Helpful Relocation Resources for Boston, MA Newcomers

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle in Massachusetts as soon as you become a resident, since there’s no grace period. First, buy Massachusetts auto insurance from a licensed agent, who will complete, stamp, and sign your Application for Registration and Title. Then bring that application, your out-of-state title (or registration, if a lienholder holds the title), and Form MVU-29 to an RMV Service Center. Within seven days of registering, you must get a vehicle inspection sticker. Massachusetts also charges an annual vehicle excise tax, which the RMV generates and you pay to your city or town. → Find an RMV Service Center

Voter Registration

Register online if you have a Massachusetts driver's license or state ID, or register by mail or in person. The deadline is ten days before each election. → Register to Vote in Massachusetts

Utilities Setup

Bostons' primary electricity provider is Eversource. For water and sewer, use Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Options for natural gas include National Grid and Eversource.

Pet Registration

All dogs six months and older in Boston must be licensed every year, with a deadline of March 31. You'll need a copy of your dog's current rabies certificate. Fees are waived for service animals and for owners 70 and older. → Boston Animal Care and Control

School Enrollment

Register online or bring proof of address, birth certificate, and up-to-date immunization records to a BPS Welcome Center to enroll. Priority registration periods vary by grade, so make sure to check the schedule. → BPS Registration

Charter & Private

Massachusetts charter schools are public and admit students by lottery. Find school profiles and data through the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Private schools set their own admissions and tuition. → DESE School & District Profiles

Higher Education

Colleges in Boston include UMass Boston, Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, Boston University, Northeastern University, Emerson College, and Suffolk University. In-state tuition at Massachusetts public universities generally requires living in the state for 12 months before enrolling (six months for community colleges).

Child Care

Families can apply for state child care financial assistance through MyChildCareMA. Most eligible families are placed on a waitlist until funding is available. Boston also offers free Universal Boston Pre-K for eligible three and four-year-olds.

Major Health Systems

Major health systems in Boston include Mass General Brigham, Boston Medical Center, and Tufts Medicine.

Finding a PCP

Use your insurer's online provider directory or the provider search on any health system's website. If you need coverage, the Massachusetts Health Connector is the state's health insurance marketplace. → Massachusetts Health Connector

Urgent Care

Major health systems like AFC Urgent Care and South Boston Health Seaport operate urgent care locations across the city. Many accept walk-ins—some offer online check-in or reserved times.

Mental Health

The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line is free and available 24/7 by call or text at 833-773-2445, with no insurance needed. Call or text 988 for the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline → Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotlines

Pharmacy

CVS and Walgreens have locations throughout Boston, and many grocery stores have in-store pharmacies. Ask your new pharmacy to transfer prescriptions from your previous one.

Key Toll Roads

Drivers in the Boston area will encounter tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), the Callahan, Sumner, and Ted Williams tunnels, and Tobin Memorial Bridge.

Public Transit

The MBTA operates subway lines, buses, commuter rail lines, ferry routes, and a paratransit service. Fares for the subway or bus can be paid via CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, contactless payment, or cash. Check the MBTA fares page for more info.

Airport Access

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is located in East Boston. Rideshare pickups for Terminals A, C, and E are in the Central Parking garage; Terminal B pickups are in the Terminal B Garage.

Major Roadways

I-93 runs north to south through downtown; I-90 (Mass Pike) runs west from the Seaport; Route 1 heads northeast over the Tobin Bridge; and I-95/Route 128 circles the metro.

Homestead Exemption

Boston's property tax relief for owner-occupants is the Residential Exemption, which saved qualifying homeowners up to $4,353.74 last fiscal year. For Fiscal Year 2027, apply by April 1, 2027. The exemption applies to one property only and appears on your third-quarter tax bill. Note that the separate Massachusetts "Declaration of Homestead" protects home equity from certain creditors—it is not a tax exemption. → Boston Residential Exemption

Homeowners Insurance

Standard homeowners and renters policies typically exclude flood damage. Check your address on the FEMA Flood Map, especially near the waterfront, and consider separate flood coverage if needed. → FEMA Flood Map

Vehicle Insurance

Massachusetts requires four coverages. Minimums are $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury to others, $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto, $8,000 in personal injury protection (PIP), and $30,000 for property damage. → Basics of Auto Insurance

Address Updates

Update your address with the IRS (Form 8822), the Social Security Administration, your bank, your health insurer, the RMV, your voter registration, and USPS. → USPS Change of Address

Boston Non-Emergency

For non-emergency police matters, contact your local Boston Police district station. For City services such as potholes, trash, and parking, call 311 or 617-635-4500, or use the BOS:311 app. → Boston 311

Poison Control

1-800-222-1222 → Poison Center

State Crisis Line

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line: call or text 833-773-2445. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.

Emergency Alerts

AlertBoston sends emergency alerts by phone, text, and email in 11 languages. → Sign Up for AlertBoston

Natural Disaster Info

Winter storms and nor'easters are most common from December through March. Coastal flooding can occur during storms and high tides, and the City issues heat emergencies during extreme summer heat. → Boston Office of Emergency Management

FEMA Flood Map

Check your property address to see if you're in or near a FEMA-designated flood zone.

Top Employers

Major employers with a large Boston presence include Mass General Brigham, Boston University, Liberty Mutual, Fidelity Investments, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Boston Medical Center.

Job Search Tools

LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor list Boston-area openings. You can also check places like university and hospital job boards for postings in those specific industries.

State Job Portal

MassHire Career Centers offer free job search help, workshops, and training referrals.

Unemployment Benefits

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) runs the state's unemployment insurance program. Apply in your first week of unemployment. If you recently moved, wages from a prior state may affect which state you file in.

Professional Networking

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts events and programs for professionals and businesses.

Staffing & Temp Agencies

National agencies with Boston offices include Robert Half and Adecco.