Scituate is part of the Boston area. This page covers the whole metro.
How locals describe Boston
The words residents use most, from 113 comments on Reddit, City-Data and Quora. Bigger means more people said it. Tap a word to read what they said.
"Living in the city is expensive but you can walk to a lot of things and take the MBTA when it's running."
Outdoorsy, Big-city feel, Historic
Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when Boston scores 70 or higher out of 100.
Less so: cozy.
A walk through Boston
Places residents talk about, in their words. Each photo is of the place named.
Look around Boston
Google Street View near the center of town, taken 2026-08. Drag to turn, click the street to move.
Open in Google MapsPhotos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
What Boston is known for
Every year
AprBoston Marathon: famous marathon race run on Patriots Dayaudleytravel.com
JulBoston Harborfest: harbor themed festival with reenactorsmeetboston.com
OctHead of the Charles Regatta: rowing regatta on the Charles Rivermeetboston.com
On a normal week
Walking the Freedom Trailtravel.usnews.com
Watching baseball at Fenway Parkaudleytravel.com
Strolling Newbury Street in Back Bayen.wikipedia.org
Visiting Boston Common parken.wikipedia.org
Around Boston
Take a tour of Boston
"History & Highlights Walking Tour in Boston, Massachusetts" by Viator, on YouTube. Not made by Varro.
One person who moved from Cape Cod worked at a grocery store for $20 an hour.
“Hi guys. I moved to Boston last month from Cape Cod. I worked at a chain grocery store and made $20/hr.”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2025Boston is described as a beautiful, relatively safe, and clean city with great cultural institutions and hospitals.
“Boston is a beautiful and relatively safe and clean city. It has great cultural institutions, museums, sports, colleges, and hospitals. The...”
Read the full commentPosted Aug. 2025One resident who moved to Boston alone said they did not manage to establish a social network.
“So I moved to Boston solo. Didn't manage to establish a social network. That's fine and was expected - I'm just here for a few months and not taking classes...”
Read the full commentPosted Oct. 2023One resident disagreed with the idea that Boston people are cold and hard to befriend as newcomers.
“9/10 some recent graduate that moved to Boston is saying that it's hard to find friends here because people are so cold. It's not true.”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2024“it's clean, safe, and really accessible”
One resident raved about Moeca and Pammy's, especially the Peking duck, calling them top contenders.
“Had some crazy good bites at Moëca. No shock it got a Michelin rec. Pammy's, the pekin duck is stupid good.”
Posted April 2026One resident says Boston has great parks and long greenways and trails for walking, running, and cycling, including Blue Hills and Middlesex Fells.
“There are great parks within the city, including multiple long greenways/trails for walking/running/cycling. are Blue Hills and Middlesex Fells.”
Posted Jan. 2024One resident mentioned that Boston parks and museums offer free admission to BPS students monthly and libraries host daily kids events.
“All Boston parks and museums have free admission to BPS students once a month. Our libraries have events every single day for kids of all ages.”
Posted July 2024Favorite dive bars mentioned include Druid, Burren for music, Old Mcgouns, Silhouette, and Beantown Pub near Park Street.
“Druid, Burren (music), Old Mcgouns and Silhouette are some of my favorite dive bars in the area.”
Posted Jan. 2025From 16 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident praised Newport Folk Fest along with several Boston area venues as being on the good list.
“Newport folk fest really can't be beat. Deep Cuts, Sinclair, Roadrunner, MGM Fenway, Brighton Music Hall, Symphony Hall, etc on the good list,...”
Read the full commentPosted March 2024One resident notes that Boston has many clubs and groups like craft clubs, bar crawls, outdoor groups, and board game groups to find friends through.
“There's craft clubs, bar crawls, outdoor groups, boardgame groups, all sorts of classes, and plenty more that might be interesting. I find...”
Read the full commentPosted April 2025One resident mentions a Facebook group called Make Friends After College that is fairly active with events in Boston and Somerville.
“There's a Facebook group - Make Friends After College (Boston, Somerville, etc) that you can join. They are fairly active and have things going...”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2024One lifelong Massachusetts resident says friendships are typically formed through work, shared clubs, or bars.
