{"id":41596,"date":"2015-06-08T15:26:47","date_gmt":"2015-06-08T22:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/?p=41596"},"modified":"2015-06-08T15:26:47","modified_gmt":"2015-06-08T22:26:47","slug":"things-to-know-about-living-in-boston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/things-to-know-about-living-in-boston\/","title":{"rendered":"27 Things You Need To Know About Living In Boston"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. When It Comes To Driving, It\u2019s Everyone For Themselves<\/h2>\n

\"father-and-son-in-bumper-cars\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User Herkie<\/div>\n

With just about each person in the city convinced they\u2019re the best driver on the road, daily commutes tend to get…aggressive. Don\u2019t expect people to always let you in when you\u2019re trying to merge, and don\u2019t take it too personally if someone flips you off.<\/p>\n

2. This Green Monster Won\u2019t Eat You<\/h2>\n

\"woman-with-giant-green-foam-finger\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User chase_elliot<\/div>\n

The term \u201cGreen Monster\u201d gets thrown around a lot in this city. Don\u2019t worry, there\u2019s no giant green beast wandering the streets\u2026it\u2019s the nickname of the 37-foot left field wall at Fenway Park, the Red Sox\u2019s home field. Not so scary anymore, right?<\/p>\n

3. Bostonians Are Hopelessly Addicted To Their Teams<\/h2>\n

\"spaniel-wearing-red-sox-jersey\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User MissChatter<\/div>\n

No sports fans are more diehard than the ones you\u2019ll find in Boston<\/a>. Whether it\u2019s the Bruins, the Red Sox, the Pats, or the Celtics, the fans here always show crazy love for their teams. Apparently it pays off, as Boston teams have had tons of post-season success in recent years.<\/p>\n

4. The Pats Can Do No Wrong, Ever<\/h2>\n

\"new-england-patriots\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User Keith Allison<\/div>\n

Despite various cheating allegations and other controversies, Bostonians will never stop loving Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the rest of the New England Patriots. It\u2019s just something that runs in their blood. If you\u2019re in New England, never, ever, talk poorly about this team unless you\u2019re looking for trouble.<\/p>\n

5. Boston Runs On Dunkin\u2019<\/h2>\n

\"guy-holding-bag-of-dunkin-donuts\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User makelessnoise<\/div>\n

While the rest of the country might be drinking Starbucks, in Boston, Dunkin\u2019 Donuts reigns supreme. Whether you\u2019re looking for coffee, a sweet treat, or a sandwich, this place has it all and it\u2019s all delicious. Never get between a Bostonian and their daily Dunkin\u2019 fix.<\/p>\n

6. \u201cRegular\u201d Coffee Isn\u2019t Black Coffee<\/h2>\n

\"guy-drinking-coffee-out-of-mug\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User basibanget<\/div>\n

While the term \u201cregular\u201d might imply a \u201cplain\u201d condition, with coffee in Boston that\u2019s not the case. Here saying the word \u201cregular\u201d before ordering will get you a dose of cream and sugar. That split second that it saves can really add up over time. By saving that single second every day throughout the typical 40-year long professional career, you\u2019ll have amassed a whopping 4 hours of extra free time. Don\u2019t spend it all in one place.<\/p>\n

7. I Repeat, There Are No Tomatoes In Clam Chowder<\/h2>\n

\"clam-chowder-bread-bowl\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User brittreints<\/div>\n

Regardless of what variations you\u2019ve had throughout the years, real New England clam chowder does not have tomatoes in it. It\u2019s gross and people from Boston simply have higher expectations for the dish this city made famous.<\/p>\n

8. No One Actually Calls It \u201cBeantown\u201d<\/h2>\n

\"night-time-city-scape\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User Stefano Montagner \u2013 The life around me<\/div>\n

While \u201cBeantown\u201d is the most well-known nickname for the great city of Boston, the locals don\u2019t really use it naturally in regular conversation. Nothing can make a tourist stick out more than when they start dropping this word loudly in public.<\/p>\n

