Movers Boston – New York
If you’re planning a move from the Big Apple to Beantown, you’re not alone! According to a recent study conducted by Redfin, of the 34% of New Yorkers looking for greener pastures outside of NYC, many have their sights set on Boston. With its historic charm and quaint cobblestone streets, this New England town is a popular destination for New York residents looking for a change of pace and cheaper place to call home.
As you plan your move from Boston to New York, keep Imperial Moving & Storage in mind. We are full-service, interstate licensed NYC movers offering moving services from New York to Boston. Over the years we’ve completed hundreds of out-of-state moves for satisfied customers! Give us a call today to request a free quote on your New York to Boston move!
What to Know When Moving from NYC to Boston
Moving to a new city and state can be intimidating, but with the right information, your transition will be easier. If you’re getting ready to move from New York City, New York to Boston, Massachusetts, there are several things you’ll want to know. From transportation and cost of living to climate and job prospects, New York and Boston are two unique cities. Here are some things you should know before making the move:
Traffic
Boston is infamous for the somewhat confusing design of its road system. While New York City is laid out on a more logical grid, you might find yourself missing turns and backtracking a lot more in Boston. Plan your routes ahead of time to avoid unnecessary delays and get familiar with the sudden exits.
On the positive side, Boston drivers are somewhat politer than their New York City counterparts. Of course, a lot will depend on where you live, but Boston has a shorter average commute time than New York City. The average commuter travels 33.2 minutes from home to work in Boston, verses 36.3 minutes in New York, according to a Census Bureau Study reported in the New York City Patch.
Public Transportation
Both cities have extensive public transportation systems. New York’s MTA has slightly shorter wait times for buses and trains than Boston’s MBTA, but Boston’s system has a higher on-time percentage, according to hotpads.com. Because New York has more than four times as many riders, the chances of having to wait for a second train or bus because one is overcrowded are lower in Boston. Costs vary according to the trip, but rates in Boston start slightly lower than in New York.
Walkability
Both Boston and New York are highly walkable cities. New York City receives a walkability score of 89 from walkscore.com, whereas Boston comes in slightly lower at 81. However, both were rated among the top ten most walkable cities in the U.S.
Real Estate
You’re likely to save on housing when you move from New York to Boston. Rent prices are about 23% lower in Boston than in New York, according to numbeo.com. The median home value in Boston is about $584,000, versus $671,000 in New York. Reflecting these lower real estate costs, home ownership rates in Boston are just under 60 percent, compared to only 31 percent in New York City. In Boston, you will find townhouses, condos, apartments, and single-family homes.
When buying or renting a home, you may be concerned about schools and crime. While much will depend on the neighborhood you choose, Boston public schools are generally highly regarded among public schools in the United States. Boston’s crime rate is comparable to that of New York’s. Both are high-crime cities, rated as being safer than only 16% (New York) and 18% (Boston) of U.S. cities by Neighborhood Scout’s Crime Index. The cities’ violent crime rates are 7.06 (New York) and 7.46 (Boston) per 1,000 residents, and their property crime rates are 23.2 (Boston) and 24.92 (New York).
Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living in Boston is fifteen percent cheaper than in New York, according to Expatistan.com. The largest savings can be found in the categories of food, housing, and transportation.
Climate
New York has slightly hotter summers than Boston, but Boston has colder winters. New York has more sunny days and fewer rainy days than Boston, according to bestplaces.net, which ranks Boston as having a 16.7% worse climate than New York on its BestPlace Comfort Index.
Things to Do
Boston is about three hours closer than New York City is to popular Northeast destinations such as Nantucket and Maine. Within the city of Boston itself, there are many things to do. Popular attractions include:
- Fenway Park
- The Freedom Trail
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Samuel Adams Brewery
- Arnold Arboretum
- Boston Harbor
- Old North Church
Boston also has a vibrant music scene. It’s home to the Boston Opera and the Boston Symphony, of course, but also boasts a wide variety of indie clubs, blues bars, and jazz lounges, including The Red Room, Paradise Rock Club, and House of Blues.
