Moving to Boston USA

[daisybrambles]

We are potentially thinking about a move from the North West of the UK to Boston. My husband has been offered the opportunity to move over with his current company with a high level of support from them. We have a 13 year old daughter to consider and whilst there is a lot to think about we are excited about a new adventure.

Does anyone have any advice around Boston as a place to live or any other useful info about moving from the UK to US?

Thank you

I lived in Boston for a couple of years (about 30 years ago) for work.

Are you thinking in downtown Boston itself or the suburbs?

Thanks for the reply, it would probably be the suburbs, my husbands workplace would be near somewhere called Norwood.

Did you have a good experience living there?

There is a Boston Brits Facebook page that is very active. I would definitely join that and ask for advice and search through past posts. There is always lots of discussion about people moving over and asking for advice.

Boston/MA is a great place to live. But very expensive and the traffic is horrendous so live very close to where you plan to work as commutes can be brutal

DH lived there for a couple of years pre kids. It's a really lovely city to live in, but extremely expensive. Make sure you would actually be able to afford a good quality of life and a decent education for your DC. If you will, then it's a brilliant place to live.

Thanks for your feedback, really helpful and lots to consider.

Thanks for your reply, lots of research ongoing at the moment 😊

I am exploring a move to the US East Coast and from my research, the rule of thumb seems to be you need to earn 2x your UK salary number in USD to maintain your lifestyle, i.e. £100k needs to become $200k, plus healthcare on top.

So the first step should be for your DH to make sure he negotiates that before you leave. He should also negotiate a relocation allowance ($15-20,000 minimum as it’s a whole family emigrating, not just him). I don’t have kids so haven’t researched school packages but I would expect an employer to contribute if not fully cover school fees.

1. How long are you going there for?

2. What industry does he and you work in?

3. Will you be looking to get a job out there or be relying on one income?

Good luck, sounds like an amazing adventure!

Do definitely make sure that you've checked with other expats if the package is really generous. Especially medical bills can be a shock.

Norwood itself is not that close to Boston city center. I dont know much about the town itself but generally the towns west of Boston are v nice and have good school districts. There is a British International School in Boston if you want to keep your DD on the British education track (which you might do if you are only staying a few years).

Are you going to be able to work? That relies on the type of visa your husband gets. What kind of health insurance will you get, will the company pay for private school fees, flights back to the UK for all of you to see family, relocate you back to the UK at the end of it all, cover some kind of accommodation while you are there…. Boston generally is quite expensive, but a great place to live. I lived in the area for many years, pm me if you have specific questions

Costs have really gone up in New England and not due to exchange rate.
You are thinking more expensive than central London for everything- which might help you work out costs. Deodorant, shampoo etc is really expensive

Been over 40 times to Boston/NE and Maine
Sadly it is the wrong side to live in Maine and commute . You need to go and look as a lot of the small towns are a bit like the 1970s but with massive malls (I cant really describe what I mean- you have to see it)

Thanks so much for your reply. In answer to your questions. We would be going for 2 years with the option of staying longer if we settle there.

My DH works for a consultancy company in the UK and they are going to support the move fully. I have been assured I will have a visa that will allow me to work. I’m a Director in Health & Social Care so not sure about equivalent jobs for me at the moment but I wouldn’t want to not work.

Waiting for the formal offer to come through but they have confirmed a health care, moving fees, support with banking, tax system etc.

Lots to think about but I have always wanted to experience living somewhere different.

Thanks for your reply, lots for us to think about. I may well PM you next week when we know a little more if that’s ok. Be great to get your input 😊

No experience myself but follow a woman called Caroline on insta who is British living in Boston with her family. She’s actually moving back to the UK next month but loads of her content is about family life in Boston - her handle is mummysflippinghouse

happy to help

Moving a 13 year old for 2 years is very much less than ideal. If she’s going to re-enter school in the UK for GCSEs (or a levels) it would be age 14 for start of Y10, or age 16 for start of A levels.

My dsis lived in Boston for ten years, in Brookline. Brilliant, buzzy place and the school was fantastic and quite international .

In terms of your daughter, whilst 13 is always a hard age to move - kids here do 4 years of high school so depending on her birthday you might find this lines up well with the start of high school (ie when lots of people are new together). Boston and the surrounding area have lots of lovely places to settle plus you're near the cape for summer, which is great. I live in CT and the NE generally is expensive as other posters said. So just make sure you do your research and don't be shy (at all!!) about asking for more money/a good healthcare package etc to make it worth your while.