Viewing Boston relative to other American cities, it's actually pretty great; beautiful architecture, good mass transit, an over all walkable, sustainable infrastructure, decent food, lots of well educated young people. However, viewing Boston relative to what it was like, say, 15 years ago, it's fallen a long way. It has embraced gentrification in a big way, meaning very little of its arts scene still remains because the property values there are astronomical. There are more 30-ish moms with strollers in the South End, the city's original gay neighborhood, than anything else, and there's an over all sense of commercialism in the compulsive neatness and cleanliness of the place. For anyone truly into living in or visiting an authentic urban environment, I'd suggest Philadelphia or even Providence over Boston, although there's still plenty to do if you haven't been there yet.

Boston is a very, very complicated city, as Oscar said. For a place that is central to the development of American culture, it's geographically peripheral and remote -- I can't tell you how many New Yorkers I've met who have never been to Boston and don't see much of a reason ever to do so. There's some egotism but it's mostly of a provincial, defensive, and neurotic kind that you would never find in New York. Some multigenerational residents tend to believe that they live in the "Hub of the Universe" (the most arrogant moniker for a city I could imagine) but they're also extremely articulate in making their case.

I admire the fact that people seem to value education, especially the ability to speak, over just about anything else, including the ability to earn money. "Old money/old family" Massachusetts gets away with way too much -- e.g. the Kennedys -- but the flip side is that not many people kowtow to new millionaires. Rents are (unjustifiably) the second or third highest in America because the old money doesn't budge and it lives off gouging college students. Tradition and classicism rules the day, which explains the fact that the music is stuck in the '80s. Bostonians' wonderful way with words makes the bars really interesting. Union guys get into some cerebral discussions over a few pints, and then get up and brawl with Yankees fans. There's a definite sense of group identity out here which extends to class and race, as well as a lot of clubs based on random childhood obsessions like cupcakes and kickball. A fog of white-bread innocence covers most of New England.

As an outsider who will probably be living here for a long time due to a job, it can be hard to understand the complexity of the collective life, let alone break into it. The college students don't need to try -- they'll be leaving after four years so this is their time to enjoy each other rather than the city. I'm kicking myself for not having gone to college here -- during the school year, pretty college women are all over the streets and it feels like a nonstop party. Because the rate of violent crime out here is very low (much better than anything in California) you can usually feel safe walking the streets at night.

With so many of the streets originally being designed for horses or cows, driving is horrible; they're narrow and scary. Even after the biggest public works project in history, the city needs a lot more renovations, especially to the public transportation, which can be amazing (SF Muni could learn something from it) but can also feel like a false promise if you're waiting for the Green or Orange lines. The weather is pretty bad (June this year was four weeks of cloudy weather with barely any sun) but then again few places in the U.S. outside California have perfect weather, and it's actually on the moderate side compared to the wild swings you find in the Midwest.

In short, a complicated place.

I do not like Boston at all. The city has rude people with terrible accents. The fine people of Boston cannot drive to save their lives and the city is always congested. The city is far too pricey and they apparently think they are something they are not- a mecca. It's annoying hearing talk about the Red Sox and Celtics (who have the ugliest floor in the NBA). I try to avoid Boston at all costs.

I've always loved New England overall, but have only managed to make it to Boston a handful of times-- I had a cousin living in Chelmsford, a suburb, and I was there a few times with my parents when I was a kid. As an adult, I drove up a few times with a friend, but our experiences there were limited-- we stopped at a few book stores (I've been told since that I should have made it over to Cambridge if I really wanted to check out top-flight bookstores), the decrepit remnants of what had once been the Combat Zone (maybe if my friend and I had been younger, it would have been somewhat exciting in a seedy sort of way, but at the time we walked through it, it was just sad, depressing, and bleak), and surrounding towns like Salem, Peabody (we asked a local cop for directions and he expressed anger at our admittedly off-putting NJ accents-- "It's not Pea-Body...it's pronounced PEABODY, PEABODY!!!"-- guess he'd had a rough day by the time we arrived on the scene), and Marblehead. Beautiful, historic places all (I even tracked down some of the areas associated with the Salem Witch Trials...there are actually more of these areas outside of Salem than there are in the city itself), but what I remember most from my time in Boston is how horrendously nerve-wracking the driving conditions were. Surprisingly, we didn't spend much time in the Italian North End, and I never tracked down the hangouts of former mob boss Jerry Angiulo, but that might have been because I spent too much time walking about in an opiated haze. Someday, I'd like to go back and explore it more seriously and extensively than I have so far. Maybe I can even track down some Whitey Bulger locations! Ironically enough, I used to spend quite a bit of time in Providence, Rhode Island, which I believe is only an hour away.

