Some Background Stats:
Metro population: 1.8 million
Unemployment rate: 8.7%
Cost of living index: 132.8 (100 is average) – somewhat steep, but they say beauty comes with a price
Major Industries: Consulting and venture capital
Avg. Price of a One Bedroom Apartment: $1,950*
Professional Sports: Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins
Climate: Winter—30°F, Summer—72°F
Closing Time: 2AM – seriously though
Best known for: Obnoxious accent and Red Sox Fans
Best Dish: Clam Chowder and Seafood
Why We Chose It:
According to Forbes, Boston has a net employment outlook of 16%, and is ranked as the #6 best city to find a job this spring. CNBC also rated the Boston-Quincy area as one of the best areas for young people to live. The median Bostonian resident is only 33 years of age, making Boston one of the youngest cities on our list. Many students stay in Boston after graduation because of the amenities and opportunities the city provides, making it a highly educated and lively city to start a career in. The US Census Bureau estimates that 41% of the adult population holds a bachelor’s degree, which is impressive compared to the national average of just 27%.
Why You’ll Love it:
If you can get past the accents and obnoxiously proud sports fans, Boston is an incredible place to live. You can get almost anywhere by the T or buses that run throughout the city and its dense local suburbs. With over 400 years of history behind this colonial city, the possibilities for entertainment and indulgence are endless. Take a walk on the Freedom Trail, a red brick walking path that goes through 16 historical Revolutionary sites such including the home of Paul Revere. The city is known for its dense arts culture as well, and is home to the Boston Ballet, the Boston Lyric Opera, the Museum of Fine Arts, and several annual art festivals that take place in several of the city’s parks and shopping areas.
For the outdoorsy types, Boston is home to Arnold Arboretum, the oldest public arboretum in North America, with over 15,000 individual plants of 2,100 different species in the heart of the Harvard University campus. There is also the Boston Public Garden, the first public garden in the United States and home to the famed Swan boats that have graced the river for over 130 years.
If you’re feeling active, sign up for the Boston Marathon, the nation’s oldest marathon, which takes place the third Monday of April each year. You can embrace the winter weather with an outdoor ice skate on Boston Common Frog Pond, take a run along the or Boston Harbor, kayak on the Charles River, or even visit the animals at Franklin Park Zoo.
Boston houses some of the most loved and hated sports teams in the nation, depending on who you ask. Regardless, it is home to the oldest Major League baseball park in the United States, Fenway Park, which is situated in the heart of downtown and considered one of the best tourist destinations of the city. Beantown is also known for its distinctive shopping grounds and eateries that bring charm and culture to the city. Some of the best known areas include Union Square, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Downtown Crossing, the neighborhood of North End, and Newbury Street.
For the music connoisseur, Boston tied Nashville for the No. 2 spot in indie culture. Check out the annual Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival, a weekend long festival of music art vendors, and food on the last weekend of September. For year round music entertainment, check out indie concerts at The Orpheum, The Middle East, Paradise Rock Club, or TT the Bears Place. Other great venues include the House of Blues, Wilber Theater and Wang Theater.
And finally, for the kid who’s not quite ready to leave the college lifestyle, take a tour of the famous Samuel Adams Brewery and sample some true Bostonian brews. For a petty $2 donation to a local charity you receive a 25-minute tour of the facilities, three beer samples, and a beer glass keepsake. It’s like a frat party for adults, only less crowded and the beverages are of higher quality. To avoid the expensive city cover fees, check out The Bella Luna Milky Way or dBar on a week night for some hip nightlife and a break from the office.
Not ready to leave Bucknell? We didn’t think so.
Check out the Boston Bucknell Club
184 alumni are in the area. Check out B-Link if you want to talk to people willing to speak about career advice and job opportunities at such places as:
PricewaterhouseCoopers ’78
Pearson Publishing ’68
City of Boston (State) ’01
Or in industries such as:
Risk Management ’86
Government/State ’01
Education ’01
Athletic Assistant ’07
By Laura Carlson ’12
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