Boston- How much does it actually suck?

I have already accepted what I am repeatedly told by others to be an amazing job starting next year in Boston. Iâ€m excited about the job but am now getting cold feet about moving to Boston (Iâ€ve barely been there but people have impressed upon me a lack of cute girls, decent late night parties, people that can hold conversations about topics unrelated to the weather or the Sox… ect) Anyone not in college currently live there? I would be curious to hear any sentiments, positive or negative.

 

First of all, the girls are quite amazing, it is definetely a college town, but also seems great for young professionals...I lived near BU last summer during an internship and it really is a great city with a quality nightlife and things to do on the weekends. It's more fun when its not cold, but either way I wouldn't worry about living there.

If i had the choice to do banking in boston instead of ny i would have gladly taken it. You get a city like New York, but the costs of living are lower, albeit not cheap by any means. It just feels much cleaner than New York and the commute will probably be quite easy.

Have fun..

 

Boston is a great city, I think you will enjoy it. The population is very young and vibrant. Food is great and the city is very alive at night. Great location and environment too; nothing like walking through Boston on a sunny day.

Banking > VC > Tech PE; PM me if you would like any advice I'm happy to help
 

i'm sorry but boston totally sucks. like the girls are fine and the nightlife is fine too. but its not a real city like NY and you'll realize what I mean when you get there. i went to college there and one of thing that always pissed me off about the place is that nothing is open late, can't even find a slice of pizza past 1:30. to top it all of its FUCKING FREEZING.

 

Like xsnobored said, there's lots of young people and professionals everywhere. The population is one of the most highly educated in the country, so I would say you're more likely to have a conversation beyond weather and sports here than most anywhere else. The nightlife does close earlier, but people start the night earlier, so the total amount of nightlife time doesn't seem to differ that much. One downside is the few late-night places to eat, but you learn where those are pretty quickly. It's also a lot cleaner and friendlier than NY.

 

not friendlier people at all, actually rude ignorant arrogant assholes ... why do you think every one refers to them as Massholes anyway...!! not a coincidence trust me >> good luck

 

Boston is great, I don't know wft you are talking about sanjay.

Mercutio: It's a great city, I grew up just outside of the city and worked there for 3 summers during college. Great mix of ppl: lots of professionals in thier 30-40s that commute to the suburbs, TONS of young professionals who live in the city (back bay or across the river), and then a shit load of college kids that mainly stick to they bars/areas around their campus (so they won't bother you if you are really worried).

The girls are amazing. Truly unique and intelligent with a good grounding (not stuck up and as materialistic as NYC girls). They say the best girl is a boston girl. You do not have to worry about girls in the city there are great after work bars to meet a good sample of what Boston has to offer.

It has a great party atmosphere with a good variety of bars and clubs. It isn't like NYC where 12 of the same bars come into existence for about 5 days and then are never to be heard of again. The party places in Boston are pretty solid and stay around for a reason.

Cost of living is amazing. You can get an apartment in Boston for $2000/month that would cost you $5500/month in NYC AND it will be close to work.

The city is ridiculously clean, save Downtown Crossing.

Biggest noticeable difference is the lack of a "NYC diverse population" (NYC diverse population defined as if you walk down the street with 40 ppl on the side walk, 20 are Latin American, 10 black, 6 Arab and 4 white). There are definitely more Irish and white people in Boston, however, races are not discriminated against unless you go deep into south Boston (which, unless you want to go to a hard ass Irish bar similar to Good Will Hunting, you will never visit - hell I only drive through there if I am trying to get to the south shore).

Also, you can get late night eats, especially around college areas, it just isn't as widespread as NYC but there are plenty of places. Ask ppl at work and you will find out what is what.

Contrary to what Sanjay says, Boston is indeed a real city. Check it out sanjay I dare you google that shit for yourself maybe you will learn a thing or two. It’s got a great small town atmosphere with a major financial representation (focused around Mutual Fund Co’s and some Insurance). It isn’t insanely overpopulated and out of control like NYC, but it is a city nonetheless (much smaller than NYC).

Also, Boston isn’t any colder than NYC. It’s right on the water so the temp is pretty good for a northern state. Don’t get me wrong, it’s no Miami, you’ll have some cold days in the dead of winter but it isn’t “FUCKING FREEZING.” Sanjay take a trip to Montreal or Buffalo then give me a shout…

People love the sox, but you don’t need to. Plenty else to talk about.

Anyway, not to write a fucking essay but if you were from Boston you’d understand my need to call Sanjay out for his dumb ass comments. I second what bostonape said above. Congrats on the job in Boston, I wish I could trade up my NYC for Boston any day. You will really enjoy it.

