Moving to Boston

New arrivals moving to Boston will find a city that straddles the Charles River and spills into the famous Boston Harbour. Situated in the northeast of the United States, it’s the capital and largest city of Massachusetts. Rather compact for a major city at just 48 square miles (125km), ‘Beantown’ packs a punch far beyond its size. The city has abundant greenery, and you’ll find cobbled streets and colonial architecture that give it a distinctly European feel.

Living in Boston as an expat

Boston is one of America’s oldest cities and has retained the colonial roots of its British founders. The city has retained the architectural legacy of its British founders, with Federal-style rowhouses and Georgian facades lining neighbourhoods like Beacon Hill. Cafés, galleries, bookshops and traditional pubs dot the walkable streets, and there’s a lot to see and do in Boston. Boston ranks among the most walkable cities in America, third only to New York and San Francisco.

While Los Angeles has the glitz, New York City has the money, and DC has the power, Boston has the brains. This academically driven city is home to some of the country’s best universities, hospitals and research centres, including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As Boston’s population is highly educated, technology and research industries seek to take advantage of its workforce.

The lifestyle in Boston is relaxed, and you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. You’ll find international cuisines rubbing shoulders with traditional Bostonian fare that centres on seafood. If you’re looking for a night out on the town, you’ll discover that nightlife here runs to cosy bars and live music venues rather than big clubs.

Public Transport in Boston 
Lifestyle in Boston

Cost of living in Boston

The cost of living in Boston ranks among the highest in the US, pushed up chiefly by housing prices. Salaries, though, usually keep pace with one of the country’s most educated and competitive workforces, and tend to match the expense, allowing expats to maintain a comfortable standard of living.

While accommodation in Boston is expensive and notoriously difficult to secure, newcomers have a range of options to choose from. Finding a place with solid public transport links is wise, as most Bostonians rely on the T rather than face the city’s famously snarled traffic each day.

Cost of Living in Boston
Accommodation in Boston

Families and children in Boston

Families in Boston benefit from solid public schools and attractive neighbourhoods thick with green space. The city ranks among the top in terms of educational quality. Active families will find no shortage of trails – the Emerald Necklace park system connects 1,100 acres of green space through the city, and the Charles River Esplanade has miles of waterfront paths for running, cycling, kayaking or simply unwinding. Sports culture runs deep here. Families can cheer on the Celtics (fresh off their 2024 championship), the Patriots, the Bruins and the Red Sox at Fenway Park, baseball’s oldest stadium.

Education and Schools in Boston 
Neighbourhoods in Boston

Climate in Boston

The weather in Boston can be extreme. In general, summers are humid and sunny, with average daytime highs in July reaching 82°F (28°C). Winters are bitterly cold, wet and windy, with regular snowfall from December through March.

Weather in Boston

Boston draws professionals to its science, technology and biotech sectors – the city’s life sciences industry alone attracts billions of dollars in venture capital. Yet for all its forward momentum, the city stays anchored in centuries-old institutions and colonial charm.