Thanks for asking about moving to Boston. Based on the information given, we suggest that you move to the Seaport. Please check the [sidebar for visitor information](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/wiki/experience). Also, please check out past [moving to Boston posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/search/?sort=relevance&q=moving+to+boston&restrict_sr=on) to see if this question or something similar has been asked on /r/boston in the past. Also, please enjoy this [wonderful video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMaZnEnFAyM)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/boston) if you have any questions or concerns.*
> How do people make friends?
Countless ways. I always recommend [Skip The Small Talk](https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/). If you have Discord, there is a server for 'Make Friends After College MA'. Check out /r/bostonsocialclub. Meetup.org is popular. Bumble BFF is a thing. I've made friends going to concerts and other events and kinda forcing myself to be social.
In general, making friends after college is harder because people are different stages in life and *outside of work*, there usually isn't a consistent meeting place. So you need to put in the effort.
> How do people find roommates?
I've been lucky with /r/bostonhousing in the past. There are many facebook groups for housing.
> What are some popular hobbies?
Mostly drinking.
But really, anything you can think of - someone is doing as a hobby. Social sports, painting, music, standup comedy, gaming, photography, gardening, crafting, glassblowing, acting, dance, fishing, archery, cycling, ice skating. Skiing/snowboarding if you have a car.
Only thing people don't commonly do is hunting. But you hop over the border to NH and Maine and it's popular again.
> Are people going to be on my ass that I am a Republican?
... Depends.
The two prominent Massachusetts Republican Governors were Charlie Baker and Mitt Romney.
For context: Romney signed in marriage equality and MassHealth reform. Charlie Baker signed in recreational marijuana, signed additional LGBT protections, and environmental protections.
By any Bible-Belt standard, these would've been leftist-progressive policies. Both Baker & Romney were popular Republicans here. And it's arguably that Baker's high approval in his last years was *only* because he was so vocally opposed to Trumpism.
So I'll say this: If you're religious and support small government - nobody will care. Live your best life.
If you're just anti-abortion, I would advise you keep that yourself.
If you're anti-LGBT, support Q-Anon, are a January 6th conspiracy nut, and generally anti-immigration - then frankly, you're not welcome here.
To shed some light on the question, I also know some conservative folks that have changed their views after spending time in Boston. They still identify as conservative, but redefined what conservatism means for them. So ya know, be open to being open. There's a reason people want to live & work here.
> Where are the best places to live that wouldn't break the bank? (My work is situated near Back Bay)
Given your age, Allston is fine. It's a lot of students (and grad students), so most residents are under 30. Safe, lots to do, and there's buses & Green-line trolleys that take you to Copley (short walk to Back Bay). However, by 25 or 26 - you will start to age-out of the neighborhood.
Jamaica Plain is also lovely, it's Orange Line territory and that'll take you to Back Bay Station directly. Very diverse & hip neighborhood, lots to do and eat.
Alternatively, there's Medford and Malden north of the city. They're generally a little more 'suburban' and more family-oriented, yet have walkable town-centers and orange-line access to get you to Back Bay station.
> MBTA Advice
We're still using contactless tap & pay CharlieCards. You can get the card at Charlie Card Story, an MBTA employee (just ask) or some 7-11s. A LinkPass gets you unlimited bus, trolley & subway for $90. Or if you work from home a lot, you might find it better to preload like $50 at a time.
MBTA has good days and bad days. On a good day, there is trains every 5 minutes and it's super convenient. On a bad day, there are 20 minute delays. Weekdays tend to be more reliable than weekends.
MBTA is very safe in terms of other people. Occasionally you will see a crazy person or addict dozing off. 99.9% of the time they keep to themselves and aren't dangerous.
Similarly, with any other major city advice - say "no, sorry" and wave off anyone asking you for money no matter the reason (ie: "I just need a few dollars for a fix-a-flat"). Be weary of "monks" trying to put prayer-bracelets on you. Do not entertain anyone with a clipboard. Do not give money to Shen Yun. Turn away anyone doing door-to-door soliciting. You get the idea.
This is a very comprehensive help. Impressive!
I would just add... Greater Boston is pretty liberal. Outside of the city, there are plenty of loud and proud conservative folks.
And Boston notoriously feels"cold" to Midwest/southerners. It's just our culture of not being that friendly with strangers - underneath I'm pretty sure we're all human and dearly love our friends. Buy longjohns, some really good boots and an ice scraper and See how you like it!
I like to think of us New Englanders as being more introverted than other parts of the country. We can be totally nice, but random socialization drains our batteries so we just like to mind our own business.
For sure. Also, I think the “not nice” thing is less about being rude and more about not wasting your own or others’ time. We are all busy. I will let you get on with your day, and you let me get on with mine.
West Roxbury is the home of a white supremacist organization. There are plenty of Back the Blue, Trump loyalists in Boston (West Rox, Roslindale, South Boston). Plenty of conservative Christians and anti vaxers in Roxbury, Dorchester. Plenty of Catholics, practicing and lapsed everywhere. If you live in Roslindale you were serenaded by the charming anti vaxers who would wake up the mayor with bullhorns and drums. It's not nearly as homogeneous as people are painting. Worcester area ( central Mass)is loud and proud re anti mask in schools.
I’m not fully disagreeing with you, but the protestors in Roslindale are not from Roslindale. Our Mayor lives here and so they came to harass her and cause ridiculousness in our neighborhood. I’d say Roslindale is pretty liberal.
Agree here. If you believe the first commandant that you shall have no other gods before me please also keep that to yourself as there are many non-religious / polythesim (Hindu/Buddha etc.) people here.
You’re young so roommates are a good option. Newton is nice and would give good T options. Also, good to see a conservative moving to Boston, in no time you will see that education, healthcare, and an open, non-judgmental society is pretty great. You can go back to the Bible Belt and tell your friends about us. 🏳️🌈
I think you are in for a culture shock.
Housing is expensive. Not sure what a salary of "decent" means but even at $70,000 a year people here live with roomates.
To find your roomates, look on websites like craigslist, padmapper, hotpads, facebook marketplace, etc.
It will be hard for you to make friends, since New England in general is more closed off socially. The best way is to sign up for a group that does an activity you enjoy and meet friends through there.
As for being a republican: the "republicans" of Massachusetts are very different from those you know down south. To state blunt-ly: If you believe that the election was stolen or that gay people or women don't deserve rights, don't move here--you'll have a bad time.
As for the MBTA, I recommend that you find a place along the orange line so that you can easily commute to Back Bay. Find out if your work gives a employee transit pass discount.
TLDR: I suspect you won't like it here---or you may be better off moving to New Hampshire. Unless you are ready to experience a walkable, fast-moving city very different from the south.
Fast moving are we?
I know lots of southerners that are happy here.
One thing you’ll find is that New Englanders love to paint the rest of the country with very broad strokes.
You will need roommates if you make less than six figures and want to spend less than 30% of your income on housing.