9. Bostonians Push Carriages, Not Shopping Carts<\/h2>\n

\"boy-riding-in-shopping-cart\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User Sharon & Nikki McCutcheon<\/div>\n

If you\u2019re at the supermarket in Boston, you won\u2019t be putting your groceries into a buggy or cart, they\u2019ll go in your carriage. This is one regional term that always tends to catch new residents off guard.<\/p>\n

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10. Boston Has Sort Of A Thing For Sam Adams <\/h2>\n

\"guy-drinking-samuel-adams-beer\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User Mike Burns<\/div>\n

This shouldn\u2019t be too surprising. After all, the huge Boston Beer Company did originate in this city, founded by Jim Koch in 1984. If you\u2019re out for a night on the town, skip the Bud Light and go for this local lager. It\u2019s highly drinkable and it\u2019s always reasonably priced.<\/p>\n

11. Bikers Are Everywhere<\/h2>\n

\"group-of-bicyclists\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User BhowardE<\/div>\n

As the weather warms up, the cyclists come out to play. It\u2019s always important to be on your toes while driving in the city to avoid a collision with the bikers you\u2019re sharing the road with.<\/p>\n

12. Every Stone Has A Story Behind It<\/h2>\n

\"statue-of-george-washington\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User lindsayloveshermac<\/div>\n

One of the first big cities to develop in America, every street corner in Boston seems to have had some crazy historical event go down there. One of the best ways to learn about the city is to take a guided walking tour through the older areas, with plenty of companies offering their services online. Of course, if you\u2019d prefer to teach yourself, the Freedom Trail is a great place to start, leading you past 16 historically significant sites over 2.5 miles.<\/p>\n

13. Don\u2019t Forget The Fluffanutta<\/h2>\n

\"fluffernutter-sandwich\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user kimberlykv<\/div>\n

A local favorite in Boston, a fluffernutter sandwich consists of bread, marshmallow cream, and peanut butter. It\u2019s hard to mess this one up.<\/p>\n

14. Bowling Is Tough Here<\/h2>\n

\"candlepin-blacklight-bowling-alley\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User BuzzFarmers<\/div>\n

Home to a style of bowling you\u2019ll have a hard time finding anywhere else in the country, candlepin bowling is a staple around these parts. With smaller balls and smaller pins, along with several other differences, it\u2019s much harder to get a strike in this game.<\/p>\n

15. \u201cThe T\u201d = The Subway<\/h2>\n

\"men-studying-a-subway-map\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User Alan Light<\/div>\n

While its full name might be the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority System, the locals have since shortened the name of Boston\u2019s subway system to \u201cthe T.\u201d Calling it anything else can quickly get you labeled as a tourist.<\/p>\n

16. Steady Red Means Pack An Umbrella<\/h2>\n

\"puppy-carrying-umbrella\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User mdalmuld<\/div>\n

Surprisingly helpful, even in the era of smartphones, there\u2019s a colored light on the top of the Old John Hancock Building (also known as the Berkeley Building) that forecasts the weather. Steady blue means clear skies, flashing blue means clouds are coming, steady red equals rain, and flashing red means it\u2019s time to bring out the snow boots.<\/p>\n

17. New York, Schmooo York<\/h2>\n

\"yankees-suck-cake\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User lsiegert<\/div>\n

Plain and simple, Bostonians don\u2019t like New York. Sure, you\u2019ll get the occasional person that might stand up for the Big Apple, but as a whole these two places just don\u2019t get along. Whether you\u2019re talking sports, pizza, or people, Boston and New York are bitter rivals. Some things never change.<\/p>\n

18. Ordering Tonic Might Not Be What You Expect <\/h2>\n

\"woman-pouring-coca-cola\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User ShelahD<\/div>\n

