7 Things You Must Know Before Moving to Massachusetts

If you move to Massachusetts thinking it's going to be quaint and charming, you're about to get humbled. It's cold, it's expensive, and people don't care about your feelings. But that's what makes it work.

Massachusetts has this reputation for being intellectual, historic, and picture-perfect, and sure, it is. But underneath all that, it's also one of the most competitive, high-expectation states in the country. People here move fast, think sharp, and don't have time for fluff, and that culture shows up in everything from your daily commute to how your neighbors interact.

So if you're relocating here (for a job, for school, or a fresh start), this guide could save you from a major case of culture shock. Because Massachusetts will absolutely test your patience, your budget, and your ability to adapt. But if you know what to expect, you can thrive here in a way that surprises you.

I'm Kimberlee Meserve, and after nearly a decade helping people relocate to Greater Boston, I've seen what makes people fall in love with Massachusetts and what makes others swear they'll never move here again.

So before you make the move, let's talk about the seven things you need to know about living in Massachusetts: the good, the bad, and the completely unexpected. Then you can decide if this is really the right place for you.

1. The Weather Will Test You

Let's start with the most obvious one: the weather. And I'm not just talking about cold winters. I'm talking about winters that feel like they last from November through April, with gray skies that make you question your life choices.

Even lifelong locals complain about it. The snow doesn't just fall. It piles up, it turns into ice, it blocks your driveway, and then the plow comes through at 6 a.m. and buries your car all over again. You'll learn what a parking ban is real quick when you get that ticket for leaving your car on the street overnight during a storm.

Summer Isn't Much Better

And summers? They're humid and buggy. You'll go from scraping ice off your windshield to swatting mosquitoes in what feels like three weeks. The shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are beautiful, but they're short. Blink and you'll miss them.

For context, Boston averages about 49 inches of snow a year, and March can still bring full-blown nor'easters. That affects your daily life in ways you don't expect. Your heating costs will spike in the winter. Your commute will get delayed by snow. You'll start planning your entire year around the weather: Cape weekends in the summer, ski trips in the winter, and a desperate need to get out of town in February when cabin fever hits.

But here's the thing: If you can survive your first winter here without crying over your heating bill, you're halfway to becoming a local.

2. The Cost of Living Is No Joke

Now let's talk about money. Because Massachusetts (especially the Boston metro area) is expensive. Like, really expensive.

In June 2025, the Greater Boston median single-family home price hit $1,003,250 for the first time, while the statewide median was $687,500. Let that sink in. And rent? Expect to pay well above the national average, even in smaller towns outside the city. People assume that moving to a suburb or a rural area will be cheaper, but the reality is that housing costs are high across the board because demand is relentless.

It's Not Just Housing

And it's not just housing. Groceries cost more. Parking costs more (whether it's meters, garages, or that monthly spot you'll rent just to avoid the stress). Daycare is astronomically expensive if you have kids. Massachusetts ranks among the most expensive states in the country, with infant care often over $20,000 a year. And your utility bills? They'll remind you every month that heating a home through a New England winter isn't cheap.

Property taxes also vary wildly by town, so you need to do your homework. A house in one town might have taxes half the cost of a similar house ten miles away.

Why So Expensive?

So why is it so expensive? Part of it is because Massachusetts attracts highly educated, high-income residents. The universities, the biotech industry, the hospitals, the finance sector all drive up demand. And when demand is high, prices follow.

So yes, it's expensive, but that's partly because...

3. The Job Market Is Hyper-Competitive

...the job market here is stacked with talent. And I mean stacked.

You've got some of the best universities in the world right here: Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Northeastern, and dozens more. That means you're surrounded by incredibly smart, ambitious people who are all competing for the same opportunities in biotech, healthcare, finance, tech, and education.

This is great if you're looking to grow your career, network with top-tier professionals, and push yourself to the next level. But it also means you can't coast. Employers here expect you to perform at a high level, and they expect you to do it fast.

Stand Out or Get Left Behind

It's not just about having a degree. It's about standing out in a city full of people with degrees. And that competitive energy shows up everywhere, not just at work. It affects the culture, the pace, and even the way people approach work-life balance, which tends to skew toward ambition.

If you're someone who thrives in that kind of environment, Massachusetts is the place for you. But if you're looking for something more laid-back, this might not be the right fit.

4. Driving Here Is a Full-Contact Sport

Alright, let's talk about driving. Because if you've heard the term "Masshole," you're about to understand where it comes from and why it's part stereotype, part survival skill.

Driving in Massachusetts is aggressive. People don't signal. They weave through traffic. They treat yellow lights like a suggestion and red lights like a strong maybe. And if you hesitate for even a second at a green light, you'll hear about it.

It's the Infrastructure, Too

But here's the thing: it's not just rudeness. It's the infrastructure. You've got roundabouts that aren't marked clearly, lanes that disappear without warning, and snowbanks that hide stop signs for half the year. GPS will try to help you, but it can't account for one-way streets, rotaries that defy logic, or the fact that half the roads were built before cars existed.

