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11. Moving to Boston

Boston at a Glance

Moving to Boston

The modern and the historic coexist side by side in Boston.

Even if you only have the faintest idea of US American history, the importance of Boston during the formative years of the USA will not escape you. New England’s largest city – one of the oldest in the entire country – played a pivotal role in many events leading to the independence from Britain.

Then and Now

Of course, the sons and daughters of Boston preserve and display this heritage with pride. History buffs moving should have a blast discovering the city and its past for the first time!Since its founding, a steady stream of people heeding the call of the New World and moving to Boston caused the city to grow almost perpetually until the 1970s. The two biggest and most influential groups who started settling in Boston in large numbers in the first half of the 19^th century were Italian and Irish immigrants. The influence of both these groups is still very tangible.

Neighborhoods and Rental Prices

In Boston, you have the choice among multitudes of neighborhoods catering to different tastes. Each of these 21 boroughs has its own distinct atmosphere and demographic, earning Boston the nickname “city of neighborhoods”. Owing to this great variety, there is no single neighborhood that expats prefer. Get to know the city a little before you make your choice. The homepage of the City Administration offers a detailed breakdown of all 21 neighborhoods.

Much to the dismay of anyone interested in relocating to Boston and, of course, the local population, rampant gentrification has caused skyrocketing rental prices. Today, people looking for homes in the city face fierce competition on the rental market in one of the most expensive cities in the USA. If Boston’s upscale neighborhoods just outside downtown are the only option for you, brace yourself for extortionate monthly rentals. Proximity to the T, Boston’s mass transit system number one, will probably increase your monthly rental even further.  

With world-renowned educational institutions – such as Harvard University or MIT – in and around Boston, the influx of students opting for off-campus living makes finding a home when coming to Boston from abroad quite the tricky task. As a general rule, you should not take the time to shop around and look at as many different apartments as possible. If you see something that appeals to you, you should act right away!

Timing and Financing

Boston’s rental market is very seasonal – the best timeframe for moving to Boston is usually between April and September. Being too early or too late will both have the same result: Your hopes of moving to Boston will be overshadowed by a lack of nice apartments.

The financial plan covering all costs of your move should include the hefty sum you have to pay right before you move in. Apart from demanding the first and last month’s rent up front, some landlords might also require you to pay a security and/or key deposit. With the rental prices in Boston the way they are, this will definitely sum up to a respectable amount, so keep it in mind when mapping out your move to Boston.