Boston isn’t just home to the famed Red Sox. It’s also home to much of America’s history. And you’ll never forget it, with historical markers nearly everywhere. It’s been dubbed America’s Walking City, (rated by Redfin as third most walkable city in the U.S.) and rightly instituted one of the nation’s first historic walking tours: the Freedom Trail. It was the first city to have a public garden and city park. And despite the reputation of Bostonians as being a brazen bunch, they are a celebratory people, enjoying festivals, parades, and celebrations galore.
It’s a four-season paradise. A foodie’s heaven. A history-lover’s mecca. A sport fanatic’s dream. And that’s not even touching on the breathtaking scenery that will have you rethinking what you thought was beautiful.
And the job market, competitive though it is, is primed for growth—especially as emerging sectors like biotech continue to flourish.
Here are a few things to know when considering the move to Beantown.
The city
You’ll experience four very distinct seasons in Boston—including the most glorious autumn you’ll ever behold. The city proper spans 90 square miles and contains 673,000 residents. Space is definitely at a premium in one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S. The Greater Boston Region is expansive, containing dozens of towns and communities within it, as well as 4.73 million residents.
Within Boston proper, the 23 neighborhoods are full of bus routes, bike lanes, and subway systems—and maybe even a trolley stop (also known as a T stop). And of course, sidewalks for the pedestrians among us. The city is also home to a whole lot of really fine dining experiences, including The Union Oyster House (the oldest restaurant in the country that is regularly open for business).
Education and healthcare
The city’s many universities (like Harvard and MIT) no doubt contribute to the fact that four Greater Boston cities (out of ten cities total) made it onto Forbes’ list of
Most Educated Places in America. Not only does the city boast a lot of really smart people, it also has some of the best hospitals in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Report. And thanks to the universal healthcare system instituted in 2006 by former governor Mitt Romney, getting quality healthcare is simpler than ever.
History seems to be around every corner. No, it’s not all those Harvardians trying to educate the rest of us. But with the town first settled in 1630, you’ll see plenty of markers throughout the city telling you what happened there, and on what day. You’ll pass the Old State House (built in 1713) on some walks or Faneuil Hall (which was used as both a meeting hall and marketplace since 1742). And with all the celebrations happening around the city, you can’t help but get yourself historically educated.
The natural world
Craving some nature? Did you know that Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond is in Boston? But even as the urban city has grown up around it, beautiful public parks are usually no more than 10 minutes walking distance from where you are. And with beaches, lakes, and ponds galore, you can enjoy the living world no matter how urban your surroundings. But if the outdoorsy life is your thing, you can easily drive on over to any of the surrounding New England states to get your fill of every type of
outdoor adventure.
Cost of living
Among the 23 different neighborhoods (each with their own distinct flavor) you can find homes ranging in price from $296,000 to $2.3 million. Basically, homes to fit any need. Looking to rent instead? The median price for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,200. Not the cheapest place to live but certainly less expensive than other metro regions like New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C, and San Jose. The cost of living in Boston is
48% greater than the national average (and only 3% higher than
Los Angeles).
Jobs and job outlook
Boston is one of the most
economically powerful cities in the world. And it’s one competitive job market too with some of the biggest companies in some of the top industries like finance,
technology, life sciences, and biotech. There are also a number of rising startups for job seekers to consider. Despite the high living expenses, the great salary ranges may be enough to make everything else pale by comparison. The relatively low unemployment rates across the state dropped to 3.6 percent at the end of 2017. And with thousands of jobs added across professional, scientific, health,
financial, and education sectors, it’s no wonder WalletHub ranked
Boston as #10 on it’s
Best Places to Find a Job in 2018 list.
Ready to vie for some trending Boston jobs in Biotech or other top and emerging fields? Check out the job listings here.
