My thoughts and questions...

[cashgiftingcabbie]

I lived in Boston for over 20 years. I went to college there, Boston College. I have also travelled throughout the US.

I don't understand why anyone would say it's difficult to make friends in the Boston area. I have always found Bostonians to be warm, friendly, welcoming and possessed of great humor. Boston is a world class city with a great character.

Back Bay, Downtown, South End, Beacon Hill, JP, and even Charlestown and Southie all have tens of thousands of residents who are not originally from Boston. And of course the massive influx of students every fall represents all parts of the country and the world.

It's easy to make friends if one has a strong self image, self esteem, self confidence and is open, kind and friendly towards others. Therefore one can make friends anywhere. In my opinion Boston and all it offers just makes the process a bit smoother, because everyone is enjoying the same party.

[HisDaughter]

Originally Posted by CityOnDown5250

howdy. im from NY, just 30 mins north of New York City. ive lived in the NYC area my whole life, and recently i realized how sick of it i really got and how i needed a change. well last weekend I was invited up to Boston with a family member to attened a political function. after much anticipation, I was very excited to take the trip up there to see what it was all about.

So last friday we drove up, and it really didnt take the long 4 hours that everyone says, there was some traffic, but other than that things were fine. as soon as i saw the Welcome to MA sign, i felt that this part of the country was the most distinguished part yet, and boy was i right. eventually we made it to the event, which was held about 40 mins north of Boston in the town of Boxford. from then on i began to observe the people and the culture. i had always heard that people from NE, Boston especially, tended to be on the reserved, "stuck in their own ways" side. the people i met at this event were rather friendly towards me (the did have a few drinks in them..) so i was really enjoying the evening, meeting all these people from the greater Boston area. people gave me advice on what to see, where to go, etc. later that night we ate dinner at a great Italian resturant in the North End. the whole car ride was a blast, from riding down RT. 1 and seeing all the stip malls and the bridges, to hearing the awesome Boston accent from the locals, and driving through the city. it was so much fun, the city felt alot different than NYC, alot smaller and more historical. but something about it, it felt like LOVE at first sight.
so the night continued, we found a hotel room outside in the suburbs around Natick. went to bed but couldnt sleep, i had too much on my mind, BOSTON was occupying my thoughts for the night. so the next day we drove around Newtown, Chestnut Hill, saw BC and BU and alot of other schools. saw Fenway Park, which was awesome after seeing it so many times on TV. saw Beacon Hill, basically saw all the "visible" things the city had to offer. on the way back to NY on sunday i came to the realization that Boston had something special, it had its own flavor to itself, something unique.

SO now i ask of you NE residents. iam 18, a freshman at a small private University north around NYC. im not really happy with the living conditions or the teachers or the PEOPLE. i LOVED the people from Boston, absolutly loved them. Its hard to express my love for the Red Sox since i live in Yankee terrirtory.go Pats, and Celtics! i just felt right at home at Boston.
BUT i heard that it is ESPECIALLY HARD TO MAKE FRIENDS IN BOSTON, which is a MAJOR concern for me. im considering transfering up there next year, not sure what school. im worried that i will not be able to make friends with people from Boston. why does it seem that alot of people in the Suburbs of Boston are very un-open to change, or adding someone new in their friendships? what is the friendship structure and dating scene like in Boston? can someone help me out in this department?

in NY i found the people, (my fellow NYers), to be rude, uptight, and impolite. in Boston (the city), everyone was friendly towards me. ofcourse that were those who i talked to. in NYC, everyone makes eyecontact with you, in Boston its the complete opposite, mainly the women who will look at you, and if you were a girl it would be the men in your case. i hope you guys can read beyond the confusion and scatterdness of my post. any information helps, thank you.

And I found it to be the opposite. I got along great in NYC!! I am emotional and passionate and so are New Yorkers. I connected there. I have not connected to Bostonians who I find to be "standoffish." You say you're "a seventh generation native Bostonian" which is why I believe you get along well there. As far as "the most sophisticated, intelligent people in the country," SORRY, I think New Yorkers win hands down. But, frankly, I'm in a time of my life where I don't care about any of that. I'm planning on going back to my roots, south of the Mason-Dixon line. I want down to earth people and I can't wait!!

[HisDaughter]

Originally Posted by Bostonian08

Boston is not a hard place to make friends if you are in college. You make lots of lifelong friends there. It's once you're out, or if you never go. Boston is a college town.

Regarding the eye contact, yeah that's true. People mind their own business in Boston. It's a custom of not making a spectacle of one's self so as to not appear "improper". It is a bit dreary, but it also cuts down on the sorta of gross ugliness one finds in more unrestrained societies.

A few years in Boston is life well lived.

I completely agree with you.

[HisDaughter]

Apologies to all!! I think I accidentally responded to the wrong post!! So sorry...