Massachusetts is a state of many names, pointing to its rich heritage and history. But, if you’re planning to move here, you’ll need to know what makes it a great place and why it might not be. So, what’re the pros and cons of living in Massachusetts?
The pilgrim state is a good place to live. Advantages of living here include the education system, cultural heritage, lovely environment, sporting events, and a strong economy. However, the city also has cons. Some of them are costly expenses, harsh weather, strict laws, traffic, and lack of space.
Regardless of these cons, Massachusetts could still be a lovely place to live. However, there are several things you’ll discover about the state that could influence your decision to live or not live there. In this article, we examine the pros and cons of living in Massachusetts.
Quick navigation
Pros of Living in Massachusetts
1. Quality Education System
When moving to a new city with kids, one of the most important things to consider is the quality of schools. For Massachusetts, the public education system is excellent. It’s the number one state in the US for K-12 education, so you can be sure your kids will get the best education.
The quality of education doesn’t stop at high school. If you’re thinking of furthering your education, the state is home to some of the best higher institutions in the world. For example, MIT and Harvard University are both here.
2. Rich Cultural and Historical Heritage
Massachusetts is a state with a very rich history which means there are various historical sites to visit. It’s where the pilgrims landed. The Boston Tea party happened here, and more. Not only does the state have a rich history, but it’s also quite progressive. For example, it’s the first state in the country to make gay marriage legal.
3. Beautiful Environment and Several Attractions
There are several spectacular travel destinations in the city to enjoy the natural environment in its most beautiful forms. During certain seasons of the year, you get the chance to witness this natural beauty and spend a lot of time outdoors. For example, the fall season brings blooming flowers and greenery that leaves you dazzled.
You can do several things here, from visiting parks and beaches to tours and cruises to theatres, museums, and stadiums. Family-friendly activities are in abundance, and there is no chance of a boring time when you live in Massachusetts.
4. Several Sporting Events
If you’re a sports fan, Massachusetts could be ideal for you. The passion for sport in the state runs very deep, especially in Boston. There are several sports teams such as Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. Many of the natives here are ardent supporters of a particular team.
5. Strong Economy
There are many reasons why this state is amazing and very livable. An important one is its economy. Massachusetts is the fourth-best state in terms of economy in the US for 2021, according to WalletHub. It also has the highest percentage of jobs in the high-tech industry and ranks third for most independent inventor patents per 1000 working-age population. Without any doubt, Massachusetts is a booming state economically.
There are several employment opportunities in the state, and its major industries include healthcare, technology, finance, food processing, education, tourism, etc.
Con of Living in Massachusetts
While this state has several amazing qualities, it isn’t without certain attributes that might make you think twice about living in it. They include:
1. Quite Expensive to Live In
With so many amenities and potential, it’s not surprising that living in Massachusetts costs a lot more money than you would envision. The state cost of living is 27.2% above the national average. Since this is only the average, it varies from one place to another within the state. Generally, Boston and the cities around it have the highest cost of living. So, the best way to get an affordable option is to live as far away from Boston as possible. Western Massachusetts offers more affordable options. The average price of a house in the state is also substantially above the national average. It’ll cost you an average of $525,744 to buy a house in this state.
2. Harsh Winters and Unpredictable Weather
This is not California with its sunny days. There is winter here, and it gets really snowy and cold. You’ll need coats and boots and a lot of heat to stay warm in Massachusetts winters. But that also means you get to watch the several snowstorms and involve yourself in winter activities. Of course, if you’re not that kind of person, you could just stay indoors all through.
A related issue is the way the weather is unpredictable. Weather fluctuations aren’t seasonal; they can happen anytime in the year. So you could go from sunshine to snowstorms in a matter of days.
3. Liquor Laws
Massachusetts authorities want you to drink as responsibly as you can. That’s why the liquor laws here are stringent, and breaking them comes with heavy sanctions. The taxes on alcohol range between $4.05 and $1.10 depending on the measure of alcohol. Happy hour is also banned, and if a group is buying alcohol and one of them has an expired ID, the whole group won’t be allowed to buy. With these laws and regulations, you might find it difficult to have that good old wild times in Massachusetts.
4. Traffic Challenges
Boston is the biggest city in the state, and it somehow reflects how tightly packed the city is. Boston is the most congested city in the country, with commuters losing 149 hours to traffic. Things might be a little bit better in other parts of the state, but its average commute time is still higher than the national average by almost three minutes.
5. Lack of Space
Massachusetts is quite small for its population, which means a lot of people competing for small space. However, it’s the third most densely populated state in the country, so finding a wide-open space can be a little challenging. You may need to check out the western parts of the state to find anything that closely resembles an open space.
In Conclusion
Living in Massachusetts is an amazing experience. There are just so many qualities that make this state of being a wonderful place to live. Even though it has some negative features, the positives outweigh them considerably.
