Fewer people than you expect have a Boston accent…
Flickr/Flickr/Susanna Bolle …but there is plenty of city and region-specific slang that you should know.
- Boston’s sports fans are as devoted as you’d expect.
Flickr/Geof Wilson Venture into Stop and Shop before a Pats game and you’ll see everyone wearing their gear while grabbing chips with frenetic energy. Sox, Bruins, and Celtics fans are just as keen to show their allegiances.
- Boston is a city of neighborhoods.
Flickr/Paul Sableman The South End (above)…
…and Southie (below) are two different, distinct places.
Flickr/Andrew Racine
- You’re close to so many incredible destinations.
Flickr/BEV Norton Get out there and discover the North and South Shores, Central Mass, and our neighboring states. So many day trip options await.
- Moving to Boston is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.
Flickr/Ken Lane
What other tips would you give to new Bostonians? We love to welcome newcomers to the best city in the world, but helpful hints always make the transition easier on everyone! Share you thoughts in the comments below.
Flickr/Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Yes, you may change jobs, but commuting is a huge time suck and your quality of life will be infinitely better if you live just a few T stops or a short drive from your work. Now being able to afford a home near your work may be a whole other story…
Flickr/amslerPIX
While not New York expensive, rent here is probably higher than what you’re accustomed to paying. Using a rental agent can make the rental process smoother and lead to a better outcome. Depending on where you’re relocating from, the idea of using a realtor for renting may seem bizarre, but it’s well worth considering, in spite of the added cost.
Flickr/jon collier
Over time, you get used to people driving sideways and making a left turn to cut you off the second the light turns green. If you’re coming from somewhere else, these maneuvers may surprise. FYI: it is sometimes legal to drive in the breakdown lane.
Flickr/Chris Yiu
There isn’t a grid system here, but we do have one-way streets to send you in completely the wrong direction. After The Great Boston Fire of 1872 much of the city was destroyed and there was talk of restructuring the layout of streets. However, it was considered too expensive and disruptive. If you’re arriving with a moving van DO NOT take Storrow Drive unless you want to be “Storrowed.”
Flickr/iluvgadgets
But I will say, you hardly ever see an idle roadwork crew. Those folks are hauling butt to get work finished before the cold weather sets in.
Flickr/Bill Ilott
Pinterest hasn’t been lying to you. You’re in for a colorful treat come autumn.
Flickr/Doc Searls
Allow plenty of time before you need to get anywhere. And never ever move a space saver. The rule is that if you shovel out a space, it’s yours for the 48 hours following a snow emergency. This is perfectly legal (except in the South End) and the Space Saver Wars can get hardcore.
Wikimedia Commons/Petty Officer 3rd Class MICHAEL ACHTERLING
Bunker Hill Day, Evacuation Day, Patriots’ Day… It’s good to be a Masshole.
Gordon’s Fine Wines & Liquors - Boston / Facebook
Forget Happy Hour. Those were made illegal in Boston following a drunk driving tragedy. You’ll be buying your booze at a package store (packie) or at the grocery store - possibly. Each grocery store chain gets three locations where they can sell liquor and the rest of their stores must be liquor free.
Flickr/Flickr/Susanna Bolle
…but there is plenty of city and region-specific slang that you should know.
Flickr/Geof Wilson
Venture into Stop and Shop before a Pats game and you’ll see everyone wearing their gear while grabbing chips with frenetic energy. Sox, Bruins, and Celtics fans are just as keen to show their allegiances.
Flickr/Paul Sableman
The South End (above)…
Flickr/Andrew Racine
Flickr/BEV Norton
Get out there and discover the North and South Shores, Central Mass, and our neighboring states. So many day trip options await.
Flickr/Ken Lane
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
