Boston Doesn't Care What You Think of It and Neith
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11/29/2009
I lived in and around Boston for 22 years. I got out because of high population, very high cost of living (from food to renting to car insurance to owning a pet to owning a car/house and high income tax, it is a wallet drainer), the impossible winters and the ignorance of the typical Bostonian.
Since leaving almost nine years ago, I realize that although I wouldn't want to go back to live, there are some great aspects to the city and even the attitude of the people.
After living in Michigan, Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, Maryland/D.C., New Hampshire, and Washington State I can assure you that yes, Boston still possesses the rudest inhabitants and yet, they are real. Rarely do you NOT know where you stand with a native Bostonian. Also, Bostonians can be friendly in their own way - they aren't always bubbly and in your face (although some are) but they take some time to know. I also realize that after people find out I am from Boston, they tend to think they can explain my reserved personality. They expect me to be a bit blunt and sometimes outspoken but they appreciate my honesty. I believe you can find people on both sides of the coin in any city or major metropolitan area, however.
Boston does shut down early, unless you know what to look for. Maybe because I lived there for so long I never ran out of things to do - and I am a night owl. Between Harvard Square (which has gotten a bit commercial in the past few years and lacks a bit of the spark it once had) and Faneuil Hall, the MIT area/Central Square, Fenway and Commonwealth Ave, Newbury St, etc., there is always something going on somewhere. And if you're bored of the city, drive up to Cape Ann and visit Rockport and Gloucester, or go further north to the lakes and mountains of NH. I never went to Cape Cod due to the massive tourist influx but that's another option, as well. The Berkshires aren't far and neither is Maine or Montreal.
The winters are brutal, I won't lie. Now if you like that kind of thing, that's fine. Just always carry a scraper and a shovel in your car and have Triple A. Summers are hot and muggy and can often be a bit rainy from time to time but generally it's a great time to get out and about and enjoy the nature surrounding Boston - it also cools down at night.
The suburbs tend to have a lot of Boston "lifers" which range from really quirky, brash but honest people to ignorant white trash that only know Boston and will only ever know Boston as their home. But you know what? You get that everywhere you go. I see it where I am now and have seen it everywhere I go. You will find yourself working with these people, maybe rooming with them, or meeting them through other friends of yours. It's your choice whether you want to be tolerant and friendly or if you want to despise them for their "ignorance" and "uncultured" outlook.
Whether you live in the city or the suburbs, there are great opportunities to join bands and it's not hard to make connections to get gigs. You can involve yourself in community theatre, sell and create art, and you can do just about any activity you want from adult voleyball leagues to a variety of martial arts to yoga, art classes of all kind and plenty of schools from which to choose if you want to attend college classes casually or get a degree.
Overall, the weather and cost of living are why I will not move back. But you can live easily without a car in the city, and if you can get a high paying job then good for you - the real estate market there has burst a bit and it's not as hard to buy a house as it once was. There is plenty to do, and plenty of people there (too much in my opinion) and for the most part, the area is quite open-minded and diverse. Whatever problems with people and culture you encounter here you will be hard-pressed to NOT find in any other major city around the world. You have to know what you're looking for, have the right attitude and involve yourself if you want to have fun in ANY new place.
Christine | Kennewick, WA