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I have never been to Boston so it would be pointless to make specific comparisons between it and Los Angeles. I do know that both cities are Democratic strongholds with progressive thinkers and a culture that appreciates practical solutions to problems even if some think they are "socialists." So the mindset of the citizenry would likely be similar.
Obvious differences have to do with how climate dictates activities. A city as far north as Boston would seem to limit outdoor life. LA culture and lifestyle often reflects the reality that the weather means enjoying the outdoors a lot so sports\ picnics\ concerts\ festivals, etc are possible all-year.
Also the fact that Los Angeles is located in California means outdoor living is a big part of life. That may not be the same in Boston. Boston is more European while LA is more Latin\ Asian so food may also be quite different in general. There is a distinct Boston accent. There is no accent in LA.
As others have pointed out, there is no sports rivalry between the two cities with the notable exception of basketball. In-fact the intensity of this NBA rivalry is unlike any other U.S. cities.
LA. Palm trees, beaches, mountains, just things people don't see everyday unless you live in Florida, Colorado, AZ or somewhere in the coastal Southern US, or somewhere else mountainous, and all of that put together.
Good post, but there are a few things to clarify. I grew up in L.A. but have lived most of my adult life in Boston, so I'm strongly familiar with both.
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Originally Posted by californio sur
I have never been to Boston so it would be pointless to make specific comparisons between it and Los Angeles. I do know that both cities are Democratic strongholds with progressive thinkers and a culture that appreciates practical solutions to problems even if some think they are "socialists." So the mindset of the citizenry would likely be similar.
Yep, ideologically quite similar, though operationally the politics are very different. Boston follows the old school big machine, retail politics model. I have met the Mayor and my city counselor dozens of times because that's how the game is played here. If you don't press the flesh and show up for every ribbon cutting, you are out, but you also need to control the unions to get the money and apply pressure to the voting public. L.A. politics are much less corrupt, but also much more distant.
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Obvious differences have to do with how climate dictates activities. A city as far north as Boston would seem to limit outdoor life. LA culture and lifestyle often reflects the reality that the weather means enjoying the outdoors a lot so sports\ picnics\ concerts\ festivals, etc are possible all-year.
This is what I expected before living in Boston, but my honest opinion is that people engage in the outdoors more in Boston than they do in L.A. The cold weather does not keep people inside. Lots of skiing, sleding, snow shoeing, and ice skating to do in the winter, and interestingly enough, lots of outdoor festivals. Most shopping is also focused on the sidewalk rather than the interior of a mall. And in the other three seasons, people tend to spend as much time outside as possible, probably out of fear that they won't be able to do so once winter sets in (in spite of the fact that we do go out then). Lots of outdoor dining, restaurants with patios, concerts in the park, back yard cookouts, and beach going.
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Also the fact that Los Angeles is located in California means outdoor living is a big part of life. That may not be the same in Boston. Boston is more European while LA is more Latin\ Asian so food may also be quite different in general. There is a distinct Boston accent. There is no accent in LA.
There are accents everywhere but where we live. You get used to hearing the local sound, and it becomes the neutral sound to your ear. There is definitely an accent in both places.
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As others have pointed out, there is no sports rivalry between the two cities with the notable exception of basketball. In-fact the intensity of this NBA rivalry is unlike any other U.S. cities.
Really? I may disagree with you on accents. A person immediately recognizes a Boston\ East Coast accent and can identify where a person is from. In California, accents are neutral and a Californian can not be easily identified since the accent [or lack of] is the same in all Western states. In-fact I don't think there is any difference in accents between someone from LA and someone from Chicago\ Miami\ Denver, etc.
Really? I may disagree with you on accents. A person immediately recognizes a Boston\ East Coast accent and can identify where a person is from. In California, accents are neutral and a Californian can not be easily identified since the accent [or lack of] is the same in all Western states. In-fact I don't think there is any difference in accents between someone from LA and someone from Chicago\ Miami\ Denver, etc.
Yes and no. Everybody would recognize Sean Penn's accent from Fast Times at Ridgemont High as a southern California accent. True, not everybody speaks that way, but there is definitely a nasality and cadence that is there and recognizable if you listen for it. Likewise, not everybody in Boston sounds like Mark Walberg in The Departed. I'll agree that the Boston accent is more recognizable, but that does not mean there is no accent in California. Leave Pasadena for a while, then go back, and you'll here the accent on your return.
Yes and no. Everybody would recognize Sean Penn's accent from Fast Times at Ridgemont High as a southern California accent. True, not everybody speaks that way, but there is definitely a nasality and cadence that is there and recognizable if you listen for it. Likewise, not everybody in Boston sounds like Mark Walberg in The Departed. I'll agree that the Boston accent is more recognizable, but that does not mean there is no accent in California. Leave Pasadena for a while, then go back, and you'll here the accent on your return.
OK, good point; and I don't need to leave Pasadena to hear surfer or valley talk. But that is a way of speaking more than an actual accent. The "valley talk" does have a bit of a cadence [the last syllable ends on a higher note]. These are expressions more than actual accents however.
I can differentiate people from California from their accent and when they throw in words like "hella"
Chicago is extremely easy to hear and much different than California. Same goes for Boston and New York.
Miami accent is distinct as well. Denver, not so much.
Most people think their region has neutral accents and don't hear their own accent...
I don't think I can agree. I've been to Miami several times and never detected an accent unless you consider a Spanish accent [than LA would also be included as having an accent]. When someone from Chicago is being interviewed on TV there is no way the average American can detect an accent. Does President Obama have an accent? But if someone from Boston [like politicians] are talking on TV almost everyone can hear the very distinct accent. New York and much of the Northeast [esp states like New Jersey] do have prominent accents and, of-course all the Southern states with the exception of southern Florida have Southern accents. Also the upper Midwest has an accent somewhat similar to Canadian speakers. But the Mountain States and West Coast\ Southwest don't have noticeable if any kind of accent.
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