“As a lifelong MA resident making friends is typically done in the workplace, through shared clubs or interests or after frequenting a bar for a...”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2026One resident shared that they moved to South Boston about a year ago and works as a corporate lawyer.
“28M living in South Boston. Asian American originally from California. I moved here about a year ago and am currently working as a corporate lawyer...”
Read the full commentPosted June 2023. Things may have changed since.One resident disagreed with the idea that Boston people are cold and hard to befriend as newcomers.
“9/10 some recent graduate that moved to Boston is saying that it's hard to find friends here because people are so cold. It's not true.”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2024One resident said Boston is notoriously closed off to those who did not grow up there, making it easier to befriend other newcomers and transients.
“Boston (proper and broader) is notoriously closed to people who didn't grow up there. It's easiest to befriend other newcomers and transients.”
Read the full commentPosted Aug. 2024One resident prefers meeting guys in real life rather than through dating apps for more natural relationship development.
“I’m (26F) not a fan of dating apps and would love to meet guys in real-life settings for more natural dating and relationship development.”
Read the full commentPosted May 2025One resident finds dating in Boston great due to a constant turnover of attractive young singles.
“Dating in Boston is great. Never ending turnover of single attractive 20 somethings.”
Read the full commentPosted May 2021. Things may have changed since.One resident has had a decent experience using multiple dating apps, meeting some great people while passing on others.
“I've been using the apps (Bumble, Hinge, The League) and having a decent time. I've met some great women and passed on a lot of people that...”
Read the full commentPosted June 2025One resident believes the best way to date offline is through mutual friends or acquaintances.
“In terms of offline dating, by far the best approach is to meet people through a mutual friend or acquaintance, especially if you feel...”
Read the full commentPosted Feb. 2024One resident suggests skipping a specific dating event and meeting people through clubs and hobby nights.
“Dating in Boston - same people on Hinge, and Bumble/Tinder. Skip the Small Talk's dating event. go to events, book clubs, hobby nights, whatevs...”
Read the full commentPosted Feb. 2025One resident in their early 30s has used dating apps on and off since moving there six years ago and has had boyfriends but none that worked out
“I’m in my early 30sF and have been using dating apps on and off since I moved to Boston over six years ago. I’ve had boyfriends, but none of them...”
Read the full commentPosted July 2026Favorite dive bars mentioned include Druid, Burren for music, Old Mcgouns, Silhouette, and Beantown Pub near Park Street.
“Druid, Burren (music), Old Mcgouns and Silhouette are some of my favorite dive bars in the area. Beantown Pub right near park street is pretty...”
Read the full commentPosted Jan. 2025One resident who moved to Boston alone said they did not manage to establish a social network.
“So I moved to Boston solo. Didn't manage to establish a social network. That's fine and was expected - I'm just here for a few months and not taking classes...”
Read the full commentPosted Oct. 2023A resident who likes Boston for being clean, safe, and accessible shared that they are not a big club goer.
“Hi all - first off this isn’t a complaint post. I like Boston, it’s clean, safe, and really accessible. And also, I’m not a club goer or a big...”
Read the full commentPosted Nov. 2025One resident advises going out Thursday through Saturday to meet people and checking out areas like Seaport, South Boston, and South End.
“Do's of Boston Go Out to meet people on Thursdays - Saturdays Focus on yourself Sunday - Wednesday Check out Seaport, South Boston, South End,...”
Read the full commentPosted Nov. 2022. Things may have changed since.One resident advised newcomers to get familiar with the subway, bus, and commuter rail before moving.
“Here's a thread of things people wish they knew before they moved here. Get to know the subway system and/or the bus system. know the commuter...”
Read the full commentPosted Feb. 2014. Over 10 years old, things may have changed.One resident found Boston smaller than expected, miserable for driving but great for walking, with many international people.
“The city is physically smaller than I expected. It's a miserable place to drive but a fantastic place to walk. Lots of international people.”
Read the full commentPosted Aug. 2022. Things may have changed since.One resident said Boston is expensive to live in but walkable and served by the MBTA and bus system.