I've lived west of Boston (about an hour away) most of my life and once college time hit-- I thought I was making the best decision of my life to choose a college directly IN Boston. Afterall, I was looking for the vibrant, city "feel" I was hoping Boston could offer. And, of course, Boston being the ultimate college town in the Nation, what more could I ask for? But after being here for 2 years, my interest and admiration for this city has definitely gone down. Don't get me wrong, Boston is great, but with every city, it has it's flaws and I soon realized this city isn't for me. Yes, the city is very culturally diversed, always many things going on, great hang-out spots, an above average public transportation system, and 4-seasons weather(if that's what you want, that is) however, I find the city to be extremely unappealing if I ever have to LIVE here. A city that is great for visits but not live with its' many tourist attractions (museums, aquarium, shopping, fanueil hall, etc.), abundant nightlife options (clubs, bars, House of Blues, sporting events, etc.), and historical sites. Despite the many things Boston has to offer, I feel as if it is a very cramp city that has a bit of everything but not quite the whole picture. like, Boston's chinatown is great with good restaurants and a few boutiques here and there-- but it's not even half the size of Chicago's or San Francisco's Chinatown. what happens to those that aren't at chinatown for the food but rather, just want to stroll and windowshop? And how come we don't have JapanTown, KoreaTown, etc. like other big cities? It seems as though Boston only has 2.5 culturally developed communities (Chinatown, the NorthEnd, and Dorchester Ave. for the Vietnamese-Americans community that counts as .5 as it is only a street) which is a big disappointment, considering the amount of native and international students from different ethnic backgrounds that comes here each year.
also, perhaps this only applies to the students at my school, but the people seem very clique-ish and isn't very approachable. whatever happened to meeting people and networking outside of your comfort zone?

anyways, enough for this rant. like I said, Boston is a great city for some but not for me. I'm just anxiously waiting another 2 yrs. so I can finish school and be out-- maybe I'll find my "soul-mate" city after exploring around. perhaps, Philly, D.C, NYC, or even somewhere in the west coast?

Nice city to live in if your a college student. Has a plethora of universities including two of the world's best. Lot's of tech companies in-and-around Boston but it's really not comparable to the San Jose area. The tech companies in Boston tend to be smaller than those on the West Coast.

Overall, it's cleaner than most American cities and has a kind of old traditional feel to it. Despite it's horde of foreign students... I would not consider it a cosmopolitan city. Feels very provincial. The people are a bit like the New England weather: cold and austere.

Not much changes in Boston. It's neither growing, nor shrinking. It's a somewhat small city. You can walk most of it in a single day. Rent is fairly expensive and the standard of living is good. Not as boring as Providence or Albany, but not a particularly exciting place to live either.

I love Boston! People are very down to earth and I have an easy time chatting with the locals here. Unlike cold mean places like L.A. or DC. Boston is a city where you can simply walk around and have fun. I walked the Freedom Trail and also went on the boat ferry to view the city. Boston is a very clean city too.  But the winters here are very cold, cloudy and can be depressing.

Having visited Boston a few times recently NOT in the winter btw,this is one of the better cities I have been too. For one its walkable for the most part,marinas line the bay where you can sail until your hearts content. The weather in the spring and summer is fabulous compared to the other parts of the country. As with every other large city anywhere boston has it's share of negative things,but nothing out of the ordinary..

