Situated on the Shawmut Peninsula, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It has been at the heart of countless important events throughout American history and claims many firsts, such as the first public park and the first public school. Nowadays, the city excels as a world-leading hub of higher education, research and innovation.
1. How big is Boston, MA?
Serving as the county seat of Suffolk County, the City of Boston is also the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. While the city proper covers just under 50 square miles, it remains the most populous city in New England. It also serves as the financial and cultural anchor of the larger Greater Boston Metropolitan area, which stretches into the neighboring states of New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
Boston is comprised of 23 official neighborhoods, each different from the other in terms of history and culture, making for an extremely diverse city. Meanwhile, Greater Boston is home to numerous cities and residential suburbs.
2. What is the weather like in Boston, MA?
With its humid continental climate, Boston experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are generally hot and humid and the transitional months tend to be mostly mild, while winters are cold with occasional storms and snowfall. Rainfall is relatively evenly dispersed throughout the year, with each month typically seeing between three and four inches.
Self storage in Boston can be extremely useful for residents throughout the year. With its coastal location, the high humidity and differences in temperature in summer and winter can damage certain household items that are potentially stored in garages and attics. Instead, go for a climate-controlled storage unit in Boston where these sensitive items can stay in top condition for years on end.
Beautiful fall foliage of New England, Boston, MA
3. Enhancing Boston’s economy with self storage
Boston is a global city that ranks among the 30 most economically powerful cities in the world. The Greater Boston Metropolitan Area is the 12th largest economy in the world and the 6th largest in the U.S. Driving sectors and industries include education, research, finance, biotech and high tech. Tourism is another strong sector, particularly in the city proper, with millions of tourists visiting Boston each year. Additionally, the city is renowned for innovation, with an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and start-ups.
Renting a storage unit in Boston can be a superb way to get your own start-up off the ground, creating a place for storing stock, or it can even act as a workshop. Tourism companies can also make excellent use of self storage as it’s ideal for storing anything from rental bicycles to hotel supplies.
4. Boston’s vibrant university and college culture
Boston is globally renowned as a hub of higher education, boasting prestigious names such as Harvard and MIT. Besides these two powerhouses, the ‘Brainpower Triangle’ is home to a huge array of public and private colleges and universities, catering to a diverse student population studying everything from law and medicine to art and technology.
Boston and its surrounding suburbs and cities are, therefore, home to a huge student population. While student accommodation might not always be the most spacious, by renting a storage unit in Boston, even the smallest dorm can remain clutter-free, while bulky clothing and other seasonal items can sit in a storage unit. Moreover, students can put their belongings in a storage unit during summer break to avoid moving everything back home. They can retrieve them upon return in the fall.
5. Outdoor recreation in Boston — fun on sea and snow
With beaches, piers, rivers and the cool ocean at every corner, outdoor recreation in Boston is dominated by watersports. Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, standup paddleboarding, sailing, kite surfing and windsurfing are all popular pastimes among residents. If you’re moving to the city and plan to enjoy these sports, renting self storage in Boston is a great idea. The bulky equipment most of these sports require can be kept safe until you need them again, saving valuable space at home. Many facilities even offer boat storage.
If you prefer to stay on land, snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding are also popular in winter. If you’re an avid fan, you can keep your gear in a storage unit over the summer season until the slopes reopen.
6. Making the move to Boston — how can self storage help?
Boston attracts people from all walks of life, drawn to its fascinating history, diverse employment opportunities and excellent educational institutions. More people from New York make the move to Massachusetts than from any other state. On average, you can expect to pay a moving company between $3,300 and $3,600 to assist with this move. To save cash, you can try to do it yourself, but the cost is perhaps worth the peace of mind. If you’re hiring a Boston moving company, compare estimates early, especially during the busy summer moving season.
Either way, renting a storage unit in Boston is a great way to make the moving process run more smoothly. It provides flexibility in terms of your move-in date, and provides a plan B in case of delays while allowing you to move in at your own pace. If you choose to renovate, it’s a great place to keep bulky items out of the way.
7. Unlock the full potential of Boston’s housing market with the aid of self storage
Boston boasts a vibrant population, with many students and young professionals, resulting in a city predominantly filled with rented apartments, townhouses, and condos. Single-family homes are more common in the suburbs. In bustling downtown neighborhoods, these shared living spaces might feel a bit cramped. On average, a Boston apartment offers just =764 sq. ft. of space, much below the national average of 849 sq. ft. With limited living space, self storage can become your ally, allowing you to stow away seasonal decorations, clothing, and outdoor gear, thus creating room for the items you use regularly.
Now, if you opt for a single-family home, you’ll encounter a variety of historic styles, such as the charming red-brick row houses found in inner-city neighborhoods like Bay Village. While you’ll enjoy more space compared to apartment living, self storage still has a role to play in optimizing your living space. For instance, if you’re working from home, you can turn to self storage to house furniture and other items temporarily set aside to make room for your new home office. Moreover, in cases where two families come together to create a multi-generational household, self storage proves invaluable for managing surplus belongings, including family heirlooms, extra furniture, appliances, and more, which can be safely stored until needed once again.
Homes in Brighton, a Boston, MA neighborhood
8. Is Boston, MA, a good place to live?
With Boston being one of the most vibrant cities in the country, people find it an appealing relocation destination. It’s got a perfect mix of economic opportunities, good schools and a lively entertainment scene that make it a good place to move to. Whether coming from another bustling urban hub or a smaller town, Boston can make you feel right at home.
Moving to Boston, MA from NYC
If you’re swapping NYC for Boston, you still get to live in a big city, but with the added bonus of a lower cost of living. Boston has a thriving tech and research scene so you should have no trouble finding employment in the STEM fields if that interests you. With excellent public transit, you might be able to keep your carless NYC lifestyle here too to get around town.
Moving to Boston, MA from Chicago, IL
When you’re moving from Chicago to Boston, you still get to live in a big, vibrant city. Sports are a major pastime here – and it’s worth it to keep tabs on the sporting events calendar to make sure you don’t get stuck in traffic. Boston is also a great city for college education, whether you’re relocating here to study yourself or your children might be of college age soon, with MIT, Harvard, Boston University and Tufts University as some of the options.
9. What are the storage options in Boston, Massachusetts?
The Boston self storage market offers plenty of options for residents and newcomers looking to rent a storage unit. As a general rule, you’re better off looking for a facility close to your home to avoid driving too far back and forth.
Once you find the right facility, it’s time to evaluate your storage needs and the unit size you’re going to need. A 5’x5’ is ideal for smaller items such as clothing or small outdoor gear. For skis or larger gear, you should upgrade to a 5’x10’ unit. People typically rent a 10’x10’ unit, which can house house furniture and appliances. If you’re moving from a two-bedroom apartment, you can probably fit all the belongings in a 10’x15’ unit. For larger homes, such as a three-bedroom or a four-bedroom, you’ll probably need a 10’x20’ and a 10’x30 unit, respectively. A 10’x20’ is also perfect for storing a standard car or even a small boat. For sensitive items such as furniture, appliances, clothing, paper products and more, it’s worth considering a climate-controlled unit.
To find your ideal Boston storage unit, check out the StorageCafe portal.
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