How. would you describe Boston versus DC?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.
GKDad
Member Offline
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.


Sigh. Ok. Have you been to the rest of the country? Where, pray tell, are you from that is so worldly and sophisticated?
Anonymous
This is only one facet but as a theater lover it interested me. I had a tenant who came from Boston to DC to get a masters in classical acting through Shakespeare Theater/GW. He said something on social media about staying in DC because there were more acting jobs than in Boston. Also it sounded like there is more interest in new and cutting edge theater in DC than in Boston. But 1) I don't know this personally and 2) I realize there are other differences that are more important to most of us than the theater scene!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.


Sigh. Ok. Have you been to the rest of the country? Where, pray tell, are you from that is so worldly and sophisticated?


More transient cities like Dallas, LA, Atlanta, Houston etc.

From your question about worldly and sophisticated, it shows you don’t even understand what we mean by Boston being provincial.
Anonymous
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


What are the “adorable towns”?


NP. Newburyport. Gloucester. Sturbridge. Sandwich. Wellfleet. Concord. Provincetown. Rockport. Anywhere in the Berkshires. Then farther up, Portsmouth, Portland, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, etc.


I'm from Gloucester. I know Gloucester. Gloucester is not "adorable". But is my favorite place on earth.


From a tourist's perspective it's cute. Wingaersheek Beach. The downtown walk. I can't speak to living there, but as a native of another town off of 495 north of Gloucester, I always thought of it as a wicked nice place to visit.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.


Sigh. Ok. Have you been to the rest of the country? Where, pray tell, are you from that is so worldly and sophisticated?


More transient cities like Dallas, LA, Atlanta, Houston etc.

From your question about worldly and sophisticated, it shows you don’t even understand what we mean by Boston being provincial.


Ooooh sick burn. What exactly does provincial mean to you, wise one?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.


Sigh. Ok. Have you been to the rest of the country? Where, pray tell, are you from that is so worldly and sophisticated?


More transient cities like Dallas, LA, Atlanta, Houston etc.

From your question about worldly and sophisticated, it shows you don’t even understand what we mean by Boston being provincial.


Ooooh sick burn. What exactly does provincial mean to you, wise one?


It means having a narrow point of view and limited exposure to any place outside of Boston. Most people in Boston are from there, vacation on the cape and have done limited travel outside of the Boston metro. They have had limited exposure to other cities and people and truly have an inflated view of Boston. There is also less racial diversity. I could go on… it’s a provincial place.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.

It's also obvious to people who ARE from there- such as myself. Love the place, but yeah, there is a very large "townie" population/old school, lived-in-Boston/New England-for-generations types... in a way that is much more visible than it is in say, DC. *shrug* That's part of what makes it kind of endearing to me. Not sure why people are so defensive??? Of course, there's also a ton of transplants, college students, interesting art and culture...
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.


Sigh. Ok. Have you been to the rest of the country? Where, pray tell, are you from that is so worldly and sophisticated?


More transient cities like Dallas, LA, Atlanta, Houston etc.

From your question about worldly and sophisticated, it shows you don’t even understand what we mean by Boston being provincial.


Ooooh sick burn. What exactly does provincial mean to you, wise one?


It means having a narrow point of view and limited exposure to any place outside of Boston. Most people in Boston are from there, vacation on the cape and have done limited travel outside of the Boston metro. They have had limited exposure to other cities and people and truly have an inflated view of Boston. There is also less racial diversity. I could go on… it’s a provincial place.


This is so spot on. Vast majority of people I went to high school with still live in Boston, never lived outside of the area after college, do in fact vacation on the Cape and rarely leave New England.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.


Sigh. Ok. Have you been to the rest of the country? Where, pray tell, are you from that is so worldly and sophisticated?


More transient cities like Dallas, LA, Atlanta, Houston etc.

From your question about worldly and sophisticated, it shows you don’t even understand what we mean by Boston being provincial.


Ooooh sick burn. What exactly does provincial mean to you, wise one?