If you\u2019re out on the town and you order a vodka tonic, you might not get what you expect. Some people in Boston, especially the older generation, call \u201ccola\u201d by the name \u201ctonic\u201d instead. It\u2019s just one of those weird Boston things you need to know if you\u2019re in the city for long.<\/p>\n

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19. St. Patrick\u2019s Day Is Kind Of A Humongous Deal<\/h2>\n

\"man-in-green-st-patricks-day-costume\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User Tim-Hoggarth<\/div>\n

Known for their rich Irish heritage, expect people to go wild in March come St. Patrick\u2019s Day. With plenty of drinking and eating, experiencing this jubilant holiday in Boston is truly an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n

20. These Aren\u2019t Your Mama\u2019s Milk Shakes<\/h2>\n

\"girl-drinking-milk-with-straw\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User jonny2love<\/div>\n

While some of the national chains will put ice cream in your shakes, a lot of the local diners in Boston offer two very different drinks instead. A milk shake typically only has milk and flavoring in it, while a \u201cfrappe\u201d also has ice cream. If you order a milk shake when you really want a frappe\u2026you\u2019re gonna have a bad time.<\/p>\n

21. Be Ready To \u201cBang A Left\u201d<\/h2>\n

\"veer-left-traffic-sign\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User nestor galina<\/div>\n

A popular term that doesn\u2019t make it out of New England much, \u201cbanging a left\u201d basically means flooring it to turn left as soon as the light turns green in attempt to beat the cars coming straight at you from the other direction. It might seem risky, but everyone seems to do it. Always watch out for this before you take off going straight at a green light.<\/p>\n

22. This City Fights Over A Beanpot. Really<\/h2>\n

\"womens-hockey-team-winning-trophy\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User lsiegert<\/div>\n

This isn\u2019t actually the type of pot you actually hold beans in, it\u2019s a trophy. Every year, there\u2019s an annual cross-town hockey tournament featuring teams representing Boston University, Boston College, Harvard University, and Northeastern University. As you can imagine, it\u2019s a pretty big deal.<\/p>\n

23. Skip Yastrzemski, It\u2019s Just \u201cYaz\u201d<\/h2>\n

\"carl-yastrzemski-at-bat\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User satdishguy<\/div>\n

One of the greatest baseball players of all time and a former 23-year veteran on the Red Sox, Boston goes crazy for Carl Yastrzemski. His full name might be a little hard to pronounce, but no one will take too much offense if you shorten it a bit.<\/p>\n

24. Rides On The Green Line Can Get A Little Rough<\/h2>\n

\"people-riding-train\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User Alan Light<\/div>\n

If you\u2019re not familiar with the Green Line, be warned\u2026there\u2019s a lot of abrupt stopping. It\u2019s always easy to tell who isn\u2019t a local by watching who gets thrown around the train car the most during a short ride across town.<\/p>\n

25. Don\u2019t Try To Take Harvard Bridge To Harvard<\/h2>\n

\"boston-aerial-view\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User roger4336<\/div>\n

Despite its name, this bridge actually leads to MIT. While there are various rumors floating around about how this bridge somehow got the name of a rival cross-town university, it\u2019s named after John Harvard according to the history books, an influential English minister in America. Though his namesake is also shared with Harvard University, builders of the bridge maintain that it was named to honor him, completely separate from honoring the world-famous academic institution.<\/p>\n

26. There\u2019s No Fresher Seafood Anywhere Else<\/h2>\n

\"guy-eating-lobster\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User pdstahl<\/div>\n

Nestled amongst plenty of water, it\u2019s easy to find seafood that\u2019s been pulled out of the sea on the same day in this city. Around here, there\u2019s no need to have fish delivered via long cross country trips with coolers and ice.<\/p>\n

27. Sometimes It Seems Like Everyone Is A Student<\/h2>\n

\"graduating-class\"<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr User j.o.h.n. walker<\/div>\n

With 53 institutions of higher education in the Boston region, tons of people come from all around the world to take classes here. If you\u2019re out a night, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll notice the heavy presence of the college crowd.
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