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The best of both worlds
As someone who grew up constantly going to New York, the city will always hold a special place
in my heart. However, now that I live in Boston, I have noticed a variety of pros and cons
between both cities and can no longer say that I love one more than the other.
New York
New York is truly one of the most chaotic places you will ever visit, especially in high-tourist
areas such as Times Square or Midtown Manhattan in general. For those who have never been,
I would suggest staying aware of your surroundings, especially when trying to figure out where
you are going. There are many interesting people who roam the streets.
My favorite part of New York will always be the food. No matter where you go, you will always
find something good to eat. Even a dirty-water dog always hits the spot while you’re there. New
York also has a lot of sights, especially in Manhattan and Central Park . Outside of those areas,
however, I would say it can be a bit of a hike to get to the other boroughs and activities,
especially for tourists. I would also say that the safety level decreases the further away from
Manhattan you go.
One word of advice I’d give to anyone who goes to New York is to wear closed-toed shoes.
“Why?” I have to say New York has to be one of the dirtiest places I’ve ever been. If you’re an
animal lover, this is just the place for you; just know you will be getting a view of about a million
rats wherever you go.
Some advice I’d give is that Times Square is extremely overhyped. It is overcrowded and boring
to be in. I would suggest not going there, and whenever I go to the city, I make sure to avoid it
as much as possible. I could go on for hours about how much I hate Times Square, and I could
even write a whole article on how horrible it is, but I wouldn’t want to bore anyone with my
ranting and raving. However, one place that is hyped up a lot that I love is SoHo. I will always
make the trip there. I love the shopping, and they have the cutest spots to eat, which makes it
worth dealing with the massive amount of tourists that will probably bump into you on the street.
Home of the New York Yankees, Knicks, and so many other teams, the energy in New York is
something that cannot be beat. I have been to sporting events and parades all over New York,
and when I say I’ve never had so much fun in my life, I mean it. New Yorkers have a reputation
for being mean, which most of the time is well deserved, but when it comes to having fun, New
York knows how to do it.
Boston
Moving to Boston for school and actually getting to live within the city has given me a more
in-depth experience compared to simply visiting New York. Downtown is extremely hectic but
has a vast amount of activities that you can do, such as tours, duck boat rides, museums, and
so much more!
Boston definitely shines when it comes to its seafood, but I can’t say it shines in much else
culinary-wise. If you’re not 21 in Boston, past the time of 6 or 7 p.m., just know your day is over.
There is pretty much nothing to do for people under 21 other than Venu or going to dinner. The
nightlife also ends at either 1 or 2 a.m. here, and if you took the T, just know you’re Ubering
home because it stops working at 1.
One thing I love about Boston is that, considering it’s a major city, it is actually quite clean, and I
never feel like I really need to watch my back when I’m walking around, even at night. As
someone who happens to be a huge Yankees fan (I know, a Yankees fan living in Boston?), I
have to say Fenway Park has to be one of the best stadiums I’ve ever been to. It feels so
old-timey and makes you feel like you’re actually enjoying a baseball game and not being
shoved into an advertisement or pulled for all your money.
One place I would say is extremely overhyped is the North End. If you hate slow walkers, do not
go to the North End. If you hate half-good food, do not go to the North End. Bova’s, Cafe
Vittoria, or Cafe Dello Sport are the only reasons you’ll ever catch me stepping foot in the North
End.
Beacon Hill is another high-tourist area for those who hate slow walkers, but I would say it is
definitely worth the frustration because of the beautiful scenery and the cute stores you can find
all over, especially on Charles Street.
Boston is very easy to navigate, and although the T can be a little rough, it gets the job done
and brings you wherever you need to be. Although Boston is a bustling place, it has a very
homey feel to it and is definitely a place that is easy to fall in love with, especially because of its
beautiful architecture. I would say the people in Boston do have a reputation for being a little
hot-headed, but they’re softies underneath it all.
Both cities have their pros, and both have their cons, and honestly, I feel as though your opinion
on either really just relies on the memories you’ve made there. I grew up in the New York
metropolitan area, and now all my friends and my life are in Boston. My overall opinion on the
whole New York vs. Boston beef is that they’re both great in their own ways, and both deserve a
trip to.
Closing thoughts: Go Yankees, and all my love to everyone’s favorite goalie, Jeremy Swayman.