 
Jaygatsby28:
Boston is great, I don't know wft you are talking about sanjay.

Mercutio: It's a great city, I grew up just outside of the city and worked there for 3 summers during college. Great mix of ppl: lots of professionals in thier 30-40s that commute to the suburbs, TONS of young professionals who live in the city (back bay or across the river), and then a shit load of college kids that mainly stick to they bars/areas around their campus (so they won't bother you if you are really worried).

The girls are amazing. Truly unique and intelligent with a good grounding (not stuck up and as materialistic as NYC girls). They say the best girl is a boston girl. You do not have to worry about girls in the city there are great after work bars to meet a good sample of what Boston has to offer.

It has a great party atmosphere with a good variety of bars and clubs. It isn't like NYC where 12 of the same bars come into existence for about 5 days and then are never to be heard of again. The party places in Boston are pretty solid and stay around for a reason.

Cost of living is amazing. You can get an apartment in Boston for $2000/month that would cost you $5500/month in NYC AND it will be close to work.

The city is ridiculously clean, save Downtown Crossing.

Biggest noticeable difference is the lack of a "NYC diverse population" (NYC diverse population defined as if you walk down the street with 40 ppl on the side walk, 20 are Latin American, 10 black, 6 Arab and 4 white). There are definitely more Irish and white people in Boston, however, races are not discriminated against unless you go deep into south Boston (which, unless you want to go to a hard ass Irish bar similar to Good Will Hunting, you will never visit - hell I only drive through there if I am trying to get to the south shore).

Also, you can get late night eats, especially around college areas, it just isn't as widespread as NYC but there are plenty of places. Ask ppl at work and you will find out what is what.

Contrary to what Sanjay says, Boston is indeed a real city. Check it out sanjay I dare you google that shit for yourself maybe you will learn a thing or two. It’s got a great small town atmosphere with a major financial representation (focused around Mutual Fund Co’s and some Insurance). It isn’t insanely overpopulated and out of control like NYC, but it is a city nonetheless (much smaller than NYC).

Also, Boston isn’t any colder than NYC. It’s right on the water so the temp is pretty good for a northern state. Don’t get me wrong, it’s no Miami, you’ll have some cold days in the dead of winter but it isn’t “FUCKING FREEZING.” Sanjay take a trip to Montreal or Buffalo then give me a shout…

People love the sox, but you don’t need to. Plenty else to talk about.

Anyway, not to write a fucking essay but if you were from Boston you’d understand my need to call Sanjay out for his dumb ass comments. I second what bostonape said above. Congrats on the job in Boston, I wish I could trade up my NYC for Boston any day. You will really enjoy it.

I didn't even finish reading what you wrote...it was that moronic. Boston is NOT a real city. A population of 800,000 is pathetic. No offense to smaller places around the country, but at least they have the decency to recognize their size. I live there now and I can't stand the place. The nightlife DOES suck balls, as ppl have mentioned everything closes early (even the goddamn public transportation stops running at like midnight), and for the people there CANNOT stop talking about the red sox.

To the OP, it basically breaks down to this: If you grew up in middle america or some small town somewhere, you'll think Boston is great. You'll love it, and think it's vibrant and new and exciting.

If you've EVER lived in an actual city for an extended period of time, think LA, NYC, Miami...you WILL hate it. Yes the cost of living is cheaper but it's just not worth it. If there's any doubt, or you would like for me to elaborate more on Boston's extreme suckness, just let me know.

 
orbithal:
To the OP, it basically breaks down to this: If you grew up in middle america or some small town somewhere, you'll think Boston is great. You'll love it, and think it's vibrant and new and exciting.

If you've EVER lived in an actual city for an extended period of time, think LA, NYC, Miami...you WILL hate it. Yes the cost of living is cheaper but it's just not worth it. If there's any doubt, or you would like for me to elaborate more on Boston's extreme suckness, just let me know.

Allow me to propose an alternative explanation.

If you're like "models and bottles" A.J. and your social life consists of getting plastered on overpriced bottles of booze in clubs, you will dislike Boston. The club scene is, as orbithal vividly points out, incomparably to NYC's, and places do close earlier.

However, if you've moved past puberty, chances are you'll LOVE Boston. It's much greener, cleaner, safer, friendlier and more spacious than NY. Certain communities like Beacon Hill breathe authentic old-style New England charm. Boston has a wide variety of excellent restaurants, ranging from ethnic cuisine to fabolous French places, and Cambridge in particular has a very lively social scene (just make sure to find the bars that are populated by MIT/Harvard grad students rather than college sophomores). There's also less stuck-up finance douchebags and gold-diggers and more fascinating, interesting college/grad student gals. Only downside vs New York is the lack of good museums (though it has some) and direct international flights. But overall, you'll love it.

werdwerd:
i hate boston. the T singlehandedly is enough of a reason never to go there.

