Name: Boston, MA
Rating: 0.0

( 40 Ratings )

Living in Boston, MA

Ranks better than 77% of areas Follow

Population

689,326

Median Age

32.4 Years

Boston Area Facts

Boston has a Livability Score of 77_/100, which is considered exceptional
Boston crime rates are 74% higher than the Massachusetts average
Cost of living in Boston is 25% higher than the Massachusetts average

What do the locals think about Boston?

31%

Family friendly

79%

Public transit is accessible

72%

Walkable to grocery stores

34%

Yards are well-kept

69%

Lots of parks

55%

Walkable to restaurants

Friendly neighbors

Safe at night

Pet friendly

Streets have sidewalks

34%

A quiet area

31%

Sense of community

Based on 29 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll

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Boston Reviews

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The weather is miserable and cost of living is among the highest in the world. 0.5 rating By jv409 ( Feb 04, 2019) I don't know how many stars are displayed on this web page but I rated Boston just one star. Frankly I don’t know why anybody would want to live in the Boston area unless they’re rich and grew up here. In the United States alone there are a number of elite universities outsid ...Read More e New England. The weather is miserable and cost of living is among the highest in the world. I wouldn't go near Boston unless you make or will make at least 100K to 200K a year. Rent here is two or three times what it is in most cities, similar to New York or San Francisco. On the other hand maybe you’re reading this because you’ve got wealthy parents and you plan on going to Harvard (actually in Cambridge), so cost doesn’t make that much difference to you. There is probably a greater tolerance for LGBT persons and certain minorities compared to elsewhere in the US, although I’m not really a minority myself. Boston and vicinity seemed very crowded to me, but then again I grew up in American suburbs, not a city. Near a city, but not in one. Some people like noisy, crowded, congested urban areas. It seems normal to them. I hated the traffic. The first couple of months after I moved there somebody totaled my parked car in Copley Square. It was a hit-and-run but fortunately I wasn’t in the car. Most likely a large vehicle such as a truck smashed into my car and drove off. Might have been deliberate but I have no idea why. I had a job at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. During the few short months I worked there somebody totaled my parked car, broke into my employee locker, and I discovered a dead body on a sidewalk nearby. I called 911. It’s not too friendly. A couple years later somebody stole my Chevrolet I had parked next to a curb in the neighborhood known as Brighton, not considered a particularly bad area. Not long after that in a completely different part of town a woman crashed into the rear quarter panel of my Toyota for no apparent reason. Boston winters are cold and long with snow. Again, unless you grew up in the northern half of the US, have many friends here, and a lot money, I don’t know why you’d want to be living here. Shoveling snow is a lousy way to get your exercise and a good way to get a heart attack. I prefer the tropics. Because of the climate, much of the city—road signs, bridges, and overpasses—appear rusty, worn, and beat-up. The roads are often pockmarked with potholes, especially in the winter. Guess that’s why they call it the Rust Belt. Hollywood could use nighttime Boston for a dystopian movie set. If you have a tendency to get depressed the reduced sunlight and Boston climate will make it worse. The cold-climate beaches suck by the way compared to say California or Florida. Cape Cod can be pleasant if it’s not too crowded. Much of the Cape is marshland. Parking in the city is always a hassle. Better watch your car because there's a good chance somebody will steal it. Motor vehicle theft was nearly out of control when I was there in the ‘90s. That according to more than a few people I talked to and the media. Everybody has Lojack or some other aftermarket anti-theft device. Because of the sheer number of vehicles in the area you might as well assume that somebody’s going to crash into you at some point. Get ready for high insurance premiums. Socially Boston natives can be pretty frosty. It’s unlike anywhere else in the country in that respect. I’m 60 so I’ve been around. I also did a stint in the military with people from all walks of life. Bank tellers won’t give you the time of day unless you’ve got an account with them. The extreme arrogance and regionalism in Boston is really obnoxious, unlike any I've ever seen. I wasn’t expecting folksy. Fortunately not everybody is stuck-up and there are people from all over the world in Boston. There’s also plenty of entertainment in terms of bars, restaurants (I like the seafood); sports, if you subsidize wealthy athletes (Red Sox, Celtics, pro football 20 miles away); and music (the BSO, Boston Pops, rock/jazz/classical concerts large and small). I married a girl from Ohio and moved away. Read Less

