Moving to Boston, Massachusetts | Pros & Cons - What It's Really Like Living On the East Coast

[@senai795]

Well thought out description of the city!
You hit a lot of important points.
I think of Boston almost as a mini NY but without good food.
Similar to other places since the pandemic Boston has experienced a rise in many crisis like homelessness, mentally ill, immigration, collapsing healthcare system, poor tax management and uncleanliness.
There are some of the most well known hospitals, colleges, and sports teams.
It is classicist and has deep rooted structural racism. It is a blue state, JFK supporters.
For one of the most expensive cities in the country the median income for Chinatown is 15k.
The average 1 bedroom rent price is 3k, there are job opportunities, and it is considered one of the most "walkable" cities in the country although the T has it's set of issues.
Massachusetts is considered to have arguably the best healthcare system in the country, but it has been declining with all classes of people having trouble getting appointments with their own doctors and being overcharged when already paying for expensive health insurance.
I have been told they are starting to have waiting lists for pre-k/daycare/elementary ext...
The weather is bipolar and annoying, very humid in the summer and very cold in the winter.
Boston does have a lot of spirit (sports fans, college students, marathoners, people who want to make a change).
Recently, there have been physical fights between police and MIT students this past week over Gaza war ext...
You'll find many Bostonians with a hard exterior but can actually be quite nice. They can be charming and funny.
There are so many different types of people: local townies, rich/old money stuck up people, rich liberal Cambridge hipsters, lot's of young professionals, international students, tourists, academic professionals, liberal politicians, working class, "basic" b people ext...
It can feel like a diverse city and not one at the same time.
Lower income minority areas vs rich affluent white neighborhoods with good schools.
When people want to take a break from the city (/4th of July) they may go to Cape Cod/ 2nd home in NH.
There is the North End (Italian neighborhood) and the South Boston area (Irish neighborhood, where you'll hear the Boston accent), half of Boston is white.
European style architecture, lots of red brick and cobblestone roads, can be seen in Beacon Hill (Used to be a Black Neighborhood has the Black Heritage Trail)/ DownTown Area.
Many gentrified areas. Lots of history.
Yes, people don't typically talk to strangers they like to mind their own business. They are in a hurry it's cold and wet out.
Yes traffic is a pain, and parking can be as well.
Yes the food isn't the best however they have some decent seafood if you go to the right places (oysters, lobster rolls, clam chowder, fish and chips ext...)
Lots of tourists like to visit the Back Bay area that has Newbury Street (Lots of designer shops) and the Prudential Mall on Boylston street near the historic Boston Public Library (1st free public library in the US). Like I said, lots of history in Boston.
They value culture, art, history, and education.
They have museums, conferences, book readings, festivals, random small events and pop ups, panel discussions and talks on various topics.
Similar to the spirit of the Boston Tea Party there are many that are willing to stand up for what they believe in and what they care about.
They have a biotechnology square in Kendall where MIT is and they have a budding biotech hub in the Seaport now.
It is a fascinating place and I feel growing up here has prepped me well for the world (if I can afford to live here on my own I will likely be alright in other cities).
You're welcome for the ramble.

[@violetsdigest]

Spot on!

[@ari-jv]

I really want to move to Boston. It’s one of the safest big cities in the us, there’s great public transportation there, people are educated, healthy, and have a liberal mindset

[@violetsdigest]

Is agree it’s one of the best cities!

[@gmar7836]

Don’t!

[@jamiema8850]

I’m sorry I laughed when you say great public transportation 😂😂😂 no one here has ever use that word to describe mbta 😂😂

[@gmar7836]

@@jamiema8850 yep! There’s always a problem with the MBTA in Boston has the worst traffic in the country.

[@gmar7836]

A liberal mindset? So I take it that you’re a liberal? Beware not everyone here is liberal. We have quite a few Republicans also. Boston is super expensive, the taxes are high and we have the worst traffic. Also, we have super cold winters in very hot, humid summers. Why on earth would you want to move to Boston? And oh yeah, quite a few rude people. Dont move there.

[@saferesponsiblemovers]

Word to the wise - if you're moving to Boston from out of state, bear in mind that much of the housing stock is older and the staircases or elevator may not be able to fit large furniture like couches, armoires, and box springs.

[@violetsdigest]

This is a big one! I remember trying to get my stuff to the third floor and I ended up just buying the furniture already there bc I didn’t want to deal with it!! 😅

[@ralphw7454]

Boston is like a giant Benicia, CA vibe. I’m here now and wherever I go, I’m always amazed how safe it is. When folks tell me certain parts of Boston ain’t safe. I’m like… have y’all been to the bay? 😅 even some part of Vallejo or Fairfield don’t compare to the rough parts in Boston!
I just wish there was more to do like the bay tho. But I am enjoying my time here for now.

[@violetsdigest]

Truth!!!

[@glowingcrystal504]

thank u!! i’ve been thinking about living in boston. very informative

[@violetsdigest]

Ofc! I’m glad you found it useful. Boston can be a great place to live!

[@Angelus13AOV]

Thank you for this video. I’ve lived in NYC all my life and I’m looking to move with my wife and daughter. We don’t enjoy living in NYC anymore, if we ever did, and Boston is one of the locations on my list of places that we’d like to move to. I’ve always been fascinated with Boston. We’re planning to save up to visit it for a few days next year as we’ve never been there. We want to see what it’s like there first.

