im moving to boston soon.. whats it like?

Question

i currently live in hawaii and am hopefully moving to boston, massachusetts sometime in the summer bc i rly dont like it much here.. ive lived here for a long time but i know what its like living in some place like boston because ive lived in california and have lived in the city so boston isnt going to be a big change. but ive NEVER been there before but by pictures its really pretty.. does anyone have any advice of what its like?? id really like to know some info so when i do move i know what the people and city will be like..

Answer 1

I don't know what the weather is like during the summer, but in Boston it can get HOT! 90's-100's sometimes, although that usually isn't the norm. It also tends to get quite muggy--I really hated those days. Sometimes there are summer thunderstorms due to those really hot days, so keep a small umbrella with you into the summer months. There are certainly very distinct seasons--the summers are hot and the winters can be VERY cold. Be prepared for snow and freezing temperatures.

Boston is very much a college town. I went there for school and stayed after. There's a lot to see and do that give you cheap eats and entertainment that's catered for the college student/young professional crowd--which is not always a bad thing. It can be quite handy. Personally I grew tired of the college student scene and wanted out.

It's very expensive to live there. It's among the top five in the most expensive cities to live in the US, so be prepared.

I've encountered people who find the Northeast less friendly. I think it's more of people just doing what they need to do in a very business-like manner. There are artists, academics, students, and many other types. I've encountered rude people and nice people. If you're looking to make friends, get involved in something. There's so much that you can do, events to attend, classes to take. Take that cooking class, go to the museum night, see that concert.

One thing I hated was the sports mentality. While certainly the Red Sox and the Patriots are doing very well, the fans take it one step too far. Perhaps due to the college student community, I've found they get too excited and the police has had to crack down on partiers, people overturning cars, throwing bottles, property damage, etc. A few years ago people died in separate incidents; one was after the Patriots won their first Super Bowl with Tom Brady and the other was after the 2004 World Series.

Take it for what it's worth. It'll be a big difference from Hawaii, but there are good things and bad things about the city. I hope the move goes well!!

Answer 2

As querry tells you, be prepared for a big culture shock!! But someof what he writes is just plain exagerated. As bad as Boston traffic can be there is notn 8 mile commute that takes 1 1/4 hours (and if that were his case why doeshe not take the good public transportation system instead, or at least be true to his Californian lifestyle roots and ride a bike? - Most of Boston - it actually should be considered Boston/Cambridge, by the way; the two cities face each other across the river and both are very prosperous but both are quite unique-is quite flat.And there are some GREAT restaurants).

Princetongirl touches ononepoint you may find quite enjoyable and certainly a contrast to Hawaii-or even most of California:
Boston and New England enjoy 4 definite seasons.

That Boston is a sports-mad town has been mentioned by several Answerers; you will either get into that or you won't
(It drives me nuts).

The best part of that part of the country, especially for an islander, is that so many other interesting places are nearby
or within a few hours drive -- New York, Montreal, Maine, Cape Cod, Vermont, etc., etc. -- a tremendous variety of places to see and things to do.

Boston unfortunately has a lingering reputation of being a bit of a racist city but in fact strains are no greater than they are in Hawaii vis a vis native Hawaiians and the others.

PS: Something that few Bostonians are aware of that you might find interesting: Boston is actually located in the remains of an ancient volcanic caldera from 800 million years ago which was formed, as was Hawaii far more recently, by a hot spot.

Answer 3

While the "journalist" that moved here from cali had some good points, they must write for the ABC Elementary Gazette.

Boston is a wonderful city. It has amazing culture and class. When you come you will realize why the roots of this country trace back here. That being said.......
Its very different here as it IS very expensive so the blue collars have to work extra hard, and they let you know about it. Whether its in traffic, at the store, on the phone....you will experience rude people EVERYDAY all the friggin time. I mean, I was rude to the "journalist" & I dont even know them. My advice to you: if you dont like rude people, dont come. Massachusetts and Boston have a ton to offer, and most people that live here love it- but it will chew you up and spit you out if you think its going to be like ANYWHERE else. I came from the midwest in '93 and had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I lived in Miami Beach for a year and a half. It is beautiful and the weather is amazing, but the people are fake and airheads. Its probably similar there, in Hawaii. Its a great place to visit but once you live there for a while you cant stand it. Theres not enough structure in their economy, they rely heavily on tourism so the people arent very connected with eachother- not a lot of "neighborhoods". If this sounds like how you feel, Boston will be a good change of pace for you.

