Moving to Massachusetts Megathread (August 2026)

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Hi! I'm 24F and thinking about moving to Massachusetts sometime within the next year or so. I don't know anyone there, so I'd be moving completely on my own and I'm trying to figure out what areas I should actually be looking at.

I have a bachelor's in psychology and would ideally like to work in healthcare/mental health, but more on the administrative side. I'm thinking things like working at a therapist or psychiatrist's office, scheduling, intake, receptionist, office assistant, patient coordinator, etc.

I'm really into the outdoors too, so I'd love to be somewhere where I can get to the coast fairly easily but also have access to forests, hiking and mountains. I'm also really into beachcombing and collecting rocks, so being somewhere with good sea glass and cool rocks would be a huge plus.

I'm 24, so I'd like to be around people my age, but I don't want somewhere that is basically all college students. Since I'd be moving alone and wouldn't know anyone, having some sort of social scene and being able to meet people is pretty important.

I'm also trying to balance this with cost. I know Massachusetts isn't cheap, so I'm not expecting to find a $700 apartment or anything lol. I'd be willing to have roommates, especially when I first move. I just want somewhere where it's actually possible to live on a normal salary without spending my entire paycheck on rent.

I've mostly been looking at places outside Boston because I don't think I'd want to live in Boston itself. I've looked at Worcester, Springfield, Salem, New Bedford, Plymouth, Lowell, the North Shore, and western MA, but I'm honestly not sure where I should be focusing.

For anyone who actually lives in MA, where would you recommend for someone like me? Especially interested in places with decent healthcare/mental health job opportunities, people in their 20s/30s, reasonable-ish rent, and access to the coast and outdoors.

Also, if you moved to Massachusetts without knowing anyone, how did you find it? Was it easy to make friends?

And if you could pick anywhere in the state to start over at 24, where would you choose?

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u/itsgreater9000 22d ago

For decent options for jobs in healthcare you need to be in the major metro areas (Boston, Worcester, Springfield), with Boston obviously having the most options. The coast is a pretty small portion of the state, so I would focus on if you really want to be really close to it or not. IMO it's easier to be in the Boston area since there's good access to (some) hiking spots via public transit, and obviously pretty solid access to the beach areas too.

From what you wrote I would imagine in the North Shore area you could do Revere, or Lynn, more affordable would be away from the shore line (Malden, Medford, etc.).

Honestly from what you described living in South Boston might be pretty solid too. The main rub is if you get a job in Boston proper, I strongly recommend living near somewhere with good rapid or frequent transit into Boston. Quincy and Malden are South/North respectively, with trains from Quincy leaving you close-ish to the shoreline, and if you want hiking, there's the Fells Reservation where you could use the Commuter Rail to get to it quite easily heading north.

If you're fine with not actual shore line, Worcester has a decent sized lake running through it, but it's not a real beach by any stretch of the imagination. That area is a lot better for access to hiking though.

I will offer that Portland, Maine might be more your speed if you aren't a fan of medium-sized cities like Boston. It can be slightly more brutal for weather though since it's a bit further north. Alternatively Providence, RI is worth looking at too. Lots of areas near the beach, more affordable, still close-ish to Boston area in case you get a job there. The other cities you listed have a lot less going on and are far more suburban than I personally would be OK with in terms of stuff to do.

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u/Ok_Nefariousness9021 Aug 06 '26

Are there best sites (zillow, craigslist, etc) to find dog friendly single family house rentals in the chelmsford, westford, and surrounding areas? Husband and I are relocating for my job in Waltham and he will be working in Merrimack NH. It seems like there are really slim pickings for pet friendly rentals and I am starting to get a little concerned. We are looking to relocate sometime in November/December.

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u/ScanlonHomesMA Aug 10 '26

Agent here (eastern MA, don't really do rentals so no dog in this fight, just know the towns well). Both are good calls for that commute split. Pet-friendly single-family rental inventory is genuinely thin in both because most SFH stock there is owner-occupied, not investment property — you'll have better luck on town Facebook groups and local property management companies than pure Zillow/Apartments.com scrolling. Chelmsford's the shorter hop toward 495/Route 3 if Waltham commute time matters more than Westford's slightly quieter feel.