This dude's got a point though. But places tend to be closer together than in nyc too.

 

i'm sorry, but i actually did live in boston for 4 very very cold years. new york is substantially warmer..i think there is less of a wind chill effect in ny. anyways you make my point exactly..boston has a very "small town" personality. In my view a "real city" is diverse, cosmopolitan, with plenty of options for entertainment. i felt like boston had just a few interesting places that you end up visiting over and over again.

don't get me wrong, it was a great place for four years and i agree that the girls/nightlife are fine. but given a choice i'd choose New York or california over boston any day. he asked for opinions and he might as well hear the whole truth..no city is perfect.

 

Boston is a more closely nit professional community, you can meet and get to know more of the importent players. Its great for Asset Management and VC. A lot of money for a small place. The buy side rules and a lot of it is in boston (more concentrated). Let the new york sell side banks come to you

 

you'll enjoy it as long as you aren't moving from NYC.

if you're coming from NYC, then boston quickly becomes a terrible alternative. it's like the difference between Goldman and CS. Similar offerings, but one is just better in most of the key areas of comparison and if you move from GS to CS, those differences would be exaggerated and obvious. On the other hand if you moved from Jeffries to CS, it'd probably be swell.

 

Boston is a bad city.

No good clubs, no good restaurants, no museums, not much really.

Agree with 2007Analyst that "you'll enjoy it as long as you aren't moving from NYC" but would add "or any other decent city" to the end of his/her comment.

And what is with the obsession with the Red Sox? They aren't even a good team. Everyone is so depressed when they are losing.

There is enough money floating around Boston to make it a good city, but for some reason, it just hasn't happened.

Mercutio, get used to the Chinatown bus or the Delta shuttle, as you will be spending a lot of time commuting every time you want a decent weekend partying.

 

i live in boston and i think it's terrible. it is extremely cliquey and provincial. not diverse at all, boring bars that close early, and expensive with no bang for your buck. it's also very cold. go NYC, Chicago, or San Fran before you boston any day. just my 2 cents.

 

The job is for a top PE shop, which is why I was persuaded to move there. I appreciate Gatsby’s spirited defense of the city but I am pretty sure that I will miss New York nonetheless. I’m hoping that the more affordable rent situation and lack of clubs at least allows for some better late night apartment gatherings though…

 

I am from boston and living in new york right now. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Go out, find the area that you like and you will be fine. there is plenty there to get into. I feel its the same as new york, but you can get anywhere much more quickly in boston which is really nice. it is smaller but whoever calls it small town, go live in a small town for a while and then see how you feel about it.

 

Like any other move in life, it is all relative. If you are coming from New York and prefer big city life, then Boston will definitely not be as appealing. I think the other problem is that most people do only a handful of things and then assume that they have done it all. In Boston, you may have to look a little harder to find things to do than you would in New York, but they definitely exist.

If you go into your opportunity thinking it will be shit, it will be shit. Boston is great, don't let the opinions of those above convince you otherwise!

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

How big is boston on the "financial center scale"? I'm assuming its behind NY, LA, SF, Chicago and Houston. Is it just in the next tier down? Any big IBD offices (m&a teams?), or is it more boutique banking and PE, HF, VC type shops? As a sox fan, I'd love to move there one day.

 

just graduated after 4 yrs in this shitty city and can't wait the hell to get out. the girls in nyc are def better at least from what i could gather during my summer internship last year at a BB.

oh yeah im from san diego so i may be biased haha.

 

Having lived in Boston for four years during college and in NYC over the past year, I am familiar with both cities and their respective strengths and weaknesses. Boston may have a "smaller" feel to it, but at least it does not smell like an outhouse when you walk down the streets lined with garbage.

 

Sure, if you stick to the Boylston St. bars and the Kenmore Square area, you'll encounter mostly townie Sox fans, but at the more upscale bars/lounges, you will definitely find other professionals, grad students, med students, law students, etc from Harvard/MIT et al...

I'm leaving Boston for NYC just to switch things up a bit, but I never found myself lacking in things to do in this city. My only complaints are that you do have to start your night earlier (since everything closes at 2am) and that public transportation sucks. Boston is only slightly colder than NYC so the weather shouldn't be much of an adjustment. Good luck :)

 

Cities that close at 2am suck balls. It's like getting blown right up to the point of climax and then she gets up and walks away.

And noone wants to party with MIT grad students, no thank you.

