Massachusetts is the most populous state in New England. With a population of 7 million, it has one of the highest population densities in the country. Boston is its capital and its most populous city with 700,000 residents and a greater metro area population of almost 5 million people.

With some of the best hospitals, schools, and job opportunities in the country, Massachusetts is one of the most desirable states to live in the country.

Because of this, it has some of the highest house prices and overall costs of living in the nation. Its rich history and contemporary culture make it a popular tourist destination and its population booms in the summer.

What's life like in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has a rich history as well as a dynamic contemporary culture.

With many of the country's finest higher education institutions, Boston is a popular state for students and academics. High-quality healthcare, excellent job prospects, and overall quality of life make Massachusetts one of the most desirable, and most expensive, states in the country.

Massachusetts' winters are harsh but its summers are mild and there are plenty of green spaces in the state for residents to enjoy.

Boston and numerous other big cities offer residents plenty of high-quality entertainment, dining, and shopping options. On the whole, residents of Massachusetts tend to lean left politically.

Work in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of the wealthiest states in the nation with a gross state product of over half a trillion dollars. It also has one of the widest and most diverse economies in the country, offering its residents a wide variety of highly-paid, high-quality jobs.

Major sectors in Massachusetts include higher education, information technology, biotechnology, health care, finance, tourism, manufacturing, and defense. Massachusetts often ranks in the top states for job opportunities as well as places to start a new business.

Major Attractions of Massachusetts

Here are some of the top attractions that make Massachusetts a great place to live and work:

• Freedom Trail: A 2.5-mile path through downtown Boston, highlighting some of the most significant historical locations and buildings in the country.
• Martha's Vineyard: An island located south of Cape Cod known for its vineyards, tourist towns, and picturesque landscapes.
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace: A marketplace and meeting hall in Boston that was first opened in 1743.
• Museum of Fine Arts: Its expansive collection includes pieces from all over the world, from ancient civilizations to contemporary art.
• Fenway Park: A legendary baseball park in Boston that's home to the Red Sox MLB team. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Massachusetts

Pros:

• Education – Massachusetts has some of the best educational institutions in the country, including Harvard, MIT, and Amherst.
• Career opportunities – Massachusetts residents have plenty of access to high-quality, high-paying careers in a wide variety of sectors.
• High standard of living – With plenty of job opportunities, good-quality housing, lots of green space, and excellent healthcare, most Massachusetts residents have an excellent quality of life.

Cons:

• High cost of living – Because of Massachusetts' desirability, it has one of the highest costs of living in the country.
• Traffic – Massachusetts' roads are often heavily congested with traffic, especially around rush hour.
• Extreme winters – Massachusetts has some of the coldest winters in the country and has months of freezing temperatures, blizzards, and heavy snowfall.