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Best Places To Live in Massachusetts

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Best Places To Live in Massachusetts

This New England state is rich in American history, but the best places to live in Massachusetts are also modern and diverse, with a youthful vibe.

By Livability on December 8, 2023

Massachusetts (officially a commonwealth) is perhaps best known for being the landing place of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims and one the original 13 Colonies. Today, Massachusetts — one of six New England states — is a desirable state to call home due to its exceptional health care, outdoor amenities, world-renowned universities, thriving job market and incredible sense of history.

Situated in the northeast part of the country, Massachusetts has more than 7 million residents and is one of the most educated states in the country — Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are ranked among the top 10 universities in the world!

The state’s coastal areas, including Nantucket, Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, are a draw for tourists and a scenic area for summer homes. Boston is the state’s largest city and capital, as well as Massachusetts’ cultural and financial center, but the entire state has a wealth of beautiful cities and towns and plentiful outdoor areas to explore. Here’s a look at some of the best places to live in Massachusetts.

Boston

A view of the Boston, MA, skyline overlooking Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.
iStock/Sean Pavone
A view of the Boston, MA, skyline overlooking Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

Boston is a best city in Massachusetts.

Boston is hard to beat. This bustling northeastern city — the largest in New England with 4.9 million people in the metro area — offers noteworthy history, abundant things to do — from cultural opportunities to professional sports — plus a thriving business climate with several Fortune 500 companies that appeals to young professionals and singles. World-renowned universities like Boston University, Emerson College, Berklee College of Music and Northeastern University attract students from far and wide. Residents will find some of the best health care facilities in the nation, including Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital among others. Almost half of residents use public transportation or walk to work, which is why it’s been dubbed “The Walking City.” Boston Logan International Airport is a major hub and the primary airport for New England. The city has four distinct seasons and is best known for its colorful fall foliage. (For the inside scoop on where to go, check out our list of 8 Things Only Locals Know About Boston.)

Why is history so important in Boston?

Boston was founded in 1630 as the Massachusetts Bay Colony by English Puritans, and its historical significance is evident throughout the city. The famed Freedom Trail through Boston’s historic neighborhoods tells the story of the American Revolution. Approximately 4 million people visit the historic churches, graveyards and parks each year, including the famed Paul Revere House in the city’s North End. 

Read more about living in Boston, MA.

Cambridge

Harvard Square is a triangular plaza at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street and John F. Kennedy Street, near the center of Cambridge, MA.

Cambridge is a best place to live in Massachusetts.

Cambridge is a major suburb of Boston and across the Charles River from Beantown (named for the popular dish of Boston baked beans). Besides top-notch education at places such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge offers a wealth of job opportunities, cultural diversity and a rich history. This city of nearly 116,000 has been ranked as one of the best cities to live in America, although the cost of living is higher than many other similar-sized cities. Cambridge has been called the City of Squares because most of the commercial districts are intersections known as squares. It also landed on Livability’s list of The 8 Best Cities for Walking to Work. The city has a vibrant arts scene, abundant entertainment options, lush outdoor spaces to explore and delicious restaurants — influenced by international flavors and coastal cuisine — creating a wonderful quality of life.

Why is education important in Cambridge?

Cambridge is well-known for its prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, which adds an intellectual vibe to the city. It’s a center for innovation and biotechnology and has made a name for itself as a leader in academic excellence. These two schools and other smaller colleges contribute to a highly skilled workforce and trickles down to the Cambridge Public School System, known as one of the best school systems in the country.

Read more about living in Cambridge, MA.

Fall River

A sunset view of downtown Fall River, MA.

Fall River is a great city to live in Massachusetts.

Fall River — named as one of Livability.com’s Best Places To Live in the U.S. in 2023 — became famous in the early days for textile manufacturing, which is still an important industry here, along with health care and education. Today, this picturesque city along the Taunton River of nearly 94,000 has the largest Portuguese community in the United States and plenty of restaurants where you can sample the cuisine, as well as the Portugalia Marketplace with all things Portuguese. Natural beauty is plentiful here, with several state parks and wildlife areas nearby, as well as access to several beaches and parks along the water, like Fall River Heritage State Park. The city also made headlines for the trial and acquittal of Lizzie Borden, who was on trial for murdering her father and stepmother in 1892. 

What is special about Battleship Cove?

Fall River is home to the world’s largest and most diverse collection of historic Naval ships in the world. Battleship Cove, which has preserved the military heritage of the New England region and the United States since 1965, comprises eight vessels, including the USS Massachusetts. The attraction also houses aircraft, memorials, exhibits and has a maritime museum with a well-regarded Titanic exhibit.

Read more about living in Fall River, MA.

Framingham

Framingham, Massachusetts, is located within Middlesex County and the MetroWest subregion of the Greater Boston metropolitan area.

Framingham is a best city in Massachusetts.

Nationally recognized for its historic districts and nearly 300 historic homes, Framingham is just a 30-minute commute from Boston. The downtown district is full of delicious restaurants, quaint shops, cultural attractions and a commuter rail stop, making Framingham one of The Top 25 Best Places To Live in the Northeast. With a population of around 70,000, Framingham’s major industries include manufacturing, technology, health care and life sciences, and several large companies are headquartered here, such as Staples, Boston Heart Diagnostics and TJX (TJ Maxx and its affiliate companies). The well-known Framingham Heart Study, which began in 1948 and is ongoing, has been instrumental in understanding more about cardiovascular disease. Three city-owned beaches add to the plentiful outdoor activities, including 800 acres to explore at Callahan State Park. 

Why is Framingham so diverse?

