Transportation
Boston is known as the “walking city” because many areas can be reached by a short walk.
You can use public transportation (buses, trains, ferries/boats, etc.) for everyday travel instead of buying or renting a car. In the Boston area, the public transportation service is called the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and is generally referred to as the “T.”
How you get to work is important, and you may want to live in an area close to where you work or be sure that your apartment is close to public transportation.
When you find an apartment you would like to rent, always ask how close it is to a train stop or a bus stop. Winters can be very cold and it sometimes snows a lot, so you will want your walk to public transportation to be short.
You also can access “Street View” maps on http://maps.google.com to take a virtual “walk” down the street of an apartment you like so that you can see the buildings and streets and the surrounding area.
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Most professionals living in Boston use public transportation, which is much less expensive than buying and maintaining a car. Boston public transportation is called the “T” by Bostonians.
If you want to rent or drive a car in the U.S., you should bring a notarized driving record from your home country. Learn more about owning or leasing a car in Boston.
Many people in Boston ride bicycles to work or school, or for exercise and recreation. The city of Boston has taken steps to create safe and convenient bicycling conditions for all residents and visitors.
Partners provides free shuttle services between its hospitals and some offices, for the convenience of employees, students, patients, and visitors.