Boston - The Hub of Happy
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7/6/2008
I have lived in Boston for about two years. Cost of Living: Compared to New York and certain areas of Connecticut, the cost of living isn't nearly as bad. Rents and housing prices within the city are a bit outlandish, but if you live a little bit outside the city, things get more reasonable. Plus, you can sometimes snag a very good deal if you are willing to room with one or more people. While housing is pricey, on the plus side, even in this housing slump, a lot of property, especially in some of the surrounding towns has not only held its value but has also appreciated considerably. Gas is outrageous just like other places in the country, but compared to nearby Connecticut, it's not quite as bad in Massachusetts. The only place you do better around here is in New Hampshire just to the north.
Culture: There is plenty of culture in Boston, especially if you like live music. Plenty of museums to appease as well, including some that you may not even have heard about. The theatre scene holds its own, though it is no London, New York, or Chicago. Some good comedy...including both stand-up and improv. There is no shortage of places to eat, including a good variety of ethnic eats...Brazilian, Argentinian, French, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Irish, Italian, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern, etc. Some great places for coffee/hot chocolate and some very good ice cream shops. Toscanini's micro sundaes are a personal favorite! I am still in search of Boston's best pizza, but Pizzeria Regina is pretty good. The North End is quite nice too...great food and really great people. Very inviting and welcoming. Mike's Pastry too...I can tell you is excellent. Delicious...and it's always busy there. Around Boston too, there are some wonderful pubs too, complete with authentic Irish decor, live music certain nights, and frequently, friendly servers who are actually from Ireland.
Job Market: In Boston, there are plenty of jobs to be had in education, health care and technology. If you are in one of those industries, chances are you will not only find a job here, but also do very well. Lots of opportunities for those interested in non-profit stuff too.
People: The people in Boston are sometimes a bit stand-offish. However, you do happen to meet a lot of transplants who aren't originally from here. That helps to sweeten things up a bit. Even lifelong residents though are very cool once you get to know them and it never hurts to adopt the local sports teams as your own if you want to be accepted. Once Bostonians know that you are okay, you are then, well okay. If you get uppity or pretend you are someone you are not, Bostonians will see right through that and will distrust you - rightfully so. Realize that the longer you live here, the more of a Bostonian you will become, like it or not. Inexorably, you will be adopted into that great big Boston community. You'll talk more like a Bostonian, act more like a Bostonian, think more like a Bostonian, and yes, you will even swear and gesticulate at other drivers...like a true Bostonian.
Education: If you are looking to continue your education, you've come to the right place. Boston is literaly a hub of some great universities and colleges - large and small. Even some of the smaller, lesser-known schools have a good reputation.
Healthcare: In Massachusetts, it is the law that everyone have health insurance. If you don't have health insurance, you may face a tax penalty of up to $1,000. Though even that may be cheaper than paying COBRA long-term if you are unemployed or don't have health insurance covered by your employer. If you need medical help, there are plenty of hospitals and clinics around to help you get back on the mend.
Other events: Boston is known for some great sports teams. Always fun to check out a game. However, there is also a good music and theatre scene as well as something of a dance (salsa, swing) scene. Pub trivia is a favorite of many locals and it is offered just about every night at a variety of different venues (usually bars/pubs). Boston is home to some nice parks - the Boston Common, the Boston Public Gardens, the Esplanade along the Charles River, etc. Boston is small enough insofar that it lends itself to being a very walkable city. There is rich history in the city and some of the walking tours, especially along the Freedom Trail are quite interesting. If you like shopping, you might find a bargain in Downtown Crossing or you might prefer the more upscale and much pricier boutiques of Newberry Street. Fanuiel Hall and Quincy Market are cool too, but that's usually the big touristy area.
Transportation: The MBTA or T is pretty reliable, though it is the oldest subway system in America, so it is still undergoing some growing pains from modernization. We only did away with the old tokens system a couple of years ago and gradually, new trains are being brought online. Sometimes the trains go agonizingly slow and they stop in the middle of a tunnel somewhere, only to screech their way onward to the next stop. You get used to it after a while. There are at times real problems with the T, where part of the track is shut down for repairs, but they are usually very good about offering free shuttle bus service to the next stop beyond where the problem has occurred. Otherwise, you can almost get anywhere in Boston or most of the surrounding towns by T (bus and/or subway), though you may need to make various transfers. Still, it may be cheaper than driving, with a lot less aggravation, too. Traffic can be nuts. Getting from one end of Boston to another or even through Cambridge, Somerville, or other surrounding cities can take an eternity. Seems like rush hour in the afteroon starts early (like around 3 and doesn't end until 6 or 7 some days). Also, beware the rotaries or traffic circles. It takes a little getting used to, but once you build your confidence in being able to navigate them, it's no big sweat. You need the right combination of courteousness to other drivers and a healthy dose of assertiveness to get through it. If you move here, be wary of the parking regulations if you don't have off-street parking. The traffic people give you virtually no benefit of the doubt and no honeymoon period simply because you are new here and don't know all the specific regulations, etc. You can amass over $100 in tickets easily if you aren't careful. It's important to get your new registration and your appropriate municipal parking permit, etc. as soon as possible. The meter maids are relentless and if you park at a metered spot, don't think they didn't already get you simply because you were only five minutes late getting back to your car.
Climate: Winter can get really cold and it can dump quite a bit of snow. Summers can be hot and humid. However, you won't find winter cold dipping too far below zero, if even zero at all. The coldest it may get is in the single digits usually - with windchill factored in. Summer days can be hot and muggy, but some days are much nicer. As cold as winter can be and as hot as summer might get, each of those seasons has its share of milder days too. Also, there is a distinct fall and spring, which is nice.
Kurt | Arlington, MA