 
Seanc:
Cities that close at 2am suck balls. It's like getting blown right up to the point of climax and then she gets up and walks away.

And noone wants to party with MIT grad students, no thank you.

yea and clubs in europe stay open 24/7, so nyc has given me blue balls plenty of times. its all relative, but if 4am is your bed time then nyc is the place for you

also, funny how so many people hate the place they live in but continue doing so

 

But we all want to live in Europe don't we? Its just not an option for many of us but considering this ISN'T Europe, Boston does damn well I think. NYC is the only city in this country open later. There is plenty to do in MA.. if you don't like it, you can always try the West then get back to me.

 

I just read that retarded comment that said Boston isn't colder than NYC. YES IT FUCKING IS. During the winter, the weather is CONSISTENTLY 10 degrees colder in Boston. I know because I check it religiously when I'm at school, just to further remind myself of the suckage. It's not unusual for the weather to be below freezing for a 2-3 weeks at a time (as occured this year), something which is an extreme rarity in NYC. Don't take my word for it, check the records.

 

I don't know how people complain that Boston sucks because bars close at 2am. New York is the only city I know where bars don't close at 2am. And New York is the dirtiest city I have ever been in. I also think the size of Boston is an advantage, you don't have to take an hour long subway ride to get from one place to another. Whoever the hell wrote that the T is a good enough reason to hate it, I have no clue where you are coming from. You must be a dirty New Yorker and belong in the subway.

 

I moved to Boston from Chicago recently (and in the past I've lived in NYC, Paris, and Pittsburgh).

Let's see...

The restaurants in Boston are shit. The town has a well-deserved reputation for low-quality, bland food. This doesn't mean that you won't find a decent restaurant; you just won't ever walk in to one by accident. And you'll pay a lot.

Boston may be a little cheaper than NYC (i.e., comparable to the nicer parts of Brooklyn), but it's more expensive than just about anywhere else in the country, and you won't get much for your money (since most of the moderately priced apts have been trashed and re-trashed by generations of college students).

The weather is terrible. The summers are hot and humid and the winters are freezing.

Contrary to what people will tell you (and unlike NYC), you'll need a car. There will, however, be no parking and you'll have to deal with the most inept drivers in the country.

The bar scene is completely homogeneous -- even the "hip" out of the way bars are filled with white, college-age meatheads. Cambridge is a slightly different story, since the Harvard/MIT crowd aren't tragically stupid like most of the people in college in the city proper. But you'll still encounter only college students, which is fine until you hit 25 y/o.

More specific complaints: Decent Mexican food does not exist in Boston; Happy Hour is against the law; The city roles up the sidewalks late at night; Everything seems to be closed (or open for very limited hours) on Sunday, etc., etc.

If my work allowed me to get the fuck out of this terrible city I'd be gone in a heartbeat.

 
dedtomato:
i'm sorry but boston totally sucks. like the girls are fine and the nightlife is fine too. but its not a real city like NY and you'll realize what I mean when you get there. i went to college there and one of thing that always pissed me off about the place is that nothing is open late, can't even find a slice of pizza past 1:30. to top it all of its FUCKING FREEZING.
 

I work in healthcare so I can only weigh in on the city's cultural offerings, in that it has none. I am from rural Vermont and there are more things to do there on a weekend in a state whose biggest city is 50,000 than in Boston. The city has a very puritanical feel to it even after 400 years, anyone who thinks, acts, or has a different background than most everyone else there is ignored or socially excluded. I work with a bunch of these "highly educated" people that previous posters have talked about and it's nearly impossible to steer conversation outside of television programs, sports, or work related topics. I had to start following Boston sports as a survival mechanism for social interaction, it's that bad. Drivers are terrible and the Green Line (the main T line covering most of Boston west of downtown) is basically nonfunctional - walking is usually just as fast as riding that hunk of junk. I appreciate that it is a relatively cheap place to live, that it's safe, and the economy is booming, but DAMN. Boston is just so BORING, both in the people that live here and the stuff there is to do.

 

Some of you fools have no idea what you're talking about. I grew up in MA.. not really in Boston but I got news for y'all.. I have been out west. I have been to Portland Oregon, Sacramento CA and many of you who say Boston is boring, well come to Sac if you want a true cowtown. Yea theres more Asian varieties and Thai Food, mexican food everywhere and a burger scene, but thats all there is. Sacramento closes up early, the area has literally NO character or provincialism like you fools complain about how Boston is that way. Fine, the WC can have all of yous. Thats all I have to say. You think your life would be better anywhere else? Hm. I don't see how because some people here complain how Boston is like a small town and ya it is rather homogenous BUT would you rather be in the most integrated city in the US (Sacramento) with lots of asian food and mexican, but it be a cowtown that still has its share of segregation in the outskirts with NO IRISH BARS may I add and NO good Italian food hardly except a few places here and there? I don't think so. Rethink what you're saying.

