Life in Boston? I'm Over It.

I had wanted to live in Boston before I'd even been here for the first time. I imagine when I was younger I must have heard someone say great things about it and decided then, as was (and still is) my stubborn method of decision-making, to live here one day, and to love it. I knew very little, if anything, about the city before I moved here, having had only actually visited twice before we signed a lease, though to be honest if I had known what I've since learned, I probably still would have moved, if only because once my mind is made up even I can't change it.

So, here we are. Irrational childhood goal accomplished! Now what? All the novelty has worn away and I've finally stopped feeling like a tourist, and it turns out this city is kind of boring. Yeah, sure, I'm boring, too, and there is always something to do if you're willing to find it (unless it's after 2 a.m., of course), but I'm just not that into it. Really, I'm pretty much over it.

Don't get me wrong, this is a beautiful city. I feel relatively safe in the majority of places I go, and you can't beat the history of the city itself - the Commons, the Old North Church, etc. But my favorite thing about living here is my mailing address.

I don't know - is it me, or is this city a tourist's dream and a resident's ... well, nightmare is probably too harsh a word, but it isn't far off. Maybe it's the neighborhood I live in - everyone is a student, transient and temporary. Boston is like a stepping stone, a necessary lay-over between childhood and adult life. A city that prides itself on being "compact", a "walking city" - which was great for getting to know my way around, and for seeing all the sights in record time, but which just makes me feel like I have no elbow room, now. And the fact that it's quicker to walk from the waterfront to Fenway than to ride the T says two things - this city is downright tiny, and the public transportation system needs some serious help.

Maybe I'm just not cut out for city living, though that's hard to believe. The things I appreciate and love about Boston tend more to be common urban amenities and less Boston-specific attractions, like late-night food delivery and accessibility to the arts. Unfortunately, the things I dislike about Boston are limited to this city, like the outrageous cost of living for mediocre culture and opportunities, the complete and total obsession with the world of professional sports, and the contempt for all things New York City. Boston, get over yourself. You are an orange, New York is THE apple. Seriously, stop. It's kind of embarrassing.

Boston, you're a nice place. To visit. And maybe when I'm older, and richer, and even more boring, I'll come back and nestle into Beacon Hill so I can feel sophisticated and elite without having to move to Europe. Maybe. But, probably not.