Submitted by ottersinabox t3_ych0hg in boston
I feel like Boston is one of those cities you either love or you hate. I really don't understand where all the hate is coming from though. Or why it's so polarizing.
The other night, a friend was telling me that she has been trying to move to California for a while. She really doesn't seem to like it here. She didn't give me concrete reasons though. Maybe something about it being hard to make friends? But I feel like that's just being an adult and growing older. Besides, I've always found Boston an easy place to meet new people. You just have to be willing to put yourself out there a bit.
She kept asking me where I would move to if I could move anywhere. There are a couple cities in Europe that I like. Montreal as well. But I think that's it (of the places I've been to at least). I've spent a good amount of time in far east Asia and southeast Asia as well, and while it's nice, I can't see myself living there.
Everywhere else in the US seems like a downgrade to me. The things I see here that I don't really see elsewhere (or at least as a combination):
- lower violent crime rate
- liberal ideas overall, keeps trans ppl like me safer
- walkable
- actually has a public transit system
- it's obvious if people are actually nice because they show it through doing good things. I have trouble trusting people elsewhere because I'm not sure if they actually mean it. Here, if they don't want to help you, they won't. Keeps things simple.
- seafood
- easy access to airport
- great hospitals
- half the people you randomly meet are really impressive and smart people. I guess that comes with the schools we have.
- we have a lot of sports and a lot of sports teams so that's fun too
- access to skiing + hiking
- access to ocean + beaches
- history. For the US, we have a lot of history.
- city has a lot of character. Every neighborhood _actually_ feels different. That's not true for a lot of cities.
- great museums
Like, sure, it's really expensive, and that's a big dealbreaker for a lot of people. And I suppose some people don't like the cold. But apart from that? How can you not love it??
Anyway, I guess I just want to say, I feel really lucky to live here. And it makes me sad (although I understand people have their opinions) that so many people seem to really dislike it.
EDIT: I think I was just kinda pissed cause she kept trying to tell me California is better and that Boston sucks and that I should want to move out there but I've spent a lot of time there in a few diff cities and it's just not for me.