San Diego vs Boston (expensive, live, state, better)

[MrIndependent]

Originally Posted by Ne999

Not sure the multicultural difference is that significant either.
D.C.
Black 49%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 3%
White 35%

Boston:
Black 24%
Asian 9%
Hispanic 22%
Non Hispanic white 46%

These are the stats for the District of Columbia and City of Boston. When doing demographic comparisons specifically regarding ethno-racial variables, it's pretty standard to use MSA instead. Modern movement patterns of people do not start and stop at arbitrary city lines.

So - more accurate stats.

DC MSA

Black 25.5%
Hispanic 13.6%
Asian 9.3%
White 48.3%

Boston MSA
Black 7.6%
Hispanic 8.7%
Asian 6.7%
White 74.4%

[MrIndependent]

I've spent time in both cities. Generally speaking, I think both cities are pretty great.

But to follow the OP's criteria:

1. Livable neighborhoods
Boston clear winner for me.

2. Nightlife
San Diego's nightlife seemed small-ish but adequate. Boston's nightlife gets a terrible rap nationally. In spite of all those college students. Point to San Diego

3. Transportation
Boston is the clear winner.

4. Culture
This is highly subjective. But since the OP was asking for opinions, I'll give an opinion.
Boston is one of the oldest major cities in America. Teeming with history. That's one of the things I love about the city.
The culture is also heavily influenced by stellar academic institutions.
The last bit to mention is that Irish, Italian (and to a lesser extent Portuguese) has really had a strong impact on the culture of Boston. Love that celebrated heritage there.

With all that being said, Boston seems to have a bit of an reputation problem in regards to race. Spotlight (the Boston Globe's investigative department) did a series on this. It's often mentioned among Black communities as an issue when talking about Boston (sometimes jokingly, but often seriously). San Diego doesn't carry that type of baggage.

Also certain corners of Boston society seem very obsessed with "what's your pedigree/family/worth" type elitism. Not unique to Boston, but can also be found in other East Coast locations (Manhattan, DC, etc).

San Diego is fairly laid back in that capacity. Nobody cares too much about pedigree. So I'm going to give this point to San Diego.

5. Economy
Boston clear winner

6. Weather
San Diego clear winner.

7. Downtown
I didn't actually like the official "downtown" of Boston. Maybe the neighborhood boundaries I was told were inaccurate, but I preferred other neighborhoods like Back Bay and Beacon Hill. I'm not sure if those neighborhoods would be considered downtown though.

Downtown San Diego wins.

So my final score on the criteria the OP mentioned is San Diego 4 - Boston 3.
However, I think overall (considering other factors not mentioned) I personally prefer Boston.
It's one of my favorite cities in America.

[kingsdl76]

Boston...

[elchevere]

If one wants urban amenities, Boston by a mile. SD’s downtown, the only area I would consider urban in the entire county only has a population of 35-40K.

If one wants more suburbia, including weather, SD by a mile.

2 different cities and lifestyles, though I certainly ran into my fair share of Boston/New England transplants when I lived in SD.

Originally Posted by DetroitThreeonethree

Both are great cities with identical population sizes. criteria 1. Livable neighborhoods 2. Nightlife 3. Transportation 4. Culture 5. Economy 6. Weather 7. Downtown

[Oistrakh12]

Downtown SD seemed very sleepy when I visited.

[TacoSoup]

Originally Posted by Oistrakh12

Downtown SD seemed very sleepy when I visited.

I’m guessing you didn’t spend anytime in the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, or East Village, while downtown?

[Boston Shudra]

Originally Posted by MrIndependent

but I preferred other neighborhoods like Back Bay and Beacon Hill. I'm not sure if those neighborhoods would be considered downtown though.

I think most people would absolutely consider those places “downtown”.

Edit: Oop. Didn’t realize the post was 2 years old. My point still stands, though.

[masssachoicetts]

To Live? Boston by a landslide.
To Visit? San Diego.

[littletraveller]

Is this a joke?

Who on earth would choose Boston over San Diego?

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by littletraveller

Is this a joke?

Who on earth would choose Boston over San Diego?

Me and about 45% of those responding.

But again, this is very much an apples/oranges comparison.