Is Boston expensive ? (Quincy, Braintree, Adams: tech jobs, college, live)

[Cliff Clavin]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

Trying to go out to eat lately had been a nightmare. Everywhere is so damn busy.

That's the sign of a healthy local economy. It's a good thing.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

Boston is very expensive...and overpriced and overpopulated if you ask me. Trying to go out to eat lately had been a nightmare. Everywhere is so damn busy.

Signs of a strong local economy, further inflating salaries and driving up prices of homes.




And yeah, going out to eat on a Fri/Sat night is ridiculous now. Even going to chain type restaurants is usually a 1 hr+ wait.


Would hate to be dating this time of year. Hopefully you can make small talk for an hour or two before even getting your food.

[bjimmy24]

... nobody knows how to make reservations?

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

... nobody knows how to make reservations?

A lot of less fancy places won't take them. Some offer a call ahead list but if you've got little kids like I do you just try to go as early as feasible because once a restaurant starts getting busy it's going to take a while even once you're seated.

[Jimrob1]

In the years I worked in the Boston area I generally worked 2 jobs. That meant alot of commuting and stress. My heating bill alone warranted a 2nd job. My father also worked 2 jobs much of his life there. I think it is very common because of the high COL in Mass.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

In the years I worked in the Boston area I generally worked 2 jobs. That meant alot of commuting and stress. My heating bill alone warranted a 2nd job. My father also worked 2 jobs much of his life there. I think it is very common because of the high COL in Mass.

I think it used to be more common but now I would call it extremely difficult to have 2 jobs if you're a white collar employee. Most jobs either have formal policies banning a second job or expect so much out of exempt employees that you'd never have time for one.

[Whatsnext75]

Yeah I get it-boston is great if you're rich.

[G-fused]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

Yeah I get it-boston is great if you're rich.

I hear ya - most places are better if you have a lot of money. Boston is no exception and is definitely better on a good amount of money than many other easier to live places. Even if one has money, it's still not easy to get around though. ASide from money, there's a lot of good and fun things to do but I don't do many of them because it's just too much of a PITA. This whole area needs to be expanded by a minimum of 25% and redesigned - the roads, public transportation, etc.

And hey, you think it's busy now...((I'm sure you know) let's just wait until it gets warm and sunny on a consistent basis. Even with the students leaving - it's crazy.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by G-fused

I hear ya - most places are better if you have a lot of money. Boston is no exception and is definitely better on a good amount of money than many other easier to live places. Even if one has money, it's still not easy to get around though. ASide from money, there's a lot of good and fun things to do but I don't do many of them because it's just too much of a PITA. This whole area needs to be expanded by a minimum of 25% and redesigned - the roads, public transportation, etc.

And hey, you think it's busy now...((I'm sure you know) let's just wait until it gets warm and sunny on a consistent basis. Even with the students leaving - it's crazy.

I agree. Everyone talks about Boston being quiet in the summer. Not so much IMO. The big colleges run Summer programs that bring in plenty of students plus you have all the tourism. I loathe going into the city on the weekends in the summer. It's just too crowded.

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by G-fused

I hear ya - most places are better if you have a lot of money. Boston is no exception and is definitely better on a good amount of money than many other easier to live places. Even if one has money, it's still not easy to get around though. ASide from money, there's a lot of good and fun things to do but I don't do many of them because it's just too much of a PITA. This whole area needs to be expanded by a minimum of 25% and redesigned - the roads, public transportation, etc.

And hey, you think it's busy now...((I'm sure you know) let's just wait until it gets warm and sunny on a consistent basis. Even with the students leaving - it's crazy.

Agree 100% with this. Despite the other negatives (cost, weather, etc.), my number one frustration with the Boston area by far was getting around, both driving (windy confusing roads, traffic, low speed limits, etc.) and MBTA (especially the buses, plus limited coverage area).

I heard the reason for this is that it's a mature area, so much of it was designed before advent of cars, public transit, etc. At this stage, it's a difficult problem to solve.