Boston is absolutely horrible. Living in Connecticut, I was appalled by the level of racism I, as a white male, observed there. I thought that Connecticut and Massachusetts were supposed to be quite similar, because they're both part of the tourism scheme known as "New England," but, as I look at it, it seems more like Connecticut is culturally aligned with New York. In the Tri-State area (NY-NJ-CT) we do not have the overt New England racist attitude that Boston does. Hartford, Connecticut really is the farthest north blacks have a substantial urban population--they were not accepted, in fact, they were shunned, in Boston. The Boston Red Sox were the last team to racially integrate, and they did so begrudgingly (New York was the first with the Brooklyn Dodgers). Where are all the black people (and Hispanics, etc) in Fenway Park at Sox games? Or in downtown Boston for that matter? Unlike New York City, diversity does not exist in the nicer areas of Boston--the people of Boston like it this way, because they like their city "clean" and "well-kept" unlike New York. I swear to god that I have heard people tell me that they prefer Boston to New York because a) New York has too many black people (or Puerto Ricans) b) New York is dirty (probably alluding to the minority population) and c) New Yorkers are assholes (and Bostonians are so pleasant). Bostonians, especially the poor white Irish population, hate the world and anyone representing anything different--anything not Bostonian (think the Southie Busing Riots in the 70s). You will be mauled if you go into this clubby little pretentious city wearing a Yankees hat (the same does not happen to Sox fans in New York because, like the truly world class city it is, New York actually accepts people's differences). You will be ridiculed if you stick out as a tourist or a non-Masshole. People will act as if you have the plague if you are a black person anywhere in downtown Boston. People in general suck there: no pleases, no thank-yous, no excuse mes, no sorrys, but no shortage of: move!, fuck New Yahk!, buncha fahkin queeahs!.  The fans really put the icing on the cake. They are the most obnoxious, belligerent, morons you will ever encounter--ever! These people should be banned from sports bars everywhere and deported back to the "beautiful" Boston they loooove soooo much (most of them aren't even from Massachusetts, they are mostly post-2004 bandwagoners from California or Florida or Washington or Virginia who just love the city's racist-ness and, more importantly, hate the success of New York, that "filthy, nigger-filled" city). Wow, the Red Sox won the World Series after 86 long miserable years of just plain sucking--The Yankees have won 26. Most folks could care less. By the way, good luck catching up! P.S. Go New York Giants!

I understand how some folks would question Boston's choice of politicians, but different strokes for different folks, say I. This is a first rate town to visit and spend a few days. Lots to see and do here folks. One draw back, at least for me, is the caprice taken in the way the streets suddenly change names.

Benjamin Franklin was born here and Fenway lives here.

Too many racist, parochial, territorial, corrupt "Marty McGillicuddies" in Boston. Outside of the academic world...Boston is really just a danky overpriced city. The hatred of NY and the Yankees is just soooo old and lame. You just look to America like a bunch of little whiny brats (drunk too). Also shows you how insecure these people really are. Really OBSESSED with hating anything NY.
The overpriced real estate and general homoginization of Boston has caught on and you'll notice places like Portland, Burlington, Northampton, Provindence, Portsmouth filling up with ex-Bostonians. Basic conclusion...its overpriced and not such a cool place anymore. Most of New England calls Boston the great bastion of M-ssholes.

Old, dirty, cramped, full of uppity snobby racist people. People are liberal as long as it doesn't affect them, amazingly conservative, and prejudiced if it affects them. everything is crazy money. Local Government is corrupt and incompetent. The sports venues are atrocious. Traffic is horrible. The roads suck. There's nothing to do if you are sober. People are so preoccupied in what other cities(mostly New York) think about them. They just come off as sour grape, insecure, whiny morons. The Boston accent is the most retarded sounding dialect ever. I'd rather listen to a drunk William Hung sing the national anthem for 24 consectutive hours than hear another Boston accent. Bostonians get so bent out of shape when a Hollywood movie has an "innacurate" Boston accent in it. They complain that it makes them seem stupid. Well, fake or real accent they still sound stupid.

Boston is one place that prides itself on history. There are a lot of historical sites and museums. That's great, but it doesn't make the city any more enjoyable.

