A Guide to Living in Boston

Boston, MA is truly a remarkable city, and we’re not just saying that because we’re diehard Celtics fans. It’s nicknamed “Beantown,” or “Olde Town” due to the city’s status as one of the country’s oldest cities. Boston offers a wealth of opportunity for both residents and visitors with its flourishing economy and abundance of attractions, including numerous cultural visits, live sports attractions, and an innovative culinary scene. So whether you are visiting for a weekend or newly calling Boston “home,” All American Self Storage’s Boston city guide can help you discover what makes Beantown so special!

Downtown Boston by wiki lic CC BY-SA 2.5

A Breakdown of Boston’s Economy & Industry

Quick Facts

Population: 692,600

Median Home Value: $532,700

Median Household Income: $71,115

Are you considering moving to Boston, MA this year for work? Largely considered a “global city“ by leading economists, Boston is placed among the top 30 most economically powerful cities in the world, and the city is known for its diverse and thriving economy. Estimated at nearly $375 billion, the Greater Boston metropolitan area has the sixth-largest economy in the country and 12th largest in the world. Fittingly, the city is host to a number of prominent and influential companies, including 16 Fortune 500 companies, its largest being General Electric, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, TJX, Raytheon, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Overall, the majority of the city’s economy is centered around the healthcare, education, finance, insurance, and high-tech industries. Notedly, education is at the forefront, and the city and its surrounding metro area is host to a number of prominent universities and educational institutions, including MIT, Harvard University, and Boston College, among many others. These colleges and universities exert a significant impact on the regional economy, and it is noted that the city’s colleges attract more than 350,000 college students from around the world, who contribute more than $4.8 billion annually to the city’s economy. Additionally, these educational institutions serve to provide the highly-educated workforce necessary for the city’s numerous employers.

As previously mentioned, finance and insurance is one of the larger industries in Boston, making up 11.8% of total employment in 2010, a figure that has since risen to account for nearly 15% of the state’s overall output. Notable financial companies include the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, MassMutual, Blueleaf.com, and Fidelity Investments. Overall, this industry has a significant impact on the city’s economy, with the Boston Planning & Development Agency noting that Boston’s finance and insurance industry employs more than 78,000 people—a figure that accounts for nearly 15% of the city’s overall workforce.

Moving forward, Boston is expected to continue its trend of growth, a notion influenced by the emergence of the biotech and green-energy industries within the city, as well as the city’s continued access to a highly-educated and skilled workforce as supplied by the city’s resident universities.

Fenway Park by wiki lic CC BY 2.0

The Excitement of Boston’s Community & Sports Scene

Historically, Boston is known for its sports, and the city is noted as one of the few cities carrying teams in all major North American professional sports leagues, those being the Boston Celtics of the NBA, the New England Patriots of the NFL, the Boston Bruins of the NHL, the Boston Red Sox of the MLB, and the New England Revolution of MLS. Overall, sports are a major part of the city’s culture, and the area’s fans are widely known for their fanatical devotion to the city’s teams. In turn, Boston’s area sports teams have rewarded their fanbase with a remarkable level of success over the years. Since their debut in 1901, the Boston Red Sox have taken home 9 World Series, the Boston Bruins have won 6 Stanley Cups since 1924, the New England Patriots have won 6 Super Bowls, and the Boston Celtics are the winningest team in NBA history, winning 17 NBA titles since 1946. Visiting the area this year? Consider taking in a game at one of the city’s many sports stadiums.

Annual Events

Beyond live sports, Boston is host to a number of significant community and cultural events throughout the year, including the Arlington International Film Festival, the Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, and perhaps the city’s signature annual event, the Boston Marathon. Originally established in 1897, the Boston Marathon is an annual marathon race hosted by several cities in greater Boston in eastern Massachusetts, United States. Overall, this is one of the oldest and most prestigious marathon races in the world, and the race is known to attract professional runners from all over the world, and hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents gather to watch and cheer on the runners, who range from first-time participants to well-known athletes.

the Boston Museum of Fine Arts by wiki lic CC BY-SA 4.0

A Celebration of Art, History & Performance

Boston’s Art Scene

Culturally, Boston is notable due to its large number of performance arts centers, museums, theaters, parks and more. Pictured above, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts is of particular significance, and the museum is noted to be 14th-largest art museum in the world. MFA Boston boasts a significant gallery area displaying more than 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas. Overall, the collection spans a wide variety of art movements and cultures, with highlights that include ancient Egyptian artifacts and the largest collection of Japanese artworks under one roof in the world outside Japan. Considering a visit? Be sure to check MFA Boston’s Program Calendar prior to planning your trip. The Museum is noted to hold special exhibits, guest speakers, and workshops throughout the year.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is another jewel, known for its intimate collection housed in a stunning 15th-century Venetian-style palace surrounding a beautiful courtyard. For contemporary art enthusiasts, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) offers a cutting-edge selection of visual arts and performances in a striking modern building overlooking Boston Harbor. There are endless opportunities to engage with art in all its forms.