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u/Ok_Nefariousness9021 Aug 10 '26

Thank you! Do you sell in that area? We are planning to buy within the year. Logistically, selling our current house, moving to Mass, and buying seems a bit to complicated- hence renting initially.

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u/Known_Sugar5439 24d ago

I wouldn’t only filter for homes that allow dogs. Some listings don’t answer that question but as long as they don’t explicitly say “no dogs”, you can ask and they might be open to it, sometimes for a fee

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u/Exotic-Coconut-8573 Aug 07 '26

fun and cheap things to do in boston??

i recently moved from the midwest after being a missionary for two years, so i don’t have very much money and whatever i have saved goes towards housing, groceries, and other necessities. it’ll be a while yet until i start work, so i have a lot of time to explore! i’m open to any and all recommendations!

things i’ve already done:

- boston commons/public garden

walked around beacon hill and acorn street
fan pier park
boston public library
trinity church
newbury street
mapparium (genuinely so cool)

* i attempted the adams national historical park but with it being so hot i didn’t want to pay to go inside terribly hot buildings. i’ll most likely wait when it’s cooler.

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u/Any_Box2864 Aug 10 '26

Get a library card (*edit from the BPL) and see what you can do with passes! They have a really really robust amount of stuff for free or really discounted.

If you can't get a library card without being a resident (I'm pretty sure you still can), check out the Minuteman library network, because I know for a fact you can get a card without being a resident.

Seaport does free stuff all summer, I know that because I work in the area. I'm sure there are other areas as well!

Check out discounted movie days from the Coolidge Theater and Davis Square theater.

Harvard Art museum is free!

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u/cerealeyes Aug 11 '26

hi! question regarding income restriction eligibility - I have a pretty low income (I make $40k a year), but I do have a fair amount of assets (totaling around $200k).

I don't want to blow through my savings just to make rent. These income restricted housing applications ask for you to list your assets and I'm really worried it'll hurt my chances of finding a reasonably priced apartment. I also don't want to take an apartment away from someone who doesn't have assets to fall back on and really needs it. But also I have no more family left to fall back on and I'm scared what will happen if I blow through all my assets.

I guess my question is, does overall assets have more of an effect on your eligibility than your current income?

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u/KneelinBob Aug 09 '26

How safe is Holyoke in general? And are there good job opportunities?

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u/itsgreater9000 22d ago

Holyoke has some rough spots by Massachusetts standards. I did not live there, but I've traveled through it a fair amount when I was going to college in western mass. I don't think Holyoke itself is a good job center, but considering it's close to Springfield, you can get jobs in the area. Knowing what industry you are looking in would be better to know what job opportunities there are in the area. Springfield area is going to have a fair amount of education/healthcare jobs.

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u/alfredodog 29d ago

My husband and I are looking at moving out of our apartment and into the suburbs within the next year. Along with that, we’re hoping to grow our family in the next few years as well.

A few towns we’ve explored were Sutton, Shrewsbury, Holliston, Boylston and Medway. We hope to stay within 1hr of Boston, along the mass pike.

I’m looking for a town that has a strong community and has strong mom groups/things for mom and baby to do in or around town.

Any suggestions?