I lived in Boston in the early 90's and was shocked to see how expensive and gentrified it has become a decade later. The weather is horrible most of the year, people who pay high prices for their homes are just deluded. And I agree with the posters who mentioned racism - yes, there are good people there but if you're non-Anglo you will get the cold shoulder by bartenders, etc. A plain woman with blonde hair and blue eyes will get the royal treatment, a beautiful brunette or Latina/Asian will get ignored.

This one of the Great American Cities, up there with New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington. Like those cities, it has it's own unique feel. It's compact, you can walk around it easily (do not drive!)and take in all the historic sites. I would say that along with San Francisco, it is also one of the most beautiful American cites...certain areas even rival the great European captials. I can't understand why a person would feel there's nothing to do...between the sports teams, museums, restaurants, bars, clubs, concerts, and shops there plenty to do. Also, all the young students from all over the world give the city a very cosmopolitan feel.

This town ROCKS! It's one of the few American cities that has a unique feel to it. It also has more young co-eds than any other city on earth, so meeting people is not a problem. I think Boston is like the flip side of San Francisco. It's best in the spring or fall, cause winters can be bad. Good clubs, restaurants, plenty of history and it's very pretty. Also, it's pretty SAFE! I've never felt afraid walking around.

Being from Boston, I can say it is the worst place period. It is cold, damp and depressing. The winters are harsh and there is nothing to do. It is so awful that I am dreaming of the moment that I can move. Because there is nothing to do here people only care about sports.Thats it, nothing but sports and drinking. Most people here drink day in and day out. Could be an explanation for the terrible accents. I get so frustrated when people from other places question why I do not have an accent. They dont understand, how I could have lived here my whole life and sound normal? What most people dont realize, is that not every one from Boston talks that way. If you are from the wealthier suburbs for example.. Wayland, Weston etc you DO NOT SPEAK WITH AN ACCENT. This is a mind boggling concept for people that are not from this area. It is a fact though, one that I had to get off my chest :) thanks for listening Lets not forget the corrupt politics or the horrible cost of living Just had to throw that in there.

Wow - you can say that Bostonians have issues with racism and then in the same paragraphy write the phrase "...retard with down syndrome"?!? Someone else sounds close minded to me - wake up - it's 2006.

Boston is a decent city....very damn clean city! Of course...that "cleanliness" comes from the HIGH-COST of living in this city. Everything from food, housing, gas is so damn expensive here. I once visited a relative who lived in Worcester area....saw the gas price...my eyes were going to bulge out. Same syndrome hit me when I wanted to buy a can of soda (pop, coke..wherever the heck you're from)..it costs $2 for a can of soda from a vending machine for pete's sake!!! There's a mix of people in Boston when it comes to social interaction. Some are cool to hang out with and socialize...they seem very friendly like folks from the south. In fact one of my best friends now is a Boston local...born and raised in Bean Town. But the majority I've encountered were cold, racist, mean, and anti-social. Several Taxi drivers in fact didn't stop for me when flagging them down. Shees..I guess I didn't have blonde hair and blue eyes! Locals are weird when it comes to pronouncing the names of certain towns/cities. For example, Gloucester is pronounced as "glaw-ster" rather than glaw-ches-ter. Worcester where my cousin lives, is pronounced as "woo-ster"...such as how a retard w/ down's syndrome would say rooster. It's also freakin cold as heck during the winter...although I've never experienced winter in Boston. Just word of mouth from my cousin. Boston is definitely a college town...I'd say the "college town of America." 1/4 people in Boston is a college student from BU, Harvard, Boston College, MIT, ....the list of college goes on.

Boston...like no other place in America! Home of The Red Sox, The Bruins, The Patriots and The Faneuil Hall Marketplace...just to name a few of the positive things. Boston, biggest little Town in America and I am prouud to have once lived there.