And parking? Forget about it. Boston enforces snow-emergency parking bans, resident-permit zones, and street-sweeping schedules. Expect tickets if you miss the signs. Garage costs can rival your rent. It's a whole system you have to learn.

Most people who live here end up relying on both a car and public transit, depending on where they're going. The MBTA serves the greater Boston area, but once you get outside the city, you're pretty much dependent on driving.

So yeah, driving here is intense. But once you get the hang of it, you'll understand why Massachusetts drivers have such a reputation, because they had to earn it.

5. People Are Blunt, Not Rude

Now let's talk about the people. Because if you're coming from somewhere like the South or the Midwest, the communication style here is going to feel... different.

Massachusetts nice is not the same as Southern hospitality. People here are direct. They're efficient. They don't do a lot of small talk, and they're not going to sugarcoat things just to make you feel comfortable. If something's not working, they'll tell you. If they disagree with you, you'll know.

What It Actually Means

But here's what newcomers often miss: that doesn't mean they're rude. It means they value competence and authenticity over fluff. They'd rather be honest with you than waste your time pretending everything's great when it's not.

Friendships here take time to build, but once you earn someone's trust, those relationships run deep. People here are loyal. They show up. They remember. But you have to prove yourself first.

A Bostonian saying "You're fine" is their version of "You're doing great." Once you get used to the rhythm, you'll realize it's actually refreshing, because you always know where you stand.

And that attitude? It shows up everywhere, even in how the state works.

6. Bureaucracy Will Drive You Crazy

Let's be real for a second: the bureaucracy in Massachusetts is outdated, slow, and unnecessarily complicated. And if you're not prepared for it, it will drive you absolutely insane.

The RMV (that's what we call the DMV here) is notorious. Lines are long, the systems are old, and getting anything done takes longer than it should. Building permits, school lottery systems, zoning regulations: every town has its own rules, and none of them make it easy.

Every Town Is Different

And because Massachusetts has so many layers of local government, what's true in one town might not be true ten miles away. You'll need to learn your town's specific processes for everything from trash pickup to property taxes to school enrollment.

Work With Local Experts

Here's my advice: use local professionals who know the system inside and out. A good real estate agent, a local attorney, a home inspector who's worked in your town for years. These people will save you months of frustration because they know how to navigate the red tape.

I had a relocation client who almost lost months waiting for a Smoke/CO certificate (which Massachusetts law requires before closing) because they didn't know it was needed. Their agent had to pull strings just to get it done in time. That's the kind of thing you don't know until you're in it.

Once you accept that everything takes longer here, you'll save yourself a ton of stress. It's not personal. It's just how it works.

7. It's Tough, But It Builds the Best Kind of Community

So after everything I've just told you (the weather, the cost, the competition, the driving, the bluntness, the bureaucracy), you might be wondering: why would anyone choose to live here?

Here's why: the people who stay in Massachusetts choose to stay. And that creates a culture of resilience, pride, and deep community bonds.

Local Pride Runs Deep

Local pride runs deep here. People are loyal to their neighborhoods, their sports teams, their schools, and their traditions. You've got Marathon Monday in April, apple picking in the fall, Cape weekends in the summer, and ski trips in the winter. These aren't just activities. They're rituals that bring people together.

And because life here isn't easy, the relationships you build are stronger. You earn your stripes. You prove you can handle it. And once you do, you're part of something that feels real and lasting.

Massachusetts will test you. It will push you. It will make you question your choices more than once. But if you can handle that, you'll fit right in. Because this place doesn't just attract people. It shapes them.

It's cold, it's expensive, and people don't care about your feelings... but if you can handle that, you'll fit right in.

The Bottom Line

So let's recap. If you're thinking about moving to Massachusetts, here's what you need to know:

One: The weather will test your patience and your heating budget.

Two: The cost of living is no joke, and you need to plan accordingly.

Three: The job market is hyper-competitive, but that's also what makes it great.

Four: Driving here is a full-contact sport, and you'll need to adapt fast.

Five: People are blunt, not rude, and friendships take time but run deep.

Six: The bureaucracy is slow and outdated, so work with people who know the system.

And seven: It's tough, but that toughness builds the kind of community that actually lasts.

Massachusetts isn't for everyone. But it's not supposed to be. This is a place that demands something from you, and if you're willing to meet it halfway, it gives back in ways you didn't expect.

Ready to Make Your Move?

If you're relocating to Massachusetts for work, make sure you download our free Massachusetts Relocation Guide. It breaks down housing costs, commute zones, and local culture so you know where you actually fit before you start house-hunting.

If you're planning a move to Massachusetts, schedule a consultation with my team. We'll help you figure out exactly where you'll thrive based on your lifestyle, commute, and budget.

And once you're ready to dig into the where, check out my guide where I ranked Greater Boston's best and worst places to live in 2026. You'll definitely want to see which towns made the list.