DC or Boston for 30something female?
#16
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
I don't really know Washington DC, but I lived in Boston & environs for many years and it is a wonderful city, and it is the Hub of the Universe.
http://www.universalhub.com/glossary/hub.html
Public transport is not really up to London standards, but it is pretty good. We lived there for years without a car. I'd look in Arlington, one of the nicest towns I know, and it has fast, relatively frequent buses into Harvard Square in Cambridge. Housing is mid to high priced in Arlington, but probably low compared to London. here's the Uncle Sam memorial in Arlington.
http://www.universalhub.com/glossary/hub.html
Public transport is not really up to London standards, but it is pretty good. We lived there for years without a car. I'd look in Arlington, one of the nicest towns I know, and it has fast, relatively frequent buses into Harvard Square in Cambridge. Housing is mid to high priced in Arlington, but probably low compared to London. here's the Uncle Sam memorial in Arlington.
#17
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
Well I can say that's true of Boston if you're got troubles walking...especially outside of the thin bit along the redline....and that's just getting about with a pushchair.
#18
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
My experience of DC is that sometimes even a short walk can be problematic due to crowds, uneven ground, the sheer number of roads that need to be crossed, etc. It does, however, have a very good public transportation system!
#19
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
never been to Boston so can only comment on DC
I have lived here since june 2012,personally i dont think the heat of summer is unbearable.
I live outside DC In Bethesda/Rockville. we are on the metro red line which is about a 20 minute commute into DC Metro center.
I think it is a fantastic city and personally i think there are more options for getting around than people think.
You could live in the grovesnor area which is near us and be at the metro in 2 minutes walking.Then into DC on metro.
Bethesda is a fantastic place to live and theres plenty to see and do.
If i had the choice i would chose DC.
I have lived here since june 2012,personally i dont think the heat of summer is unbearable.
I live outside DC In Bethesda/Rockville. we are on the metro red line which is about a 20 minute commute into DC Metro center.
I think it is a fantastic city and personally i think there are more options for getting around than people think.
You could live in the grovesnor area which is near us and be at the metro in 2 minutes walking.Then into DC on metro.
Bethesda is a fantastic place to live and theres plenty to see and do.
If i had the choice i would chose DC.
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
never been to Boston so can only comment on DC
I have lived here since june 2012,personally i dont think the heat of summer is unbearable.
I live outside DC In Bethesda/Rockville. we are on the metro red line which is about a 20 minute commute into DC Metro center.
I think it is a fantastic city and personally i think there are more options for getting around than people think.
You could live in the grovesnor area which is near us and be at the metro in 2 minutes walking.Then into DC on metro.
Bethesda is a fantastic place to live and theres plenty to see and do.
If i had the choice i would chose DC.
I have lived here since june 2012,personally i dont think the heat of summer is unbearable.
I live outside DC In Bethesda/Rockville. we are on the metro red line which is about a 20 minute commute into DC Metro center.
I think it is a fantastic city and personally i think there are more options for getting around than people think.
You could live in the grovesnor area which is near us and be at the metro in 2 minutes walking.Then into DC on metro.
Bethesda is a fantastic place to live and theres plenty to see and do.
If i had the choice i would chose DC.
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
I've been to Boston several times and now live in Maryland near DC. I really like both cities. Lots to do in DC and the museums are great. DC probably has a more diverse population in terms of where people are originally from - lots of people from around the US and other countries. Of course a lot of that has to do with the fact that DC is the nation's capital. Boston does have the better sports teams though!
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 983
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
Hi Katya.
We have just returned after five years in DC.
We lived in Falls Church, just next to Arlington and the nearest metro stop was East Falls Church on the Orange line. There is quite a nice "yuppie corridor" on the Orange line. The stops are Courthouse, Clarendon and Ballston, and along there are lots of apartments, restaurants, bars etc, and a lively evening social scene.
The DuPont Circle and Chevy Chase areas are also very lively. Georgetown is also lovely.
I found the weather a bit mad. Very hot and humid in summer, bearable, but not suitable for walking long distances. The distances between places can also be deceptively far as we discovered when we first moved there with our "British" walking habits.
Meet ups are very popular for meeting new people with similar interests.
As far as I could see, Washington was filled with "government types" but there was still a thriving social scene and lots to do. This is a bit presumptuous, but I think you'd love it!
We have just returned after five years in DC.
We lived in Falls Church, just next to Arlington and the nearest metro stop was East Falls Church on the Orange line. There is quite a nice "yuppie corridor" on the Orange line. The stops are Courthouse, Clarendon and Ballston, and along there are lots of apartments, restaurants, bars etc, and a lively evening social scene.
The DuPont Circle and Chevy Chase areas are also very lively. Georgetown is also lovely.
I found the weather a bit mad. Very hot and humid in summer, bearable, but not suitable for walking long distances. The distances between places can also be deceptively far as we discovered when we first moved there with our "British" walking habits.
Meet ups are very popular for meeting new people with similar interests.
As far as I could see, Washington was filled with "government types" but there was still a thriving social scene and lots to do. This is a bit presumptuous, but I think you'd love it!