“You'll love Boston. Living in the city is expensive but you can walk to a lot of things and take the MBTA when it's running. Bus system is...”
Read the full commentPosted Nov. 2024One resident says people in Boston are friendly and the masshole stereotype is overplayed, with a relaxed pace of life
“People are, by and large, very friendly there (the masshole stereotype is very overplayed). It's not particularly fast paced, people are welcome...”
Read the full commentPosted Jan. 2022. Things may have changed since.One resident who bought a home in the south-west suburbs of Boston says they hate it there because nothing is walkable
“My spouse and I bought a home in my current town in the south-west suburbs of Boston last year and I absolutely HATE it here. Nothing is walkable (not...”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2023. Things may have changed since.One resident who moved to Salem found it hard to leave friends behind after relocating from SoCal
“I moved to Salem a few years ago. I had been born and raised in SoCal and had lived 25 years in the same city. It’s been difficult to leave friends and...”
Read the full commentPosted May 2023. Things may have changed since.Recent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 15,127 business locations in the Boston area, employing about 444,538 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
One resident said salaries should be on par with SF and NYC, though at least benefits are real compared to restaurant jobs.
“Salaries are about the same as restaurants and you get real benefits. Salaries in Boston should be up to par with SF and NYC 2K 261...”
Read the full commentPosted July 2025A spouse expressed gratitude for having a job that pays the bills in the current economy.
“I would say we're lucky in this current administration that we're in. .. We have jobs and can pay the bills and that's a blessing in itself.”
Read the full commentPosted Oct. 2025One person who moved from Cape Cod worked at a grocery store for $20 an hour.
“Hi guys. I moved to Boston last month from Cape Cod. I worked at a chain grocery store and made $20/hr.”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2025Pick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
No resident has talked about October yet.
Around Boston
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Boston area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the Boston area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
Buses and trains
- Government Center · Subway station · under 1 mile
- State · Subway station · under 1 mile
- Bowdoin · Subway station · under 1 mile
- Haymarket · Subway station · under 1 mile
Health care
Nearest hospital with an emergency room: Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, under 1 mile away in a straight line.
Costs of moving here
What rent costs
Of about 713,425 rented homes in the Boston area, 53% rent for under $2,000 a month and 85% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the Boston area rents for $1,500 to $1,999 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $3,000 to $3,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $4,500 to $5,997 where landlords also ask for last month.
Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,500 to $1,999, that's a yearly income of about $54,000 to $71,964.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Moving to Massachusetts: before and after
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Massachusetts DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: Massachusetts voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Schools and childcare
Schools
55 public school districts in this county, with about 202,979 students in all. The county also has 12 public charter schools and 128 private schools. Which public school serves a home depends on its address.
Closest public schools to the center of Boston
Straight-line miles from the center of Boston, nearest first. Being closest doesn't mean a school serves a given home. "Passed the state test" is the share of students who scored proficient or better on Massachusetts's own reading and math tests in the 2021-22 school year, the latest year the U.S. Department of Education has published for every school. Each state sets its own test and passing bar, so compare schools within the same state, not across states. Test results track family income closely and leave out a lot (teachers, programs, how a school fits your child). For newer results, see the state's school report card.
Public school districts in the county
School choice and pre-K in Massachusetts
School choice: state law as summarized by the Education Commission of the States, 50-State Comparison: Open Enrollment Policies (2022). Pre-K: share of children in state-funded pre-K, National Institute for Early Education Research, State of Preschool 2025 Yearbook (2024-25 school year).
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Private schools: NCES Private School Survey, 2021-22. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For programs and newer results, see each district's site and the state's school report card.
Childcare and colleges
Massachusetts keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
| Age | Daycare center | Home daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $462/week about $24,000 a year | $250/week about $13,000 a year |
| Toddler (2) | $408/week about $21,200 a year | |
| Preschool (3 to 4) | $310/week about $16,100 a year | $200/week about $10,400 a year |
| School-age | $215/week about $11,200 a year |
For an infant at a center: $462/week here, $440 across MA, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 16% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.
64 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Boston. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less, and community colleges often charge even less to people who live in their district. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.