[@violetsdigest]

No problem! I’ve visited NYC and while I enjoyed it as a trip I don’t know if I could live the face paced life and bustle of NYC. Boston seems like a good slower shift from that without giving up amenities. Good luck to you and your family on finding a place you can envision yourself living in ✨

[@Angelus13AOV]

@@violetsdigest Thank you so much. It may not be until years from now but it is a goal of ours.

[@salt1956]

Carrying pepper spray and a knife is illegal here in Australia. We don't have to worry about getting shot as there are no guns. With few exceptions, only police have guns and pepper spray.

[@violetsdigest]

Australia sounds nice! Unfortunately not the case in the US especially as a woman walking at night in the city alone ):

[@hernanibarsmombelli946]

Who? Who asked you?

[@marlon94124]

I am from San Francisco, CA myself from the day I was born. I went to Boston in September 2016 and that is my favorite city in the United States of America because of how the streets are numbered where the odd numbers ascend and even numbers descend. I was shocked that Boston does have a lot of one way streets.

[@violetsdigest]

So wild isn’t it??

[@marlon94124]

@@violetsdigest Boston is beautiful when sunny and warm.

[@crazy4corbinbleux]

Who cares?! Like no offense but you move somewhere just because the streets are odd numbered? You keep posting this comment everywhere

[@4udioFour]

-20 is crazy ive never experienced that in my 19 years of living here, it was worse when i was a kid but now winters are so mild. i lived in maine so this is light work imo.

[@violetsdigest]

It was probably -14 and then the wind chill made it feel like -20! I remember my phone shutting off bc it was so cold.

[@jellaaybeaans]

Come back and visit!!! 💕💕

[@violetsdigest]

I want to!!! I really miss wandering around Dt crossing by myself vs here in the sf city . Ugh tatte dates!!!!

[@crusadegoddesspriestess]

I love Boston ❤

[@user-nc8iu5pp5s]

Boston is boring after 2 years; I went to middle school, high school, college in Boston. All the historic spots; I sightsaw them free during middle school and high school years.

[@mc63404]

Thank you for the video!

[@violetsdigest]

Thank you for stopping by Maria!!

[@csf3lihao]

I can deal with heat and cold, but humidity is the worst. It breeds mold and bugs. I hate humidity.

[@violetsdigest]

I hate too much humidity too I never feel clean even after a shower! Though I can’t sleep when it’s super dry either 😆

[@gabesstarwarscollection]

Hmmm, as someone from Houston where people are pretty friendly, I am not sure I could get used to the blunt people not being the most friendly or Ivy league vibes. Nor the freezing cold of Chicago and Boston. Austin, Houston, and California seem to be more my style but I really like the walkable cities of the east coast like NYC, Boston, and Chicago so I wanted to do some research.

[@violetsdigest]

I think as you find your people they become your circle, also a lot of migrants from other states there. But as a Californian born and raised I can’t see myself living anywhere else 😅

[@gabesstarwarscollection]

@@violetsdigest What are your favorite parts of California? LA, San Francisco San Diego?

[@jazzycola]

Honestly I don’t think people aren’t rude here. I visit NYC a lot & it’s allot worse in that regard. Boston is allot friendlier, people are allot more willing to help you out in general. Also allot of the “Ivy League” kids are super friendly and doing great things in the community. Maybe I’m biased because my husband studied at Harvard and he is such a kind/humble person. But he also has many friends that studied at Harvard and they’re very friendly as well.
I think if someone is a rude/condescending person, it’s just who they are. Regardless of where they studied. Harvard actually tries to weed out those kinds of people.
But I hear you on the horrible winter weather!

[@NeutralShades]

I'm also moving to Massachusetts from the Bay, but I think I'm moving to Worcester.

[@violetsdigest]

I have a few friends in Worcester and they like it! Cute place for sure

[@bostonphotographer20]

Remember to pronounce it "Woostah"

[@briannas.lasvegas]

Thank you!

[@violetsdigest]

You’re welcome Brianna!

[@sardarmehmood8063]

Very nice ❤❤

[@violetsdigest]

Thank you!

[@dallasstang2818]

So you’re saying the Masshole vibe is overly exaggerated?

[@ralphw7454]

Sooo many massholes out here! It’s annoying AF. Especially when you’re trying to cross the street, people can’t drive. I thought NYC was bad.

[@kenchambers7137]

What makes Boston different from other places for studying in school ?

[@violetsdigest]

I’d say there’s almost a institutional “vibe” compared to other places I’ve studied at. Boston has a lot of Ivy leagues and old established schools within a very short distance from each other. A lot of my peers took additional classes at them to take advantage such as MIT because there were many opportunities and networking events year long. I didn’t get this opportunity during my undergrad and schools were more spaced out in a smaller college town. Boston and east coast in general are dense geographically and have great public transportation that makes doing this easier. There is also a very large international presence I’ve noticed if one values diversity!

[@kenchambers7137]

@@violetsdigest Thankyou , sounds like Boston is full of opportunity

[@zezewilliams2063]

Small talk is the absolute worst

[@gmar7836]

Don’t move to or even near Boston! WORST traffic in the nation, it’s expensive as hell, taxes are high and some people are rude. Forget it. Find another place

[@violetsdigest]

It’s all relative! But I hear your concerns. After being in LA traffic, and SFs mandatory living wage tax on everything, Bostons public transit and costs was heaven LOL