Thoughts on Boston, anyone lived there before?

You can get a decent place (with roomates) for $1,800 in some neighborhoods. Parking isn't that bad in Southie, South End. I think Boston usually gets a bad rap for nightlife but I never got that. I think there's plenty of fun bars and the girls are pretty hot.

Montreal has better clubs and better girls . It is also much more of an investment banking city these days with a decent mix of big 5 cdn banks, boutiques and a couple bb . Habs also better than the bruins

Never lived there but spent a week there. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. Your budget seems reasonable (I looked while I was there out for fun). The summer was really nice and very walkable.

Lived there my entire life, here's my two cents: - $1800 is doable with roommates - Decent. I'd say mid-tier in terms of nightlife but it is a young city that attracts a ton of young talent, especially in HC and tech - Depends on where you live. If your budget is $1,800 then you will find parking for lower priced housing - It is COLD. Warm weather really doesn't hit until late May and ends in September. Being outside from December to March is unbearable compared to regions such as the Mid-Atlantic where there are actually 4 seasons.

Young motivated crowd. I feel like it's way more expensive than it's worth though. I rather live in NYC if I'm paying that much.

Went to school in Boston (Not BC, that's in Newton) and grew up in the area and I could not have asked for a better place to spend four years. Made the move to NYC for work and to experience something different. Suffice to say, NYC blows Boston out of the water in about every aspect (culture, energy, nightlife, girls). Despite this, I fully intend to return to Boston in my later years because it's a thriving city in it's own right with plenty of opportunities and a great place to settle down.

Nightlife is hit or miss- a heavy concentration of sports bars and pubs combined w/ a 2 AM last call (read: 1:30) keeps things subdued. Although, a nightlife group has recently been opening some amazing clubs around town (The Grand, Big Night Live etc.) Despite the anti nightlife city government, this city loves to booze and summer in Boston is sure to be a great time.

Southie is the hotspot for 20 somethings and feels like a college town with it's debauchery and relatively low rent. Southie Sundays are a sight to behold. Seaport has been on the up and up for a while now and has a plethora of luxury buildings that you may be able to afford with one or two roommates. Otherwise, I would recommend North End or maybe BackBay (South End is a ghost town at night with some rougher areas imo)

Parking is a nightmare in Southie and North End. Expect to drive around for up to 30 minutes if you are street parking. Better off shelling out the $100+/mo for a spot.

I too went to school in Boston and honestly had a great time which was amplified by the concentration of schools in the area. So if you're still in your 20s, I would think it's a great place to be. Nightlife is definitely lacking compared to NYC, but to be honest, most places will be in the continental U.S. in comparison.

Whereas NYC has that "fuck you, let's get that bread" vibe in the morning fresh off the subway, Boston has a more chilled out/homely vibe. It's weird that I found it so comforting having spent the majority of my life in NY/NJ.

Driving is fucking weird because the roads are colonial AF and aren't a grid system like NY for the most part.

Fun city. Young city. Lots of smart people there which is invigorating and in turn makes you be on your game. Lived there for 5 years and honestly v jealous.

I had my car, it’s not as bad as NYC, just make sure you get a neighborhood parking permit.

You should be able to afford living most places by yourself off $1800 budget. But I’d elect for Southie or the South End (personal preference).

Nightlife is good shit just closes earlier. Imo Boston thrives in the post work scene in the summers or day drinking in general. Get by some water and crush a frew brews

All the people commenting on this thread are fucking high. Southie/the south end are great...if you’re 23, and fresh out of upgrad looking for a cheap place to live. Otherwise southie is a shit hole. If you want to live in a half way decent apartment actually NEAR your job, you’re looking at $2500/month for a 1 bed (West end/North end). And that’s a semi decent spot, anything new will set you back close to $3000/month (pool/gym/concierge). Also keep in mind you want to find somewhere near a grocery store, otherwise you’re going to be eating out everyday. The nightlife is decent, definitely a lot of hot women. But everyone is super cliquey, and is already from metro Boston and doesn’t want to make friends...so keep that in mind. The summer is beautiful but that only lasts 4 months out of the year. So if you’re from New England, Boston is great. If you’re not, you could struggle socially and it’s really not much cheaper than NYC.

Will put in a vote for Cambridge if you are closer to 30 than 20. Somerville has also come an absurdly long way in the last 15 years.

But yeah, much smaller than NYC, slower paced, noticeably colder during the winter (the wind is killer). But also more manageable in a way.

Car is a more or less a must.

You should be able to live in Porter Square or Somerville with a roommate for around $1800. Depending on where you work I recommend looking at the closest T stop and living 3-5 stops in the direction that gets you closest to the suburbs. Avoid the green line. Don’t live in Seaport, not close to any groceries that I’m aware of. Boston Landing would be a great place to put up roots, 25 min ride into south station. The bruins and Celtics practice right off the new T stop and while property values are rising much has yet to be built.