Eater.com reports that Boston is somewhat less “restaurant dense” than New York City, with 24.2 restaurants per 10,000 households vs. New York’s 25.3.
Employment
Boston has several major industries:
- Finance
- High-tech research and development
- Tourism
- Medicine
- Education
- Commercial fishing
- Food processing
- Printing and publishing
- Government
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), New York City’s unemployment rate as of May 2018 was 4.5%, vs. 3.1% in Boston, so you can expect to find a slightly better job market in your destination city.
Best Neighborhoods in Boston to Call Home
Boston can sometimes feel like a small town wedged inside a big city. Though the metro area boasts a population of over 4.6 million people, Boston proper has an area of just 89.6 square miles. Brimming with history, Boston’s narrow downtown streets and colonial-era buildings lend it a cozy feel. Yet, its prominence as one of New England’s largest economic and cultural hubs is a reminder that this city has grown leaps and bounds since its founding in 1630.
Each of Boston’s districts has a distinct vibe. Finding the neighborhood that suits you best will come down to your goals, interests, and personality. Here are seven of the most promising communities to call home Boston:
Back Bay
Back Bay is a classic vision of Boston, a picture of stately brick townhouses and politely old money professionals, but it hasn’t always been that way. After an extended period of irrelevance, Back Bay is experiencing a renaissance. The building of new condos and retail outlets throughout the neighborhood make it a great place to live if you’re looking to invest in a property or simply want to enjoy the prestige of living in one of the trendiest neighborhoods around. The entire area is exceptionally walkable, and the reputation of unreasonably high rent is largely overstated. It’s a quieter neighborhood and a great place for both young families and serious professionals to settle down.
Beacon Hill
Back Bay may be known for its high-class sensibilities, but it’s got nothing on Beacon Hill. This neighborhood is widely regarded as the home of Boston’s most elite families, and the money here goes back generations. But equally as old are the buildings, which offer some of the best examples of Greek Revival and Federal architecture in the entire city. If you want to live among Boston’s movers and shakers, this is the place you want to live. It’s also known for its high density of antique shops and boutiques and is a favored spot for locals to spend their lazy Sundays.
South End
The South End used to have a bit of an ugly reputation, but developments over the past two decades have transformed it into one of the most exciting and culturally diverse neighborhoods in all of Boston. It’s also well recognized as the heart of Boston’s up-and-coming food scene. The South End’s culinary culture tends to run at the front of the pack, setting precedence for the hottest new restaurant trends. It’s also worth noting how ideally located the South End is. Much of the South End can be navigated on foot, but public transit and roadways also provide residents with easy access to popular neighborhoods like Beacon Hill.
Fenway-Kenmore
Its proximity to Fenway Park may make you think that Fenway-Kenmore is just inundated with baseball fans, but there’s a lot more to the neighborhood than just that. Much of Fenway-Kenmore is thick with sports bars, but as you move away from the park itself, you start to find more sophisticated and diverse nightlife. That’s in large part due to the closeness of colleges like Boston University, Emerson, and Berklee College of Music. There’s a vibrancy to the neighborhood bolstered by the high volume of students living there, and it offers many of the amenities you’d expect in an area like Back Bay for a fraction of the cost.
North End
The North End was long one of Boston’s most delightfully open secrets. The North End is largely considered to be Boston’s equivalent of NYC’s Little Italy, and while gentrification is starting to change the neighborhood’s demographics, much of the original Italian charm remains. The food is the main attraction here, with eateries dishing up everything from huge plates of Italian comfort foods to more creative, high-end spots. Whatever you’re looking for, you can expect pasta and rich sauces in abundance. Here, there are also several festivals and feasts which fill the streets with music, entertainment, and local vendors throughout the year.
