Top 5 Tips For Moving to Boston

Expats in Boston are treated to one of the richest historical cities in the United States that also boasts many great modern amenities.

Boston Basics For Expats

The city of Boston is located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (one of the 50 states) in the Northeast region of the United States of America known as New England.

There are a wide array of diplomatic missions in Boston to help assist foreign nationals considering living in the U.S., and the United States Immigration Services website can provide basic information on the types of visas that are available.

Expats exploring the where to live in Boston will find a wide variety of options. Hats off to the City of Boston for providing a nice summary of Boston's many neighborhoods.

How to Settle Into Boston

In an Expat Living in Boston report, one expat wrote "I might recommend looking into local high schools (Brookline High) for continuing ed classes - you can take everything from Spanish to cooking to woodworking. There is also Junior League of Boston, and different business networking opportunities. (None of which come to mind by name - but we belong to the Boston College Club - those types of places are great - although expensive) I would also suggest looking into the alumni department of the college you attended - I know there is a whole network of colleges that sponsor events together. (Wine tasting, a capella concerts, ball games, etc.)

Boston Loves Its Sports Teams - Don't Ignore This!

One of the easiest ways for an expat to connect with someone from Boston, or New England in general, is through their sports teams. Whether you are talking to a doctor, a lawyer, a barista, a cab driver, a teacher... your chances of making friends with someone in Boston go up considerably if you are conversant in the recent happenings in the Boston sports world.

The New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), the Boston Red Sox of the Major League Baseball (MLB), the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) all have very strong followings throughout Massachusetts and the New England Region in General.

Transportation in Boston

As with other parts of the United States, many residents of Boston and the surrounding areas have their own cars. Parking in Boston is not easy and is considered one of the worst cities in the U.S. in this regard.

The public transportation system in Boston is the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The "T", encompasses bus, subway, commuter rail, and ferry service within Boston and to many areas outside the city that comprise the Greater Boston area.

Major Employers in Boston

Fidelity Investments, State Street Bank & Trust Co., Liberty Mutual, John Hancock are among the largest employers outside of the health care and education sectors.

It should be noted however, that health care and education (undergraduate and graduate colleges and universities) are huge employers in Boston. Indeed, the hospitals and colleges in and around Boston are among the best in the world. Therefore, those that work in these industries and desire to live in the United States could do a whole lot worse than Boston. Boston has so many colleges and universities that it is often jokingly referred to as a "college town," and that's a fair assessment. It does contribute to Boston's overall character, and it's a net positive for the city.

Facebook Boston is located in Cambridge.

Boston's Restaurants Do Not Disappoint

Expats that live in and around Boston are treated to an incredible assortment of restaurants that, in addition to New England Cuisine and the traditional dishes it includes, serve cuisines originating from all parts of the world.

The North End of Boston is world famous for its unbelievable Italian cuisine. My personal opinion is that if a person had ONE night to spend in Beantown, she would be doing herself a great disservice if she chose to go anywhere else to eat than the North End. The North End also is home to Union Oyster House, if perhaps you'd like indulge in oysters before having some of that great Italian fare.

Boston's Chinatown restaurants also offer a wide range of Asian options that extend beyond traditional Chinese cuisine.