The City’s Theatres

Additionally, beyond the city’s art scene, Boston has an extensive history with the performance arts and is celebrated for its numerous theatres, including the Boston Opera House, the Cutler Majestic Theatre and The Citi Performing Arts Center. Largely, the majority of the city’s theaters are spread throughout the city’s historic Washington Street Theatre District; however, the most prominent professional theater companies are located at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge and at the Huntington Theatre. The Huntington Theatre is particularly noteworthy, having previously been the recipient of the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award, under the direction of Managing Director, Michael Maso. Throughout its history, this Professional Theatre has transferred 16 productions to New York, including two in 2012: the Broadway premiere of Lydia R. Diamond’s Stick Fly and the Roundabout Theatre Company production of Stephen Karam’s Sons of the Prophet, named a 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist. Consider planning a visit to the Huntington Theatre if you are within the Boston area this year.

Lobster Roll in Boston MA by agatilao lic CC BY 2.0

Where to Eat in Boston

Overall, Boston’s culinary scene is a reflection of New England cuisine, in that it has a large emphasis on seafood and dairy products. Subsequently, its best-known dishes are New England clam chowder, fish and chips (usually with cod or scrod), baked beans, lobsters, steamed clams, and fried clams. Still, that is not to say the city’s culinary scene is devoid of variety. We’ve gathered a number of our favorite restaurants you might want to consider visiting if you are ever in the Greater Boston area. Read more below!

Yvonne’s – Yvonne’s is a refined yet playful supper club in a handsome hideaway accented with marble & mahogany wood. Previous winner of Wine Spectator‘s “Award of Excellence” in 2019 and 2020, Yvonne’s is the ideal setting for group dining, business entertaining and birthday celebrations.
Giulia – Located in nearby Cambridge, Giula is a Boston-area Italian staple, notable for its selection of fresh handmade pasta dishes, and its spectacular wine selection, all set within a rustic, cozy setting that includes a communal table. Menu highlights include the Garganelli with Mushroom Consva, Torchio with Basil Pesto, and our personal favorite, the restaurant’s Swordfish with Pesto Trapanese.
Puritan & Company – Puritan & Company serves Modern American cuisine, with an emphasis on traditional New England fare. Led by chef-owner Will Gilson, this Cambridge staple highlights fresh, locally-sourced ingredients from area farms, and is noted for its quality food, local beers, and wine from independent makers worldwide.
Saltie Girl – Saltie Girl is a small, 30 seat seafood driven dining bar that is known for curating one of the largest tinned seafood collections in New England. Beyond this, Saltie Girl is noted for their fresh, locally sourced seafood dishes that include their Baked Stuffed Lobster, Wild Striped Bass, Snow Crab, and our personal favorite, the restaurant’s Gloucester Lobster Roll.
Row 34 – Currently offering 3 locations in Boston, Burlington, and Portsmouth, Row 34 is a stylish brick-&-wood eatery that serves an extensive oyster menu plus fish entrees & craft beers. Perhaps their website states it best: “If we could eat oysters and drink beer for every meal period, we probably would.”

Beyond the city’s restaurant scene, the flavors don’t stop. Boston is well-known for its collection of innovative breweries, brewpubs, distilleries, and wineries, that include:

Boston Harbor Distillery – Founded by Rhonda Kallman in 2012, Boston Harbor Distillery specializes in making whole-grain whiskey and other inventive spirits, operating out of a rustic, historic 19th-century waterfront warehouse that overlooks the Neponset River.
Trillium Brewing Company – Operating 6 breweries throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut, Trillium Brewing Company was founded in March of 2013 by JC and Esther Tetreault with the desire to create a New England Farmhouse-inspired experience through the lens of craft beer. Currently this brewery offers an extensive menu of award winning craft beers, and a number of its locations feature full-service restaurants and beer gardens.
Dorchester Brewing Company – Founded in 2016 by a group of professionals with an unnatural love of craft beer, Dorchester Brewing Company features a taproom with 20 draft lines, a Hopservatory, 4 season Rooftop Greenhouse, a Game Room, restaurant and more. Additionally, this brewery is noted to hold numerous events such as wedding celebrations, fundraisers, and corporate events throughout the year. Be sure to check their Event Calendar prior to planning your visit!
Harpoon Brewery – Originally founded in 1986, Harpoon Brewery is an employee-owned Boston area brewery noted for its extensive craft beer list that features numerous award winning brews that explore a wide variety of daring and innovating beer styles. Additionally, this Boston area staple is noted for its extensive philanthropic efforts throughout the New England area. Stop in today!

All American Self Storage: The Greater Boston Area’s Self Storage Pros

So, now that you know the city well enough to begin planning your trip or your move, what are your next steps? Look no further than All American Self Storage to help you get organized before you make your big transition!

All American Self Storage is your first stop for affordable Boston storage units. Currently, this self storage facility offers two convenient locations throughout the Greater Boston area: All American Self Storage in Natick, MA, and All American Self Storage in Mansfield, MA. Amenities of these facilities include temperature-controlled storage units, drive-up storage units, and indoor storage units, all secured within a gated and fenced-in facility with keypad access and 24-hour camera monitoring. Feel confident choosing All American Self Storage this year for all of your storage needs. Come stop in and chat with our storage experts today!

All American Self Storage in Natick, MA | All American Self Storage in Mansfield, MA

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Tim Glasow

About the Author: Tim is an SEO Strategist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. He is a self-storage industry specialist who has written about everything from storage advice and helpful resources to industry trends. In his free time, Tim enjoys sampling craft beer and exploring the local music scene.