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I was going to the say the same thing. Swahili territory is quite a bit north of South Africa.
I meant to say Afrikans.I was thinking of a friend whose parents are from Mozambique but live in Nelspruit S.A. where Swahili he says is common due to the city being a gateway in to SA from several African countries
Being at one corner of the country, Boston is not experienced in person by as many Americans as many other cities so some people on this site go by the stereotypes perpetuated here. One is that Boston does not have festivals. Boston has massive festivals at the 4th of July, in the winter at New Years, in the spring during the Boston Marathon. The little Italy in the north end has a festival almost every weekend of the summer. There are concerts at Fenway and the TD Garden. Plenty of Parades. If you can't find something to do you're not trying. Another stereotype is that Boston closes down early but it is 2AM the same as most other major cities and later than some. When the massive new casino U/C is finished in 2019 last call there will be 4AM.
Having been to both cities Montreal is more laid back at least in some areas, but it is also dirty and a bit decrepit (not dangerous). It does not have the level of activity and energy Boston has in so may areas.
Being at one corner of the country, Boston is not experienced in person by as many Americans as many other cities so some people on this site go by the stereotypes perpetuated here. One is that Boston does not have festivals. Boston has massive festivals at the 4th of July, in the winter at New Years, in the spring during the Boston Marathon. The little Italy in the north end has a festival almost every weekend of the summer. There are concerts at Fenway and the TD Garden. Plenty of Parades. If you can't find something to do you're not trying. Another stereotype is that Boston closes down early but it is 2AM the same as most other major cities and later than some. When the massive new casino U/C is finished in 2019 last call there will be 4AM.
Having been to both cities Montreal is more laid back at least in some areas, but it is also dirty and a bit decrepit (not dangerous). It does not have the level of activity and energy Boston has in so may areas.
I would say that a lot of this is the classic U.S. vs. Canada comparison.
In Boston vs. Montreal, the polished areas are more polished in Boston, but the rough parts are also rougher. It's almost always the case when you compare any two large metros in either country.
OTOH I would disagree that Montreal gives anything up to Boston in terms of lively areas within the city.
I would say that a lot of this is the classic U.S. vs. Canada comparison.
In Boston vs. Montreal, the polished areas are more polished in Boston, but the rough parts are also rougher. It's almost always the case when you compare any two large metros in either country.
OTOH I would disagree that Montreal gives anything up to Boston in terms of lively areas within the city.
I would say that a lot of this is the classic U.S. vs. Canada comparison.
In Boston vs. Montreal, the polished areas are more polished in Boston, but the rough parts are also rougher. It's almost always the case when you compare any two large metros in either country.
OTOH I would disagree that Montreal gives anything up to Boston in terms of lively areas within the city.
Disagree. Day to day energy and buzz in Boston is pretty off the charts. Such a vibrant place on a typical day, largely because of the sheer number of corporations/hospitals/colleges in such a small area. I'm always shocked at the street level foot traffic on any given day in Boston. It's..Quite remarkable...
Disagree. Day to day energy and buzz in Boston is pretty off the charts. Such a vibrant place on a typical day, largely because of the sheer number of corporations/hospitals/colleges in such a small area. I'm always shocked at the street level foot traffic on any given day in Boston. It's..Quite remarkable...
Nighttime? Montreal for sure.
I think the two cities are pretty much identical in that regard. It's one of the things I always give the nod to Montreal for when pitted against other cities in NA. It's one of the reasons I often compare the feel of the city to Boston and parts of Brooklyn.
Remember, Montreal is the Boston of Canada when it comes to student body ratio. As a matter-of fact, it has the highest proportion of post-secondary students of all major cities in North America. There are roughly 100,000 more post-secondary students in the Montreal area than there are in Boston. It makes a huge difference.
Now, if only Montreal could keep the graduates in the city once they finish their studies... But that's a whole different topic.
This is tough, but I think Montreal gets the nod in large part because it's so distinctly different from Boston (and anywhere else, really). Montreal has it's own unique culture. Boston does too, but it's still very much an American city and you can see shades of its culture in New York, Philadelphia, DC, Chicago, San Francisco, etc. There's no place else at all like Montreal. Not even really a little bit (even Quebec City is decidedly different).
1. Best urban city parks? Slight edge to Montreal. Mont Royal is very unique. Boston Common is historic and neat too. The Public Garden might be the single most beautiful urban park between the two cities, but overall, I think Montreal has a slight edge here. You could make the case for Boston too, though depending on what your preferences are.
2. Best museums? Montreal. Neither city is a slouch on that front, but Montreal has more to offer on that front.
3. Best architecture? Boston. Old Montreal is beautiful, and there are great gems dispersed throughout town. However, there's a lot that ranges from "meh" to downright ugly, and you don't have to look far to find it. Boston has its uglies too. City Hall, West End, State Services Center, etc. Nobody is going to award prizes to Boston's three deckers either. That being said, I think Boston has more attractive architecture in the core and spread throughout the city. Everyone knows Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, etc. They're great. But Boston also has some great architecture outside of the core of town in neighborhoods like Fenway, Jamaica Plain, Charlestown, Mission Hill, etc. I think that as a whole. Boston is more aesthetically attractive from an architecture standpoint.
4. Best performing arts (symphony operas, theater, so on)? I don't know/don't have a hard opinion on this.
5. Best parades, festivals, and/or holiday celebrations? Montreal. This one's not really close in my opinion. Though I think Marathon Monday is one of the best traditions anywhere.
6. Best historic tours? Boston. Both are great, historic cities, but I think it permeates Boston more than Montreal. Old Montreal is great, but it's almost got a sort of theme park atmosphere (at least around Place Jaques-Cartier) since it's so concentrated in one area whereas Boston's history is sort of spread throughout the city and region. Yes, Faneiul Hall is very touristy, but it's pretty neat how much Boston's history is incorporated into the fabric of modern Boston. As a result, I think Boston offers more in terms of historic tours (both self-guided and guided). In fairness, Boston probably has more to work with, but it's still better on this front.
Overall choice? I think Montreal wins based on these categories. It truly is a unique experience in North America. You even left of food which I would give to Montreal easily (as I would for nightlife and transit if those were options). But I prefer Boston as a place to live.
In reality, Montreal is pretty underrated because Americans tend not to pay attention to Canadian cities like that, though they're getting more exposure than every before.
It's funny, I've been to Montreal probably a dozen times by now. For a LOOOOONG time, I used to definitely put it in the overrated department. It's one of my favorite cities now. I think for some people, Montreal takes time to grow on them. I'm not really sure why. It wasn't the language, as I said in another thread, it's easy to explore Montreal as a visitor without knowing French. You can participate in anything/anywhere in English.
If I had to try to put my finger on it, I'd say that Montreal is a place where you almost have to dig a little to really find the great stuff, unlike a city like Boston that's so compact and everything is so central that anyone can stumble upon much of what makes the city great. And it's unlike a city like New York, or DC where there are just an infinite number of easily recognizable landmarks and destinations. in the middle of the lively urban core so you can check off the touristy sights while also experiencing the city. You have to work a little in Montreal. After exploring Old Montreal, you have to take a slightly more targeted approach. Much of downtown Montreal is less active/vibrant outside of the normal workday and it's big enough/spread out enough that you won't just happen upon the active pockets without knowing where you're going. You also need to get out into the city center and into the neighborhoods to really get a feel for the city. You can't just plop yourself downtown and expect to really get a feel for it. It's taken a while, but I really like Montreal and I'm glad I've given it a chance. It's one of my favorite places as a result.
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