Bowles D

Hi,

My wife and I are considering moving to Boston MA, as I have a job
opportunity but I'm in two minds on whether it would be a good move or
not. I understand everyone has different motives, perceptions and
criteria which define these decisions; so I'll try put my concerns
down, and maybe someone can advise. I've never been to MA, only New
York for a weekend, so I'm really in the dark.

I'm British, wife is Peruvian and we both currently live in
Switzerland. Low tax, high cost of living, good lifestyle as a
couple, but getting expensive once we start a family, specially for
adequate housing.

So, Boston: Looks lovely browsing the web, New England, Historic, good
access to skiing, sea, etc etc. What is living in Boston really like?


Questions:
Q) With say, a budget of 450k, could we afford a nice family house,
within a good neighbourhood, good schooling and a good access to down
town Boston? - generally. If not, what budget.
Q) Car or public transport? Commute acceptable or stressful.
Q) I saw on a city comparison, the crime is higher than New York. Is
this something I should be concerned about? Do people have to take
care at night, or do people just get on with normal routines.
Q) How is Winter in Boston, too cold or bearable.

Anybody been in the same situation, who can share experiences?

Thanks

Rete

You might want to try asking this in a forum dedicated to living rather than immigration. I love Boston and while I don't live there, had wanted but didn't but have visited often.


Budget? Does this mean your annual income is 450K? Or you will have that amount to purchase a house. If income, you will be living the high life in Boston or for that matter most anywhere in the US. If only funds for a house purchase, then you will be able to afford quite a lovely home in suburbia.

Depends on where you live and where you work. Inside of Boston, definitely by public transport. Might require a car to get to the train station if you live outside of the city limits. Stressful depends on the type of person you are. I travel to Manhattan daily and have for over 30 years. I don't find it stressful at all. Rather relaxing to the point I fall asleep in the evenings on the railroad (not subway) and miss my stop.

All peoples in the US should take care in the evenings and during the day as well. We were walking back to our hotel one evening in Boston from Chinatown and witnessed a black man hit a Chinese gentleman and his wife while they were getting into a cab. He apparently hated the Chinese. There are few places that are crime free and where you can leave your car or home unlocked. It becomes a normal routine to become aware of your surroundings. It is second nature.

You're from Switzerland so doubt the winters will be that severe for you. Yes it gets cold and yes it gets snow. Unfortunately, even though they are normally quite efficient in terms of snow removal/moval when a 'ortheastern hits in the winter the high amounts of snow will cripple the city.

Bowles D

Good point - I'll re-post somewhere else too.

Budget is total for a home - if I were on 450k a year, I'd be paying
someone to do this for me ;)

450 for a nice home: I hope so, sounds encouraging, thanks.

In the UK we are familiar to the odd brawl in the bars and streets,
it's the violent crime, gun crime in particular, that most Europeans
think about when they travel to US. I guess Hollywood doesn't help
with those perceptions ...

Thanks

Andrew Ayre

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...
    > Good point - I'll re-post somewhere else too.
    > Budget is total for a home - if I were on 450k a year, I'd be paying
    > someone to do this for me ;)
    > 450 for a nice home: I hope so, sounds encouraging, thanks.
    > In the UK we are familiar to the odd brawl in the bars and streets,
    > it's the violent crime, gun crime in particular, that most Europeans
    > think about when they travel to US. I guess Hollywood doesn't help
    > with those perceptions ...
    > Thanks
I've lived in the US for 6 years and I've never seen anyone waving a gun
around... Just stay out of the bad parts of the city you are living in.

Andy

silvermine

just don't walk around boston with a NY Yankees baseball cap on!