Living in Boston

Countless service and direct ministry opportunities at parishes, schools, and nonprofits, hundreds of places of worship and faith centers, unrivaled academic resources, an abundance of art and culture—Boston offers all this and so much more.

It’s also a center of American history and an internationally renowned hub for higher education, healthcare, and technology. Here, you’ll enjoy vibrant music and sports scenes and convenient access to green space—and the ocean and outdoor recreation are always nearby. With such a variety of offerings, Boston is an ideal city to pursue personal and professional fulfillment.

Boston skyline
Christian Rodriguez

Top 10 Favorite Things About Boston

So, when my husband Michael and I moved to Boston to study at STM, we found ourselves completely enamored with all the treasures and treats of East Coast life. Without further ado, here is a completely subjective list of my 10 favorite things about life in Boston ...
Madeline Infantine, MTS Alumna

Encounter

A community blog from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

Living in Boston

52

Colleges and universities in Greater Boston

#2

in U.S. cities for quality of living

Mercer

10

Schools in the BTI Consortium

Social Life

Home to over 50 colleges and universities, a wealth of world-class cultural institutions, and a wide array of professional and collegiate sports teams, the city buzzes with energy, knowledge, and new ideas. And with the Charles River and Atlantic Ocean, Boston offers endless recreational possibilities. Students take advantage of many of these opportunites throughout the year.

  • Whale watching and harbor cruises
  • Boston Harbor Islands National Park
  • The Museum of Fine Arts (free with BC ID)
  • The Freedom Trail, Bunker Hill, and the U.S.S. Constitution
  • Red Sox baseball games
  • Concerts and events on Boston Common
  • Boston's vibrant Theater District
  • Kayaking on the Charles River
  • The historic Italian North End (filled with delicious restaurants)

  • Cape Cod and the Islands
  • Gloucester and other seaside towns
  • Easy travel to NYC, Montreal, Portland ME, and Newport RI
  • Walden Pond
  • Historic Lexington and Concord
  • Salem
  • Plymouth Rock
  • Hiking in the Blue Hills

Service in the City: Externships

Externships present a great opportunity to serve local communities while gaining professional experience, furthering the Church’s mission, and learning the city. Our students serve in positions throughout the Archdiocese of Boston and in parishes, schools, nonprofits and other settings.  Externship sites include:

Archdiocesan Social Justice Ministry

Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

St. Elizabeth Medical Center

MANNA Community

Sacred Threads

The Ignatian Spirituality Project
 

Christian Rodriguez on externship

Living in Boston FAQ

question match your criteria

Do STM students have off-campus jobs?
<p>Yes! Multiple STM students supplement their incomes with off-campus jobs!  There are many different employment opportunities in the Boston area, ranging from food services to hospital and mental health facilities.  While on-campus jobs only permit students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week, often only during normal office hours, off-campus employment can be a good option for flexible hours.<br /> </p>
bc:schools/stm/admission-faq/search-tags/do-stm-students-have-off-campus-jobs
How is getting around Boston? Do I need my car?
<p>If you poll current STM students on the car question, you’ll find about a 50/50 split. Some people really want to have a car here, while others think it’s too much of a hassle. Either way, getting around campus and Boston, in general, is very easy. There are buses and trains that will take you from Boston College to downtown Boston in less than an hour, with several stops at stores and restaurants in between. The BC shuttle is also a great service for students. It is totally free and runs throughout the entire BC campus and surrounding residential areas. With all the transportation opportunities, Boston is easy to navigate and fun to explore.<br /> </p>
bc:schools/stm/admission-faq/search-tags/how-is-getting-around-boston-do-i-need-my-car
What is the best way to find housing in Boston?
<p>Although housing is on the forefront of everyone’s mind, it is not as stressful as it seems!  Boston College does not offer on-campus housing for graduate students, but ample tools are provided to enable students to find comfortable housing situations in the local area.  Through the off-campus housing portal, students are able to create a profile that lists their needs and browse available apartments. Another great resource is the STM Facebook Group! Current and graduated STM students often post vacant rooms or apartments that they are looking to pass down to incoming STM students.  Joining the STM student page can be a very helpful tool once you confirm your attendance!<br /> </p>
bc:schools/stm/admission-faq/search-tags/what-is-the-best-way-to-find-and-make-housing-accommodations-in-boston
What type of housing and living options are available?
<p>The city of Boston and its surrounding communities offer an array of housing options. Although the STM does not offer on-campus housing, we do all that we can to provide support throughout the process, including helping students find roommates and local listings. Boston College is located 6 miles from downtown Boston, so many STM students live closer to campus where rents can be less expensive than in the center of the city.</p> <p>Graduate students are also welcome to apply to be Resident Assistants for Boston College.</p> <p><a href="/content/bc-web/schools/stm/community/living-in-boston.html"><span class="btn btn-default btn-maroon">Living in Boston</span></a></p> <p><a href="/content/bc-web/offices/student-affairs/sites/residential-life/about/job-opportunities/ResidentAssistantApply.html"><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold">Being an RA</span></a></p>
bc:schools/stm/admission-faq/search-tags/what-type-of-housing-and-living-options-are-available