I am considering a move to Boston from NYC. Your thoughts on Boston vs NYC?

Boston is better because it has the big city benefits of highly educated and young population, very legit professional job market, arts & culture, public transit, major airport, BUT with the added benefits of less filth and chaos than NYC. Also lower costs, closer suburbs (can easily live like 20 min from the city and be in a totally suburban environment) and better proximity to nature and high quality outdoor recreation.

It suffers compared to nyc in arts & culture, diversity (which for me mostly is noted in terms of food tbh) and lack of late night scene. NYC blows Boston away with bars & clubs, and everything in Boston closes way earlier.

In short if you mostly like NYC but over some of the chaos and are kind of ready to chill, it’s awesome

NYC is a better city, the most global city in the US and is several times the size, so it’s hard to directly compare. That said, Boston is easier to live in for many (I personally love it) and it has most of the benefits of a big city without as many of the downsides. It’s very expensive though for this and a few other reasons. The city is dense with high earners (global hub of biotech and other rapidly growing technical fields), has some of the best universities in the world, and was the first major city in the US so is also rich with history. I call it a “little big city.”

I just moved from NYC to Boston, I’m 26M. I found that NYC burned me out fairly quickly, it’s too chaotic and I didn’t like the feeling of always being surrounded by concrete. Here you can be right on the water and I think Boston is generally slower and less crowded than NYC. I find that the food and bar scene is still quite above average, though below NYC for sure. I also have a car, which is doable here but wasn’t doable in NYC (though I usually just take the subway). I use my car to drive to nearby hiking spots and stuff. Overall I think Boston is better and the people are friendlier but I could do without the freezing cold.

Pinning this as I’m sure lots of people will have insight.

I’ve strongly considered moving to New York in the past and I couldn’t be more glad that I didn’t. Boston is a great size - small enough that it doesn’t feel overwhelming and you can get a sense of community, but large enough that you’re not bored and there’s always stuff to do. It’s also super easy to get to other stuff from here - access to nature (beach, mountains, countryside) is really a lot better than New York. It’s also about 20 mins in an Uber to the airport from most of the city.

Cost of living is lower, you get more for your money from a housing perspective, and it’s a lot more feasible to settle down in the city here than it is in New York (expensive but not unobtainable). People are generally highly educated and I’ve found the job market to be strong.

If you’re big into the club scene, then Boston will leave you wanting, but if you’re more of an occasional club-goer then what’s here will probably scratch the itch. Food is better in New York but personally I think it’s closer than most would expect. I’d note that if don’t have much of a network here, some people can find it a little harder to form a social circle (probably partially as a result of the city being generally less transient than New York), but I wouldn’t let it deter you.

Overall agree with B1’s summary - if you’re ready to chill a little compared to New York, Boston is awesome.

I miss New York so much. 33F. I moved to Boston 2 years ago for my partner’s job. Back bay, seaport, and south end are the only neighborhoods that I would consider comparable.

I’ve been trying to leave Boston for the last few years.. finally making the move this summer 🤞🏼🤞🏼I can’t stand this city anymore

Boston has great for me (36M, Somerville) having moved here from NYC in 2010. Only hard part has been trying to grow my friends circle. For some reason, it’s hard to get beyond the casual friendships and build a real sense community in the Boston area.

No happy hour in Boston, and, bars close at 2 or even earlier. NYC all the way.

Just made the move. If you’re young and want a ton of action, New York is the place to be. If not, Boston is a great place to live

Is it just me or are studios and 1 beds in Boston/Cambridge approaching NYC prices now? It like the gap is becoming insignificant even though general value for money (laundry in unit...etc.) still is slightly better in Boston

Don’t do it, New York is way more exciting and it’s only marginally more expensive

Age range? Family situation? NYC is awesome for a very specific stage of life. Boston can accommodate many more.

Lived in Boston for 6 years, working here after graduating from college. It’s served it’s purpose for me, but going out is mid and it’s too expensive so I’m moving this year.

I’ve been trying to leave Boston for nyc the last few years, finally close to making it happen, expecting a move in July (senior associate)

Made this move early in the pandemic, depends on what youre looking for. Boston is going to be way more relaxed than NYC and you’ll generally get away from the claustrophobic piece of NYC. Food scene is significantly better in NYC though.
Boston is also way smaller, which seems obvious but make sure you’re ok with that type of change. One of the best parts of NYC for me was there always being new stuff easily accessible regardless of any neighborhood.

Boston is boring. The lack of culture and diversity is really obvious and the food scene is bad. It seems to attract people who are extremely normal and have little to no unique nor interesting aspects to their personality. However, it is extremely safe and pleasant. Loved going on long walks after work or on weekends. That’s about it.

Agree with the messages placing Boston over NYC :) And I lived in both! (NY first)
Definitely prefer Boston over NYC, although it is missing a little bit on the cultural activities. However, NYC is still super accessible, and you can go there for the weekend, and just have the best of both worlds! The NYC cultural and food scene, without its crowd, dirt, stress, crazy commute times, and living in ridiculously tiny spaces for an outrageous rent!
Food-wise, you have enough time Boston to content your palate for the meals you’d be able to have. Weather-wise, NYC is really not very different from Boston. And the river is way more accessible and nice in Boston, and there’s the outdoors rights around (who’d go to a beach house for a weekend less than two hours away from NYC on a reasonable budget? NH/MI gives you these options!)

In regards to anything specifically?

I'd stay in Boston, many are leaving NYC because of the outrageous housing prices and street sanitation issues. Why are you looking to move?