#23
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
Getting out to the burbs can be a bit more stale though.
#24
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
Thanks very much again to all of you for the kind replies, and the comprehensive information on the pro's and con's of both places. DC is looking more likely at the moment due to the work opportunities, but it's great to hear about both. Take care and best wishes.
#25
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
I've lived in both Boston and DC, but I'm male and do not have a walking disability... so this may need to be taken with a grain of salt.
1. Public transportation is in general much more comprehensive in Boston than in DC. The Metro in DC does not go anywhere in Georgetown, for example. The T in Boston goes pretty much everywhere. Buses are pretty good in both cities. Cabs in DC were a complete ripoff when I lived there due to the completely dishonest "zone" system, I think that's gone though.
2. Boston is a bit safer than DC although DC has gotten better in recent years. Neither city is particularly dangerous.
3. DC is an entire city dedicated to one industry: the business of government. It's an enormous, well funded business. In general, DC is a highly professional, fast-paced and lawyer heavy. To generalize Boston, it's a bit more academic and scientific but no less type-A or neurotic. Neither city is a relaxing place.
4. They are remarkably similar cities in numerous ways. Both are about the same size, both have more of a sense of history than many American cities, both are extremely cosmopolitan and diverse given their size. Both are vibrant culturally. DC is arguably more livable than Boston but you're really splitting hairs. Both are expensive and have terrible traffic. Both have corrupt local governments.
5. There are some difference, though. DC is (very) slightly southern while Boston is hardcore Northeast. DC's political class and voting base is largely black, while Boston's is largely white. DC is more divided along racial lines, but both have this issue. DC has a huge population of commuters from other states while Boston people are more local. DC is full of diplomatic plate drivers who do whatever the hell they want on the road, while Bostonians are simply crazy behind the wheel. Wandering outside of Boston is to be immersed in small-town New England, wandering outside of DC is generally vast, much newer suburban sprawl.
1. Public transportation is in general much more comprehensive in Boston than in DC. The Metro in DC does not go anywhere in Georgetown, for example. The T in Boston goes pretty much everywhere. Buses are pretty good in both cities. Cabs in DC were a complete ripoff when I lived there due to the completely dishonest "zone" system, I think that's gone though.
2. Boston is a bit safer than DC although DC has gotten better in recent years. Neither city is particularly dangerous.
3. DC is an entire city dedicated to one industry: the business of government. It's an enormous, well funded business. In general, DC is a highly professional, fast-paced and lawyer heavy. To generalize Boston, it's a bit more academic and scientific but no less type-A or neurotic. Neither city is a relaxing place.
4. They are remarkably similar cities in numerous ways. Both are about the same size, both have more of a sense of history than many American cities, both are extremely cosmopolitan and diverse given their size. Both are vibrant culturally. DC is arguably more livable than Boston but you're really splitting hairs. Both are expensive and have terrible traffic. Both have corrupt local governments.
5. There are some difference, though. DC is (very) slightly southern while Boston is hardcore Northeast. DC's political class and voting base is largely black, while Boston's is largely white. DC is more divided along racial lines, but both have this issue. DC has a huge population of commuters from other states while Boston people are more local. DC is full of diplomatic plate drivers who do whatever the hell they want on the road, while Bostonians are simply crazy behind the wheel. Wandering outside of Boston is to be immersed in small-town New England, wandering outside of DC is generally vast, much newer suburban sprawl.
Last edited by Hiro11; Apr 1st 2013 at 3:35 pm.
#27
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
Asfar as transportation and liveability Boston wins over DC, IMHO. i've lived in both places and the Boston public transport system serves a larger area of the city than in DC.
DC may be a capital city, but apart form museums it's a bit of a cultural desert where as Boston has lots of great theater, cinema, concerts etc. Also I found DC to be more segregated than DC and it's a "company" town. In contrats Boston is more varied because of all the different colleges and tech employers.
If you can get an appropriate job in Boston I'd choose it over DC......have you considered places like the Kennedy School.
DC may be a capital city, but apart form museums it's a bit of a cultural desert where as Boston has lots of great theater, cinema, concerts etc. Also I found DC to be more segregated than DC and it's a "company" town. In contrats Boston is more varied because of all the different colleges and tech employers.
If you can get an appropriate job in Boston I'd choose it over DC......have you considered places like the Kennedy School.
#28
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
Also with decent Friday night movies and then concerts in City Hall plaza are pretty decent, the gay pride is a blast and the concerts and movies on either side of the Wharf, not that far away are also really decent.
#29
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
I have been living in Arlington for the past 6 months and after surviving the winter it has been fun. You are about 30 minutes from downtown Boston and close to Somerville and Cambridge as well and there is always something going on.
I haven't been to DC but what I have been told by people I know here is that it is a bit like Canberra in Australia where it is an admin centre with some museums and monuments but not much else.
I haven't been to DC but what I have been told by people I know here is that it is a bit like Canberra in Australia where it is an admin centre with some museums and monuments but not much else.
#30
Re: DC or Boston for 30something female?
Apart from being long, this has been a really mild, lame winter and not all that much snow, a couple of decent blizzards but that's been nothing really.