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Having thoughts about a change of scenery? Massachusetts may not be on your radar yet, but if you are thinking about relocating to a state that offers great opportunities for work and play, it may be the best state for travel nursing.
Travel nurses enjoy working in Massachusetts because of its historic significance, great summer weather, and scenic views. It provides several great job opportunities, endless leisure activities, and housing options tailored specifically to suit their needs and budgets.
Massachusetts is also home to a friendly population and some of America’s most important (and scenic) historical sites. For instance, it is home to the world-renowned Museum of Fine Arts, where Egyptian artifacts and Impressionist art resides. Whether you’re a big city nurse or originating from a quaint little hamlet, you’ll feel right at home!
The Best Cities for Travel Nurses in Massachusetts
If you’re considering working in Massachusetts, Worcester and Boston are the two best cities to start looking for accommodation.
Worcester
If you fall in love with the educational and cultural city of Worcester, then the Bell Hill neighborhood is the place for you. It is a park-rich little corner of the city that boasts several attractions, including the EcoTarium, the Worcester Art Museum, the Tower Hill Botanic Garden, and others.
Bell Hill is also a peaceful renter’s neighborhood with friendly, accommodating people and a pet-friendly environment. It is also a very walkable neighborhood, which creates a perfect setting for joggers and strollers looking to enjoy the tranquility and greenery of the quiet neighborhood.
Mission Hill
In Boston, you will find a little neighborhood called Mission Hill, which is tucked close to the Medical Center Area, to be one of the best places to live.
Mission Hill is a square mile residential neighborhood bordering Jamaica Plain, Fenway-Kenmore, and Roxbury, three of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods. Most travel nurses moving to Boston pick this location because of its proximity to numerous hospitals and universities, including the New England Baptist Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
With a population of just over 16,000, Mission Hill has a resident-dense urban feel and is primarily populated by renters. Most homes here are charming triple-decker homes and brick row houses from the late 19th Century.
Back Bay
Back Bay is an affluent Boston neighborhood known for fine dining, upscale shopping, and Victorian architecture. However, it hides many lush green spaces and quiet tree-lined streets adorned with mansions and rustic brick townhouses.
Back Bay locals are spoilt for choice with art galleries, patio cafes, designer boutiques, landmarks from the 1800s, the famous Boston Public Library, and the historic Trinity Church. The expansive Copley Square is also home to a significant piece of architecture called the Hancock Tower. It’s not surprising that this area is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the City of Boston.
Brookline
The town of Brookline is home to six of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods: Mission Hill, West Roxbury, Fenway-Kenmore, Allston, Brighton, and Jamaica Plain. This area of the Boston Metropolitan Area is one of the ten most affluent communities in the entire state.
Brookline has two thriving National Park Sites with rich histories; one is known as the JFK Birthplace and the other as Frederick Law Olmsted’s home (the father of American Landscape Architecture).
The town lies to the east of the similarly affluent Newton and boasts an urban feel with several parks and restaurants. The neighborhood also has a lively nightlife, a relatively low crime rate, and affordable housing options.
The Best Hospitals in for Travel Nurses Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to state-of-the-art hospitals, some of which rank in top positions in the country and globally. If you’ve always wanted to work in some of America’s best hospitals, this is the place to look for opportunities.
Mass General Brigham
The Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston is ranked as one of the best hospitals in the Honor role. It is home to one of the country’s largest hospital-located research programs.
It provides more than 14 adult specialty medical care, including ophthalmology, cardiology and heart surgery, neurosurgery, gynecology, and psychiatry, for which it ranks third-best in the country.
The women-owned hospital also identifies as LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe. It offers a working environment that welcomes all diversities and cultures, making it a calm, comfortable space for travel nurses from all over the world.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Brigham and Women’s places 2nd on the list of best hospitals in Massachusetts and the 14th best in the nation. Nationally, it is ranked in 11 specialties and is the 4th best cancer treatment facility in all of the United States.
Other adult specialties at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital include gynecology, rheumatology, geriatrics, cardiology, and heart surgery.
UMass Memorial Medical Center
In Worcester, we have the UMass Memorial Medical Centre. It is rated as high performing in up to 10 adult procedures. It is also one of the country’s leading academic medical centers and is close to multiple universities, such as the UMass Chan Medical School and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. It offers amazing opportunities for travel nurses seeking to expand their qualifications and training.
Places to Eat
Eating out in Boston is always a fun affair. The bustling metropolis offers something for all palates, featuring everything from high-end culinary spots to popular fast food chains.
Dakzen
Dakzen is an award-winning Thai restaurant (won the Eater Boston Fast-Casual Restaurant of the Year award) located in Davis Square (Somerville).
