Boston, MA

Living in Boston means your daily routine is tangled up with centuries of American history. You can grab your morning coffee and walk right past colonial meetinghouses, 18th-century burying grounds, and the famous red line of the Freedom Trail winding through Downtown and the North End. It is also one of the most walkable cities in the country, where classic brownstones, modern offices, and leafy squares sit within a short stroll of one another. Thanks to dozens of local colleges and universities, the city has a vibrant, energetic rhythm that kicks into high gear every fall when students return to town.

ATTRRobert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada / CC BY 2.0

Healthcare, biotech, and higher education anchor the local economy, with the massive Longwood Medical Area housing world-renowned hospitals and research centers just a short ride from downtown. Even with that large institutional presence, Boston keeps a comfortable neighborhood feel. Each area has its own distinct personality and bustling commercial center. You will find classic Italian bakeries in the North End, Victorian row houses and trendy bistros in the South End, vibrant dim sum spots in Chinatown, and relaxed, community-focused commercial squares in places like Jamaica Plain and Roslindale.

ATTRHBS1908 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting around without a car is manageable thanks to the MBTA transit network, known locally as "the T." Subway lines, buses, commuter rails, and harbor ferries connect outer neighborhoods and suburbs directly to the urban core. When you need a quiet place to work or read, the Boston Public Library offers branch locations across the city, including the flagship McKim building in Copley Square with its peaceful central courtyard. If you enjoy the ocean, the Harborwalk provides miles of continuous waterfront paths winding past working wharves, residential docks, and the lively Seaport district.

ATTRAjay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / CC BY 2.0

For outdoor recreation, the city features the Emerald Necklace, a connected seven-mile park system that stretches from downtown straight through several residential neighborhoods. You can start your morning admiring the swan boats in the Public Garden, jog along the waterways in the Fens, paddle across Jamaica Pond, or spend an afternoon exploring the rolling hills of the Arnold Arboretum. Having this continuous network of waterways, harbor paths, and historic parks gives residents plenty of room to unwind while enjoying everything the city has to offer.