Are you thinking of moving to Boston or moving to Massachusetts and working in Boston? I want you to be prepared to face these 10 things that I wish I knew about before moving to Boston. Nobody told me and there was no YouTube at the time, unfortunately.
– Boston’s housing market is one of the priciest in the country. Prepare for bidding wars and hefty price tags!
– The roads in Boston are notorious for congestion. If you love sitting in traffic, you’ll feel right at home!
Part of the reason, Boston is a very old city designed for horses, not cars.
– Street parking is a serious challenge. If you don’t like hunting for spots or paying for parking, Boston might not be for you.
Garage parking is expensive. Street parking impossible to find
– Think you can handle New England winters? Think again! Snowstorms, icy sidewalks, and sub-zero temperatures can make daily life tough. Besides, the winters are long, they usually start in December and might go to April, even May sometimes, with occasional hot day to remind you that there is such a thing as Spring.
– Boston’s cost of living is steep, and high taxes can add to the financial pressure. More of your paycheck might disappear than you think. Cost of living went up like everywhere else because of inflation.
– With limited land, apartments and homes in Boston tend to be smaller, and neighborhoods are densely packed. Elbow room is a luxury!
My clients coming from other states always comment on how small the homes are while the prices are higher than in their state.
– The ‘T’ can be slow, unreliable, and packed at rush hour. Not exactly the smoothest public transit system around.
Even though Boston’s MBTA is much better than many major cities in US, it is still a lot to be desired. Sometimes you need to take 2 buses or change lanes to go a short distance.
– Boston’s roads aren’t just congested—they’re full of potholes, too. Car maintenance costs will add up quickly! It’s almost impossible to avoid all the potholes, we go around one to land in the next one. We don’t have tremendous amount of new construction so getting a nail in the tire is not that common, but tires burst from getting in and out of potholes every day.
– If you’re not a sports fan, Boston’s deep-rooted obsession with its teams might wear you down—especially during Red Sox, Celtics, or Patriots seasons. When it’s a game day, we in real estate cancel our open houses, knowing we are not going to get anyone.
– While there’s history and culture in abundance, if you’re seeking vibrant nightlife or a laid-back beach lifestyle, Boston might not meet your expectations. Nightlife stops at 2am and the bar and club scene is not as robust as you would think.
For those who love long springs, Boston’s short and unpredictable spring season can be a bit disappointing. Just when you’re ready to enjoy it, summer sneaks in!
Boston’s short winter days mean early sunsets, sometimes as early as 4 PM, leaving you craving daylight by the time you leave work. Short days - It gets dark at 4pm in the winter, so people feel like staying in and not getting out, they kind of hibernate. People who have an office job and go in when dark and leave when dark might get seasonal depression. Even though winters here are more sunny than expected, if you miss that window and don’t get out, you will be living in the dark 5 days a week.
Watch my 10 Reasons NOT to move to Boston Click Here
Looking for Boston houses for sale? Get in touch with real estate agent Nouné Karapetian! A 30-year resident herself, Nouné has extensive knowledge of the Massachusetts market. She is all about customer satisfaction and helping her clients achieve their real estate goals. Contact Nouné Karapetian to discover your next Boston property.
Uncompromising honesty and dedication to her clients is her top priority. Nouné will guide her clients through the entire transaction of buying or selling a home with integrity and their best interest at heart.
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