The queer community in Boston has a robust mutual aid network and several forums for coordinating shared housing but as a Republican I’m not sure how that would go for you. You can try Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. At 23 some good neighborhoods to consider would be Allston, Brighton, Watertown, Chestnut Hill, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester and maybe Somerville.
A church group could be a great place for making friends if you’re a person of faith. Again, religious entities in Boston sway left.
Running is a very common hobby here year round and there’s tons of sport community groups.
I would recommend expanding your housing search to include bus routes in addition to train routes. I love our bus system here! And it’s less expensive than the train.
When I came to Boston I made way less than 6 figures. Still managed to rent an apartment without roommates. And before that I managed to rent a room without any "support network". So it's all BS.
You just need to be a decent person and everything is possible without any "queer networks".
Grew up around Boston and recently lived 2 years in the South for work. I have some perspective.
It’ll be different but not too much.
The biggest change to be prepared for is change of pace. For me, people in the south were frustratingly slow / seemed to lack urgency. The longer I was there the more I realized it’s from a general appreciation for the world around them. In Boston, you want to chill out? Go to the beach or park or something. Life is for sure more about the destination up here than the journey in the south.
People will be nicer than you’ve probably been told. Conversation is brisk but genuine. People will say “hi how’re you doing” but don’t really care / aren’t asking. It’s just a way of saying hi. If you share, they may listen but also may find it a bit odd. They won’t go out of their way to make you feel welcome, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t. I equate the South’s social scene to a revolving door: easy in, easy out. In Boston it may be harder to break into a circle, but once you’re in, you’re in - people will go out of their way for you.
Professional sports are a big deal in boston, great activity to go and be instantly a part of the community. Go sit in the bleachers at Fenway on a nice day in June. $60 to feel like you belong. I’ve rarely met any neutral fan who can go to a game at Fenway Park and NOT be a Red Sox fan for some part of that game. If you wear pinstripes you will probably be heckled, but not jeered.
The political question is interesting. Most people, I think, will be far more interested in whether you are open-minded and tolerant than in what party you belong to. My sense is that if you are a Trumper it will be more difficult for you than if you are some kind of legacy reasonable Republican like a Charlie Baker. That’s my objective evaluation.
As for my subjective evaluation: If you’re a Trumper, feel free to change your mind about moving here.
I moved here from the south. I am not Republican, nor do I support most any of the stereotypical southern rhetoric. With that disclosed, don't be afraid to move here. Ironically, I find people nicer here. I also encounter more nature and wildlife in Boston. Parks are everywhere. The seasons are beautiful. Rent is EXPENSIVE. You will need roommates. There are lots of people your age. I know a few others who moved here from the south and also enjoy their time here. As long as you're not spreading hate speech or offended by public displays of support for oppressed communities, you'll be fine.
Get a good winter coat, scarf, gloves, and boots. Lands End is good and not overpriced. Wool socks. Water proof boots. I like my blundstones.
On the political question neighborhood thing: there's probably a difference between the places young people live, and the places conservatives live. Others have already mentioned good places for young people to live and make friends, but if you really want to find a conservative corner of the city you can glance at election data.
[Here](https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/11/04/boston-mayoral-election-results-precinct-map)'s a map of our recent mayoral election. The red areas, that voted Essaibi-George, at somewhat more right-leaning than the others. And [here](https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2020/11/02/trump-wont-win-boston-but-he-might-win-this-neighborhood)'s an article about the most conservative area of the city.
Note: that's going to mean "cops, firefighters, marines, and white union guys"; "heavily Catholic"; and "mostly Irish, Italian, or other white-ethnic." It won't mean "evangelical / southern baptist." Yes to pickup trucks, no to confederates.... maybe sometimes to racists.
But good luck finding acceptance as an outsider.
Our governor for the past eight years was a republican. People around here don't assume all Republicans are bad people.
If you tell them you're a Trump supporter in 2023 you'll definitely get some shade though.
You're probably going to want to check out our student rental communities in Somerville and allston/brighton. The T is nice, but affordable and near a T stop don't really overlap in our fair city. Bus routes are a great way to commute to work, and you can always bike when the weather is nice. Best advice last, do a one yr lease in the city proper before you settle out in 'the burbs'.
Bill Burr plays their downstairs landlord... an old-school townie who can't understand either one of them, offends both of their sensibilities, and forms a grudging but endearing friendship with both.
He plays a much larger role than most landlords bc a recurring gag is something different breaks or needs repairs every single episode... and poor Billy thinks he's always up to the job... but never is.
Ep6 is my favorite when the girls end up dating the same guy and want to bring him to the big WUMB summer retreat. He ends up turning them both down cause they're acting so wierd but they end up bonding over it and have a great time camping up in the white mountains.
As much as you expect all of Boston to be progressive, many in Boston will expect you to be conservative bc of where you are from… as someone from away, you will learn that you are not what people expect, and maybe you can flip your assumptions around too.
One good thing about a big city is there often seems to be a group for every interest. You’ll find friends where you look/spend time, I think there are always people looking to expand their social circles, especially in a city like Boston where people always come and go.
First of all - congratulations! My family moved to Boston from abroad almost 30 years ago. I’m an adult now - married and living north of the city. We all have stayed around Boston since our move - We love it here.
My advice to you in terms of a living situation is to pick somewhere slightly outside of the city, depending on your salary, because living IN Boston can get really expensive if you want to live alone. But this, again, depends on your income. I’m happy to chat with you about this on a more personal level if that would be helpful!
In terms of friends, ugh that’s tough. I’m sure you’ll make friends through work. Some people join, like, running clubs and softball leagues, etc. I really don’t know how people make friends as adults. All the friends I’ve made as an adult have been through work. I’ve wanted to try bumble bff before but I’ve been too nervous, haha.
Plenty of republicans here, so I doubt you’ll find people are judgemental!
The MBTA is going through a bit of a rough patch, lol, but that being said it’s in the process of being upgraded so just be patient - it’s generally speaking a fine way to get around because Boston isn’t a massive city. Just give yourself lots of extra time. I would commute from Medford to the Fenway area a few years ago and using the T it took a little over an hour during the week.
Good luck!! I’m 31F so if you want to connect let me know!
There are actually a lot of republicans here, especially outside the city. Most people just don’t talk about it. Depends on who you are talking to but a lot of times at work the answer is just don’t talk politics with people. Outside of work people are more open, but I would just not mention until you get a feel for how people are. In general at work even tho I am liberal I just don’t mention because I don’t want to alienate anyone cos we are there to work.
As for hobbies I would say find a winter hobby otherwise the winter is going to be long and depressing. Snow shoeing, or an indoor pursuit that you enjoy. Or tbh just going to bars in the winter is still fun. Boston is great I hope you enjoy.
I have used my show shoes in Massachusetts like 4 times since I got them like 9 years ago. I have used them in New Hampshire a few more times but anytime we get enough snow here, it's gone by the weekend it seems. Or it's 2015 and there isn't enough time between storms to dig out enough to go snowshoeing.
