Boston baked beans, seafood, and the Boston Red Sox – that’s what most people think of when you mention Boston (aka Beantown), Massachusetts.
Boston is not as overwhelming as larger cities like New York or Chicago, but it has all the things you’d expect in a big city – culture, museums, great restaurants, and more – while retaining a small town atmosphere.
I was born in Boston (Medford exactly), went to high school in nearby Somerville, and attended University of Massachusetts Amherst. Boston’s education opportunities attract smart citizens whose projects foster intense innovation. It was wonderful for me to meet so many people that are driven, ambitious, and filled with inspiring ideas. Boston inspires innovation and provides great resources to help make your ideas a reality. I also liked living in a city with a small-town feel. It’s a great place to visit and a better place to live and raise a family.
Low crime rates, a good public transport system, a new highway system, top hospitals, and some of the best schools around make Boston a great place to settle down. In fact, parenting Magazine voted Boston the No. 1 city in their 2012 Best Cities for Families List. The third annual report examined 36 sets of data and ranked 100 cities using nearly 4,000 pieces of data. According to parenting Magazine, “Offering urban life with a focus on education, Boston is a classically great town in which to raise a family.”
If you’re a four-season type of person, you’ll like Boston’s weather. Cold and snowy in the winter, it’s not far from major ski resorts. Those who like the warmer, summer months will enjoy the Boston Harbor Islands, a group of 34 narrow islands spread across the harbor where visitors can explore, hike or swim.
Leave the history books at home and take the kids to Boston’s Freedom trail, a 2 ½ mile trail where history comes alive — the trail passes 16 historic sites, including Revolutionary War landmarks like the Paul Revere House and the Bunker Hill Monument.
There’s lots more for kids to do in Beantown – from watching sea lions at the New England Aquarium, spending the day at the Boston Children’s Museum or Museum of Science (with over 400 interactive exhibits, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium) to taking in a baseball game at historic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Soxs since 1912.
Adults will enjoy Boston as much as the kids. Fans of the television show Cheers should pay a visit to Cheers Boston, and beer-lovers will enjoy a tour of the Sam Adams Brewery, which is home to the Boston Beer Museum.
Make sure you stop at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (also known as Quincy Market), an indoor-outdoor market that will delight shoppers and diners. And for the outdoor enthusiast, Boston has many parks and the nation’s oldest botanical garden, Boston Public Garden, famous for its Swan Boats.
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Yes, I went to school in Boston as well and that is the best schooling system in the world.
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Many friends of mine (from Italy) make fun of the “American” Universities… but they don’t know that so many Universities in Boston put Italian’s best schools to shame!
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Like a lot of cities on the Northeastern Seaboard, I think Boston would be a fine place to live, but only if you have a good income. Boston’s cost of living index is 149 – 50% higher than the average US city. http://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/city/massachusetts/boston
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Boston is one of my favorite cities as well. It is such a romantic city!
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Boston definetly has some great romantic spots! But, again, any City could be made romantic with the right company!
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
I’ve always met good people from Boston. If you don’t or haven’t lived there before, it’s definitely a place to visit. Great fun.
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
I would never like to live in a city, but your post definitely makes it sound like a place I’d love to visit someday. It seems an interesting mixture of midwestern laid back attitude and urban appeal. Why is it called the smartest city? Is it because of the Universities there, or are there actual statistical records of IQ scores being higher?
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
I’ve been to Boston before and loved the trip. It is true that it is a different feel than other big cities like New York. I’m another person who wouldn’t want to live there, but definitely a place to visit. We loved the aquarium.
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Call me naive, but I had no idea that Boston had islands off of it’s coast. I also didn’t know that Boston had so much going for it. From the rich culture to it’s deep history, I’m liking Boston more and more.
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Well it makes sense for you to grow up in the smartest city ^_^
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Its the accent I have a hard time with! I have heard that its a lovely city with so much to do. I didn’t realize it was so expensive though, that’s crazy! I didn’t realize there were islands either, like Doug pointed out.
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
Yes, “the accent” is Boston’s only problem…!
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
I grew up in that lovely city… all my good friend and past is still there. I really think i’ll go back to raise my kids there.
Boston Native John Romano Shares What it’s Like to Live in World’s Smartest City
One of our friends used to live in Boston. The indoor-outdoor market sounds lovely! I’ve never been there, but if you were trying to encourage me to visit, you’d make yourself quite persuasive :). Actually, it sounds a lot like the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate NY, where I live. We also have the four seasons, and I love living in a small town. I could NEVER do the big city living!