Not For Me 1.5 rating By jv409 ( Mar 17, 2018) I wouldn't go near Boston unless you make or will make at least 150K a year. Better check the cost of living. Rent here is two or three times what it is in most US cities, four times most small towns. It's very crowded. Parking is always a hassle and traffic can be really bad. Be ...Read More tter watch your car because there's a good chance somebody will steal it. Read Less

One more thing to add 0.5 rating By Anonymous2012 ( Mar 01, 2017) Sorry- my discussion of Boston would be incomplete without my mention of crime. Talk about hatred. Boston is a great place to live if you're someone who likes being kept up several nights a week due to blaring police sirens and people screaming and cops yelling. ...Read More Read Less

Get Me Out of Here 1 rating By Anonymous2012 ( Mar 01, 2017) If you are planning to move to Boston, do yourself, your family, your finances, and your dignity a favor and don't bother. This has got to be the worst city on surface of the country. The people are extremely racist and law- borderline unconstitutional in its treatment of blacks, ...Read More Muslims, and other minorities. Blacks are thieves, Muslims are terrorists, and Indians, objects of jokes and teachings. White supremacy is the mantra. Unless you have a Harvard education or own a giant business, you will be either laid off, poor, or both while receiving no help and genocidal hatred from the wealthy, so- called "capitalist" conservatives. Education is terrible- the schools have some of the lowest scores in the nation. Weather wise, we have been hit so hard by global warming that we have received no snow for about 5 years in a row, 80- deg. days throughout February, and thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes (Irene and Sandy)- events that aren't even supposed to occur in the Northeast. Someone tell me why on earth the East Coast is still the most populous part of the US. Read Less

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One more thing to add 0.5 rating By Anonymous2012 ( Mar 01, 2017) Sorry- my discussion of Boston would be incomplete without my mention of crime. Talk about hatred. Boston is a great place to live if you're someone who likes being kept up several nights a week due to blaring police sirens and people screaming and cops yelling. ...Read More Read Less

Get Me Out of Here 1 rating By Anonymous2012 ( Mar 01, 2017) If you are planning to move to Boston, do yourself, your family, your finances, and your dignity a favor and don't bother. This has got to be the worst city on surface of the country. The people are extremely racist and law- borderline unconstitutional in its treatment of blacks, ...Read More Muslims, and other minorities. Blacks are thieves, Muslims are terrorists, and Indians, objects of jokes and teachings. White supremacy is the mantra. Unless you have a Harvard education or own a giant business, you will be either laid off, poor, or both while receiving no help and genocidal hatred from the wealthy, so- called "capitalist" conservatives. Education is terrible- the schools have some of the lowest scores in the nation. Weather wise, we have been hit so hard by global warming that we have received no snow for about 5 years in a row, 80- deg. days throughout February, and thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes (Irene and Sandy)- events that aren't even supposed to occur in the Northeast. Someone tell me why on earth the East Coast is still the most populous part of the US. Read Less

Boston, MA - Ups and Downs 4 rating By Anonymous ( Nov 24, 2011) I've lived in Boston, MA for most of my life, in or around the heart of the city. It is a wonderful city and has its ups and downs. It's broken up into many different neighborhoods. Each of the neighborhoods offers a different lifestyle and level of safety.

There are a couple o ...Read More f neighborhoods that I would recommend avoiding as much as possible, especially at night. One of the neighborhoods is East Boston. Although there are some good areas of this town, the crime rate is pretty high. Dorchester, South Boston and Roxbury are other areas you should avoid due to high levels of crime.

The two neighborhoods I've lived in Boston are the Back Bay and the South End. Both of these neighborhoods are excellent places to live, as well as visit. They are the most expensive areas of the city, but have top-notch shopping, dining and living. Visit Newbury St, Boylston St and Tremont St for excellent restaurants with a variety of cuisines and amazing boutiques and stores.

For the sports lover, Fenway Park is the best landmark in the city. If the Red Sox are playing and you can't get a seat in the park, head on over to Lansdowne St for a fun experience. Sports fans will be lining the streets and local bars watching the hometown boys win. Other attractions to see are TD Bank Garden, Faneuil Hall and the Freedom Trail.