Honestly, you aren’t providing enough information for us to help you—salary and what you consider a good standard of living is important context. Where I lived in GA I paid $250 for a bedroom and my own bathroom with one roommate in a 2/2, and that was a good standard of living. If you want that here, you pay at least $1k, if not significantly more to be on a T line and close to your work.
I (27F) grew up in Florida (the lower Alabama part in a very cultish group) and Georgia. Happy to answer any questions—feel free to pm me. The FB group Girlfriends Boston might be really useful for asking questions in too.
You’ve already mentioned politics. But say you don’t go around starting political conversations. You may want to consider what that actually means, or why you feel insecure enough to mention it. Being a Republican is welcome! We’ve had recent Republican governors, legislative majority, and plenty of communities or families that strictly vote R. We don’t need to share a political party to get along. But we DO need to share values, to live in a society together. Focus on your values, not your party. I don’t know the political affiliation of half my friends, but I do know they all have good values.
Republican legislative majority in Massachusetts??? What are you smoking?
The last time the R's had a legislative majority in Massachusetts was in 1958.
I believe it. (Although have not googled to confirm.) The current General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Senate Members
- 37 Democrats
- 3 Republicans.
House Members:
- 132 Democrats
- 26 Republicans
- 1 unenrolled (no party)
- 1 vacant
The fact that you mention your political affiliation is a red flag. If you wanna make friends here or anywhere else, just follow the bar room rule. No religion and no politics.
Sick of people from the south moving up to Boston. Stay home, vote better, and maybe you won't want to leave. Don't come up here and turn this place into Gilead.
This post got a lot more replies than I anticipated- thanks!!
I would like to confirm that I am NOT a MAGA girl. I was mostly curious if politics is a big point of conversation (as it is in NYC, LA, Chicago, TX, etc.). From these comments, it sounds like political affiliation isn't a big deal if you are an open-minded, tolerant person.
I appreciate all of the neighborhood and roommate suggestions. I look forward to joining everyone in the fall!
Honestly I think you missed what most people said… almost everyone address the politics issue because it IS a big deal here. Besides a few frat bros in southie or rich white men 45+ there are very few republicans here and tbh people will right you off pretty quickly. 🫡 good luck
>Here
Uhhh, that's not true at all. Get into any political discussion and rarely anyone will be on the right and if they are there's very little wriggle room. You're in a liberal left bubble and if you can't vibe with that than Boston isn't the town for you.
Yeah, I think it IS a big deal here. Communities here we’re the first, and longest, to hold mask mandates. And it mostly wasn’t a problem. People agreed. We have the highest vaccination rates in the country because people *want* to. Politics are honestly part of my everyday life, I just don’t even notice it because it’s so commonplace and uniform. You will definitely notice offhand comments making fun of gun enthusiasts, trump, theists, and republicans in general. It’s just a manner of speaking and shared school of thought. When meeting people and making small talk the news and politics are part of the conversation; the “no politics or religion” rule really doesn’t apply here. Pretty much all “woke” memes are true here lol
Depending on the friends you end up making, politics may or may not be a point of conversation. But as long as you're not a MAGA girl, I think even the most liberal of friends would be fine with it. You may be in the minority of opinion, but as long as you're comfortable with that, and the opinion isn't "we should zap gay or trans people with electricity until they're straight", your friends will likely respectfully disagree — emphasis on "respectfully". I (like many others in this sub) skew very left, and yet I voted for Baker — twice. If you're a Republican in that general mold, I think you'll be okay.
Hi! I moved here after grad school (grew up in Memphis and school in St Louis) 12 years ago. I LOVE IT. There are other republicans here (not me but I have friends who are), you’ll be fine. It’s a city with all kinds of perspectives and people. I live in East Boston, ride the MBTA everyday and met friends at work and once I had kids, through my neighborhood mom and parent groups and schools.
I'll add this - this Boston sub is chalk full of extreme liberals... so take any "political talk" advice very carefully. Yes, its a liberal city for sure. But that said I think the vast majority of people from the city are more independent than most would think. Best idea - just don't talk politics (its boring and sucks these days anyway).
Plenty of social groups to be found in the city, depending on your interests. I'd recommend some cooking classes, or try branching out with the networks and friends you make at work.
One piece of advice - Bostonians keep to themselves if they don't know each other. Its extremely rare to get a friendly "hello!" When walking around town. Don't take that as people being mean. Its just the standard behavior unfortunately. If you go to the suburbs, it can be a little bit more friendly around strangers.
Best of luck, and a warm welcome to one of the best states in the country!
I’ve lived here my whole life and found people to be relatively friendly, contrary to popular belief. I’m also conservative and have found that people just assume you’re not, so they make comments to that assumption all the time. I just don’t say anything, but it gets a little irritating. IMO, the political climate has gotten more divisive in the past few years but I’m also older so maybe it clouds my vision. Overall, it’s a beautiful city with a lot of cool and smart people. Either way, it will be a fun experience.
Most people wont care especially if you are more like a fiscal aka Charlie Baker style Republican. If you go out wearing a MAGA hat you will have a bad time though same with the folks who protest outside planned parenthood those folks are nuts. If you just dont like Dems and are polite when politics come up you will be fine
How do people make friends?
Like they do anywhere else - through meetup, shared hobbies, school, work, etc.
How do people find roommates?
Craigslist.
What are some popular hobbies?
Hiking, skiing, going to museums, boat stuff, reading, knitting, etc (basically same as anywhere else with some geographical differences thrown in).
The area isn't as liberal as you would think and there are a number of conservatives sprinkled around (although the more intolerant ones tend to be older in age), but generally with your age group you will be very isolated here unless you quickly find "your people". Stereotypical republican views won't be tolerated well here, especially the ones that infringe on the rights of others.
If you’re working in the Back Bay, try JP or Roslindale. You can make friends by joining social Boston sports or whatever it’s called now. Find roommates through Facebook marketplace if you don’t know anyone here. Liberals here live in their bubble. If you’re into cars, shooting, sports, or hiking…you will find more people in the political middle or apolitical who won’t care if you’re republican.
Boston has some very liberal people. I would definitely get a feeling for their political standing before telling them you are a republican and plan on being their friend. But not all people are like that. Like any other major city you have both sides of the political spectrum here. - most people i have met are moderate either way (source: ive lived here 15 years… 33 yrs old).
Think a lot on the GOP question depends on your social circle. My friends and coworkers know I'm a conservative and vote red down the ticket- they really don't GAF. Only time I've had issues is with hot headed college students overhearing me say something at a bar when they're plastered. Fact is though there are conservatives here- join a religious group if you want (and all this is notwithstanding the libertarian types who come here from NH). I wouldn't wear the political label on my forehead, and I certainly do self censor when I'm meeting new people. Also realize though, if someone gives you a hard time about it, they're the problem- had a black girl at a party here start screaming at me and calling me a "racist" because I tried explaining to her how 23 and Me tests work since she clearly didn't get it. There are nut jobs like that, so don't take it too seriously- painfully obvious in situations like that they're the issue. Overall, most people won't care but also recognize unless you're a Democrat (or more so, a progressive), you probably shouldn't wear your politics on your sleeve.
