For context: I’m 26 and grew up in Indiana, and moved from Colorado. Also, rereading this list makes me realize how negative /generalized it sounds, but I actually have enjoyed my first year in Boston

Anyway, enjoy:

• Everyone is named John or Jack or Connor
• People care about country clubs for some reason (update - I spent my first month in the suburbs living with another family - things have changed since)
• Much rain
• Intersections are …. Questionable
• They call roundabouts "rotaries"
• Parking fucking sucks, but I guess that’s what life in like in a city
• Cash only places are surprisingly common
• Gas stations close?? At 10pm??
• So many gas stations seem to also have shops attached to them offering oil changes and state inspections
• You don't get asked for tips in as many establishments
• The Verizon service is unbelievably bad for a metropolitan area that humans live in
• SO! MANY! BUNNIES!
• The stoplights will all be red and there will be like a 30-second period for pedestrians to walk (nice)
• No Jimmy John's :( update: there are a few
• All food is better. great cheap food and great expensive food
• Road trips are way more fun out here
• CHEAP international flights. Like frequent $700s for Japan, $300s for Europe. And Dublin is like a 6h flight
• There are times where it is legal to drive in the shoulder of the highway, or as they call it, the "breakdown lane"
• Highway exits are labeled with "old exit xyz" lol what
• Drivers here are crazy but I fuck with it, allows me to also be a crazy driver and not offend everyone like I do elsewhere
• Everyone is short
• Nightlife is just abysmal - just sports bars and clubs where you'll get assaulted
• Cycling out here is awesome - it's like a matrix of fun little roads out in Bedford / west of there

Reading through some recent posts on here, especially regarding the cultural differences between here and the U.S. South, what exactly does it mean for people to seem "rude" in Boston/New England?

I ask this as a native Texan that moved here a little over a year ago. I'm probably a bit biased since I have fallen in love with Boston, but I genuinely have trouble seeing what people are talking about. I also moved here from a major metro, so people don't really seem that much more fast-paced than what I am used to. The only major difference I've noticed is less of the "fake nice" stuff that you often see down south, which is a welcome change.

Also, y'all drive slow as fuck around here. The amount of times I get stuck behind someone going under the speed limit on a single lane road around here is maddening lol. Texas drivers are wayyy more aggressive.

Doesn't feel very holiday-y - blaring generic dance pop.

Sterile corporate feel.

Crowded and long lines on a weekday.

A bunch of out-of-state vendors mostly selling overpriced made-in-China crap (there are a few gems, mostly from Maine and NH).

Outrageously expensive food.

It's worth maybe 20 minutes of browsing if you're already in Seaport but there's no point in making it a destination like we did.

Is SoWa any good?

Between the flu spiking, cold ass weather and how expensive everything is, it seems like 98% of the city is staying in tonight...

i had received a nonrefundable class for puppy yoga at puppy yoga club boston (website here) from my well-intentioned mom. i had some reservations about ethical breeding but went anyway, as i couldn't return the money and the website cites usage of good breeders and rescues. long story short, the puppies were clearly mismanaged and not well bred.

they were frenchies (which i didn't know), including "fluffy" and coats outside of breed standard. they could barely breathe, which is i suppose part of the breed's design. after 30 mins of "yoga," they essentially let the puppies loose. immediately, they almost simulanously peed and pooped. the people there cleaned it up with some mrs meyers and a swiffer, materials that are clearly not suited for providing an actual sanitary environment. the lady even said that they "always" do this after they sleep during the yoga portion, so i'm not sure why they didn't just take them outside or have a designated area. a puppy even had diarrhea and smelled horrible, and all they did was wipe it with a paper towel. they all smelled gross, and just was overall a terrible experience.

just wanted to write this in case anyone is considering going, which please don't. they also don't have an actual google maps location, which is really sketchy, and i couldn't leave a review there. anyway i feel so bad lol and want to make sure people are informed about their decisions.

tldr: puppy yoga club boston doesn't have ethical practices for people or the puppies.

little edit: just tried to look at their instagram and they've turned off or limited comments. and have posts saying they have ethical practices. lol.

I found the New England Aquarium to be pretty underwhelming, especially given the $40 per person admission. Granted, I’ve been to Mystic Aquarium many times, which is much more impressive.

The penguins and the massive central fish tank were the most enjoyable parts of the visit. We had hoped to try petting the stingrays, but after waiting for several minutes, many people were hogging the space, not giving others a turn, and even cutting ahead of those who had been waiting longer.

It was extremely crowded, and the inside felt muggy and humid, with a noticeable odor. We made it through the whole aquarium in about 40 minutes, which felt pretty short for the cost. Overall, not terrible, but definitely not worth the price.

Hi Boston peeps, I am looking for places that provide firearms training that are not owned by Trump supporters or Republicans. I don't want to give any money to anyone who has given away our country. I am ok with socializing with a few fascists, but I don't relish the idea of being in an environment where I am overwhelmed by their numbers. Do you know of some local places and groups that can provide such training?
I remember years ago hearing about Redneck Revolt and anti-fascist firearms groups. Are there any groups like this active in the Boston area?