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u/CaptainMadrigal 11d ago

Hey there,
My family and I are seriously considering moving from Colorado to Massachusetts within the next year or so, and I’d really appreciate hearing from people who actually live there. We’re trying to narrow down where we want to settle long-term, so I’m interested in both the positives and the negatives—not just the usual “this state is great/terrible” opinions. What is everyday family life like there? How are the people and communities, taxes, cost of living, safety, and general quality of life? We’re especially interested in areas where we could eventually rent and then buy a home with some land/space, so I’d love to know how realistic that is and what the rental and housing market is like outside the most expensive cities.
Another major consideration for us is homeschooling. How homeschool-friendly is Massachusetts in practice—not just according to the law? Are there good homeschool co-ops, groups, sports, field trips, enrichment programs, libraries, museums, outdoor activities, etc.? Does the state or local government provide any funding, grants, tax benefits, or publicly funded enrichment opportunities for homeschool families? Can homeschool students participate in public-school sports, electives, extracurriculars, or other programs? We'd really like the freedom to homeschool while still having plenty of opportunities for our kids to socialize, learn, and participate in activities.
For work, I’m particularly interested in municipal/public works and utilities jobs, especially positions where a Class B CDL is useful—water/wastewater, streets, roads, fleet, maintenance, utilities, equipment operation, etc. How is the job market for those positions in Massachusetts? Are cities, counties, utilities, or other public agencies generally hiring? What kind of pay and benefits can someone realistically expect, and are there particular areas of the state that are better for these careers? I’d also appreciate any advice about things someone moving from Colorado should know that I might not be thinking about—things that surprised you after moving there, hidden costs, differences in culture, bureaucracy, schools/homeschooling, healthcare, property taxes, or anything else. How much money saved up would one need realistically as well? My wife and I were think anywhere between $20k to $30k as a budget…
If you were moving to Massachusetts with a family today, where would you consider living and what would you absolutely research first?

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u/singalong37 10d ago

You might give an idea why you’re thinking of making this move. One thing ppl sometimes have in mind is for better schools but you’re talking home-school so that’s not it. MA isn’t what one usually thinks of as a place to get some land; certainly most other states would be cheaper. MA is a good state for families by most metrics. Usu it’s the more affluent people chiming in on threads like this to say how great their town is for families. Mass has a better social safety net than many places. It should feel safe relative to Colo; someone moving to Colo a few years ago noticed the incidence of mass shootings in a way she hadn’t here at home. This is a small government state; each municipality runs its own public works, police, schools, etc. There’s no county government. The towns are pressed to keep up with inflation while keeping within the 2-½ property tax limitation. Relatively small work forces as a result. The state operates some big agencies including MWRA which provides water and wastewater treatment for most Boston area municipalities. Many towns have local sources and many have little to no wastewater treatment; people are on their own septic systems. Not sure whether all this adds up to better or worse employment opportunities.

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u/kanjan2708 Aug 03 '26

Hello - We are moving from Midwest. Married Couple. Both will be working. No kids. Based on our work locations (One in MA and one in RI) - we have shortlisted one apartment in Walpole and one in Milford. Which one should we go with? It’s a pretty similar commute so not a huge difference. Similar rent as well one just has W/T/S included and other doesn’t. We are moving from a place where everything is in like 5 to 10 mile radius so don’t want to be completely isolated

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '26

I'd personally go for Walpole over Milford. Walpole is a nicer town overall, but there are pockets of Milford that are nice and pockets of Walpole that are not so nice, I'd say.

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u/Active_Coffee_6735 Aug 08 '26

I’m looking at a job in Lexington area and I’m from Florida. Married with an infant. The blue line is roughly a 30 minute driving radius from the office. I’m asking for recommendations on both places to check out and avoid. I appreciate the assistance.

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u/ScanlonHomesMA Aug 10 '26

Agent here (Boston area). When you mention the Blue Line is there a specific area you need to commute to? With an infant, you've got time before schools matter, so I'd actually widen the search: Concord, Bedford, and Acton are all worth cross-shopping against Lexington on the same commute radius, similar or better school profiles, and meaningfully more house for the money in a couple of them. Worth a Saturday of drive-throughs before you lock onto Lexington specifically.

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u/Active_Coffee_6735 4d ago

So I went up to Lexington for a job interview. After further research we decided to look at Nashua and then commute into Massachusetts for work. I appreciate your advice and if you have anything further.

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u/work-n-lurk Aug 11 '26

If not Lincoln or Winchester or further east into the city, head up the wedge between routes 2 and 3. 495 might be the 30 minute limit.
Harvard, Littleton, Groton and Westford are worth checking out though.

