Leaving Boston? 5 Best Places to Move from Boston

Boston is a diverse metropolitan city with notable historical sights and exclusive colleges. The multi-faceted city has hundreds of new residents moving in every week to taste the eclectic Boston life! The city has a booming economy and a growing job market with several major industries like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance and insurance, education, and biotechnology. Boston or ‘The Bean City’ has a central location and is in close proximity to major cities like New York, Philadelphia, New Hampshire, and Salem. It houses some of the most well-known colleges and universities, which speaks volumes about the city’s educational facilities.

So far, Boston seems to be the land of stability and great progress, but as with every city or state, there are always things that can be improved upon. The booming economy of the city brings sky-high costs of living as well. The cost of living in Boston has skyrocketed over the past decade. Another problem that Boston residents face today is navigating the city. The routes in Boston are chaotic, confusing, and not straightforward in the slightest. Add to that Boston’s parking problem. Finding a parking space here is nearly impossible, and even if you do manage to find one, the parking fee tends to be expensive.

Like every other city, Boston has its appeal and its shortcomings. But, if you’ve lived in an amazing city like Boston, then where do you move to next? No worries! We bring you the best places to move from Boston.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

5 Best Places To Move From Boston

1. Cambridge
2. Medford
3. Newton
4. Waltham
5. Newburyport

1. Cambridge

Cambridge is known as the intellectual capital due to its high educational standards. So, it goes without saying that the city holds some of the greatest schools and colleges in the United States. Cambridge is home to Ivy League schools like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The public school system here is great.

The city is close to Boston, which is only an 11-minute car drive away – or a 20-minute train ride, if you love traveling by rail! Being an educational hub, Cambridge has a strong economy and job market as well. The median household income of Cambridge is far above the national average. Finally, the crime rate of the city is lower than the national average, making it one of the safest cities in Massachusetts.

Downsides: Good things never come cheap! Cambridge is an expensive city to live in. The cost of living as well as the housing costs in Cambridge is higher than the national average. Cambridge also has a track record of unpredictable weather. Today, it may be a warm, sunny day and tomorrow may bring in the gloomy clouds and cool winds. The winters in Cambridge can be freezing and brings snowfall as well. Furthermore, there have been several natural disasters in Massachusetts in the past. While it may be unlikely, it is advised to be well-prepared, just in case!

Population: 121,255

Median Home Value: $982,371

Monthly Median Rent: $2,648

Median Household Income: $139,991

Unemployment Rate: 5.0%

Best Neighborhoods To Live In: Cambridgeport, East Cambridge, Riverside, Peabody, Mid Cambridge, and Wellington-Harrington.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

2. Medford

Medford is one of the largest cities in Middlesex county. It is part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area and is considered one of the safest cities in the county. With crime rates below the national average, Medford is a great place to move in with your family or by yourself. The healthcare facilities in Medford are affordable and lower than the national average. The city also has a good economy that promises job growth. The unemployment rate of the city is below the national average and exhibits a great future job growth projection. Finally, Medford is a short commute away from Boston and Cambridge!

Downsides: One of the biggest, and perhaps the only, negative of moving to Medford is the high cost of living. Medford is expensive, right from real estate and transportation to utilities and groceries. The cost of living in Medford is above the national average. Though renting an apartment in Medford is surprisingly affordable in comparison to Boston.

If you are a rain and snow person, then Medford’s climate may not be troublesome for you. But if not, then Medford might not be your choice of place to move to as the city receives some form of precipitation for nearly half the year!

Population: 56,702

Median Home Value: $761,837

Monthly Median Rent: $1,800

Median Household Income: $120,481

Unemployment Rate: 5.8%

Best Neighborhoods To Live In: West Medford, Medford Hillside, Wellington, South Medford, Glenwood, Lawrence Estates, etc.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

3. Newton

Newton is a moderate-sized city in Massachusetts in Middlesex county. Living in Newton has an urban feel as compared to the surrounding suburban areas. Newton is known for its top-notch public school system, which brings a number of families to this city. The city’s public school system spends almost twice that of the national average, and the overall education ranks high both nationally and statewide. The economy and job market of Newton are quite sturdy too. The average household income is higher than the national average. And the job market has a positive growth rate.

Downsides: Like many cities in Massachusetts, Newton, too, is an expensive city to live in. The median home value of Newton is higher than the national average. Furthermore, the cost of food and groceries, utilities, and other facilities in Newton are also high. Finally, Newton experiences some form of precipitation nearly half the year, especially moderate to heavy snowfall. And the city is at a high risk to experience severe storms from time to time.

