Greater Boston Relocation Guide: Moving Logistics, Family Transition, and New Area Integration Strategies

Banks and credit cards

Insurance companies

Subscriptions and memberships

Employer

Nearest grocery store

Pharmacy

Urgent care / hospital

Gas stations

Hardware store

Released value protection: $0.60/lb (inadequate)

Full value protection: Replaces at full cost (recommended)

Extra charges (stairs, long carry, storage)

Packing services cost (if needed)

Payment terms (deposit vs. COD)

Delivery window (exact dates vs. range)

Local move (< 50 miles): $500-$2,000

Charged hourly: $100-$200/hour

2-3 movers, 4-8 hours typical

Long-distance (500-1,000 miles): $3,000-$8,000

Charged by weight and distance

3-bedroom home: ~7,000 lbs

$0.50-$1.00 per lb per 1,000 miles

Cross-country (2,500+ miles): $8,000-$15,000

Charged by weight and distance

Delivery may take 1-3 weeks

Additional costs:

Packing services: $500-$2,000

Packing materials: $200-$500

Storage: $100-$300/month

Insurance upgrade: 1-2% of shipment value

No DOT number or won't provide it

Quote significantly lower than competitors (often add charges later)

Requires large deposit (> 25% upfront)

No written contract

Company name doesn't match truck/paperwork (may be broker)

Poor online reviews mentioning damages, hostage loads, hidden fees

Refuses to do in-home estimate

Inventory everything: Note condition of items before loading

Take photos: Of valuable items before packing

Keep valuables with you: Documents, jewelry, cash

Be present: When loading and unloading

Inspect on delivery: Before signing off

Note damages immediately: On delivery paperwork

Tip movers: 15-20% of bill or $4-5 per hour per mover

6-12 months before: Research districts, ratings, programs

3-6 months before: Contact district offices for enrollment procedures

2-3 months before: Complete enrollment, submit documents

1 month before: Confirm placement, schedule school visit

Proof of residency:

Closing documents OR lease agreement

Utility bill in your name at new address

Some districts require notarized affidavit

Child's birth certificate (original or certified copy)

Immunization records (MA requires specific vaccines)

Prior school records/transcripts

IEP or 504 plan (if applicable)

Photo ID (parent/guardian)

Special education services:

Contact district special education department immediately

Provide IEP from previous school

Request continuity of services

May require evaluation

English Language Learner (ELL) programs:

Many MA districts have strong ELL support

Contact district ELL coordinator

Gifted/advanced programs:

Enrollment may require testing

Some districts have waitlists

Sports/extracurriculars:

Registration often separate from school enrollment

Fall sports registration: Spring/early summer

Club teams: Year-round, may have tryouts

Before move:

Involve them in home search (if age-appropriate)

Visit new area/school if possible

Read books about moving

Let them say goodbye to friends properly

Pack "comfort box" with favorite items

During move:

Maintain routines as much as possible

Set up their bedroom first (familiar space)

Stay positive (they'll mirror your attitude)

After move:

Enroll in activities quickly (sports, scouts, music)

Arrange playdates with new classmates

Stay in touch with old friends (video calls, visits)

Be patient with adjustment (6-12 months normal)

Watch for signs of struggle (grades, mood changes)

When to seek help:

Persistent sadness or anxiety

Declining grades

Social isolation

Acting out behaviors

Consider: School counselor, therapist specializing in child transitions

Primary care physician (PCP):

Start search 3-6 months before move

Call offices: "Are you accepting new patients?"

Verify insurance accepted

Waitlists: 3-12 months common in Greater Boston

Tip: Join practice waitlist even if initial appointment is months out

Pediatrician (if kids):

Even longer waitlists than adult PCPs

Start search 6 months early

Ask for recommendations from neighbors, school parents

Dentist:

Typically 2-6 month wait for new patients

Book within first month of arrival

Specialists (if needed):

Allergist, dermatologist, etc.

May require PCP referral

Waitlists 3-6+ months

Mental health providers:

Therapists, psychiatrists

Extremely long waitlists (6-12+ months)

Check insurance networks carefully

Veterinarian (if pets):

Many vets not accepting new patients

Call 2-3 months before move

Transfer records from previous vet

Pharmacy: Choose one near home or work, transfer prescriptions

Bank: Local branch, or continue with national bank

Hair salon/barber: Ask neighbors for recommendations

Car service: Mechanic, oil change place, tire shop

Home services:

HVAC contractor (annual service)

Plumber (establish relationship before emergency)

Electrician

Landscaper/snow removal (essential for winter!)

Neighbors: Best source (they use local providers)

Facebook groups: Town-specific groups, neighborhood groups

Nextdoor: Local recommendations and reviews

School parents: If kids enrolled, ask other parents

Your real estate agent: May have provider lists

Online reviews: Google, Yelp, Healthgrades (for doctors)

Snow tires: Essential for safe winter driving

Install mid-November, remove mid-April

Cost: $600-$1,200 for set of 4

Storage: Keep summer tires, swap seasonally

Winter emergency kit for car:

Ice scraper & snow brush

Small shovel

Blanket

Flashlight, batteries

Jumper cables

Sand or kitty litter (traction)

Home snow removal:

Snow blower: $500-$2,000 (if DIY)

Plow service: $50-$150 per storm

Season contract: $400-$800 (for all snow events)

Shovel: $20-$50 (for walkways)

Ice melt: $15-$30 per bag

Winter driving skills:

Accelerate and brake slowly

Increase following distance (3x normal)

