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Bordered on the north by New Hampshire and Vermont, on the west by New York, and on the south by Connecticut and Rhode Island, the officially named Commonwealth of Massachusetts is New England's most populous state, with the majority of its citizens (more than 6 million) living in the Boston metro area.

Home to Plymouth Rock and its association with early 17th century Pilgrim settlement, the state later led the Thirteen Original Colonies in revolutionary fervor that eventually brought about the War for Independence in 1776.

Today, major industries in Massachusetts include biotechnology, banking, health care and tourism. The state is also a leader in higher education with Harvard University, Wellesley, MIT and others ranking among the top colleges in the nation.

Remaining true to its agricultural roots in one major respect, Massachusetts remains the second largest cranberry producing state in the U.S. after Wisconsin.

• Demographics : (Massachusetts Census Data)
  Major cities: Boston (capital), Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cambridge
  Population : 6,349,097
  White : 86.7%
  Black, African American : 6.9%
  Hispanic : 7.9%
  High school graduates : 84.8%
  Bachelor's degree or higher : 33.2%
  Average household income: $53,657
  
  
• Crime : see Massachusetts Crime Rates 1960 - 2005
  
  
• Cost of Living: Sperling's Best Places - Massachusetts - Compared to the rest of the country, Massachusetts's cost of living is 22.18% higher than the U.S. average.
  
  
• Property Taxes : Massachusetts Tax Climate - Massachusetts' property taxes are 7th highest in the nation per capita measure.
  
  
• Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Massachusetts Real Estate
  Home ownership rate : 61.7%
  Average home price: $429,500
  Average travel time to work : 27 minutes
  
  
• Schools : see Massachusetts Department of Education
  
  
• Weather : Like most of New England, Massachusetts experiences warm summers and cold, snowy winters, and is especially prone to Nor'easters and sometimes severe winter storms.
  

More about relocating to Massachusetts around the Web:

Welcome to Massachusetts! - Official state portal for those considering a move to the state offering information on voter registration, car registration, state taxes, links to job & real estate information, public schools & higher education, local transportation, plus helpful hints on finding local doctors, dentists & healthcare services.

Boston relocation - BostonOnline.com guide to city life with information on cost of living, neighborhoods, subways, bus routes and commuter rail lines, searchable jobs, apartments & real estate database, plus information on local customs and official holidays.

Massachusetts City-Data Forums - Busy online message boards with tips & advice on jobs, real estate, schools and cost of living in a variety of cities & towns including Boston, Cambridge, Cape Cod, Lexington and eastern Massachusetts.

Berkeley Parents Network - Moving to Massachusetts - Archived online discussion posts with tips & advice on family-friendly neighborhoods, kids activities, schools & healthcare for the Amherst & Boston areas.

Relocating to Massachusetts Pioneer Valley - Guide to moving to the Springfield area with links and contact details for suggested apartment & real estate brokers, healthcare services, local utilities, banks, schools & houses of worship.

Massachusetts Movers Association - Trade association with helpful tips & advice, searchable database of approved movers within the state, related links.

Massachusetts Real Estate, Apartments & Job Classifieds:

• Boston : Globe | Herald
• Cambridge : Chronicle
• Worcester : Telegram & Gazette
• Springfield : Republican

also see -> Massachusetts Beaches | Massachusetts Eviction Laws

Massachusetts Fall Foliage | Massachusetts Taxes

Massachusetts Wine Tours | Christmas in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Tourist Attractions

also see in House & Home -> Apartment Renting | Buying Foreclosures

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