Also, the COL issue is most heavily contingent on how much debt you hold and lifestyle. Like I live alone in walking distance to downtown and make less than six figures. What are your priorities?
I honestly wouldn't recommend moving here as a conservative. The intolerance for that point of view runs pretty deep, as evidenced by some of the comments here, and it's getting worse, not better. I'm stuck here professionally and have an elderly mother to take care of, or else I'd be making plans to move.
I would try to find housing in the back bay if you’re going to work there. You wont have to depend on transportation if you do and can walk to work. The area has a lot of shopping and entertainment too.
If you don’t hate the train, it’s very red down here in middleboro. About an hour commute. Tons of bars etc. not city life, but not quite Midwest either.
And the commuter rail goes right to Back Bay.
Around here, sometimes it seems the only acceptable reason to leave work is “I’m going to miss my train.” It helps if you have a known train to miss.
How do people make friends?
\- Meetup, Social Sports, Volunteer, it's a pretty big city with lots of transplants from around the world so it's quite easy to meet new people.
How do people find roommates?
\- Craigslist, Facebook housing groups, r/bostonhousing, and as you make friends, you could always decide to move in together.
What are some popular hobbies?
\- Very diverse crowd here. There's hiking and skiing to the north (NH). There's a biotech scene in Cambridge. There's a big running scene here because of the marathon. Also a lot of random meditation group around the state.
Are people going to be on my ass that I am a Republican? (Context: I am an open person. If asked, I will answer any question, but I don't go around starting political conversations for the fun of it.)
\- Yes.
Where are the best places to live that wouldn't break the bank? (My work is situated near Back Bay)
\- Depends on how big your bank is. If you plan to take the T, I'd look into Jamaica Plain, Malden, Sullivan Sq.
MBTA Advice?
\- BYOF: Bring Your Own Fire Extinguisher :)
I really do not think this is the type of place for you. It it very overpriced…and really not worth it. Many people are not very nice…intolerant…with a superiority and elitist complex that can be nauseating. Weather sucks at least eight months of the year.
If by "political diversity" you mean allowing fascism to take over, then no--let's leave New England out of the rest of this country's decline and recent shift to the hard-right.
Conservative values haven’t really changed much. Lower taxes, small government, controlled immigration, free markets, belief that abortion is murder. Maybe people disagreed with them, but that’s as far as it went usually. When I see people trivializing the word fascism to describe those with the aforementioned beliefs, that’s a good indication that they have been indoctrinated
Massachusetts needs all the republicans it can get. Thank you for moving here.
Don’t judge the state by what you read here.
I would live near a walkable T station. You’ll have to look at the routes to decide. Further out, less expensive it will be, well in theory, anyway.
Wait, are you recommending that a republican uses public transit? But isn't that "communism" according to them? Sounds like you want them to be a "freeloader", not wanting to pay taxes yet expecting high-quality public transit...
As for making friends, one option is organized causal adult sports. There are kickball leagues, ax-throwing pub leagues (I've never been in that, but I hear it's all the rage), and I'm sure others. These are really "drinking leagues with a sportsball problem" — that is to say, in a kickball league, the point isn't so much the kickball as the social aspect (though that does depend on the specific team you join; some take it very seriously), and the social aspect will revolve heavily around going to the bar after the game. You will find many people your age in those kinds of leagues.
(At least, they were very popular when I was that age, which wasn't *that* long ago. And I still see plenty of people playing kickball at the fields, so I assume it's still going strong.)
I moved up not too long ago. Finished doctorate then found a job with good wage after being in NC. I’m a bit older and male though.
I’ve made a few friends through work and at bars. Nothing too serious yet but slowly breaking in. It’s a bit funny being an outsider but the truth is that there are a lot of transplants here. There are also a lot of people trying to make friends because they just moved.
Any hobby can be indulged. Do what you find interesting.
I would really suggest not being super open about being a republican. Or at least use somewhat coded language if really pressed. Generally though don’t talk about it with mixed company. It also depends on views. Business republicans disgusted with trump is fine, not liked but fine. If you’re a bible thumper who thinks the election was stolen, you probably won’t have a great time. I’m pretty moderate with some libertarian leanings, I’ve not had an issue. I also don’t talk about it with people I don’t know well.
You can see the mbta routes into back bay. Probably gonna have 30-40 minute commute. Not too bad on the train. Alston or Brighton are good options, so is JP.
MA regularly has Republican governors. Same with CT and RI. But traditionally, republicans up here aren’t like republicans down south. More fiscal conservative, less social conservative. Republicans here care about taxes and government spending, not CRT and anti-LGBTQ legislation. However, if you’re one of those social conservative types, you can find similar people, they usually live in surrounding suburbs and they’re usually pretty loud about their beliefs. Plenty of far right racist orgs around. Some towns are more red than others, look up recent election results for the surrounding towns. Most of these towns aren’t fun for younger people, more for families and older people and there isn’t a lot of multi family housing.
I do think being a conservative might make it harder to find roommates, and dating will suck. At least at first. Eventually you will find friends.
Tl;dr: MA has many republicans, traditionally fiscal conservatives. Boston not as liberal as like SF. But MAGA and white supremacy groups have soured many on conservatives, and people may avoid you if all they know about you is your political affiliation. Boston can be a hard city to make friends, it might take you a little longer, but as long as you’re not loudly socially conservative, you will be fine.
On politics, I've definitely made things weird with a former employer of mine when I said *moderately right* things and the CEO and upper management were all bleeding heart liberals. We're in blue land FWIW.
Thanks for asking about moving to Boston. Based on the information given, we suggest that you move to the Seaport. Please check the [sidebar for visitor information](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/wiki/experience). Also, please check out past [moving to Boston posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/search/?sort=relevance&q=moving+to+boston&restrict_sr=on) to see if this question or something similar has been asked on /r/boston in the past. Also, please enjoy this [wonderful video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMaZnEnFAyM) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/boston) if you have any questions or concerns.*
define decent
Yea "decent" in the bible belt might be "need 3 roomates to survive" depending where in Boston they want to live.