It means having a narrow point of view and limited exposure to any place outside of Boston. Most people in Boston are from there, vacation on the cape and have done limited travel outside of the Boston metro. They have had limited exposure to other cities and people and truly have an inflated view of Boston. There is also less racial diversity. I could go on… it’s a provincial place.


This is so spot on. Vast majority of people I went to high school with still live in Boston, never lived outside of the area after college, do in fact vacation on the Cape and rarely leave New England.


+1.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.


+1000. Boston is super liberal but also extremely provincial for such a large city. It's basically an East Coast version of Portland OR.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


What are the “adorable towns”?


NP. Newburyport. Gloucester. Sturbridge. Sandwich. Wellfleet. Concord. Provincetown. Rockport. Anywhere in the Berkshires. Then farther up, Portsmouth, Portland, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, etc.




+ Hingham, Cohasset, Manchester-by-the sea, Sandwich.
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GKDad wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is all really interesting; I have lived in both cities. I loved DC in my 20s. I found it so easy to meet people! Easy to navigate, people were transient so everyone was eager to connect (even if it felt a bit fueled by profession). Not sure if this memory is was fueled by my youth and rose-colored glasses, but it seemed like there were happy hours all the time, easy access to power (in the sense that you might randomly end up at a senator's barbecue somehow!), great for visiting family with all the monuments and attractions. Fun restaurants, too, and so much diversity.

However, as we had kids, it felt less livable. I felt the DC suburbs had nothing on Boston's suburbs in terms of schools, charm, livability, town squares, housing stock. The towns farther out in VA felt so drab and cookie-cutter, as did Maryland's (though a bit less so, but places like Chevy Chase were not affordable). I also began to miss day trips: In Boston, you are a stone's throw from adorable towns, skiing, ocean, great smaller cities like Providence or Portland, et cetera. I also appreciated the largely progressive politics and the sense of hometown pride (yes, it can be insular). In DC, people kept moving every couple years, nobody was from there, there wasn't a ton of hometown nostalgia. Also liked the neighborhood-i-ness of Boston and the weirdness/edge/grit/magnitude that puts it on par with a large city like NY.

However, I deeply miss the DC food scene and the sheer ease of meeting new people. It is SO MUCH HARDER in the Northeast.

That is my take.


This is my experience (born and bred Bostonian, moved to DC out of college in the early 90s and never left, much to my chagrin). Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.


I also grew up in the Boston area and moved to DC when I was in my 30s, and agree with both of these posts.

I'm hoping to move back to New England in retirement because it still feels like home, and because between now and dead, I really don't want to live in DC.


I alos grew up in the Boston area and totally agree with this Insular is a better description than provincial, but provincial isn't wrong.
i have no desire to stay in DC but also no plans to ever move back to the Boston area.


NP. Eh, I grew up in the Boston area (lived in DC 20+ years), but I wouldn't describe it as provincial. Insular, fine. MA has some of the best public education systems in the country. People are much more progressive than most places, and of course you have some pockets of ignorance, but overall I'd say it's much less provincial than the rest of the country.


Totally disagree. Boston is one of the most provincial cities in America. This is very obvious to anyone NOT from there.


Sigh. Ok. Have you been to the rest of the country? Where, pray tell, are you from that is so worldly and sophisticated?


More transient cities like Dallas, LA, Atlanta, Houston etc.

From your question about worldly and sophisticated, it shows you don’t even understand what we mean by Boston being provincial.


Ooooh sick burn. What exactly does provincial mean to you, wise one?


It means having a narrow point of view and limited exposure to any place outside of Boston. Most people in Boston are from there, vacation on the cape and have done limited travel outside of the Boston metro. They have had limited exposure to other cities and people and truly have an inflated view of Boston. There is also less racial diversity. I could go on… it’s a provincial place.


This is so spot on. Vast majority of people I went to high school with still live in Boston, never lived outside of the area after college, do in fact vacation on the Cape and rarely leave New England.


Well, if a place is damn near perfect, why leave?
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