It's my hometown, so I'm a little biased. But don't think I regard it as perfect. Like every place, it has its ups and downs. Boston is a very, very complicated place, few cities can match it in that regard. Good points: You can walk around in it. It has a decent public transportation system, which doesn't stop weirdos from talking to themselves, vagrants throwing up on it at 12:03 A.M., drunken college age kids, etc. A lot of history, and the schools and hospitals are nonpareil. Great place to catch a band at one of the many clubs, good museums, many fine restaurants, and Fenway is undoubtedly one of the very best parks to catch a game at. Bad points: Terrible place to drive in, I get lost and confused sometimes and I've lived there my whole life, insanely expensive, particularly in housing, Boston drivers are as bad as their reputation too.Segregation. People: A VERY mixed bag. There are a lot of leftists, mostly in Cambridge and Jamaica Plain, so if you don't like leftists you should avoid those areas. Conversely, if you don't like 'townies' you should stay out of neighborhoods like South Boston or Charlestown. Boston is a very complicated city when it comes to class and race relations. The bluebloods treated the Irish, Italian, and other immigrants like dirt when they got here, so there are natural ramifications of that.There's a lot of class warfare, but to label the people in working class communities as all racists and boors is unfair. There is indeed a lot of racism, anti-intellectualism, etc. in Boston, but some of that derives from the old fatcat game of pitting the poor against the poor. Often this city is described by right wingers as some sort of ultra leftist community, but that's not really accurate. The 'average" Bostonian, from a working or middle class background,meaning someone who's lived there all of their life, is generally economically liberal and probably pro-union, and socially conservative. There are a lot of intellectuals there, and a lot of genuinely nice people, though it often takes a while for people to warm up to you. You have to understand going in that this is more like N.Y.C or Philly in terms of being busy, and the East Coast mentality is very different, more fast paced and competitive than, say, Kansas City or Raleigh or somewhere like that. It's a complicated place that defies easy categorization.

I am twenty-nine years old and have lived in Boston all my life! The best thing I can say about my hometown is that you can get pretty much anywhere by public transportation and the fall season is quite beautiful. Other than that it stinks!!! People are self-centered and rude, it is soooo cold in the winter and it is dirty!!!! My husband and I just visited Charleston, SC and wow! what a difference, nice weather, people and it is clean. That is a place I would love to live!!!!

Nice place to viist but never would live there. People are rude and stuck up, more so than other big cities and everything costs too much, a small run down one bedroom apt costs 2,000$ a month, no thanks.

Really enjoyable vist to this city, just loved wandering around discovering the place good nightlife and enjoyable food. The aquarium is a good day out, and visiting the Harvard is a must. If you get the chance take a train ride down to Salem unmissable. First time in America and loved every bit of it.

I grew up in western MA and lived there for 35 years til i moved to Colorado years back and while Boston is a wonderful city to visit with lots to see and do it sucks to live there. People here (like most of MA in general) are cold, unfriendly, stuck up rude folks who think they are God's gift to the world, lots of rich snotty college kids live in Boston too. Rents are WAY too high here and jobs don't pay much which is why more people are moving out. Boston used to be a cool city 30 years ago to live in but it's been ruined by many factors.

New England accents are the worst, and this city offers further proof that northerners have no conception of manners or civility.

Stupid accents, bad drivers, Red Sox and Patriots. People who think those two teams are any good are proof that Boston is an inebriated city to the extreme.

Th birthplace of freedom is an elegant city of culture and grace. Hated by the far right for its intlellectual capital, history and sheer abundance of quality and reserve, without fake bravado. There is more brainpower here then in perhaps 35 american states. And they have the Red Sox!