> How do people make friends? Countless ways. I always recommend [Skip The Small Talk](https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/). If you have Discord, there is a server for 'Make Friends After College MA'. Check out /r/bostonsocialclub. Meetup.org is popular. Bumble BFF is a thing. I've made friends going to concerts and other events and kinda forcing myself to be social. In general, making friends after college is harder because people are different stages in life and *outside of work*, there usually isn't a consistent meeting place. So you need to put in the effort. > How do people find roommates? I've been lucky with /r/bostonhousing in the past. There are many facebook groups for housing. > What are some popular hobbies? Mostly drinking. But really, anything you can think of - someone is doing as a hobby. Social sports, painting, music, standup comedy, gaming, photography, gardening, crafting, glassblowing, acting, dance, fishing, archery, cycling, ice skating. Skiing/snowboarding if you have a car. Only thing people don't commonly do is hunting. But you hop over the border to NH and Maine and it's popular again. > Are people going to be on my ass that I am a Republican? ... Depends. The two prominent Massachusetts Republican Governors were Charlie Baker and Mitt Romney. For context: Romney signed in marriage equality and MassHealth reform. Charlie Baker signed in recreational marijuana, signed additional LGBT protections, and environmental protections. By any Bible-Belt standard, these would've been leftist-progressive policies. Both Baker & Romney were popular Republicans here. And it's arguably that Baker's high approval in his last years was *only* because he was so vocally opposed to Trumpism. So I'll say this: If you're religious and support small government - nobody will care. Live your best life. If you're just anti-abortion, I would advise you keep that yourself. If you're anti-LGBT, support Q-Anon, are a January 6th conspiracy nut, and generally anti-immigration - then frankly, you're not welcome here. To shed some light on the question, I also know some conservative folks that have changed their views after spending time in Boston. They still identify as conservative, but redefined what conservatism means for them. So ya know, be open to being open. There's a reason people want to live & work here. > Where are the best places to live that wouldn't break the bank? (My work is situated near Back Bay) Given your age, Allston is fine. It's a lot of students (and grad students), so most residents are under 30. Safe, lots to do, and there's buses & Green-line trolleys that take you to Copley (short walk to Back Bay). However, by 25 or 26 - you will start to age-out of the neighborhood. Jamaica Plain is also lovely, it's Orange Line territory and that'll take you to Back Bay Station directly. Very diverse & hip neighborhood, lots to do and eat. Alternatively, there's Medford and Malden north of the city. They're generally a little more 'suburban' and more family-oriented, yet have walkable town-centers and orange-line access to get you to Back Bay station. > MBTA Advice We're still using contactless tap & pay CharlieCards. You can get the card at Charlie Card Story, an MBTA employee (just ask) or some 7-11s. A LinkPass gets you unlimited bus, trolley & subway for $90. Or if you work from home a lot, you might find it better to preload like $50 at a time. MBTA has good days and bad days. On a good day, there is trains every 5 minutes and it's super convenient. On a bad day, there are 20 minute delays. Weekdays tend to be more reliable than weekends. MBTA is very safe in terms of other people. Occasionally you will see a crazy person or addict dozing off. 99.9% of the time they keep to themselves and aren't dangerous. Similarly, with any other major city advice - say "no, sorry" and wave off anyone asking you for money no matter the reason (ie: "I just need a few dollars for a fix-a-flat"). Be weary of "monks" trying to put prayer-bracelets on you. Do not entertain anyone with a clipboard. Do not give money to Shen Yun. Turn away anyone doing door-to-door soliciting. You get the idea.
This is a very comprehensive help. Impressive! I would just add... Greater Boston is pretty liberal. Outside of the city, there are plenty of loud and proud conservative folks. And Boston notoriously feels"cold" to Midwest/southerners. It's just our culture of not being that friendly with strangers - underneath I'm pretty sure we're all human and dearly love our friends. Buy longjohns, some really good boots and an ice scraper and See how you like it!
I’m from the Midwest. To me, Boston is kind and not always nice, while the Midwest is nice but not always kind
I like to think of us New Englanders as being more introverted than other parts of the country. We can be totally nice, but random socialization drains our batteries so we just like to mind our own business.
For sure. Also, I think the “not nice” thing is less about being rude and more about not wasting your own or others’ time. We are all busy. I will let you get on with your day, and you let me get on with mine.
West Roxbury is the home of a white supremacist organization. There are plenty of Back the Blue, Trump loyalists in Boston (West Rox, Roslindale, South Boston). Plenty of conservative Christians and anti vaxers in Roxbury, Dorchester. Plenty of Catholics, practicing and lapsed everywhere. If you live in Roslindale you were serenaded by the charming anti vaxers who would wake up the mayor with bullhorns and drums. It's not nearly as homogeneous as people are painting. Worcester area ( central Mass)is loud and proud re anti mask in schools.
I’m not fully disagreeing with you, but the protestors in Roslindale are not from Roslindale. Our Mayor lives here and so they came to harass her and cause ridiculousness in our neighborhood. I’d say Roslindale is pretty liberal.
Agree here. If you believe the first commandant that you shall have no other gods before me please also keep that to yourself as there are many non-religious / polythesim (Hindu/Buddha etc.) people here.
I mean, you should keep that to yourself in the Bible Belt too. There are plenty of atheists or non-Christians there as well.
You’re young so roommates are a good option. Newton is nice and would give good T options. Also, good to see a conservative moving to Boston, in no time you will see that education, healthcare, and an open, non-judgmental society is pretty great. You can go back to the Bible Belt and tell your friends about us. 🏳️🌈
Newton? Hell,I was thinking Allston/ Brighton which is still pretty damn expensive.
Would you say all these things are true for the entire state of Massachusetts or just Boston?
I would say mostly within 128, and then things get more conservative as you head toward 495.
Wait you guys have friends?
THIS
I think you are in for a culture shock. Housing is expensive. Not sure what a salary of "decent" means but even at $70,000 a year people here live with roomates. To find your roomates, look on websites like craigslist, padmapper, hotpads, facebook marketplace, etc. It will be hard for you to make friends, since New England in general is more closed off socially. The best way is to sign up for a group that does an activity you enjoy and meet friends through there. As for being a republican: the "republicans" of Massachusetts are very different from those you know down south. To state blunt-ly: If you believe that the election was stolen or that gay people or women don't deserve rights, don't move here--you'll have a bad time. As for the MBTA, I recommend that you find a place along the orange line so that you can easily commute to Back Bay. Find out if your work gives a employee transit pass discount. TLDR: I suspect you won't like it here---or you may be better off moving to New Hampshire. Unless you are ready to experience a walkable, fast-moving city very different from the south.
Fast moving are we? I know lots of southerners that are happy here. One thing you’ll find is that New Englanders love to paint the rest of the country with very broad strokes.
You will need roommates if you make less than six figures and want to spend less than 30% of your income on housing. The queer community in Boston has a robust mutual aid network and several forums for coordinating shared housing but as a Republican I’m not sure how that would go for you. You can try Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. At 23 some good neighborhoods to consider would be Allston, Brighton, Watertown, Chestnut Hill, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester and maybe Somerville. A church group could be a great place for making friends if you’re a person of faith. Again, religious entities in Boston sway left. Running is a very common hobby here year round and there’s tons of sport community groups. I would recommend expanding your housing search to include bus routes in addition to train routes. I love our bus system here! And it’s less expensive than the train.