I am now going to move onto Portland. A city that presents like Boston ON THE OUTSIDE, its a smaller metro area, appears to have pretty good transit options.. But when you live real life there omg it gets BORING. You have not seen a true cowtown type city until you been to Sacramento or even Phoenix.. Until then just shut up to all you haters out there. I been to hell and back in some of these places and I'd give anything now to live in cities like Lowell and Boston. But guess what go live in these other "exciting" cities or hip bastions for young people including SF.. go do it.. cool its your life but I guaran damn tee you that you may see life a whole lot differently after being there. Boston area/New England to me offers the HIGHEST quality of life in this nation.. 2nd is more than likely Tampa Bay area/St Petersburg judging by places I been. Any place with water nearby is where I like and Boston matches that. It is NOT a cowtown like you fools seem to be making it out to be.

Like I said before, if you want true cowtowns or places where urban hillbillies are all over the place and stale people, protestant dominance, TERRIBLE job economies.. Go to Sac or Portland or maybe some pockets of Tampa/St Pete and DEFINITELY Phoenix AZ and some other cities down South. You do not know how good you have it. I came out west and thought it was boring there and everything closes earlier than it does back East but you people think you know everything. Boston in fact is open LATER than Sacramento (or even Portland) is for all the diversity this place supposedly has. But by all means go and see these places for yourself since you think you know it all.

In summation, if you are a selfish individualist Anglo Saxon type who isn't Catholic, you will love California unless of course you want to be grouped in with mexicans being a European Catholic and all.. you'd be scum here more than back east, book it. They hate italians and irish here and in Portland too. White culture is a joke out here and it only serves protestant interests. But its like I said, you assholes bashing Boston area think you know it all.

 

Don't go to Boston. The nightlife sucks because of their liquor license laws. I live there now and am originally from Upstate New York. If I didn't have a lease to fill and a job here, I'd move tomorrow.

Trust me. If you like to go out, then stay in a regular city that doesn't have all the "blue laws".

 

Moved 6 months ago in Boston from Naples, Italy. But I also lived in Paris, Rome and Berlin. Let's see: 1) Weather sucks. 2) Expensive. Damn expensive. 3) You need a car and parking is expensive. 4) People sucks. They just work and have no idea of how to have fun. They are puritans and small town minded. They are fake and hypocrites. If you go to a restaurant, the waitresses cheer you with an annoying flerty high peech voice and a disturbing fake smile that is way far from "customer friendly" and they make you anxious by coming 7-10 times to your table to ask if everything is fine while you are chewing. Yes. College town. All college students that claim to have no money but they just waste hundreds in junk food eating hysterically in the malls or in the buses. Most of the women who work know no other way to do their job but acting like a gus. 5) Clubs and parties. I asked what to do for Halloween and everybody answered: "What? You are not a baby anymore! But you can wear a costume and go to a bar!". Seriously? No Halloween parties? Plus: things close at 1:30. To find people in the streets you need to go to North End (italian). NOTHING for rock and metal lovers. This city is too puritan. Been to all the goth events in the area and... Goth people are mixed with the cosplayers because here being goth means to dress up just like a cosplay and they know nothing about music. Djs mix industrial with dubstep. 6) Stereotyped food. You find ordes if starbuck addicted with those huge cups and strawls everywhere, noisly sucking and saying "How you are doing" to perfect strangers (not to be friendly because they do not even wait the answer, just sugar high). Donkin Donuts. Everywhere. Some exotic kitchen just in Jamaica Plain (not bad).

I can't wait to move out of here as soon as possible.

 

I hate Massachusetts its a run down, old, dirty, people have no manners and are generally very rude to one another, I hate that annoying boston accent too. Just looking at most of their faces they are always so angry and hateful about everything it makes you not want to talk to any of them at all!! Also the roads are crap people are too cliquish and seem to have no respect for other people who are from other parts of the country its the same country why such horrible sentiments of segregation so what you grew up in Boston big deal are you not part the United States of AMERICA? New York people aren't as stuck up as people in boston are very VERY STUCK UP and cliquish its pretty pathetic people should not treat other people like that just because they are from another state such as New York or some other country. Unless they straighten up their ways and start behaving in a more RESPECTFUL manner towards others and stop showing their stupid inferiority complex or rather self centered boston/ massholechusetts arrogance I will never really have much respect the people of Massachusetts.

