Progressive Midatlanticer moving to Boston -- where? who? what?

[Recursion]

I'm going to grad school at BU (go Terriers). What part of town should I live in? What are the progressive things to do around town? Does being a die-hard and unrepentant Orioles and Skins fan mean I'll get my ass beaten regularly? Is there a place in Boston to get steamed blue crabs with cider vinegar and Old Bay?

All advice appreciated...

[unhappycamper]

1. During the winter months, you'll want to live close to BU.

We get some pretty nasty days weeks up here. Most of the time, the T runs but. . . .

Progressive things? You're right across the river from The People's Republic of Cambridge. It doesn't get much more progressive than that.

Orioles & Skins? I don't know if you'll get your ass handed to you in a hat, but plan on taking some grief if you get vocal.

Streamed blue crabs? There's probably is some place in the area that has them, but why don't you go with the flow & opt out for chowdah, steamers & lobstah? Think immersion.


on edit to add:

Make sure you're here for 8/25 & join us up in Kennebunkport. I'll guarantee a good time.

[AllieB]

2. No one here cares about Baltimore teams

New York teams on the other hand generate good-natured ribbing and occasional nastiness.

A lot of BU students live in Allston/Brighton, which is on the Green 'B' Line. A-B is known as the 'student ghetto', and the B line is horrible. If you have a car or bike, Cambridge and Somerville are nicer places to live (I grew up there). Brookline is also an option.

You can get crabs at Legal Seafood and other fish places, but here we are known for our shellfish. Many types of clams and oysters that come from our waters are considered the best in the world, for example, Ipswich clams and Wellfleet oysters. You may want to take a ride to Woodman's in Essex or the Clam Box in Ipswich for an authentic 'clam shack' (not 'crab shack') experience. Also, lobster, steamers, corn on the cob, and cold beer are rites of summer here in July and August.

Welcome to the most liberal state in the union. :hi:

[Fearless]

3. Driving...

If you're planning on bringing a car into Boston, be prepared to get lost for at least the first two weeks or so. Not the kind of lost where you don't know where you are, just the kind of lost where you're within a block of where you want to be and can't seem to get there. One way streets, mmmmmm. My advice, definitely walk or take the T when possible.

The Boston area has the highest concentration of colleges/students in the world. There are plenty of progressive things to do. Other than that, let's see... Oh yes, the republican minority. They're particularly irritated at the moment. Best to avoid them all together. I've roomed with a few myself over the past two years, including a rather important member of Massachusetts College Republicans (I'm still crying on the inside). They think they've got it all figured out and we know nothing. They tend to be from out of state and insist that they know how to run our state better than we do. They also tend to be rich but I wouldn't date one, they're, excuse me, rather bitchy. Think Ann Coulter.

That said, it's a great place to live, it really is. There're plenty of restaurants, I'm sure you'll be able to find something to your liking. And, I'm not sure where Mid-Atlantic you're from, but winter boots and a heavy coat are a must.

[Rockholm]

4. You will love it here!

The BU campus is centrally located to everything. I would add to what has been posted...It really depends on what your personality is as to when you might consider living. Allston & Brighton are the student ghettos. Unless you want to be surrounded by undergrads who do indeed like to party, you might consider more "grown up" areas that retain their funky and very progressive roots. Jamaica Plain is a great area (one of my old neighborhoods) Tons of gays and lesbians, hipsters and Hispanics. A very cool groove. If you can afford to be downtown, then I would vote for the Back Bay. If you plan on having a car, one of the more suburban areas might be better as parking really sucks. If you don't bring a car, mass transit works really well (the green line is..... s l o w). There is Zipcar, a service where you rent a car for periods of time with parking is very convenient spots around town.

As others have said, we don't really care about much outside of Route 128. Does Baltimore even have sports teams? Just kidding. Any real rivalry is with NY teams and the Dolphins. (and the REAL Baltimore football team....the Colts)

You will really like it here. Please don't hesitate to ask more questions. We've got the answers.

[Fearless]

5. Oh and...

no one makes fun of the Celtics or the Bruins. Period. Well... you can't, we can. It's just one of those things... Oh, and welcome to Massachusetts... :hippie: :beer:

[Rockholm]

6. I have heard of the Bruins. But....the Celtics?

Nope, who are they?

I despise Danny Ainge. As long as he is associated with the Celtics, they do not exist to me.

[AllieB]

7. Please please don't drive here

Parking is impossible and expensive, and what nothingtofear said above, the streets are really confusing. You can get anywhere on public transportation with a little effort.

[Kat45]

8. You'll love it here. Welcome!

There are lots of progressive things to do around here. republicans are pretty much non-entities in this state, so most political activities are progressive. BU is right down the street from Fenway Park. Oh, and each year there is a Hemp Fest on the Boston Common.

When you move here, you'll have to let us know and we can all plan a DU meetup to welcome you to our city. (We've had a number of them at a bar in Cambridge called the People's Republik.)

[welshTerrier2]

9. tips and stuff

most of BU is on Comm Ave. ... don't call it Commonwealth ... surrounding towns include Boston itself, Cambridge, Allston, Brighton and Brookline ... If you find a place to rent on or near Comm Ave, you'll have a very easy commute on the Green line. If I were in your position, I'd probably try to rent in Brookline somewhere between Comm Ave and Beacon St. and east of Harvard St.

Rents are very high in Boston ... if you're from a boony place, you'll be shocked. You can probably find a one bedroom apartment for around $1000-$1200 and a two bedroom for maybe $1200 - $1400. A cheaper way might be to get a few roommates.

I saw in your profile you're into guns - be careful in Ma. There is a mandatory one year in jail for anyone found in possession of an unlicensed gun.

Check out CraigsList.com before you arrive. You might find some cheap used furniture and maybe even an apartment.

It's a bit of a commute but an extremely popular place to live is around Harvard Square in Cambridge. Tons of culture, music and restaurants there.

If you're here in the summer, check out Community Boating on the Charles.

Well, hope this helps ... feel free to ask all the questions you have.

Oh, btw, major Yankee fan here (originally from NY). Trust me, no one in Massachusetts has ever heard of the Orioles.

[Bombtrack]

10. the only baseball team we really hate are the yankees, you'll be fine

Alot of us younger ones have a minor beef with the Indians as well.

You'll be fine

[Tesha]

11. The Chinese food stores in Boston...

> Is there a place in Boston to get steamed blue crabs
> with cider vinegar and Old Bay?

I can't think of any place, but the Chinese food
stores in Boston often have live blue crabs and you
can certainly buy cider vinegar and Old Bay seasoning
around here; Mr. Tesha and I had this very dish a
couple of weeks ago when our Malaysian neighbor
brought us the present of some excess blue crabs
she'd just bought.

Tesha