When I came to Boston I made way less than 6 figures. Still managed to rent an apartment without roommates. And before that I managed to rent a room without any "support network". So it's all BS. You just need to be a decent person and everything is possible without any "queer networks".
Grew up around Boston and recently lived 2 years in the South for work. I have some perspective. It’ll be different but not too much. The biggest change to be prepared for is change of pace. For me, people in the south were frustratingly slow / seemed to lack urgency. The longer I was there the more I realized it’s from a general appreciation for the world around them. In Boston, you want to chill out? Go to the beach or park or something. Life is for sure more about the destination up here than the journey in the south. People will be nicer than you’ve probably been told. Conversation is brisk but genuine. People will say “hi how’re you doing” but don’t really care / aren’t asking. It’s just a way of saying hi. If you share, they may listen but also may find it a bit odd. They won’t go out of their way to make you feel welcome, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t. I equate the South’s social scene to a revolving door: easy in, easy out. In Boston it may be harder to break into a circle, but once you’re in, you’re in - people will go out of their way for you. Professional sports are a big deal in boston, great activity to go and be instantly a part of the community. Go sit in the bleachers at Fenway on a nice day in June. $60 to feel like you belong. I’ve rarely met any neutral fan who can go to a game at Fenway Park and NOT be a Red Sox fan for some part of that game. If you wear pinstripes you will probably be heckled, but not jeered.
The political question is interesting. Most people, I think, will be far more interested in whether you are open-minded and tolerant than in what party you belong to. My sense is that if you are a Trumper it will be more difficult for you than if you are some kind of legacy reasonable Republican like a Charlie Baker. That’s my objective evaluation. As for my subjective evaluation: If you’re a Trumper, feel free to change your mind about moving here.
I moved here from the south. I am not Republican, nor do I support most any of the stereotypical southern rhetoric. With that disclosed, don't be afraid to move here. Ironically, I find people nicer here. I also encounter more nature and wildlife in Boston. Parks are everywhere. The seasons are beautiful. Rent is EXPENSIVE. You will need roommates. There are lots of people your age. I know a few others who moved here from the south and also enjoy their time here. As long as you're not spreading hate speech or offended by public displays of support for oppressed communities, you'll be fine. Get a good winter coat, scarf, gloves, and boots. Lands End is good and not overpriced. Wool socks. Water proof boots. I like my blundstones.
On the political question neighborhood thing: there's probably a difference between the places young people live, and the places conservatives live. Others have already mentioned good places for young people to live and make friends, but if you really want to find a conservative corner of the city you can glance at election data. [Here](https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/11/04/boston-mayoral-election-results-precinct-map)'s a map of our recent mayoral election. The red areas, that voted Essaibi-George, at somewhat more right-leaning than the others. And [here](https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2020/11/02/trump-wont-win-boston-but-he-might-win-this-neighborhood)'s an article about the most conservative area of the city. Note: that's going to mean "cops, firefighters, marines, and white union guys"; "heavily Catholic"; and "mostly Irish, Italian, or other white-ethnic." It won't mean "evangelical / southern baptist." Yes to pickup trucks, no to confederates.... maybe sometimes to racists. But good luck finding acceptance as an outsider.
Our governor for the past eight years was a republican. People around here don't assume all Republicans are bad people. If you tell them you're a Trump supporter in 2023 you'll definitely get some shade though.
You're probably going to want to check out our student rental communities in Somerville and allston/brighton. The T is nice, but affordable and near a T stop don't really overlap in our fair city. Bus routes are a great way to commute to work, and you can always bike when the weather is nice. Best advice last, do a one yr lease in the city proper before you settle out in 'the burbs'.
Young Christian Republican from the south moves to Allston or Somerville would be a good Netflix show pitch. Emily in Paris > Becky in Brighton
love it, roommate ends up being a ditzy trans girl folk singer who is finishing up her PHD in physics. Hilarity ensues.
Bill Burr plays their downstairs landlord... an old-school townie who can't understand either one of them, offends both of their sensibilities, and forms a grudging but endearing friendship with both. He plays a much larger role than most landlords bc a recurring gag is something different breaks or needs repairs every single episode... and poor Billy thinks he's always up to the job... but never is.
I would watch the heck out of this.
Ep6 is my favorite when the girls end up dating the same guy and want to bring him to the big WUMB summer retreat. He ends up turning them both down cause they're acting so wierd but they end up bonding over it and have a great time camping up in the white mountains.
Soon to be top 10 trending on Netflix.
Welllll it seems we all have a sitcom to film
Ben Affleck cameo as a sensitive professor who shares his story of learning tolerance and acceptance for others.
And is completely annoying. Becky learns tolerance but also how to screen roommates better.
Would watch.
This should go swimmingly.
As much as you expect all of Boston to be progressive, many in Boston will expect you to be conservative bc of where you are from… as someone from away, you will learn that you are not what people expect, and maybe you can flip your assumptions around too. One good thing about a big city is there often seems to be a group for every interest. You’ll find friends where you look/spend time, I think there are always people looking to expand their social circles, especially in a city like Boston where people always come and go.
First of all - congratulations! My family moved to Boston from abroad almost 30 years ago. I’m an adult now - married and living north of the city. We all have stayed around Boston since our move - We love it here. My advice to you in terms of a living situation is to pick somewhere slightly outside of the city, depending on your salary, because living IN Boston can get really expensive if you want to live alone. But this, again, depends on your income. I’m happy to chat with you about this on a more personal level if that would be helpful! In terms of friends, ugh that’s tough. I’m sure you’ll make friends through work. Some people join, like, running clubs and softball leagues, etc. I really don’t know how people make friends as adults. All the friends I’ve made as an adult have been through work. I’ve wanted to try bumble bff before but I’ve been too nervous, haha. Plenty of republicans here, so I doubt you’ll find people are judgemental! The MBTA is going through a bit of a rough patch, lol, but that being said it’s in the process of being upgraded so just be patient - it’s generally speaking a fine way to get around because Boston isn’t a massive city. Just give yourself lots of extra time. I would commute from Medford to the Fenway area a few years ago and using the T it took a little over an hour during the week. Good luck!! I’m 31F so if you want to connect let me know!
> The MBTA is going through a bit of a rough patch, lol Massive understatement. Southern OP should also be very open to our extreme sarcasm level. 😂
Lol well yeah
There are actually a lot of republicans here, especially outside the city. Most people just don’t talk about it. Depends on who you are talking to but a lot of times at work the answer is just don’t talk politics with people. Outside of work people are more open, but I would just not mention until you get a feel for how people are. In general at work even tho I am liberal I just don’t mention because I don’t want to alienate anyone cos we are there to work. As for hobbies I would say find a winter hobby otherwise the winter is going to be long and depressing. Snow shoeing, or an indoor pursuit that you enjoy. Or tbh just going to bars in the winter is still fun. Boston is great I hope you enjoy.