Charlestown
The riverside neighborhood of Charlestown claims the title of Boston’s oldest neighborhood. Here, there’s a strong sense of community, and many families have generations of legacy tracing back to the same streets. The love for community is reflected in the high concentration of events and festivals like the Christmas Trolley Tour and Bunker Hill Parade. If you move to Charlestown, you can expect to find great nightlife and hearty restaurant options stripped of pretentiousness. Enjoying some afternoon drinks on the riverfront is practically the official summer pastime here.
Jamaica Plain
Jamaica Plain often draws comparisons to San Francisco for its eccentric and laid-back vibe, but the neighborhood has a unique personality all its own. Sure, it may have the highest per capita population of hippies and artists in the city, but it’s also become a popular destination for younger families to settle down. Colorful Victorian buildings dominate the residential streets, and there’s an unusually high concentration of city parks within JP. New retail and restaurant developments are starting to spring up, making this a great time to get your foot in the door.
How to Move to Boston from NYC
Moving from New York City to Boston can be an exciting event, but it also can be stressful and exhausting. This relocation takes you from one bustling metropolitan area to another area more than 200 miles away. To enjoy a smoother, easier relocation experience, you should walk through the process in a planned, organized way. By following this timeline, you may reduce or eliminate many headaches and challenges that are associated with a major relocation.
Two Months Before Your Moving Date
Plan a Visit
Before you begin packing your belongings into boxes, you should plan to visit Boston for an extended weekend or perhaps over the course of a few weekends. Get to know the area and explore affordable housing options that are located close to your new workplace. An alternative is to find a home that is located close to public transportation that can easily whisk you to your workplace.
Determine What to Take
This important step of finding your new housing should be completed first because it helps you to determine which items you should pack in boxes and which items you should get rid of. For example, if you have an L-shaped sofa that will not fit reasonably well in your new living room, you should get rid of it before the move. If cabinet space is lacking in your new kitchen, you may need to downsize your cookware, utensils and more. By removing unnecessary items before you start packing, you can reduce the supplies needed for your move. You can also save time and energy when you are unpacking and getting settled in.
Request Moving Quotes
You also should begin requesting quotes from moving companies. Many movers are booked several weeks or more ahead of time. The last thing that you want is to be unable to find movers for your planned date or to be forced to pay a higher rate because the affordable movers are already booked. Imperial Moving & Storage is a licensed, insured, and bonded New York City moving company. We frequently assist customers with both in-state and state-to-state moves. Call us now for a free quote on your upcoming move from New York to Boston.
One Month Before Your Moving Date
Pack Strategically
You may be inclined to start packing boxes as soon as you finalize your plans to move, but this can create stress and unnecessary inconvenience. Most people can pack up their belongings within a day or two if they live in an apartment, or they may need a little longer if they have a larger home. You can easily spread this out over a few weekends. Remember to pack up the items that are not needed before your move first. As moving day approaches, you can progressively pack items that are more essential. However, keep an overnight bag out, so you have essentials in hand immediately after the relocation.
Cancel & Set-Up Utilities
Approximately one week before you move, contact your current service providers to cancel or transfer service. You will also need to set up new services for your Boston home. This is also a great time to research local laws and regulations in Massachusetts. This may include rules related to auto insurance, your driver’s license, pet registration, and more. It is best to be aware of rules and laws ahead of time than to be surprised by them after you move in.
Immediately Before the Movers Arrive
Make Sure Everything is Boxed
On moving day, walk through your space to look for any items that you may have overlooked. Everything should be in boxes or containers that are easy for the movers to carry. Keep your overnight bag close to you or toss it in your car so that it does not get mixed in with the other items. If you plan to clean your home after the movers leave, ensure that the cleaning products and equipment are available.
Clean Out the Fridge
This is also a good time to load a cooler up with the items in your fridge that you intend to take with you or to otherwise toss the kitchen’s contents into the trash.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of relocating from New York City to Boston. This timeline can help you to approaching moving in an organized manner. Hiring a professional moving company can also reduce your jitters about moving day. Imperial Movers would love to help you make this transition easier. Call us now to request your free interstate moving quote!