Boston the best city for people who don't own cars. You can get anywhere in the city by subway, bike or even walking. Since parking is not only hard to come by, by can be expensive, having the option to ride a bike to work is a definite plus.

The city has New England weather, not much you can say about it except that it is unpredictable. No matter what time of year, it's best to have clothes appropriate for all weather types. Boston is an all-around excellent city, if you know the places to go. Read Less

Boston - My Favorite City 4.5 rating By ryankelly ( Jan 18, 2011) I lived in Boston from 2000-2002, and was a fantastic place to live. My place was on Route 60 in Malden, MA, just a short couple of exits up I-93 after you pass the old Fleet Center (that's what it was when I lived there). In fact, every time I get back up north to visit family ...Read More , I make sure I try to take in a Celtics game, or visit the North End for some of the best Italian food and pastries you can get. It's really difficult to park on Hanover St., so you want to park elsewhere, and take the train in.

I remember when I lived there, they actually had finished the "Big Dig" project and finally opened up the Mass Pike underneath the city. What a project that was - the largest, most expensive civil project in the history of the US: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/bigdig/bigdigmain.aspx

If you have a chance to visit the city, you should definitely stop by Quincy Market - just get on the red T and get off Government Center. In the summer, they have some great sidewalk shows, shopping and more.

You also might want to check out Newberry St., which has a nice variety of sidewalk restaurants and cafe's, and then you can walk down Mass Ave. and visit Tower Records and Urban Outfitters.

For nightlife, there is always Landsdowne St. behind Fenway Park that has a bunch of clubs and bars, but really, the best places are those "hole in the wall" Irish pubs you find that are the best. Read Less

Living In Boston, MA 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 03, 2011) I chose to move to Boston, Massachusetts five years ago and have never once regretted the decision. It's a great place to live. One of my favorite things about the city is the availability of public transportation. I love that I never have to rely on my car to get around. In fact ...Read More , the city is designed in a way that I can walk or ride my bike just about anywhere I want.

However, there is one big thing that I dislike about the city, which is the fact that everything is very expensive. Whether it is drinks, groceries, or parking spaces, the prices are always ridiculously high. With that said, Boston is a smart city. We have higher income and education per capita, which makes up for the high prices that it costs to live here. Read Less

The Unique Treasures of Boston, MA 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 03, 2011) I stayed with a friend in Boston for three weeks while making brief trips to other parts of New England. I often had days to explore alone or travel with him throughout the Boston area. I saw many sights and experienced many things but one stood out among them all.

I walked the ...Read More Freedom Trail and was in awe of the historical richness of the town, visited King's Chapel and Chinatown, Beacon Hill and loved the U.S.S. Constitution. There is little in Boston you cannot buy, and there is an abundance of things to do and see.

But Boston's treasure, to me, was its people. I found them gracious, generous, humorous and truly the best attraction of all. Read Less

Boston, MA - My Kind of City! 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 03, 2011) When visiting Boston in May 2010, I found neighborhoods with separate and individual character, brownstone filled streets, the Red Sox baseball team, and plenty of nightly entertainment.

Beacon Hill is one of Boston's most popular and historic neighborhoods. If you enjoy walkin ...Read More g like I do, strolling down Charles Street you will see antique shops, cafes, and clothing boutiques. The only downside here is that you will need plenty of money!

I spent some time at the 1369 Coffee House, saw musical theater at Berklee Performance Center, caught a game at Fenway Park, and visited some of the most historic places in the United States. I only got to spend 3 days in Boston. My next trip I will make at least a week. I loved it. Read Less

Boston, MA - Great Vibe! 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 03, 2011) I have been a resident of Boston since I graduated college and entered the workforce two decades ago. I love the vibe of the city. It is full of history but at the same time is modern and hip. It is on right on the water and there is always something going on in the city. You can ...Read More find great food, entertainment, and beautiful parks in just about every neighborhood.

It is hard to not find something to peak your interest in Boston. There are historical walks, churches, museums, great shopping and other attractions in the city. I love the outdoor concerts in the spring and summer. The cost of living can be a bit high but it's worth it to live in such a great place. There are a lot of different neighborhoods in the city that offer housing from historical to ultra modern.