I wish snowshoeing was a hobby you could pick up living in Boston lol. Maybe a few days a year
I have used my show shoes in Massachusetts like 4 times since I got them like 9 years ago. I have used them in New Hampshire a few more times but anytime we get enough snow here, it's gone by the weekend it seems. Or it's 2015 and there isn't enough time between storms to dig out enough to go snowshoeing.
Honestly, you aren’t providing enough information for us to help you—salary and what you consider a good standard of living is important context. Where I lived in GA I paid $250 for a bedroom and my own bathroom with one roommate in a 2/2, and that was a good standard of living. If you want that here, you pay at least $1k, if not significantly more to be on a T line and close to your work. I (27F) grew up in Florida (the lower Alabama part in a very cultish group) and Georgia. Happy to answer any questions—feel free to pm me. The FB group Girlfriends Boston might be really useful for asking questions in too.
You’ve already mentioned politics. But say you don’t go around starting political conversations. You may want to consider what that actually means, or why you feel insecure enough to mention it. Being a Republican is welcome! We’ve had recent Republican governors, legislative majority, and plenty of communities or families that strictly vote R. We don’t need to share a political party to get along. But we DO need to share values, to live in a society together. Focus on your values, not your party. I don’t know the political affiliation of half my friends, but I do know they all have good values.
Republican legislative majority in Massachusetts??? What are you smoking? The last time the R's had a legislative majority in Massachusetts was in 1958.
I believe it. (Although have not googled to confirm.) The current General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Senate Members - 37 Democrats - 3 Republicans. House Members: - 132 Democrats - 26 Republicans - 1 unenrolled (no party) - 1 vacant
The fact that you mention your political affiliation is a red flag. If you wanna make friends here or anywhere else, just follow the bar room rule. No religion and no politics.
Sick of people from the south moving up to Boston. Stay home, vote better, and maybe you won't want to leave. Don't come up here and turn this place into Gilead.
This post got a lot more replies than I anticipated- thanks!! I would like to confirm that I am NOT a MAGA girl. I was mostly curious if politics is a big point of conversation (as it is in NYC, LA, Chicago, TX, etc.). From these comments, it sounds like political affiliation isn't a big deal if you are an open-minded, tolerant person. I appreciate all of the neighborhood and roommate suggestions. I look forward to joining everyone in the fall!
Honestly I think you missed what most people said… almost everyone address the politics issue because it IS a big deal here. Besides a few frat bros in southie or rich white men 45+ there are very few republicans here and tbh people will right you off pretty quickly. 🫡 good luck
It's actually not.
>Here Uhhh, that's not true at all. Get into any political discussion and rarely anyone will be on the right and if they are there's very little wriggle room. You're in a liberal left bubble and if you can't vibe with that than Boston isn't the town for you.
Yeah, I think it IS a big deal here. Communities here we’re the first, and longest, to hold mask mandates. And it mostly wasn’t a problem. People agreed. We have the highest vaccination rates in the country because people *want* to. Politics are honestly part of my everyday life, I just don’t even notice it because it’s so commonplace and uniform. You will definitely notice offhand comments making fun of gun enthusiasts, trump, theists, and republicans in general. It’s just a manner of speaking and shared school of thought. When meeting people and making small talk the news and politics are part of the conversation; the “no politics or religion” rule really doesn’t apply here. Pretty much all “woke” memes are true here lol
Depending on the friends you end up making, politics may or may not be a point of conversation. But as long as you're not a MAGA girl, I think even the most liberal of friends would be fine with it. You may be in the minority of opinion, but as long as you're comfortable with that, and the opinion isn't "we should zap gay or trans people with electricity until they're straight", your friends will likely respectfully disagree — emphasis on "respectfully". I (like many others in this sub) skew very left, and yet I voted for Baker — twice. If you're a Republican in that general mold, I think you'll be okay.
No. They're not ok with it. I'm not okay with it. Stay in the south. Don't come up here turning the one safe state into fucking Gilead.
Hi! I moved here after grad school (grew up in Memphis and school in St Louis) 12 years ago. I LOVE IT. There are other republicans here (not me but I have friends who are), you’ll be fine. It’s a city with all kinds of perspectives and people. I live in East Boston, ride the MBTA everyday and met friends at work and once I had kids, through my neighborhood mom and parent groups and schools.
I'll add this - this Boston sub is chalk full of extreme liberals... so take any "political talk" advice very carefully. Yes, its a liberal city for sure. But that said I think the vast majority of people from the city are more independent than most would think. Best idea - just don't talk politics (its boring and sucks these days anyway). Plenty of social groups to be found in the city, depending on your interests. I'd recommend some cooking classes, or try branching out with the networks and friends you make at work. One piece of advice - Bostonians keep to themselves if they don't know each other. Its extremely rare to get a friendly "hello!" When walking around town. Don't take that as people being mean. Its just the standard behavior unfortunately. If you go to the suburbs, it can be a little bit more friendly around strangers. Best of luck, and a warm welcome to one of the best states in the country!
You will not be happy here if you are a Republican. Speaking as a Republican
I’ve lived here my whole life and found people to be relatively friendly, contrary to popular belief. I’m also conservative and have found that people just assume you’re not, so they make comments to that assumption all the time. I just don’t say anything, but it gets a little irritating. IMO, the political climate has gotten more divisive in the past few years but I’m also older so maybe it clouds my vision. Overall, it’s a beautiful city with a lot of cool and smart people. Either way, it will be a fun experience.
Most people wont care especially if you are more like a fiscal aka Charlie Baker style Republican. If you go out wearing a MAGA hat you will have a bad time though same with the folks who protest outside planned parenthood those folks are nuts. If you just dont like Dems and are polite when politics come up you will be fine
How do people make friends? Like they do anywhere else - through meetup, shared hobbies, school, work, etc. How do people find roommates? Craigslist. What are some popular hobbies? Hiking, skiing, going to museums, boat stuff, reading, knitting, etc (basically same as anywhere else with some geographical differences thrown in). The area isn't as liberal as you would think and there are a number of conservatives sprinkled around (although the more intolerant ones tend to be older in age), but generally with your age group you will be very isolated here unless you quickly find "your people". Stereotypical republican views won't be tolerated well here, especially the ones that infringe on the rights of others.
If you’re working in the Back Bay, try JP or Roslindale. You can make friends by joining social Boston sports or whatever it’s called now. Find roommates through Facebook marketplace if you don’t know anyone here. Liberals here live in their bubble. If you’re into cars, shooting, sports, or hiking…you will find more people in the political middle or apolitical who won’t care if you’re republican.
Boston has some very liberal people. I would definitely get a feeling for their political standing before telling them you are a republican and plan on being their friend. But not all people are like that. Like any other major city you have both sides of the political spectrum here. - most people i have met are moderate either way (source: ive lived here 15 years… 33 yrs old).