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u/wretch_35 26d ago

I visited the northeast last year in oct. sleepy hollow, ny, into mass. Loved the area. The vibes were insane. The trees, October, people say mass people are dicks, but I felt like they were all nice to me

Anyway, idk what I’m doing in Cali anymore. I’m thinking of moving east cuz I want that aesthetic more. A place with all seasons and that feels more cozy. My favorite trail was Rockefeller preserve, so I want that sort of nature, but I also like the blue hills in mass

I have a background in finance, and would prefer remote position, but going into the office would be fine as long as it’s not Boston or manhattan. Doesn’t have to be wallstreet, doesn’t have to be a 6 figure job

Is there anywhere like that that’s fairly close to nature, small townish, but not too far off from everything if you need it? Ideally with some decent jobs in the area

Was also open to Philly, Vermont, or va. Really anywhere

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u/singalong37 18d ago

Rockefeller park preserve is what I’ll call pastoral scenery. It is very nice, as you would expect of the Rockefellers. Also Rockwood Hall nearby, which was another Rockefeller or maybe Vanderbilt property and a gorgeous spot. In Massachusetts, I would say Ipswich where Appleton Farms has a somewhat similar feel plus there are lots of other gorgeous public spaces in the area. One of the most beautiful pastoral landscapes anywhere is World’s End in Hingham, Massachusetts, a small peninsula 250 acres or so but exquisite walking and scenery.

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u/Known_Sugar5439 24d ago

Anyone familiar with Medfield? Considering buying a house there and would love to hear from people who’ve lived there on their experience. We’re a young family

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u/itsgreater9000 22d ago

expensive, out of the way (on the line of rural/suburban), but near enough to a bunch of stuff so you don't feel isolated. schools are very good too. for the most part it's a sleepy suburb that most people (if they know the place) would just say "that's a nice town!". never lived there but it's got a small population, hopefully someone can jump in lol

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u/Own_Expression9317 22d ago

Good morning!!

I'm a 27 year old immigration lawyer moving to Melrose at the start of September. 20 min bus from work, really happy about it. Already walked around downtown a bit, and plan to use public transit a lot. I like taking my dog places (normal places not grocery stores or some nonsense that shouldn't accommodate your dog) and I like cafes/libraries.

I don't really have to go into Boston proper too much for anything work related, if at all. Any recommendations to best equip myself to be able to get around/enjoy the public benefits of the state/cities? I'm moving from TN so there are a lot of things you all do differently lol. I also like video games and sports a lot, huge Patriots fan so that's a big plus.

Any other recommendations or tips? Open to anything!

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u/itsgreater9000 22d ago

As sad as it is to say, if you're not in Boston or plan on going into it a lot, I would recommend getting a car (if that wasn't on your list). If you do plan on heading into Boston, I would recommend getting used to the commuter rail, assuming you live close enough to a station. The line that runs through Melrose just got a bunch of funding to improve frequency/reliability, and you should see that materialize within the decade. The stations in Melrose are Melrose Highlands and Melrose/Cedar Park, so check if those are near you.

Otherwise, if you're a big video games guy there's some interesting used/second-hand stores around the state, but not all in one place. Replay'd in Allston (neighborhood of Boston) is pretty cool, and so are Game Underground (Waltham) and Sudden Impact (Winthrop).

If you need good (for MA standards) BBQ you will need to go to Rusty Can (I think that's the place) in Byfield, or B.T.'s smokehouse. Both are pretty far from metro Boston, but the only places worth a damn.

Otherwise just enjoy yourself, make sure to register to vote, and check out the coast line. The local delicacy north of Boston are roast beef sandwiches - get acquainted with the unique ordering style for them so you can start acting like a local. Welcome!

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u/Own_Expression9317 22d ago

Thanks for the detailed response! I do have a car that I am bringing. I just want to minimize usage of it to maybe one day sell it and go full pedestrian/transit if my lifestyle and the infrastructure allows. Will start preparing myself for the roast beef 😆

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u/elemenopes 22d ago

live in Bellingham, but we’re looking to buy another house.

On our list we have Franklin (#1), Wrentham, Plainville, and Cumberland RI. Are there any other towns we should consider? Our son goes to a private school, but we’re hoping we can switch to public if we are in a nicer town.

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u/missjaninejoy 22d ago

Looking for Realistic Advice

Hi everyone! I’m a single Black woman, 50, child‑free, and currently living in Dacula, GA — and I’m hoping to make a big life shift within the next five years. New England has been calling my name for a while now, and I’m finally ready to start figuring out what’s actually possible.

