Choosing a Neighborhood:
One of the toughest decisions to make in the move is what neighborhood to live in.  Boston proper is comprised 21 neighborhoods which are diverse in their characteristics and allure residents based on their reputations.  

Before making the move it is recommended to narrow down your housing search to just a few neighborhoods, as it can be overwhelming.  The City of Boston offers unbiased description of each neighborhood on their website and Boston University provides a more frank description including safety, affordability, advantages, and disadvantages of each area.

After deciding on a neighborhood everything else about your move and experience to Boston will rely heavily on the neighborhood; from finding a realtor, to a church, to transportation and parking regulations.

Realtors specific to the area you choose to move to will be more helpful, however here are some resources to help in the search.  The Boston Globe offers a real estate finder.  Another resource can be found here. As always Craigslist is a great starting out point to get an idea of price range for housing and if you are looking for roommates.

If the move is education related most universities have a housing office that will cater to students and either offer on campus housing or have suggestions based on the neighborhood the school is in.

Getting around the city is not the easiest experience to a newbie, however, it is pedestrian friendly and picturesque.  Boston is not based on a grid system so it would be useful to carry around a map until you get the lay of the land.

If you plan to do most of you travel by using the subway system known as the T then the MBTA website is a vital tool.  The MBTA also offers apps for your smart phone for people on the go.  Also residents should request a Charlie Card which is a plastic card used in admission to the T subways and busses.  You load value on and it offers discounted rates compared to the paper passes given out to day visitors.
The MBTA also offers commuter rail service to the suburbs for those commuting outside the city.

Many people choose walking or biking as a secondary mode of transportation but Boston weather is known to be grueling and unpredictable so it’s always nice to have a few cab numbers on hand.

Traveling outside the city is done mainly by bus and train.  South and North Station are the two ground transportation hubs along with Logan Airport for air travel.  Visit specific bus and train lines to book travel: Grey Hound, Peter Pan, Megabus, Boltbus, and Amtrak.

As always personal vehicles are widely used in a city this size.  Check in with the City of Boston to register your vehicle, obtain a parking permit, and familiarize yourself with parking restrictions such as street cleaning, snowplowing, and road closures.

Visit the Boston Archdiocese to find a church in your neighborhood.  Also pay attention to the alumni club website as we have monthly club masses followed by social gatherings (usually dilicious pizza).

Boston is known for world renowned healthcare.  It is home to 10 teaching hospitals and numerous research institutions.  Finding a physician can be intimidating many as are affiliated with a teaching hospital.  A starting point would be to look into each hospital and what it has to offer.  Visit the following websites to research the prominent hospitals in the city: Partners HealthCare, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, New England Medical Center, and Boston Medical Center.

The Boston Public Library offers an extensive network of neighborhood branches.  Each branch is unique by specializing in certain subjects and genres. The library also provides electronic and audio books for download with a library card.

Major Industries in Boston include academia, science, technology, healthcare, law, government, and finance.  Join the Notre Dame Club of Boston group on LinkedIn for networking opportunities.  Also sign up for a mentor in your industry through the club website and for fellow alumna join the Boston chapter of ND Women Connect.

For those looking to participate in athletics or looking for a fun team sports environment check out different leagues around the city: Social Boston Sports, Boston Ski and Sports Club, and Ts League.

Being home to the most famous marathon in sports history, the city attracts a lot of runners along with numerous running groups. Joining a group is easy.  Greater Boston Track Club, L Street Running Club, and Cambridge Running Club are among the more popular in the city.  The running stores like Marathon Sports and City Sports also organize weekly group runs.

Another great opportunity in Boston is an organization called Community Boating.  For an annual fee, members have access to daily sailing lessons and use of boats on the Charles River.

Don’t forget to recruit a team for the annual Notre Dame Club of Boston Bookstore Basketball Tournament which takes place in spring!  Check the website for details.

There are over 100 colleges and universities located in the Greater Boston area with more than 250,000 students attending schools in Boston and Cambridge.  With a wealth of opportunity this is the perfect city to obtain a second or third degree or to take classes for fun. 

The city of Boston hosts a series of free annual events.  Be sure to check them out:

• First Night
• South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade
• Boston Marathon
• July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
• Shakespeare on the Common
• Boston Book Festival
• Head of the Charles
• Boston Christmas Tree Lighting
• Championship Parades:
  • Bruins Stanley Cup 2011
  • Celtics 2008
  • Red Sox 2007 & 2004
  • Patriots 2004, 2003, & 2001