Best areas for purchasing a house in Boston, USA
Individuals looking to buy a house in Boston will be charged property taxes on the assessed value of the property. This is determined by the City of Boston and is often lower than the appraised, or market, value. The use of an attorney is recommended but not mandated for sellers and mortgage lenders may provide buyers with legal representation from an in-house lawyer.
Living in Boston
Boston melds big city perks with a small town feel, making this coastal metropolitan centre particularly amiable. Its abundance of preserved architecture points to its role in some of the most significant historical events in US history. Nevertheless, the city’s world-leading universities mean it remains at the cutting-edge of several modern industries, including medicine and technology, and has a vibrant food scene.
Education
Boston has an outstanding K-12 education system with the Boston Latin School ranked the 33rd best school nationally. Furthermore, the state of Massachusetts came out on top of 2019 US survey looking at the quality of school across the nation. Beyond high schools, Boston is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University – ranked first and third respectively in the QS World University Rankings 2020.
Activities
Renowned for its historical buildings, monuments and parks, the city’s Freedom Trail takes in 16 major sites, including Boston Common and the USS Constitution – the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat. The New England Aquarium offers the chance to see a huge variety of marine life, from the African penguin through to the giant Pacific octopus. Alternatively, board a boat from the city’s harbour to experience some of the best whale watching opportunities in the US. In winter, ice skating on Frog Pond is a popular holiday tradition.
Culture
Boston’s proximity to the coast makes it a popular seafood destination, with local favourites being clam chowder and lobster. The city also celebrates global cuisine, with areas such as Chinatown offering up plenty of top restaurants. The city has an excellent variety of museums and galleries, including Harvard’s three art museums, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Sport enthusiasts can watch a baseball game at the Boston Red Sox’s stadium Fenway Park or catch a Boston Celtics basketball match. The city also offers excellent shopping facilities, with everything from the SoWa Open Market through to Newbury Street’s upmarket retail strip.
Accessibility
Road: I-93 runs through the city north to south while I-90, which starts in Boston near Logan International Airport, stretches all the way to Seattle, Washington State.
Rail: The subway system, known locally as the ‘T’, covers the entire Greater Boston area while the commuter rail services stretch into the outlying Boston suburbs.
Air: Boston Logan International Airport is the city’s only airport.