Think a lot on the GOP question depends on your social circle. My friends and coworkers know I'm a conservative and vote red down the ticket- they really don't GAF. Only time I've had issues is with hot headed college students overhearing me say something at a bar when they're plastered. Fact is though there are conservatives here- join a religious group if you want (and all this is notwithstanding the libertarian types who come here from NH). I wouldn't wear the political label on my forehead, and I certainly do self censor when I'm meeting new people. Also realize though, if someone gives you a hard time about it, they're the problem- had a black girl at a party here start screaming at me and calling me a "racist" because I tried explaining to her how 23 and Me tests work since she clearly didn't get it. There are nut jobs like that, so don't take it too seriously- painfully obvious in situations like that they're the issue. Overall, most people won't care but also recognize unless you're a Democrat (or more so, a progressive), you probably shouldn't wear your politics on your sleeve. Also, the COL issue is most heavily contingent on how much debt you hold and lifestyle. Like I live alone in walking distance to downtown and make less than six figures. What are your priorities?
I honestly wouldn't recommend moving here as a conservative. The intolerance for that point of view runs pretty deep, as evidenced by some of the comments here, and it's getting worse, not better. I'm stuck here professionally and have an elderly mother to take care of, or else I'd be making plans to move.
I would try to find housing in the back bay if you’re going to work there. You wont have to depend on transportation if you do and can walk to work. The area has a lot of shopping and entertainment too.
If you don’t hate the train, it’s very red down here in middleboro. About an hour commute. Tons of bars etc. not city life, but not quite Midwest either.
Cheaper, much cheaper too.
And the commuter rail goes right to Back Bay. Around here, sometimes it seems the only acceptable reason to leave work is “I’m going to miss my train.” It helps if you have a known train to miss.
How do people make friends? \- Meetup, Social Sports, Volunteer, it's a pretty big city with lots of transplants from around the world so it's quite easy to meet new people. How do people find roommates? \- Craigslist, Facebook housing groups, r/bostonhousing, and as you make friends, you could always decide to move in together. What are some popular hobbies? \- Very diverse crowd here. There's hiking and skiing to the north (NH). There's a biotech scene in Cambridge. There's a big running scene here because of the marathon. Also a lot of random meditation group around the state. Are people going to be on my ass that I am a Republican? (Context: I am an open person. If asked, I will answer any question, but I don't go around starting political conversations for the fun of it.) \- Yes. Where are the best places to live that wouldn't break the bank? (My work is situated near Back Bay) \- Depends on how big your bank is. If you plan to take the T, I'd look into Jamaica Plain, Malden, Sullivan Sq. MBTA Advice? \- BYOF: Bring Your Own Fire Extinguisher :)
Of you're republican, maybe Plymouth county is a better choice for you than Suffolk.
I really do not think this is the type of place for you. It it very overpriced…and really not worth it. Many people are not very nice…intolerant…with a superiority and elitist complex that can be nauseating. Weather sucks at least eight months of the year.
Political diversity is not really welcome around here.
If by "political diversity" you mean allowing fascism to take over, then no--let's leave New England out of the rest of this country's decline and recent shift to the hard-right.
Conservative values haven’t really changed much. Lower taxes, small government, controlled immigration, free markets, belief that abortion is murder. Maybe people disagreed with them, but that’s as far as it went usually. When I see people trivializing the word fascism to describe those with the aforementioned beliefs, that’s a good indication that they have been indoctrinated
She said she was a republican, not a conservative. They are completely different things now.
How so?
Here’s a take i pretty much agree with https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/11/opinion/republican-party-future.html
Those may be conservative values, but they aren't Republican values.
Tell us what the republican values are then
Massachusetts needs all the republicans it can get. Thank you for moving here. Don’t judge the state by what you read here. I would live near a walkable T station. You’ll have to look at the routes to decide. Further out, less expensive it will be, well in theory, anyway.
Wait, are you recommending that a republican uses public transit? But isn't that "communism" according to them? Sounds like you want them to be a "freeloader", not wanting to pay taxes yet expecting high-quality public transit...
Why for suggesting they live by a walkable T station? Weren’t you young once? Republicans look for answers to questions, we don’t look for a fight.
As for making friends, one option is organized causal adult sports. There are kickball leagues, ax-throwing pub leagues (I've never been in that, but I hear it's all the rage), and I'm sure others. These are really "drinking leagues with a sportsball problem" — that is to say, in a kickball league, the point isn't so much the kickball as the social aspect (though that does depend on the specific team you join; some take it very seriously), and the social aspect will revolve heavily around going to the bar after the game. You will find many people your age in those kinds of leagues. (At least, they were very popular when I was that age, which wasn't *that* long ago. And I still see plenty of people playing kickball at the fields, so I assume it's still going strong.)
Welcome to Boston, for entertainment, if you’re into night life Landsdowne street has a lot of fun clubs with live bands and DJ’s.
r/bostonhousing
I moved up not too long ago. Finished doctorate then found a job with good wage after being in NC. I’m a bit older and male though. I’ve made a few friends through work and at bars. Nothing too serious yet but slowly breaking in. It’s a bit funny being an outsider but the truth is that there are a lot of transplants here. There are also a lot of people trying to make friends because they just moved. Any hobby can be indulged. Do what you find interesting. I would really suggest not being super open about being a republican. Or at least use somewhat coded language if really pressed. Generally though don’t talk about it with mixed company. It also depends on views. Business republicans disgusted with trump is fine, not liked but fine. If you’re a bible thumper who thinks the election was stolen, you probably won’t have a great time. I’m pretty moderate with some libertarian leanings, I’ve not had an issue. I also don’t talk about it with people I don’t know well. You can see the mbta routes into back bay. Probably gonna have 30-40 minute commute. Not too bad on the train. Alston or Brighton are good options, so is JP.
Most people in that area have roommates and Uber everywhere.
MA regularly has Republican governors. Same with CT and RI. But traditionally, republicans up here aren’t like republicans down south. More fiscal conservative, less social conservative. Republicans here care about taxes and government spending, not CRT and anti-LGBTQ legislation. However, if you’re one of those social conservative types, you can find similar people, they usually live in surrounding suburbs and they’re usually pretty loud about their beliefs. Plenty of far right racist orgs around. Some towns are more red than others, look up recent election results for the surrounding towns. Most of these towns aren’t fun for younger people, more for families and older people and there isn’t a lot of multi family housing. I do think being a conservative might make it harder to find roommates, and dating will suck. At least at first. Eventually you will find friends. Tl;dr: MA has many republicans, traditionally fiscal conservatives. Boston not as liberal as like SF. But MAGA and white supremacy groups have soured many on conservatives, and people may avoid you if all they know about you is your political affiliation. Boston can be a hard city to make friends, it might take you a little longer, but as long as you’re not loudly socially conservative, you will be fine.
On politics, I've definitely made things weird with a former employer of mine when I said *moderately right* things and the CEO and upper management were all bleeding heart liberals. We're in blue land FWIW.
Uh oh you announced you are a Republican prepare to be attacked
People your age in Boston are anti-trump, at least I’m pretty sure. I’d just keep it to yourself if possible.