What is Boston like and the weather?

[McAvoy21]

I'm planning to move there for work and for grad school; what's the weather like, lots of snow in the winter? are people nice? vibrant nightlife? thanks in advance.

[sean_2015]

Let me break it down for you by pros vs. cons.

Pros
1. excellent and cheap public transportation
2. beautiful harbor and close to the ocean
3. world-class colleges and universities
4. finest hospitals in the nation
5. distinct New England seasons
6. airport is conveniently located to the city (only 10 minutes by train from downtown)
7. fine sports tradition (particularly baseball) and rabid sportsfans
8. interesting blend of the old and new
9. vibrant nightlife (doesn't compete with New York's, but still good for a city of its size)
10. entertainment and the arts (Boston Symphony Orchestra, museums, etc.,)
11. close proximity to resort areas in Maine and New Hampshire
12. very culturally diverse, with a heavy Irish population in South Boston and a strong Italian influence in places like the North End; also a booming Latino population in Eastie

Cons:
1. absurdly-expensive housing and property
2. shortage of parks and land
3. compact and dense city; makes for a lack of space and privacy
4. the people can be cold
5. no street grid system which makes it difficult to drive, navigate and park (for those with cars)
6. very touristy, and can get a bit expensive and crowded in the summer months (although on the flipside, this is also the same time when the students have emptied out of the city)
7. having the finest hospitals in the nation may not mean much to you if you can't afford the cost of health care
8. for newcomers, it can have a "snobby" feel to it, due to all of the higher-learning institutions such as Harvard and MIT
and
9. the local job market can be competitive for that same reason

Yes, the winters ARE cold, though much less severe than what you'd find in places like Chicago, Minneapolis or Toronto. We'll get an occasional heat wave in summer, but otherwise the summers aren't too hot. Fall is the best time for weather, with warm days and crisp nights. Spring can be cloudy and damp because the winds at that time of year tend to be onshore.

Hope this helps.