If you are a determined person that is strong-willed, you will be fine. Good luck!

Answer 4

Wow , . Boston is beautiful!! Most of the people are nice and then you have a few bums yelling stuff but they are harmless. All cities have a few weirdos and we are proud of ours. I myself would never live in the city again not just Boston but any city. I don't like all the hustle and bustle. I just drove in Boston the other night and it is even prettier than I remembered. Boston has all sorts of museums and stores, and it has great restaurants. I don't know where that other guy eats(the one who said the food isn't good) because the food is awesome here. We have great seafood and the North end has awesome Italian food. If you can deal with the cold winters and hot and humid summers then you will love it here. Also don't forget the awesome beaches all over Massachusetts!! You have to go the islands or at least stay on cape cod for awhile.

Answer 5

Be prepared for culture shock, big-time. I moved here from Carmel, California and am still in shock after a year.

I think I will stay - but it has not been easy for anyone who did not grow up dependant on public transportation, and strangers yelling for no reason, and just a lot of pushing and shoving on the "T", any public quad, or even on a bus.

Not to scare you off, but the weak need not apply to live here; and the restaurants are Not that great, if you're used to "cuisine" in either Calif, or Hawaii, no matter what "the restaurant phantom" says.

On the Good side, if you are are persistant, have a plan for YourSelf, are incredibly patient, and more than willing to take on the whole experience as a "cultural forray into the social outcome of our founding fathers" (and have seen the movie, The Departed and think that's normal, aceptable behavior)

you will do fine!

If you already have a support system here - that is the key to success-

I didn't - and I've still not met anyone that "drives into Boston", and yet - - -

It just takes more than a while to Go ANYWHERE here.

My 8 mile commute driving to work was never less than 1 hour, 15 min., on the back residentail street roads -

only because driving on the freeway during 'commute times' is COMPLETLY OUT OF THE QUESTION!. 2 hour commutes into Boston for work are Not unusual. Parking can be exhorbitant. (35$ a day)

Making friends: if you don't know anyone here it can be challenging, and I'm a journalist, usually have not problem meeting people
however, - I work in Boston with people that live in Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire...and it just isn't like living in a subburb/area where friends you make at work are that accessible. It's hard to commute 2 hours to and from -just to have dinner with anyone, after work...

I sincerely wish you the best of luck!

One thing is NECESSARY: You must make sure - and I am sure it is also true in Hawaii -that you must get paid out of the kazoo for whatever job you have already landed - do not move here if you can't immediately draw at least 50K - or live with friends.

My very best to you!

Answer 6

There are hot, humid summers, and cold winters. If you have not seen snow, lately we haven't had snowy winters. But it is really cold, but usually sunny. Also, Boston is crowded and busy, but it's got a lot to do. You can go to Southie to show your Irish pride, or the North End to have the best damn Italian food outside of Italy. Boston is pretty much central to a lot of activities on the coast such as Plymouth, where the Pilgrims came almost 400 years before, and the Cape, which is nice in the summer to relax and renew. I live in Braintree, which is a suburb about 10-15 minutes away without traffic. I go to the city occasionally, and I enjoy it a lot. I really wish I could move there, but my situation doesn't allow it. But when moving here, be sure to sport any sports gear non-Yankees, because they will eat you alive. And most importantly, have fun.

Answer 7

I live in a suburb about 45 minutes south of Boston, and I go into the city a lot. Personally, I love it - there are so many things to do in Boston, a lot of different areas, and I really like it. For you, the biggest adjustment would probably be the weather; it gets very cold in New England during the winter. I love Boston though =)

Answer 8

theres definitly change in seasons. here its a warm spring, hot summer cool fall (our traditional changing leaves) and cold winters . I personally like the change in seasons. Also our Boston Red Sox who are world series champions!!! Tjhe New England Patriots are 4 time superbowl champs as well 4 in the past 7 years -ull love it

Answer 9

Boston isnt really pretty, its overcrowded, small compared to most cities, roads are tight, everyone is rude, super exspensive and barely any jobs

Answer 10

Advice - yea - stay in Hawaii, it's friggin cold here. It's 18 degrees at my house this AM.