 

I lived in Boston for 2 years and here are the reasons why I left:

-SUPER expensive rent. I was paying $3000/month for a one bedroom apt in a newer building in the north end. Sure, you can find a place for around $1500/month but it will be a complete dump and you'll most likely need a roommate or two. And beacon hill may look nice from the outside but inside, the apartments are trashy and super old. In fact there's a ton of fires in appartements around Boston because the electricity is so outdated. It's an expensive city in general but especially rent and groceries.

-Boston likes to think its NYC but it isn't. The museums are a joke and overpriced. The nightlife is terrible. Trashy clubs and bars full classless people who think they're hot shit.

  • For a city who thinks it's so cultured, the food is not that great, especially in what they call Little Italy. Newsflash...just because you put a ton of greasy marinara sauce on something, doesn't make it Italian!

  • The T train is a NIGHTMARE. It's so old and decrepit that it barely works in the winter. You sometimes have to wait a half hour for a train to come so good luck getting to work on time. It's a joke and Bostonians blame it on the fact that Boston is old. Yea, Europe is way older and they've got some of the best public transportation systems in the world so save it.

-HOMELESS PEOPLE & HEROIN. There are homeless people everywhere and no one seems to do anything about it. Now I've lived in other big cities and there's always going to be homeless people but in a city this small, there is such a high concentration that it's abnormal and frankly a nuisance because most of them are high on Heroin. Oh and in case you didn't know, the mayor had to call a state of emergency last year cuz of all the people addicted to H in Boston. It doesn't help that they've put up methodone clinics all over the city. You get to enjoy them taking shits and puking all over the place.

-Too many rich college kids with no responsibilities. Boston is basically a college town. These kids rent apartments in nice buildings that are paid for by their parents and all they do is drink and party all the time. So it pretty much blows when you have to get up in the morning and go to work when you were up all night thanks to screaming and loud music.

  • Winter in brutal. The summer and fall is pretty great, but come winter you're going to wish you'd moved elsewhere. Boston is near the water which means is constantly windy which is nice in the summer but god awful in the winter. The wind literally feels like tiny shards of ice hitting your face.

-Don't even think about owning a car. Parking alone is like paying for a second apartment.

  • Grocery shopping is a hassle. There are very few large grocery stores in the city and they are far away from each other due to some idiotic zoning laws. You'll probly need to rent a car if you don't have one every time you want to buy groceries so keep that in mind.

Apart from all that, Boston is just fine

 

I have tp say NYC has boston beat. Gansevoort, Standard Hotel/beer garden? Good luck finding that here. If your fresh out of school this might be the place but your 30 or older you'll find it rather difficult.

 
chron3k:
Plenty of (fake) Irish pubs around... generally the scene is as expensive as NYC and half as good.

...and twice as pretentious. Lol I walked into no. 9 park and got seated right away, as they were fairly empty, but the guy on the phone like 20 min before tried to keep up appearances and tell me how they were super-busy and no reservations were available until 2 hrs later.

More is good, all is better
 

was just up there...go to Landsdowne Pub by Fenway place has some banging chicks. Not obviously as good as NYC but had a good time.

Also, not sure if this is right but the bars in an area called the "seaport" were by my hotel which if the weather is warm was good last summer and had a ton of girls as well.

its one way or the other: hate me or admire.
 
makeyourownluck:
was just up there...go to Landsdowne Pub by Fenway place has some banging chicks. Not obviously as good as NYC but had a good time.

Also, not sure if this is right but the bars in an area called the "seaport" were by my hotel which if the weather is warm was good last summer and had a ton of girls as well.

I haven't seen any ugly/superfat people yet, but I haven't seen anyone really hot either. Is it just me, or it seems like absolute majority is very normal and unremarkable? Or am I hanging out in the wrong places?

More is good, all is better
 

Wow, lots of Boston hate in this thread. Argonaut, you're only going out in a very specific portion of Boston. Each has its own style. Here is my personal summary:

Lansdowne Street: Lansdowne is alongside Fenway Park and is a very hopping area when the Red Sox are playing. Unfortunately, when they are playing girls often go out in red sox jerseys (decreasing eye candy value) or with their boyfriends. This is generally not the place to go out unless you're bringing your own crew. You have Lansdowne Pub, Game On, Jillians, and House of Blues as the primary spots to go.

Back Bay: Boylston Street has most of the pubs in the Back Bay. Generally speaking, the pubs are rather small and consist of groups of friends that just want to go out, have a drink, and socialize amongst themselves for the evening. It's rare to see a smoking hot girl at one of these bars. Given that the Back Bay is one of the most expensive areas in Boston, you see more late twenties / thirty-somethings in the Back Bay. The only exception is if you get spillover from BU or Fenway. Notable spots are Dillon's, LIR, Pour House, Whiskey's, Towne (new), Back Bay Social Club (new), and Clery's. Clery's is a bit farther away but has a dance floor downstairs and usually attracts a younger crowd.