Don't use cruise control in snow

If sliding: Steer into skid, don't brake hard

Consider winter driving course

Winter heating bills: $300-$600/month (November-March)

Annual heating cost: $2,000-$4,000 typically

Fuel types:

Natural gas: Most common, $150-$300/month winter

Oil: $300-$600/month winter (volatile prices)

Electric: $250-$400/month winter

Energy efficiency:

Programmable thermostat (save 10-15%)

Seal windows/doors (weatherstripping)

Attic insulation (R-49 to R-60 recommended)

Ceiling fans reversed (clockwise pushes warm air down)

Essential winter gear:

Heavy winter coat (down or synthetic, rated to 0°F)

Insulated winter boots (waterproof, rated to 0°F)

Winter gloves/mittens (waterproof)

Winter hat (covers ears)

Scarf or neck gaiter

For kids:

Snow pants

Winter boots

Warm coat, hat, gloves/mittens

Kids grow fast: Budget to replace each year

Where to buy:

LL Bean, REI, Patagonia (quality, expensive)

TJ Maxx, Marshalls (budget-friendly)

Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority

Target, Walmart (basics)

Late October: Put away summer furniture, drain outdoor faucets

November: Install snow tires, test furnace, buy ice melt

December-February: Peak winter, heavy snow possible

March: Still wintery, snow possible through mid-March

April: Remove snow tires mid-month, put away winter gear

Aggressive driving: Boston drivers are notorious

Fast-paced, assertive (not malicious)

Use signals but don't expect courtesy

Rotaries (traffic circles): Yield to traffic already in circle

Public transportation (MBTA):

"The T": Subway, bus, commuter rail

Charlie Card (reloadable) vs. paper tickets

Service can be unreliable (delays common)

Parking:

Boston parking is expensive ($25-$50/day downtown)

Resident parking stickers (if in Boston proper)

Snow emergency: Don't park on certain streets (towed!)

Space saver etiquette: If you shovel out a space, you can "save" it with chair (controversial but respected)

Direct communication: People are blunt, not rude

Sports culture: Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins (omnipresent)

Don't wear Yankees gear (seriously)

Neighborhood loyalty: People identify strongly with neighborhood

"Wicked": Local slang for "very" ("wicked cold", "wicked good")

Pahk the cah: Boston accent real but less common than stereotypes suggest

Dunkin' (Donuts): More prevalent than Starbucks, cultural institution

Higher costs:

Property taxes (1.0-1.5% of value annually)

Heating bills (winter)

Auto insurance (MA rates among highest in nation)

Childcare ($1,500-$3,000/month per child)

Dining out (20-30% higher than national average)

Lower costs:

Sales tax (6.25%, no sales tax on clothing < $175)

Healthcare (excellent hospitals, good insurance options)

Spring (April-May): Rainy, 40-65°F, unpredictable

Summer (June-August): Warm/hot, 70-90°F, humid

Fall (September-November): Beautiful foliage, 50-70°F

Winter (December-March): Cold, 20-40°F, snow frequent

Meet neighbors: Introduce yourself, exchange contact info

Join local Facebook groups: Town group, neighborhood group

Join Nextdoor: Neighborhood social network

Attend town events: Farmers market, concerts, festivals

Visit local businesses: Coffee shop, bakery (become regular)

Walk neighborhood regularly: Increases chance encounters

Sports leagues:

Soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey (very popular in MA)

Fall/spring/winter seasons

Great way to meet other parents

Scouts/youth groups:

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts

4-H clubs

Arts programs:

Music lessons

Theater groups

Art classes

School involvement:

Volunteer for PTO

Chaperone field trips

Attend school events

Fitness/recreation:

Join gym or yoga studio

Running clubs

Tennis leagues

Golf (popular in Greater Boston)

Religious/spiritual communities:

Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples

Great built-in social network

Volunteer:

Food banks

Animal shelters

Youth sports coaching

Town boards/committees

Professional networking:

Industry associations

Chamber of Commerce

Coworking spaces (if remote)

Hobby groups:

Book clubs

Gardening clubs

Photography clubs

Meetup.com groups

Months 1-3: Feels awkward, lonely (normal)

Months 3-6: Starting to meet people, feel more comfortable

Months 6-12: Developing friendships, feeling settled

Year 1-2: Feels like home, strong social network

Social integration takes TIME (12-24 months typically)

Everyone experiences loneliness initially

Keep trying different activities until you find your people

Maintain old friendships (video calls, visits) during transition

Required: Within 30 days of establishing residency

Where: RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles) - book appointment online

Bring:

Out-of-state license

Proof of residency (2 documents: lease, utility bill, etc.)

Social Security card or W-2

Proof of MA auto insurance

Cost: $50 for 5-year license

Note: MA requires vision test; some states may require written/road test

Required: Within 30 days

Where: RMV office

Bring:

Out-of-state title and registration

Proof of MA insurance

MA driver's license

Proof of residency

Odometer reading

Costs:

Title fee: $75

Registration fee: $60 for 2 years

Sales tax: 6.25% of vehicle value (if purchased out-of-state within 6 months)

Inspection sticker: $35 (annual)

Inspection: Required within 7 days of registration

Online: sec.state.ma.us/ovr

In person: Town clerk's office

Required: 20 days before election to vote in that election

Banks and credit cards

Insurance companies (home, auto, life)

IRS (file change of address)

Employer payroll

Social Security Administration (if applicable)

Professional licenses

Subscriptions and memberships