Population: 87,733

Median Home Value: $1,395,458

Monthly Median Rent: $2,095

Median Household Income: $207,563

Unemployment Rate: 4.5%

Best Neighborhoods To Live In: Oak Hill Park, Newtonville, West Newton, Newton Corner, Auburndale, Newton Highlands, etc.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

4. Waltham

Waltham is a fairly big city in the Middlesex County of Massachusetts. It is one of the safest places to live in the United States with a crime rate two times lower than the national average. The economic growth of Waltham is also moving in a positive direction, with a median household income that is higher than the national average as well as that of the neighboring cities like Boston. The job growth in Waltham, too, follows a positive trajectory as well. The healthcare and transportation facilities of Waltham are quite affordable and efficient. Waltham is also in close proximity to major cities like Newton, Lexington, Winchester, and Medford.

Downsides: While the cost of living in Waltham is slightly lower than that of Boston, the average cost of living is still higher than the national average. Because of Waltham’s proximity to Boston, the real estate costs here have increased in the past few years. The cost of utilities, food, housing, and other facilities is high in Waltham. Also, the city sometimes witnesses heavy traffic due to the Massachusetts Turnpike, Route 2, and Interstate 95 running on either side of the city. Finally, Waltham experiences heavy snowfall and moderate-to-heavy rainfall every year, which may be a turndown for many.

Population: 62,291

Median Home Value: $742,016

Monthly Median Rent: $2,315

Median Household Income: $115,461

Unemployment Rate: 6.1%

Best Neighborhoods To Live In: Lakeview, North Waltham, Bleachery, Eastview Park, Warrendale, Cedar Wood, Highlands.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

5. Newburyport

Newburyport is a beautiful city located on the east coast of Massachusetts. It is a famous coastal city with an old-time allure, known for its fishing, shipbuilding, and shipping centers. Newburyport offers its residents beautiful beaches, waterfronts, and even parks with hiking trails and picnic areas. The city has a very low crime rate and is a family-centered community, which brings in new residents each year. The median household income of a Newburyport resident is higher than the national average. The job market has a positive growth rate with a low unemployment rate.

If you’re a nature buff and love spending time in the outdoors, then there’s no better city than Newburyport. The city brims with opportunities to savor the lushness of life outside with spots like Maudslay State Park, the Waterfront Park, and the Park River National Wildlife Refuge.

Downsides: Being a coastal city with rich history and heritage, Newburyport attracts a lot of tourists throughout the year. Tourist season is a rough time for the locals, with crowded beaches and long waits to eat at your favorite restaurants. Newburyport isn’t an affordable place to live by any means. The city’s cost of living is higher than that of Massachusetts and the national average as well. The housing market here is very competitive and the rents are higher in comparison to other cities in Massachusetts. While transportation is inexpensive, the transport system isn’t the most reliable, due to infrequent bus timings.

Population: 18,577

Median Home Value: $746,794

Monthly Median Rent: $1,600

Median Household Income: $145,502

Unemployment Rate: 6.8%

Best Neighborhoods To Live In: Plum Island, Curzon Mill, City Center, and Newburyport West.

Conclusion:

While most cities in Massachusetts have a similar standard of living i.e. the cost of living can be higher than in other states, their economic growth supports the expensive living standards. So, if you’re moving from Boston to one of the above-listed cities, you will find yourself feeling right at home. The sense of community and belonging among the Bay Staters remains the same all over!

See also: Best Moving Companies in Boston

CALCULATE MY MOVE

FAQs On 5 Best Places To Move From Boston

Why Are People Moving From Boston?

Many residents are moving out of Boston either for health reasons, family, retirement plans, lifestyle changes, a new job or transfer, or the high cost of living in Boston. While Boston has really good amenities to provide its residents, life in the metropolitan city is not at all cheap. Boston’s expensive living costs are one of the major reasons for people to move out of the city.

Why Are So Many People Moving To Massachusetts?

The economy and job market of Massachusetts are booming. In comparison to other states, the median household income of the state of Massachusetts is higher than the national average. The average salary a resident of Massachusetts receives is also higher than the U.S. average. Massachusetts has recorded maximum inbound related to jobs, educational facilities, retirement plans, and lifestyle changes.

Is Massachusetts Safe?

Massachusetts is one of the 14 states to record a consistent drop in the number of crimes reported in the state. The total crime rate of Massachusetts is lower than the national average. Massachusetts residents currently enjoy the lowest crime rate in the New England region.

What Are The Best Places To Live In Massachusetts?

Cities like Waltham, Lexington, Cambridge, Winchester, Newton, Medford, Provincetown, Melrose, and Boston are some of the best places to live in Massachusetts.

CALCULATE MY MOVE