Theatre District: East of the Back Bay is Tremont street. This is where most of the clubs are. If you're looking for eye candy on a Friday or Saturday night, this is probably where you want to be. Here you'll find women in their 20s looking to go out, dance, and possibly wake up the next morning in someone else's bed. Notable places include Royale, The Estate, UMBRIA, Felt, and Rumor. Also, if you're into the "Euro" scene, hit up Gypsy Bar on Boylston street. Warning: It's been awhile since I've been to a number of these places, so make sure they haven't since shut down before you go.

Downtown / Faneuil Hall: This is where you'll find the majority of college students or recent college grads. There are loads of irish pubs and just general places to drink, all in close proximity to each other. Many have open areas where people can dance, but a number are just "stand and drink" type places. I'd recommend Howl at the Moon, which just opened recently south of Faneuil Hall and draws a pretty good crowd (with a dance floor downstairs). You can also hit up Hennessy and Ned Devine's, or just walk around until you run into a place you want to drink.

That's the best summary I've got. Your mileage may vary. There are plenty of other places to go out drinking that I know less about (South End, Charlestown, Southie), but the biggest concentration of drinking establishments seem to be the above. Note I've also excluded Allston/Brighton, which have a massive number of bars frequented by college kids / recent college grads. These places are outside the city and generally harder to go to without driving, so I've left them off the list.

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No hate, I'm still trying to get a feel for the city. What are some of the cool non-night scene places activities around here? What is the museum/theatre scene like, what are some of the things that are specifically Boston? For parties/music/night scene it seems Austin > Boston

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I'm a big fan of Slate.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

Boston rent is cheap as fuck; I know no one paying more than 2k per person. If you have a finance job you can afford Back Bay/South End area (orange line--then transfer to red). A ton of young people in Beacon Hill area as well. The T starts running at about 5 AM and shuts down at around midnight. Start looking for a place now, the later it gets the harder it generally is. I would recommend going through a broker because it honestly takes so much of the pressure away and those people have databases of apartments you don't.

 

All of the above are good recs but I'd go for Beacon Hill. You can walk to work in 10/15 mins and there's no better commute than a short walk-I had that for a few years and getting a coffee and walking to work beats the shit out of the crowded T any day. You can walk from the Back Bay also if you're in the closer part but if you're down near Mass Ave you'll be on the Green Line. Both neighborhoods are cool and have tons of stuff to do, although the back side of the Hill probably has more young people. Or try the North End but I haven't lived in Boston since they tore down the Central Artery so I don't know what the neighborhood's like now: can't imagine it's changed much because Boston doesn't change much. It's historically the Italian section of town but just make sure you don't live above a restaurants-your place will smell like food and there's a good chance of pests. It used to be that when companies brought in younger single women they'd move them to the North End because it was the safest part of town because the mob ran it and made sure there was no crime. There are a bunch of new buildings in the Seaport area of Southie but I have no idea what that neighborhoods' like. You could also see if there are any loft style places in the Leather District or Fort Point channel-they're both walking distance and even closer than Beacon Hill. Charlestown's another option and you can walk over the bridge to work. It used to be a less expensive option but that may no longer be the case. There are a few buildings in the Financial District but don't live there-it is absolutely dead as soon as work's out. I haven't lived in Boston in >10 years so my info may be dated.

You pretty much have to use a broker in Boston unless you can score with a Craigslist one off. The odd and annoying thing in Boston is that nearly every lease is a Sept 1 start because of all of the schools in town so you may get stuck on that cycle even if you're not in a student areas. I remember seeing a stat a while ago that something like 80-90% of apartments are on a Sept 1 start date. And moving on 9/1 (hell, being in Boston on moving day in general) is the biggest clusterfuck you'll see this side of New Delhi...

Good luck. Boston's a great town. Except for the weather.

 
Dingdong08:

You pretty much have to use a broker in Boston unless you can score with a Craigslist one off. The odd and annoying thing in Boston is that nearly every lease is a Sept 1 start because of all of the schools in town so you may get stuck on that cycle even if you're not in a student areas. I remember seeing a stat a while ago that something like 80-90% of apartments are on a Sept 1 start date. And moving on 9/1 (hell, being in Boston on moving day in general) is the biggest clusterfuck you'll see this side of New Delhi...

