What are transportation options and challenges in Boston, Massachusetts?

Boston is expensive, especially housing. Expect to spend 2500 to 3000 dollars a month for a good apartment in a nice area. Public transport is good, you usually can get by without a car. The winters are very cold. The summers are very hot.

Future Bostonians should first learn everything they can about public transportation. The train system is referred to as the “T”. It can be very confusing for first time visitors because it consists of several lines distinguished by colors and letters, and “Park Street” is considered the center of all train lines. When going into Boston, I can take any train line that arrives because they will all stop at Park Street, no matter their end destination. Remember Park Street as the central direction for any train line is essential.

While Boston appears to be a liberal haven to outsiders, many of its residents’ views regarding housing and transportation are actually quite conservative. The population of the city has grown significantly over the past few years, but the supply of available housing has not kept pace with this growth. As a result, housing costs in Boston for both renters and home buyers are some of the highest in the country. A significant number of renters in Boston are severely rent-burdened, meaning that they spend more than 50% of their income on housing costs. Additionally, state funding of the public transportation system has not covered necessary maintenance of vehicles and infrastructure, but many so-called liberal residents continue to oppose raising the gas tax to fund public transit infrastructure.

Boston is a compact, walkable city filled with attractions to suit many interests. Famous for its championship sports teams, the city is also home to a wide variety of cultural institutions such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Science. Boston has a young, vibrant feel as a result of being the home to many institutions of higher learning. To top it all off, it has a large number of wonderful restaurants in all price ranges and various ethnic tastes.

A person moving to Boston should balance Boston’s amazing benefits with its steep costs. Boston is a clean, walkable city that contains an abundance of jobs for working professionals. However, Boston also comes with a steep price tag: both in the cost of housing and the cost of goods. While Boston may be expensive it is a wonderful place to life.

If you’re a runner, then you’ll love living in Boston! The Charles River is a beautiful place to log your daily miles. If you want some hill training, head over to Newton, where you can tackle the Boston Marathon’s famous Heartbreak Hill. Whether it’s hot, cold, or somewhere between, you’ll always see other runners along your route.