Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and home to around 650,000 people, many of whom take tremendous pride in everything from Red Sox baseball to their driving skills. Nicknamed Beantown, Boston was established in 1630, making it one of the most historical cities in New England. Bostonians experience four distinct seasons, which can involve brutal winters as well as hot summers.
The city's vast student population gives Boston a young, vibrant energy. There are over 50 colleges in the Boston area, so the student population is around 250,000. Education and medicine - Boston is a leader in medical innovation with hospitals like Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital - are, by far, the area's top two industries for both men and women. Over 60 percent of the area's adults have completed some college.
Picturesque Back Bay is filled with shops, restaurants and other points of interest like the Boston Public Library and Copley Square, while colonial Beacon Hill boasts a village-like community and expensive real estate. The South End, with its brownstones and some of the city's best restaurants , is very LGBTQ-friendly, and the Italian-flavored North End is Boston's oldest neighborhood and the site of Paul Revere's former home. Another nickname for Boston is "the Walking City" for its proud population of pedestrian commuters. Bostonians also like to drive, though parking can be difficult. However, car-sharing programs make this a bit easier. Thanks to Boston Bikes, the city has many well-thought-out bike routes, and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, affectionately known as "The T," provides efficient subways, buses, commuter trains and even ferries.
Boston's many neighborhood parks come alive with everything from live music to big-screen movies. The Urban Wilds is a series of natural ecosystems worth exploring, plus the city has two golf courses. Boston loves large-scale events - like the Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta and Boston Pride Festival - which happen year-round. The city's beloved Red Sox baseball team plays inside the country's oldest arena: Fenway Park.