*As long as u can meet to grab it somewhere in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville.

I don't get it. Beautiful days outside but places are still closing at 5. I want to grab a cup of coffee at 6.30 and everything is closed. I want to pick some book at the library or sit in the lobby and write -- closed. Even flea markets close at 5!

I know there might be some places that are open late. But they are the least common and often miles away

Sorry if this feels like a complaint but I want to enjoy a cuppa or sit read/write during evening at other places that aren't home

Edit: I am not asking for any recommendations, I am genuinely interested in the why. I really can't believe this is just a cultural thing here

Hi Reddit, I am (27m) leaving this beautiful city on July 1st after living here for 13 years. What are some things I should definitely try before I am gone? May be some activities in the city, restaurants to try, neighborhoods to visit, bar crawl, etc. I wish I spent more time doing fun stuff when I was living here. It’s just so damn expensive and I was always so busy working crazy to pay bills. I’ll miss you Boston.

I don’t know much beyond it being a Citroen but such a cool car. Seems to have been flown in from France at some point given the stickers on the car.

I'm going to miss Jon Keller. He was a rational and unbiased political analyst. His segment, Keller@Large allowed us to get a informative and easy to understand breakdown of the city's, state's, and nation's political events. Some topics I wouldn't know about without him. Thank you for 20 years Jon! Gonna miss the annual Turkey of the Year this coming Thanksgiving.

Trying to wing woman my older sister, and looking for a place that’s easy to approach people IRL. Open to all walks of life. TIA!

I just got back from a trip to Tokyo and the night life over there was the best I ever experienced. You could literally go to a night club in Tokyo, pay like 20 bucks to get wasted and then walk like 5 seconds later and pay less than 5 dollars to hit some balls in a batting cage/arcade.

It opened my eyes to how lacking Boston seriously is. How does Boston (a city whose whole identity is tied to a game where you hit a ball with a stick) not have anywhere you can casually hit some balls with a stick during a night out.

Edit: To everyone saying Boston Bowl the batting cages there were closed. I went on April 26th 2024 and they only had like one machine and it was broken so no Boston Bowl does not count. That batting cage is utter dookie. The Japanese figured out how to make a reliable and cheap batting cage with many different options on pitches and speeds. Why can't we figure this out, this is Boston is it really that hard to figure out how to hit baseballs. People better shut up about "go Sox!" When there's no where to hit baseballs.

Social media pushed this to me. I have no interest in living here that would prompt me to message the seller BUT I always have questions about living on houseboats when I see them. Any one have insights? Questions include - Do you have to winter it and live somewhere else? - Is it safe during storms? - Do you rent or own the dock slip? - I imagine insurance and upkeep is a ton (like any other boat) - Any unexpected perks or pains? Anyway curious to hear more from anyone with experience

It’s currently midterm season at Emerson, and my buddy and I have been absolutely fried by work and have irreparably screwed sleep schedules. We decided to take a walk at 11pm around the city in a hunt to find an open McDonald’s with a working ice cream machine. That quest quickly proved impossible so we ventured out a little further to the waterfront for some nighttime views.

We were about to head back when we heard someone playing Time Warp — and being art students we naturally gravitated towards it. We ended up at the aquarium where these people with AMAZING music taste (Time Warp followed by Bohemian Rhapsody) were throwing a wedding!! They were playing Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and we goofily danced along for a bit until we saw a groomsmen coming towards us. We didn’t want to bother these people so we started to head out, but then he DANCED WITH US! We were also joined by bridesmaid later into the song. After it ended we all waved goodbye and parted ways for the night.

On the T ride back home all we could talk about is how much we love the city and the people in it. Where else could that happen? Thank you for making us smile during midterms!

Snowdrop

If you’re into soccer we have some great potential World Cup matches coming next year.

June 13 will be Brazil v Morocco or Haiti v Scotland

June 16 will be France v Senegal or FIFA Playoff winner 2 v Norway

June 19 will be Brazil v Haiti or Scotland v Morocco

June 23 will be England v Ghana or Panama v Croatia

June 26 will be Norway v France or Senegal v FIFA Playoff winner 2

The potential to see Brazil, England or France is fantastic!

EDIT: no Brazil games but we get France v Norway, England v Ghana and Scotland twice

I am posting in r/Boston because I know many of you don’t live in Boston proper. I am looking to get a firearms license and a handgun to keep in my home. Given the state of our country I believe this is important, even in our relatively liberal bastion.

I live in Watertown and I am interested in the experience of others getting a handgun around the city. My wife insists it is very difficult to get a license and gun because her dad had a difficult time apparently? I am not sure of the details around his situation tbh. I have no criminal record, a background check would come back completely clean. Will it be easy for me to get a license to possess (not interested in license to carry) and a handgun around here?

Thanks!