boston

Boston and I got along right from the start. The chemistry was instant. Walkable? Yes. Calmer? Yes. Cleaner? Yes.

I think moving to this city made me believe in the power of manifesting. On a random visit during my senior year of college, I looked at the Broad Institute sign in Kendall Square and said, “This is where I’m going to work.” I crossed the Longfellow Bridge and wished I lived close enough to walk it daily. I reached Beacon Hill, all European charm after Kendall Square’s industrial cold (sorry, MIT), and knew: “This is exactly where I want to live.”

I manifested. It sort of happened…

No one tells you that big signs with big missions can be misleading, that bridges aren’t so walkable during Boston’s winter storms (I walked them anyway, pained), or that Beacon Hill’s charm comes with a lot of hills. None of this was Boston’s fault, of course. I loved it. I was surrounded by wicked smaht people and many opportunities to retrieve Dunks.

And who knows, with the right manifestations, I might come back.

Here’s a running list of things townies like me love:

🏃 outside my 9 to 5

  • Runs/walks on the promenade
  • Charles Street
  • Getting lost in a snowy Beacon Hill
  • Clay Lounge in SoWaIf you want to splurge on pottery classes
  • Strolling through Boston Common & the Public Garden
  • Window shopping (or shopping) on Newbury Street
  • Coolidge Corner, BrooklineTake the (forever slow) Green Line, stop by the Booksmith

☕ munch & sip

  • TatteBasically the Starbucks of Boston, but way better. Try the pistachio tart and Israeli spread
  • La BurdickGo for the best hot chocolate you'll ever have
  • BakeyYummy babkas, my personal favorite is the banana pecan
  • Pavement CoffeehouseGood coffee, not so workable
  • Luxor CafeBaklava lattes that fueled me through my med school secondary apps
  • Thinking CupGood coffee, but even better breakfast burritos
  • Life AliveSome might say I'm addicted to this place
  • George Howell CoffeeBest coffee in Boston and mostly workable, special thanks for being my number one place for med school apps
  • OleanaOne of the best high-end Mediterranean meals I've had
  • SarmaAlso delicious Mediterranean food
  • Capital BurgerTheir Swiss cheese & truffle burgers are fire
  • Antonio'sA very Italian, but super charming, small restaurant with delicious homemade pasta
  • Night Shift BreweryI'm not a beer person, but their sours and bar food are decent
  • The Elephant WalkTried Cambodian food for the first time here, and pretty interesting cocktails too
  • Wusong RoadFood maybe or maybe not, but the cocktails are so fun
  • Franklin CafeCozy atmosphere with great American food
  • CosmicaNot the most authentic Mexican food, but a lovely courtyard in the summer
  • Felipe'sFun rooftop and $10 frozen margs