I have so many mixed feelings about Boston. I grew up in Mass and live in Seattle now so I have a native and outsider perspective. I'll start by saying it marches to it's own drumbeat and is like no other city anywhere. I don't think I've seen any other city with so much brick infrastructure (god forbid an earthquake hits the place), nonetheless the architecture is gorgeous. The Back Bay recalls a Parisian atmosphere with chic shops and gracious brownstone living. Beacon Hill has a character that can only be found in Boston with it's colonial village look with redbrick townhouses, black shutters, cobbled streets, and gas lantern streetlights. This may sound biassed but the food here is the best. Italian in the North End, dessert at Mike's pastry, chowda and lobster to boot, not to mention all the international cuisine that comes with the territory in a cosmopolitan city like this. To those of you who knock driving in Boston I'm with you but that gives it another advantage. No other city in America invites walking as much as Boston. Hey America you could use the excersise anyway. The city reeks with history at every corner. Walking the Freedom trail is a rich experience with so many important stops in the history of the Indepenece of this country. Stand at the site of the Boston massecre and your surrounded by the old state house built in the 1700's, turn of the 1900's office buildings, and postmodern skyscapers. It's that one of a kind flavor that I love about Boston but I can only rate it 4 stars as noted by others it cost way too much to live here. Also Massachusetts gives corrupt polictics a whole new meaning, the amount of tax and spend and wasted taxdollars here is monumental and the repercussions of that make living here very HARD. Otherwise Boston is fabulous but only consider living here if you can make it.

Boston's an experience... i though it was a good one. (ps. EVERY big city has angry, rude people... deal.)

Lived in Boston for 7 years (1994-2001), I have been to hundreds of America's cities and will tell you right off the bat that Boston is definitely one of the best cities in America. Boston has so much to offer (sights, attractions, shops, etc.) and it is well renown for its restaurants, colleges, sports, history and pretty much everything! You have to see it all in Boston (Newbury Street, Public Gardens, Boston Common, Downtown Crossing, Faneuil Hall, North End, Cambridge, South End, etc.) The list will go on and on... but I can testify that I love Boston and would live there again in a heartbeat. Yes there are some downsides but you can find them in any major city. Traffic is indeed terrible but there is always the T which is relatively very cheap comparing to NY or other cities. You can't simply pass up Boston when visiting New England due to its proximity to major areas (Cape Cod, NH, Maine, VT, RI, etc.) So many memories has been formed in this city and I wouldn't hesistant to rank it number 1 in the nation. Feel free to send me email if you want insider's tips on Boston on what to do, I am a former tour guide. One good tip, find hotels in surrounding areas and commute to Boston via the T if you are on a budget. Plenty of good choices! Many great restaurants in the city that can fit any budget. Avoid tourist traps knowing you can pretty much find a good deal a few blocks away. Walk and walk and walk, don't be stupid driving around... Boston is very walkable and you will enjoy it much more if you walked plenty :) Best to go in Spring or early Fall. Enjoy Bawssstoonn

My least favorite big city. And, I grew up there. It's dirty, full of nasty people, it's terrible for drive in. It has terrible public transportation - which is why so many people are forced to drive. Only nice area - the North End. For a large East Coast city, give me Philly or New York any day.

I only go there to follow my Yankees, Knicks or Jets. Otherwise, I don't bother going elsewhere except for my hotel. ... I heard it's pretty hectic. They say it's a liberal city; but it's a town not very friendly to minorities.

Boston is full on angry rude people. Way to many liberals.The worst drivers known to man. However, they do have some great night life. Otherwise, I avoid Boston at all costs.

Having lived in various areas and cities in this country and abroad, I find Boston the best. Sure, it's not a planned city, but neither is London, Rome, Paris, etc., or NYC below 14th Street. Just buy a map! And, do I detect someone from New Hampshire bashing the Bay State? How's that Old Man Off the Mountain doing!? Mooo wah ha ha!

Boston is one of the great ones. It is one of the oldest cities in North America, and has tons of history, from every single stage in american history. It was important durring the colonial days, the revolution, and the cival war! It is just a great down to earth city, with nice people and great architecture. There is also a lot to do on Beantown. Some areas of Boston are a little strange though and have this whole new age thing about them, which really isn't my taste. One thing i really like about Boston is it's mix between blue and white collar, that makes it a very ideal city. As for the climate, i really don't have a problem with the cold, so i have enjoyed visiting Boston durring all seasons. It is a pretty expensive area though, so i don't think i will ever live there.

Boston is amazing culturally - you can walk the Freedom Trail through downtown and see a tremendous amount of American history. The city itself is very attractive, with some beautiful views across the Charles River. The population is young and vibrant - which makes the near-total lack of a nightlife that much more surprising. It is also impossible to find your way around - even while walking, the street names change about five times every three blocks and suddenly twist around to meet a new street. But culturally and historically, this is a terrific city.