Framingham has long been a destination for immigrants and is actually one of the most culturally diverse cities in the state, with Koreans, Vietnamese, Puerto Ricans, Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese, Salvadorans, Dominicans, Guatemalans and other nationalities making their homes here. Framingham has one of the country’s largest concentrations of Brazilian immigrants, drawn here because of the state’s history with Portuguese immigration.

Read more about living in Framingham, MA.

Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts, is known as the cradle of the industrial revolution in the United States and many of the city’s historic sites have been preserved by the National Park Service.

Lowell is a best place to live in Massachusetts.

Lowell, located on the banks of the Merrimack River, has merged its history with the present day in interesting ways. The city of nearly 115,000 was once known as the Cradle of the Industrial Revolution due to its many factories and water-powered textile mills, many of which have been preserved by the National Park Service to create Lowell National Historical Park, a 5.6-mile trail system along the city’s waterways. History is preserved in Lowell’s many museums, including the New England Quilt Museum, the Boott Cotton Museum and the Whistler House Museum of Art. The University of Massachusetts-Lowell, UKG and IBM are some of the largest employers in Lowell. For higher ed, students can attend the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Middlesex Community College, which has part of its campus in Lowell. Lowell is one of three Massachusetts cities named among the Best Places To Live in the U.S. in 2023.

How has Lowell’s manufacturing history impacted the city?

Lowell first attracted European immigrants during the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, when its textile mills were at their peak. The city’s innovative canal system that was used to power the textile mills has helped Lowell reinvent its downtown area in a modern way, where old mills have been refurbished into modern loft apartments and paths have been upgraded into walkable urban trails.

Read more about living in Lowell, MA.

Quincy

Safe Harbor Marina in Quincy, MA. Quincy is a best place to live in Massachusetts.
©Journal Communications/Nicole Loeb
Safe Harbor Marina in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Quincy is a great city to live in Massachusetts.

Known as the City of Presidents, Quincy is filled with history but offers many modern-day reasons to call it home. A growing arts scene, delicious restaurants, 27 miles of beautiful coastline — including three municipal beaches — and a Nantucket-style boardwalk with views of downtown Boston makes Quincy a desirable city. Quincy’s Marina Bay neighborhood offers lovely housing and well-appointed hotels, as well as charming shops and dockside pubs. Quincy’s 101,000-plus residents have various housing choices, from downtown apartments to luxury homes. The business climate is booming with life sciences and financial services as the primary industries, and many large companies are headquartered here. Those who like to get outside will find Quincy fits the bill, with both water recreation and plenty of hiking trails.

What is Quincy best known for?

Quincy’s historic significance is at the heart of its identity. As the birthplace of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, as well as John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence and former governor of Massachusetts, the city has played a prominent role in our country’s history. The President’s Trail is an urban path that connects historic structures like the birthplaces of two former presidents, the city’s old town hall and Hancock Cemetery. Quincy is also the site of the Adams National Historical Park.

Read more about living in Quincy, MA.

Salem

The original town hall building for Salem, Massachusetts, is still standing in Derby Square.

Salem is a best city in Massachusetts.

This delightful New England city, just north of Boston, is located along the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most desirable places to live in this region of the country. Its cobblestone streets from a bygone era and Federal-style architecture lend a historic charm to Salem. In addition, the city has a rich maritime history — with three lighthouses –— and was the birthplace of the National Guard. Salem’s economy is diverse, with health care, education, retail, technology and finance as the primary industries. The city’s public education system is highly rated, and its primary higher ed institution is Salem State University. Outdoor enthusiasts have plenty to keep them busy, with parks and playgrounds, beaches and basketball courts, as well as walking trails and woods for hiking and bird-watching. If Boston is out of your price range, Salem is a more affordable option.

How do the Salem Witch Trials impact the city today?

More than 200 men, women and children were accused of practicing witchcraft from 1692 to 1693, leading to the Salem Witch Trials, one of the most tragic events in our country’s history causing mass hysteria and the deaths of innocent people. Today, Salem’s witchy history is evident in the many historic sites, museums and events that take place there. 

Read more about living in Salem, MA.

Worcester

Traffic moves in front of the Union Station in Worcester, MA.
©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht
Traffic moves in front of the Union Station in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Worcester is a best place to live in Massachusetts.

Worcester is Massachusetts’ second-largest metro with an intriguing 300-year history and a promising future. The Heart of the Commonwealth is a city of 200,000 and a quintessential college town with eight higher-ed institutions. It boasts a well-educated community that primarily works in life sciences and biotechnology, manufacturing,insurance and health care. Worcester has distinctive neighborhoods with three historic districts — some with 19th-century triple-decker houses — and is a safe place to raise a family. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked Worcester third on its list of the 25 safest communities in the country. Worcester is also a hub for transportation, government and employment for the region. The city has a strong cultural scene, in addition to a slew of tasty restaurants and bountiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. It ranked as one of Livability.com’s Best Places To Live in the U.S. for 2023.

How does education impact Worcester?

Worcester has more than 35,000 students that attend its eight higher-education institutions, including College of the Holy Cross (named one of the most beautiful college campuses in the Northeast), Clark University, Worcester State, UMass Medical School and Worcester Polytechnic Institution to name just a few. With all of those students, you can bet the bars and restaurants and area shops are full of young people, bringing a dynamic vibe to the city — and making it one of the best places to live in Massachusetts.

Read more about living in Worcester, MA.

Thinking of Moving to Massachusetts?

Finding a great place to live in Massachusetts doesn’t have to be a chore. We have more resources for moving to Massachusetts as well as other best places to live in the Northeast. No matter where you want to live, we can help you decide where to move and discover the best places to live in the U.S .

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