Consider the auto excise tax like the personal property tax in some states. The amount is based on a calculated value of the car, and declines in line with its valuation each year. The rate is set by the state, but the town of residency collects and keeps the tax. My 2006 CS was taxed at $589.00 for 2008.

Car insurance is high, however, I heard that it is about to be deregulated which means that it could get lower or it could get higher. But if you don't live in Boston, car insurance will be lower. Please, please listen to chows4us when he states "I would definitely get a beater." When I lived in Boston I had a BMW and a beater. And I can tell you that I was glad to have it. Someone ran a light one winter and T-Bone my beater. I was not hurt nor was I upset. It was my beater. As for the taxes, Mass tends to undervalue your car by a few thousands dollars when they do a valuation of the car. This is so it is hard for you to dispute the charges. I know this because the last year I lived in Mass my BMW was valued at $10,000, however, when I move to NC and got the tax bill it was valued at $22,000. The $22,000 was the true blue book value of the car at the time. One last thing...the "T" (public transportation) is the way to go in Boston. Boston can be very nice, you just have to learn how to enjoy it.

That excise tax seems really high. I was planning on bringing both my cars ('07 CS and '99 Infiniti G20t) with me. The Infiniti would be my beater. Both cars are paid off. With my plan to garage the Cayman during snow months, I'm wondering if it would even be worth bringing it or leaving it in CA (which would further reduce the amount I'd get to drive it).

Should I even bring a beater or just buy one in state? MA's 5% sales tax is far better than L.A.'s 8.25% sales tax.

As for insurance, I'm paying about $1850 anually; covers both cars. Am I in for a big jump up or down (pre-deregulation)?

Segue007, did insurance go up or down for you when you moved in the reverse direction?

BTW- I've been told I would get nice seats for BoSox games; the new boss IS a BoSox.

I go to Boston every week and traffic isn't that bad. You just need to avoid certain hours and location. Some drivers are aggressive, but I think traffic and drivers in NYC are worse.

Roads condition aren't great and many potholes (especially during winters). So I rather bring my beater unless weather is really nice. Some of parking entrances and driveways are very steep, so you got to be extra careful. Also some people really suck at parallel parking and don’t really care if they hit other car's bumper while parking or getting out.

For the excise tax, I can't really tell since I do not live in Boston, but I paid $25 for my 98 civic this year.

The roads in Boston aren't much fun (maybe Memorial Dr or Storrow Dr is ok since you can see the river).

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07 Boxster S

When I moved from Boston to LA, my insurance went way up. By the way, in LA it costs me 500 a year to keep my car registered. Not much difference from the excise tax.

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resident comedienne

2006 Cayman S - Speed Yellow, Black Interior, Yellow Seat Belts
Sports Chrono Package, 6 Spd, PASM/PSM, Bi-Xenon headlamps
Carrera S wheels 19" - Conti Sport 2, Colored-crest wheel cap
Auto climate control, Heated seats
PCM 2.1 Nav, Denision ICE-Ipod, Bose Surround
De-snorked, Evo V-Flow

I love Boston. Chicago was starting to get old for me, so I am very happy to have moved to Boston.
Now lets talk Caymans and Boston. As someone mentioned, once you learn which streets to avoid, driving Cayman within City of Boston is not that bad. Initially you will be frustrated, since you will be taking obvious routes that everyone else does. But once you learn the old truth of shortest route almost never being the fastest, you will have much different experience. Yeah, there are too many lights, but that is why you take public transportation in the City of Boston.

I actually live in Somerville. If I got to downtown Boston, I take the T. Period. No need to waste gas and get side-swiped by someone oogling your car.
The pleasure of driving a Cayman starts immediately when you leave city limits of Boston, Caymbridge, Somerville, or Arlignton. I have discovered some nice roads with nice pavement, great scenery, and in a way good challenge.
Who need to go to NC for Tail of the Dragon. Newton area has some roads that are fantastic, same goes if you go towards NH.
At the end of the day, everything is so close in the area, that you can get anywhere in much more reasonable time than say in Chicago, LA, or NY.

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'07 Porsche Cayman S: de-snorked... more mods to come. '05 Dodge Magnum RT: catback, high-flow cats, custom intake, projector headlights, SC FlashPaq... and on and on.
Blog: apsinkus.com
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I dont know about insurance anymore. $2K/year may be low. I think its "no fault" which means high bills

Work for the Bosox ... oh yeah, there is no better ballpark in the nation than Fenway. Used to sit in the cheap seats for $2.

Yes, take the T, its the only way to get around town.

Just imagine, if you have moved there already, you would have had Patriots Day off, a holiday for the City of Boston, AKA Evacuation Day (when the British evacuated Boston). Game starts at 11AM, Boston Marathon ends about noon near the Prudential Center.

I know if I moved to MA, I would get a winter beater. The stories I could tell you about the drivers and vandalism, not meant to scare you but real life. Just be safe and warm in the winter. You can't beat the cultural things, history, etc.

I was actually there through Patriot's Day. I initially thought I would be able to be in the city on a standard day, but when I learned of the holiday, I made plans to NOT be driving into town. I'm actually more comfortable with the idea of moving. All the advice helps.

I actually would not be working for THE BoSox, but rather for A BoSox. One of the players started a company and I would be working in the company. He's a nice guy; actually called me the other day to try and help seal the deal.

Thanks again to everyone for all the insight.

Best of luck. I forgot to mention two things.

First, there really are seasons. It can get warm in the Summer and below zero in the winter. The spring and fall are real seasons.

Second, you got a two hour drive to the mountains in NH and you never too far from the Beach (I suppose LA is like this). So you got lots of variety for entertainment. That's good

I work in Maynard and drive there every day and am in the process of buying a Cayman. I think you will be fine the only issue aside from the crapy roads is that the police in Maynard and Acton have nothing to do so they will pull you over for the most minor of infraction. Just something to be weary of. I was originally looking for a red Cayman but have since switched to looking for a metallic blue Cayman instead for that reason. Other then that though I owned a 944 for 10 years and I didn't really have any issues with using it in New England. Cheers and best of luck in what ever you decide.

I live in Ashland--it's a nice little town with lots of trees, a train station, a couple of decent restaurants, and a good real estate market. Wellesly is VERY chi-chi. Twice I bought a place using my head, twice I bought following my heart My heart was always right. So, I'd say look all around and, without turning off your head, follow your heart. Home is too important!

ThomWT