When I started working in Boston I assumed it would be temporary due to having just finished college. Over the years I feel in love with the city. It is a great place to work and live. Read Less

Boston, MA - From Fenway Park to Sam Adams Brewery 5 rating By AV Jon ( Nov 08, 2010) I was able to take in the city of Boston during my 4 day trip in June/2009. First of all, the city is surrounded by water, which makes for great scenery when walking the outskirts of the Boston. I found the local Boston residents to be incredibly friendly and passionate about the ...Read More ir city, especially when talking about the Red Sox. So passionate that I was convinced to take in a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. The stadium lives up to all expectations and is worth the visit.

During my second day in Boston, I decided to visit the Sam Adams Brewery for a tour. I was able to learn about the history of Sam Adams...and then drink it! The tour lasted about 1hr and shows you the entire brewing process from start to finish. The beer is delicious and all they ask for is a small donation.

At night I visited a few bars in the Beacon Hill area. There were many options and I ended up hitting a few of them. The most surprising part was that the street vendors served steak sandwiches from their carts for those who had the munchies after a few drinks. Being used to hot dogs and sausages, this was a real treat!

Overall, my time came and went all too quickly during my trip to Boston. It was a fun trip and I will return for sure... Read Less

Boston, MA - Experience the City by Foot! 5 rating By Anonymous ( Apr 29, 2010) Boston is a great city to explore with a good pair of walking shoes in tow. The blossoming spring is especially beautiful at the Public Gardens. The Public Garden is within walking distance from the Hatch Shell concert area located next to the Charles River Esplanade. The Hatch S ...Read More hell is an outdoor concert venue that is widely known for the popular 4th of July Boston Pops concert held there each year. The Charles River esplanade is great for walking, biking, rollerblading or people watching.

The architecture in the city of Boston is detailed and historical. Sometimes I walk for a few miles and take pictures of some of the wonderful buildings I see along the way. You will also find some cheap eats at many of the great restaurants in Boston.

I prefer not to drive in Boston because everyone seems to be in a hurry and there is a lot of traffic. I love living in Boston because I don't even need a car to get around. I can walk practically everywhere or take the subway if I want to explore further. I stay fit and entertained at the same time by the many sights in Boston. Read Less

Compare Boston, MA Livability

Boston, MA

Boston is one of the most populous cities in the country, and takes top honors for New England. Steeped in history, Boston is small compared to cities like Los Angeles and New York, but it is no wonder why close to 5 million people call Boston and its Metro Area home. Employment and entertainment options abound. If you decide to move there, though, keep in mind that home and rental prices, plus the cost of living, are some of the highest in the country. Despite this, Bean Town is a lovely place in which to live.

The city is almost evenly split between land and water, and it has defined neighborhoods. While Downtown has low-rises, areas such as South Boston and the Financial District have high rises. Back Bay, where the Boston Public Library, Newbury Street and Copley Square are located, is very much the center of the city’s pulse. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold, windy and snowy. The spring brings rain and mud, while fall is when leaves change. There are very much four distinct seasons in Boston, so come prepared for the weather!

Boston has one of the most developed public transit systems in the United States. Its extensive reach gets people from one end of the city to the other via buses and the subway, known as the “T.” Purchase a Charlie Card for a small fee, tap it at the turnstiles and away you go. Due to the number of transit stops scattered throughout Boston, commuters, tourists and locals alike heavily utilize the options in place.

Whether you are into sports or cultural things, there is something for you in Boston. Cheer on the Boston Celtics, the Boston Bruins or the Boston Red Sox (make sure to get a Fenway Frank). The many colleges and universities that call Boston home also have games throughout the year. Some of them are among the top schools in the country for various sports, further unifying the community. Spend a day at the Science Museum, bring young ones to the Children’s Museum or take in a show at the Opera House. Hit up Little Italy for some pasta, or, if dumplings are more your fancy, Chinatown. Make sure to head to the ever-evolving Boston Seaport for outdoor concerts, the New England Aquarium and water views. History buffs will love the Freedom Trail. Do not miss the Public Gardens with its swan boats and famed Make Way for Ducklings statue.

Small but mighty, Boston is a city on which it is not wise to sleep. Locals are friendly, the population is diverse and it is easy to navigate, making it an ideal place in which to live.