The city of Boston is known for plenty of things. You may associate it with its thriving professional sports culture—after all, it’s got some tremendous winning streaks. Maybe it’s all the historical sites along the Freedom Trail that you can visit. Or it could even be the city’s lively college atmosphere. 

Regardless, you will naturally want to know more about such a busy place before you have even settled into your apartment. It is best to be prepared when making big moves like this. Here are eight tips to help you get ready. 

Consider Your Budget

Boston is known for being an expensive place to live in. When you are budgeting, keep an eye out for the cost of housing, healthcare, and utilities. These are the three main factors that are considerably more expensive than the national average.

With that said, you need to be prepared for the price hike when you make the move to Boston. It is recommended that you save up at least six months’ worth of your salary as emergency funds.

Look for Roommates to Share Rent

Since housing costs are so high, the most strategic decision to make if you are moving alone is to find a place you can share with other roommates. This will be much more affordable compared to renting your own apartment. 

It’s Your Time to Go Green

Have you always wanted to go green? If you do decide to make the move, then this is your sign! Going green in all aspects of your life is a big possibility. There are so many park spaces and opportunities to enjoy nature in Boston. In fact, there are certain areas where you do not need to own a car because you can just rely on public transportation. 

Get Used to Commuting

You can walk or commute to one of the city’s many farmer’s markets with an eco-bag, and start composting your waste at home. If you are lucky enough to have your own home, the city will generally approve requests to add solar panels to a home.

However, keep in mind that Boston is a four-season city. This means that it may be difficult to walk or bike during the long winters, or under heavy rain. 

Get to Know the Local Sports Culture

Boston has plenty of sporting events, with plenty to look forward to all year round. Even if you are not an athletic person or a sports fan, try attending at least one event. It is a great way to get to know the local culture. 

Becoming familiar with the sports calendar also has an added advantage here in Boston. Traffic slows down to a crawl during major sporting events like the Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics games. If you work downtown and you need to drive or commute home, you should know when the games are held at home and which sports venues they will be in so that you can plan your trips around it.

Know Your Rights as a Tenant

With such a competitive housing market, you will definitely run into your fair share of inexperienced landlords—especially the ones living in owner-occupied units. 

Of course, there are benefits to renting in an owner-occupied unit, but you may also need to be extra cautious about being taken advantage of. Make sure that you read your lease thoroughly and discuss everything with your landlord before signing it.

Make Sure You Have a Stable Job

Boston is home to some of the most renowned companies in the world across several industries. If you want to work in the tech industry, you can send in applications for Amazon, Google, or Microsoft. You may also consider starting a career in the life sciences here: Merck, Novartis, and Pfizer have offices in the area. And if you want to have a go in finance, then there are plenty of big names here as well.

If working for big companies isn’t your thing, then you could also look at the startups in the area. There are plenty of businesses that offer some solid benefits and stock options. Regardless of where you end up applying, keep in mind that Boston has an incredibly competitive job market. Make sure your resume is edited and updated before you start applying.

Find a Good Location

When finalizing your move, finding a good location in Boston is key. You will definitely need to find a place to stay that is close to where you work, or at least somewhere that is near a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) stop.

You could consult a real estate agent for rentals. However, this can be an expensive option. You will need to pay them a fee equivalent to one month’s rent, aside from the security deposit and payments you need to pay your landlord. If you are on a budget, consider looking for more affordable alternatives online.