I think Boston would be a pretty cool city to live in. I have never visited (unless you count a 2 hour layover at logan arpt.) But i would some day like to check it out for real. It sound like a party city as well as a city with lots of history and nice people and culture

Was disappointed as I was expecting to see something more 'colonial' or 1776-ish. It is a typical big N. American city but unfortunately with a ghastly mess of modern buildings near the harbour front. Even the famous sights are small and not all that interesting. It could be the weight of their history and importance seems to disappear when a 100-storey corporate bank is placed right next door. However, not far away is Concorde and that was exactly the charm of New England we had been expecting. And Cambridge is a great place to see too.

Beautiful architecture on the buildings and remarkable history, being one of the most historical places in the U.S. There is much to do downtown if you visit, but parking is horrible. The state is beautiful, but I would only want to visit there because there are too many people.

Boston is okay. The scenery of Cape Cod was nice. However, the people here are cold and rude. This one nice Bostonian was actually was Ohio...so that explains his midwest cordiality.

Beautiful architecture on par with any European city. Ignore the goofy tourist books; it is't Colonial Williamsburg, it's a big, modern, urban city. That means it's very crowded, hectic and auto traffic is a nightmare. On the plus side it has a very low crime rate for such a large city, much lower than cities like Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Washington DC, etc. Nightlife and other attractions are first rate. People are typical big city people: abrupt and business like, no different than NY, Chicago, London, Paris, etc., if you can't hack this, you shouldn't live or visit big, busy cities.

Dirty, depressing and inhabited by a lot of rude, cold people.

Perhaps the most interesting and best city in the country to just walk around in. It would seem that the lack of a grid system of streets creates a problem for morons. Maybe they should find simpler places to go.

Very historical, but let's face it, kind of stuffy. (I can say that, I live there!). If you want fun, aim further south to Cape Cod!

Sadly, Boston has gone down hill dramatically since I first lived there in 1979. The small entrepreneur-owned cafes, restaurants, and shops have largely been replaced by national chain stores. Apartment rents continue to climb because students have mommy and daddy pay the exorbitant rents, causing a crunch for permanant residents. Everytime a buinding is sold, it gets refitted as luxury condos or first class office space. Now, I ask you, when was the last time you heard anyone say they wished they could find someplace more expensive to live or locate their office? One of the biggest problems is that these days the roadways are under constant construction, not just for the way over budget Big Dig, but everywhere. Yet the roads still fall apart again after every winter. Perhaps the most significant problems is that the middle class is leaving Massachusetts in droves, and it's noticable in Boston. There's a growing gap between the arrogant, demanding rich and the service industry wage slaves. Entrepreners can no longer afford to open shops because the haves insist on $100,000 interior designs or they won't spend their money there. As a result entrepreneurs are giving up and leaving town. Sure, Boston has plenty of nightlife, but when you live here, you can feel the decline and it's very depressing.

This is a terrible place, at least as a destination. It should only be visited if seeing the Sox or the Revolution sites, but should otherwise be avoided. It is one of the worst planned cities I've ever seen, with heinous traffic and randomly strewn roads creating a chaotic mess(as opposed to NYC, with organized streets and timed lights created a method to the mayhem) Boston did little to please me, and would please few others as well.

If it wasn't in New England- and didn't have harsh winters- it would be the greatest city in America. Low crime rates, low unemployment, highly intellectual.

I live half hour north of beantown and i thin it is a cool place to hang out. There is a lot of history here, and since it's so multicultural you get a unique vibe from going here. faneiul hall is a great place to grab a bite and shop, and catching a free movie at the hatshell on summer night is really fun. Nothing beats a long relaxing walk in the oublic gardens, as does unwinding on the swan boats on the common. Theres something for everyone in boston. The only downside is that the architecture here is a little lacking, and not very colorful.

Boston was a pretty town, I spent a weekend there in the summer and it was all around comfortable. The people were nice and the food was great. Lots of bars for all you drinkers out there, ha ha!!