i don't know if i'll like boston/cambridge (Somerville: fit in, houses)

[brainslice]

i love new york and currently live in chicago, which is great! i could be happy living here forever. i'm in my mid twenties. what i love about these cities are the enclaves of intensely urban, open minded, and creative folks... young artists, musicians, and just plain interesting people that tend to live in cultural capitals. however, it makes sense for me, professionally, to move for a job in Cambridge. i'm gay and prefer open minded and mixed communities--like you find in williamsburg, brooklyn and wicker park, chicago--rather than a segregated "gay scene."

is boston bland, sportsy, "just a big college town," provincial and all the other bad things i've heard?

[whinton]

Boston and Cambridge are very urban, and in particular you definitely will find the open minded, creative, interesting crowd in Cambridge (Inman square, davis sqare and central square are a few areas to consider). I am gay and have lived in many cities across the country, and Boston definitely does not have a segretated gay scene (Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriage). In fact, gay is so integrated here that I sometimes miss the community of core gay neighborhoods. Boston definitely has a different vibe than New York or Chicago and is not quite as edgy. It sounds like Cambridge would be a great fit for you, though.

[Coem]

Well, I'm straight and don't know much about the gay scene. However I think you will find most of what you are looking for in Boston, especially in Cambridge. Boston is never bland, I don't know where you heard that. Yes, Boston is very sportsy, but liking sports is not a requirement to live here.

It is true that Boston can feel like nothing but a giant college campus though, and that's one of the reasons why I left. Anyone over the age of 25 in Boston will start to feel old pretty quickly. If you are looking to live in an actual neighborhood with a good cross section of people and ages, then your choices in Boston are very limited.

Lastly, as I'm sure you've heard before, Boston is a very expensive place to live.

[HowGoesIt]

Originally Posted by brainslice

i love new york and currently live in chicago, which is great! i could be happy living here forever. i'm in my mid twenties. what i love about these cities are the enclaves of intensely urban, open minded, and creative folks... young artists, musicians, and just plain interesting people that tend to live in cultural capitals. however, it makes sense for me, professionally, to move for a job in Cambridge. i'm gay and prefer open minded and mixed communities--like you find in williamsburg, brooklyn and wicker park, chicago--rather than a segregated "gay scene."

is boston bland, sportsy, "just a big college town," provincial and all the other bad things i've heard?

How do you expect to get an accurate response when the tone (and language) of your post is so negative?

[redpanda]

Agree with the PP--Cambridge or maybe even Jamaica Plain would be right on the money for you.

Sorry you've heard such negative things about Boston--the "provincial" part actually made me laugh out loud. I think the "sportsy" thing is more of a suburban phenomenon. I mean, people follow sports teams here just like in ever city, but it's not the be-all and end-all. I guess you'll just have to come and see what you think.

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by Coem

Well, I'm straight and don't know much about the gay scene. However I think you will find most of what you are looking for in Boston, especially in Cambridge. Boston is never bland, I don't know where you heard that. Yes, Boston is very sportsy, but liking sports is not a requirement to live here.

It is true that Boston can feel like nothing but a giant college campus though, and that's one of the reasons why I left. Anyone over the age of 25 in Boston will start to feel old pretty quickly. If you are looking to live in an actual neighborhood with a good cross section of people and ages, then your choices in Boston are very limited.

Lastly, as I'm sure you've heard before, Boston is a very expensive place to live.

I will second that. I've had better experiences in many other cities being over 25. The nightlife scene after 25 starts to become quite lame and old.

[im2005]

i've lived in all 3 cities: nyc, chicago, and boston. boston was my least fave. seemed very small and indeed provincial to me after the other cities. that said, many people like it and find a niche there. i'd recommend you know which niche you'd fit into or have a base of friends there to begin with if you do decide to take the plunge.

good luck!

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by brainslice

i love new york and currently live in chicago, which is great! i could be happy living here forever. i'm in my mid twenties. what i love about these cities are the enclaves of intensely urban, open minded, and creative folks... young artists, musicians, and just plain interesting people that tend to live in cultural capitals. however, it makes sense for me, professionally, to move for a job in Cambridge. i'm gay and prefer open minded and mixed communities--like you find in williamsburg, brooklyn and wicker park, chicago--rather than a segregated "gay scene."

is boston bland, sportsy, "just a big college town," provincial and all the other bad things i've heard?

The Back Bay is a great area- walkable city, the Public Garden , coffee houses, Newbury St., art galleries and old book shoppes. I love it! Cambridge also has a lot to offer.

Good luck.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Your original post seems quite negative. No one should succumb to stereotypes. It is much better to experience Boston for yourself and make up your mind. It is really unfair to compare a city of 20 million (NYC) or 9 million (Chicago) to a city of 5 million (Boston). You won't get the same amenities in terms of culture, etc. in Boston as NYC and Chicago. However, in terms of livability, for me, Boston trumps both NYC and Chicago.

[wickedripeplum]

Boston certainly isn't any more of a sports town than Chicago, and you clearly like hanging out in a young hipster scene so I don't know what you're problem is with the young people. Yes it is true, Boston is on a smaller scale than Chicago or New York, but it's hardly some podunk backwoods town. All the neighborhoods mentioned already would probably be good for you, but if you have that kind of attitude about it you're not going to be happy with it. Oh and I'd also suggest around Davis Square in Somerville.