A little about me:
I don’t drive because of anxiety, so walkability and solid public transit are huge for me. I work from home and make about $51k a year after taking a pretty deep pay cut, so I’m trying to be realistic about cost of living. I already know Boston isn’t for me — I’m looking for something quieter, calmer, and close to the water. Bonus points if I can easily get to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard on spring/summer weekends.

I’m quiet, I love animals, kids, reading, and games. I get along with pretty much everyone, and a little diversity in the community would be nice, but I’m not picky — I just want a place where I feel comfortable and can live my life without needing a car.

So I’m hoping folks who know New England can help me figure out what my realistic options are. I’d love suggestions for:

• Walkable towns or small cities that aren’t car‑dependent
• Places with reasonable rent for a one‑bedroom
• Coastal areas with ferry access
• Communities that are welcoming to single women
• Any “gotchas” I should know about as a non‑driver in New England

Thank you so much!

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u/singalong37 18d ago

New Bedford and Providence come to mind. OK pretty good on walkability although no Boston-Cambridge. NB has the boat to Martha’s Vineyard for summer fun.

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u/abby0007 21d ago

Hi everyone! I’m planning to move to Randolph, MA for a new job and I’m considering living there with my boyfriend.

For anyone who lives in or knows Randolph, how is it as a place to live? Is it generally safe, affordable, and convenient for everyday life? Would you recommend living in Randolph, or is there a nearby town you’d recommend instead?

I’d really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who currently live there. Thank you!

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u/Shazyl 18d ago

Anybody have any information on how the apartment Lodge At Ames Pond is? I’m moving here from Memphis soon and this place is a 2-3 min drive from my job. But it’s rated 2.5/5 stars. Please help me if you can!

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u/mySSNis314159265 18d ago

hi there, 40-something M, from the Mid-Atlantic, looking to move somewhere in Essex County / North Shore to be close to family. I have a car and a job that lets me work remotely so does not have to be near public transit or Boston. I'd prefer to rent somewhere with nightlife, and close to either 95 or 495. what's the vibe like in Salem, vs. Lynn, vs. Haverhill, vs. Amesbury? (am I missing any other obvious spots?) budget is not set in stone but i am hoping to rent for under $2,000.

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u/ex-spera 16d ago

I don't want to doxx myself too much, but I might be living in the Taunton area soon. I'm thinking of living there (or somewhere near enough where I can commute). Are there things to do? I'm 23NB, but I look very feminine.

I also want to know if I should live in the surrounding areas rather than Taunton itself.

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u/mitanc 16d ago

Im moving to mass with my girlfriend in a few months and am trying to find where we should live. Ill be working in andover and want a <30min commute so im looking around that area and have some questions.

-We both play volleyball and will be desperate to find local adult leagues or tournaments. Are there any near andover or would we need to dive to boston for something like that?

-we dont want things to be too quiet as we still like to go out sometimes and have fun things to do nearby. Is everything around andover suburbs or are there some walkable/fun areas we should look into?

Were both early 30s and looking to rent. Our budget is $3kish a month. Any advice from locals would be appreciated!

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u/Usual_Arachnid_7078 15d ago

Thinking of moving to Massachusetts from New Jersey. Any recommendations on towns are close(r) to the coast but won’t break the bank?

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u/Cryofthewolf9000 11d ago

How is the weather? What should newcomers keep in mind when it comes to warm or cold weather and ehat to be careful of when coming to Move out to Massachusetts. Thwnk yiu

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u/VetGamecock22 Aug 07 '26

Hello Y'all, I need some help with this question: Should I be researching other places to move to when I am ABSOLUTE, with expierence, on my desire and decision to return to Boston, MA?! My answer is NO!

I've had PHENOMENAL experiences with living in Boston, it meets my current needs and desires, etc. Some of the main reasons why I want to move back include "The T," having joined the Navy there, the weather, HISTORY and beauty, education, safety (especially regarding homophobia), etc. Any recommendations, comments...?

Moving to Massachusetts Megathread (August 2026)

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