It is a busy restaurant that provides a cross between counter-service and full-service with a menu full of funky, spicy, and out-of-this-world flavor combinations.
Thai food lovers can experience delicacies beyond the typical Thai takeout staples, and even the most common Thai-American delicacies are available. Some meals to try here include the tom yum noodle soup, the khao soi, and the ba mee moo dang.
Yume Wo Katare
This tiny establishment, a self-proclaimed ramen destination, has a unique end to each dining experience: it encourages patrons to get up and share their goals and dreams-but only those courageous enough to down the massive bowl of ramen used to symbolize perseverance.
Seasonal specials aside, it has a simple menu that heavily focuses on the Jiro-style of making ramen dishes, one with strong pork and garlic flavors.
Saltie Girl
Seafood lovers can stop by the Saltie Girl seafood bar to sample some of the exquisite Barcelona-inspired dishes on the menu. There are all kinds of seafood available here, from freshly-caught catches of the day to tinned fish, which specializes in raw fish delicacies.
Things to Do
Working in Massachusetts also offers plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy and entertained during your free time. They include:
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
This is a great spot to witness live entertainment from street performers and shop for accessories, Boston-themed gifts, and a variety of food, including lobster rolls and other types of seafood. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is not only home to numerous vendors but it is also stationed near interesting parks and historical sites. There is even a dinosaur ride for kids! Stalls and shops sell goods ranging from shirts and caps to jewelry and food. This is a great place to stop by on a weekend.
The North End
Better known as “Boston’s Little Italy,” the North End’s maze of narrow streets is where you’ll spot some of the oldest buildings in the city. The Freedom Trail, for instance, is a self-guided historic site with buildings like the Paul Revere House (built in 1860) and the Old North Church, a key landmark in the Revolutionary War. The streets are dotted with Italian restaurants, pastry shops, coffeehouses, and old-fashioned delis, so if it’s sumptuous cuisine you’re after, your visit should include the bustling Hanover Street.
The Worcester Art Museum
Home to over 38,000 works of art from antiquity to the present day. The WAM houses artifacts from cultures around the world and was first opened in 1898.
Scenic Beaches
Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard- there is no shortage of scenic beaches in Massachusetts. Visit the breathtakingly beautiful Crane Beach in Ipswich to explore its diverse marine life in the forests and marshes lining its shores.
The Seaport District
South Boston’s waterfront features a redeveloped stretch called the Seaport District. Here you’ll find large, posh restaurants, hotels, and bars to wine and dine, plus the striking, glass-walled Institute of Contemporary Arts, which sits overlooking the harbor. Local tables are available along the Harbor walk on Fan Pier. If you plan your visit well, you can catch one of the many summer concerts held on the Lawn on D right next to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and indulge in games like ping-pong and bocce.
Where to Stay
The average cost of unfurnished living in Boston, MA, is $2,899 per month. This places it in the top 1% of most expensive cities to live in globally and the 26th most expensive city nationally. Housing is scarce and prohibitively costly, which is why many travel nurses avoid this wonderful state, even though it offers several promising career options.
HBH Skyline Property Management understands the hassle of traveling countless hours that nurses go through, and seeks to lighten the burden by providing furnished, high-quality housing for travel nurses and medical professionals. We provide high quality, furnished medical housing exclusively for traveling nurses and other healthcare professionals working on 13+ week contracts at rates cheaper than local hotels. HBHS owns and operates properties strategically located close to the local medical centers (UMass Medical Center, UMass Memorial Hospital, Saint Vincent’s Hospital) and major highways, providing a great location for those even looking to commute out of the city.
We aim to make your time in Massachusetts as relaxing and enjoyable as possible through perks and benefits such as:
Flexible rental terms – Monthly, quarterly, or annual options are available to suit the length of your stay and budget.
Central heating and AC – All units are equipped with premium amenities including central air conditioning and heating.
New appliances and in-unit laundry – Furnished units come with new appliances and an in-house laundry room.
Weekly cleaning services – The life of a busy travel nurse is a lot easier when you can access cheap cleaning services right at your building.
Car rental accommodations and private parking – All you need is a driver’s license to rent a car here, and the company provides private parking on all their properties.
Professional support – All through, you will have the support of professionals who understand your job’s nuances and provide ample assistance to keep you focused on what is important – your patients.
If you’re looking to start working in Massachusetts, booking your stay with HBH Skyline can be achieved in a matter of clicks.
Final Word
Travel nurses in Massachusetts get to work as they explore some of the best cities in the country. The state is known for its picturesque urban settings, public diversity, arts and culture, and historical significance, most of which are homed in Boston.
Although hotel and housing options are limited and expensive, HBH Skyline continues to create affordable furnished properties designed to make the lives of travel nurses easier and more enjoyable in one of America’s most historic states.
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