Welcome to Boston
In addition to working at a top-ranked university, Northeastern University employees also have the opportunity to reside in one of the best cities in the nation. Boston is a vibrant city, renowned for its cultural facilities, world-class educational institutions, champion sports franchises, and historical background. Whether your interest is history, architecture, books, art, the outdoors, dining, shopping, music, or something else, there are many unique and interesting places to explore here!
Professional Networking
The Greater Boston area is home to more than sixty colleges and universities, resulting in around 250,000 students living in the area at any given time. Because of the large number of neighboring institutions, there are many professional development and networking opportunities in the area with other Higher Education professionals. Several professional organizations are in place to connect Boston & Massachusetts area student affairs colleagues, including the Boston Area College Housing Association (BACHA), Massachusetts State Division of the American College Personnel Association (MCPA), Northeast Association of College and University Housing Officers (NEACUHO), and NASPA Region I.
Young professional networking opportunities outside of Higher Education are also abundant through organizations such as the Boston Young Professionals Association.
In the City Limits
Boston is truly a hub of arts, culture, sports, and nightlife. When first arriving to town, we suggest you get to know the city through walking the Freedom Trail, going on a Duck Tour, or just exploring some of the sites such as the Boston Common or Boston Public Library. Definitely take time to get to know the nation's first public transportation system, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), better known to locals as the T. Great shopping and people watching can be done on Newbury Street, at the Prudential Center, or at Faneuil Hall.
If you’re a sports fan, you’ve come to the right place. With the Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics playing right in town, there’s always a game to enjoy live or at a local establishment. If you’re more into football or soccer, you can take the commuter rail to Foxboro to see both the Patriots and Revolution play. Like to be a part of the game? Plenty of team sports are available in Boston through the Boston Ski and Sports Club, as well as Social Boston Sports.
The museums in Boston are some of the best around. The Museum of Fine Arts is located right across the street from campus. Other options to satisfy your artsy or curious side include the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. If it’s local artists you love, check out the SOWA Open Market, which runs every Sunday throughout the warmer months, or the annual Boston Ahts Festival.
With a bustling theatre district and an abundance of concert venues, there are always live shows occurring. Check out one of the highly acclaimed Boston Ballets, a symphony with the Boston Pops, or one of many free concerts during the summer months at the Hatch Shell. Many well-known artists play at both the House of Blues as well as the Orpheum Theatre. For some more local flair, check out the Blue Man Group or Shear Madness performances.
With over 400 restaurants and bars, you will never go hungry. For a fairly comprehensive list of restaurants in the area, check out Zagat Boston’s Restaurant Guide. Boston also participates in Restaurant Week bi-annually, allowing customers to sample great food for a set price. Boston is also home to two breweries, Samuel Adams and Harpoon, which offer educational tours and samplings.
Finally, concern for safety in a large city is understandable. Northeastern is located directly beside Boston Police Department's headquarters, and retains its own Police Department, featuring a highly-trained police force larger than most cities and towns in Massachusetts. For statistics regarding the prevalence of specific types of crime on campus, including those statistics required by the Clery Act, visit the university’s annual report here.
Beyond Boston
While there are an endless number of things to do within the city limits of Boston, there is also a lot to see beyond Boston. The city is in the middle of the northeast, providing easy access via car, bus, or train to nearby locales such as New York, Providence, Portland, and Hartford. Other possibilities include outlet shopping at Wrentham Village, taking in the gorgeous fall foliage, heading to Salem for some haunted happenings, and enjoying skiing at surrounding Massachusetts and New Hampshire mountains.