This is 110% correct. Honestly can't believe that I have to pay a broker 1 months rent to have him/her do literally 15 minutes worth of work. Its bullshit but the only places you will find w/o a broker will be college kids in Brighton renting a room or some shit like that.

Also, idk how it is elsewhere but definitely do some research about the immediate neighborhood. Boston doesn't have many bad areas but they can be scattered (couple blocks here, a couple blocks there) around relatively nice neighborhoods.

"Some things are believed because they are demonstrably true. But many other things are believed simply because they have been asserted repeatedly—and repetition has been accepted as a substitute for evidence." - Thomas Sowell
 
Best Response
whitecollarandsuspenders:
Dingdong08 wrote:
You pretty much have to use a broker in Boston unless you can score with a Craigslist one off. The odd and annoying thing in Boston is that nearly every lease is a Sept 1 start because of all of the schools in town so you may get stuck on that cycle even if you're not in a student areas. I remember seeing a stat a while ago that something like 80-90% of apartments are on a Sept 1 start date. And moving on 9/1 (hell, being in Boston on moving day in general) is the biggest clusterfuck you'll see this side of New Delhi...

This is 110% correct. Honestly can't believe that I have to pay a broker 1 months rent to have him/her do literally 15 minutes worth of work. Its bullshit but the only places you will find w/o a broker will be college kids in Brighton renting a room or some shit like that.

Also, idk how it is elsewhere but definitely do some research about the immediate neighborhood. Boston doesn't have many bad areas but they can be scattered (couple blocks here, a couple blocks there) around relatively nice neighborhoods.

I have a friend who when he was in college in Boston would work summers as a rental realtor and would make $30-$40k each summer in the mid '90's. With inflation that's basically $50-$60k in today's dollars. To, as you said, do 15 minutes of work of opening a door, showing people 3-5 rooms, processing a lease app and having someone sign a standard lease. It's a fucking racket.

But if you're a presentable undergrad, have an ok car (not fancy, just not shit) and can wait until September to get paid that money, it's an awesome gig.

 

You don't necessarily need to live on the red line if you just want to get to south station. The Chinatown T stop (orange line) is like a 5 minute walk away from the south station. Just a tip so you can expand your search. Btw, green line sucks, avoid it at all costs. And look now!

 
mongonese:

You don't necessarily need to live on the red line if you just want to get to south station. The Chinatown T stop (orange line) is like a 5 minute walk away from the south station. Just a tip so you can expand your search. Btw, green line sucks, avoid it at all costs. And look now!

I'd actually avoid the red line. A few stops south turns relatively bad and north in Cambridge is just boring until you get to Harvard Sq. Or at least it used to be. The Financial District stops are Park St, Downtown Crossing, State, Gov't Center and South Station which I think cover every T line so don't make a decision based on the T line alone. The FD isn't that big so if your office is next to S. Station at 125 Summer or a building like that (I used to work there) it's not a long walk to Park St. The Green line blows once it goes above ground at Kenmore and you'll be stuck in BU/BC student hell but it's not too bad (relatively) if you stay underground.

But like I and others have said, at your budget Beacon Hill and Back Bay are your best bets. The back side of the Hill is almost all 20's or early 30's (the front side is very wealthy, Louisburg Sq is where Kerry lives for example) so it's pretty fun and your local bars and restaurants are a little less touristy than Back Bay. Not that I could say anything against the Back Bay, it's just a little more euro trash (or that's what we called them back in the day) and where people go out whereas you can have more of a neighborhood place like the Hill Tavern. And you're only a 15 minute walk from most of Newbury Street and Back Bay. Boston's a small town when it comes to it. Nothings really far unless you want to live in Roxbury or outer Brookline. The South End is cool too but it's just a little further.

When it comes to brokers, just pick the area you want to live and walk into any of the store front realtors. In Beacon Hill go to Charles Street, walk in and talk to them. There are probably a dozen of them. For Back Bay walk down Newbury Street. It's not sketchy in a dangerous way, but they're weird, competitive and the market is always hot so you just feel like you're getting run around and ripped off. They also have exclusive listings so use as many as you can until you find a place you like and don't feel loyalty to one of them. And be ready to bring a checkbook and be prepared to write a check when you see a place you like.

 

Back bay / south end are good neighborhoods to live. Find a place close to the orange line (Back Bay Station) and you'll be fine commuting into the Financial District.

Beacon hill is also great.

Tip: If you are okay with living in a managed building or high rise, don't use a broker. Most of the buildings will allow you to directly contact the leasing office for apartments (or allow you to just walk in). I would try avoiding that fee - but if you are looking for the Boston "brownstone" experience, you may have to just use a broker.

 

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