Many consider Boston as a high intellectual city. Boston takes pride in its universities and students. The legendary icon, Mark Twain once remarked, In New York they ask “how much money does he have?” In Philadelphia, they ask, “Who were his parents?” In Boston they ask, “How much does he know?
Sports are a major part of the city’s culture. Boston teams include the Red Sox in Major League baseball, the New England Patriots (who play in suburban Foxboro) in the National Football League, the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association, and the Bruins in the National Hockey League. Boston sports fans are known for their knowledge of Red Sox history. Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, is the oldest ballpark in the Major League and holds a special status among baseball fans.

Speaking of etiquette, the Bostonians have known for their etiquette and manners for many years. There are travel etiquettes, drinking etiquettes, talking etiquettes and even parking etiquette. Most of the people in this city use the subways and other public transportation for commute and travel. So travel etiquettes are very important here. In Boston when you see a chair/garbage can in a parking spot, it is better to leave that spot alone as it warns that it has been reserved by someone, failing to do so, would not guarantee the wellness of your vehicle. It is an unwritten rule.

Within this vast culture, there exist a number of sub-cultures. The neighborhoods are often ethnic or tied to a group of people or a way of life-South Boston is Irish Catholic and working class; Roxbury is highly Dominican and black; the North End still retains its Italian heritage; the South End is bohemian and so on. But other sub-cultures also represent the many common interests, such as sports, the arts and theater and the large student population. The city, by the way, is where JFK got his start, representing it in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Today, Bostonians tend to be reserved – some would say downright chilly – but they can be friendly and helpful if you initiate the conversation. However, it is not advised to ask them to say, “Park your car in Harvard Yard,” just to hear their Boston accent. Boston is rightly called “Athens of America” for its culture.

Boston is known for its student population and also for its intellectuals. Out of 800,000 people population, 250,000 are students in various universities. Boston also takes pride in its world renowned quality of its universities. Many attributes such as food, accommodation, travel and other industries also greatly relay on the student population in Boston. It is also called as the “city of Youth” because of the immense student population.

You can come upon café’s shops, study areas which support and encourage the students to study by a noise-free environment. Many students sit at coffee shops and feel comfortable to read and learn. There are many programs/projects that are available that encourage work and study among the students. Qualified students also get financial aid from the educational Institutions. There are educational institutions for early and higher education. The city is home for many popular universities such as Harvard Business School.

Boston Public Schools

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) serves more than 56,000 pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 students in 135 schools. BPS was awarded the distinguished Broad Prize for Urban Education in 2006 as the top performing city school district in the country. Boston Public Schools, where effective teaching and learning prepare all the students to achieve at high levels, and where the entire community works together to focus on children.

The job/working market seems to be generally flooded, especially at the entry-level positions. Salaries in Boston tend to vary according to job field, though most starting salaries tend to be on the low side in comparison to standard of living, as the supply of workers exceeds the demand of available jobs in many fields.

Boston is also home to some of the most innovative healthcare institutions in the world, the most respected financial organizations, the most imaginative biotech companies and a thriving hospitality and tourism industry (plus many others). It’s a great place for both families and for professional growth especially if you””re looking to advance your skills by going back to school for a degree or by taking a class. There are more than a hundred institutions of higher learning in the greater Boston area.

Many explicit resources are available and are in progress to make the student’s life better.

First and foremost, let’s talk about the State house, where tours are available and they last approximately 30-45 minutes and the tour explains briefly of the history and architecture of the State Capitol.

Riding the Swan Boats is a favorite activity for tourists and locals. The boats take the around the Public Garden Lagoon for a 15 minute peaceful ride.

If riding the swan was not enough, take the ferry from Long Wharf to the Charleston Navy yard to visit the U.S.S. Constitution and experience a new way of travel as well as sight-seeing. If you are travelling with the kids then take them to the Children’s Museum. The museum offers fun-filled activities, games, exhibits, experiments and so many other activities.

If hiking is your favorite thing to do then you could climb Bunker Hill Monument which has 294 steps to the top of the Monument and once you get to the top there are incredible views of Boston.

Another popular thing is to walk the Freedom Trail. The trail is marked by a red line and it takes the visitors to 16 historical sites and covers two and a half centuries of America’s most significant past. You can take a self-guided tour or one of the many tours available through the National Park Service.

For those who love art, the Museum of Fine Arts has approximately 450,000 objects in the collection, always having something new to view. USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Tours are available for the warship.

The Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade features free outdoor events throughout the summer including Boston Pops Concerts, 4th of July fireworks, movies and concerts. Free and discounted passes for many Boston museums are available to library card holders at local branch libraries. Tourists and locals can make use of these.

The Museum of African American History is dedicated to preserving, conserving and accurately interpreting the contributions of African Americans in New England from the colonial period through the 19th century. Free tours of the nation’s first public library highlight the architecture of Charles Follen McKim and Philip Johnson, as well as the many works of famed sculptors and painters.

One can also check out the street performers at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, where it’s like a festival every day! Faneuil Hall Marketplace features jugglers, clowns, magicians, mimes and musicians. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston includes stimulation of contemporary culture and excitement of a beautiful waterfront area. No general admission fee required.

Boston is a bicycle-friendly city as well. Boston is densely or closely packed together, so getting from one place to another by bikes is preferred. It also reduces pollution and serves as a good exercise. Apart from walking and biking, there are other ways to travel in Boston.
“Vanpooling” is an ideal, yet affordable way to get around places. If driving by car is your option you can consider vanpooling, which is a group of people sharing a van for specific destinations in the city. By vanpooling, not only fuel and maintenance costs are saved, the environment is also prevented from heavy pollution. For other road transportation purposes you always have the taxi/cab services. If you need to get to your hotel/train station from the airport, a taxi or a cab can get you there. Station wagons which are accessible taxis for persons with disabilities, and credit card taxis are available upon request at the airport.

If you choose to use the public transportation, you can do so as well. Thousands of residents and visitors use the extensive system of MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) trains and buses to get around the city each day. Boston’s subway system though not as extensive as that of New York, is an effective mode of travel between major locations in the city. Referred to simply as “the T,” Boston’s subway has color-coded lines in Red, Orange, Green, Blue and Silver, and it is operated by the MBTA. Commuter trains are also available for those travelling from the suburbs to the city of Boston.

Besides the subway system, the MBTA operates a bus service with routes same as that of the subway and many other places too. Bus schedules are available at most subway stations and are usually posted on the sign at bus stops and do run on schedule.

Some prefer the water shuttles, water taxi’s, boats and ferries to get to places, while some enjoy Boston’s best cruises and water rides for sight seeing, pure pleasure and for fun. The city water taxi also provides a safe, reliable and affordable means of transportation within the city.

If you rather fly to destinations, Boston is home to Logan International Airport. Major places around the city and within the city can be reached using airplanes at an affordable price.

Always stick to well-lit, well-traveled and busy streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots and alleys where danger lurks on people who are often isolated from the crowds. Don””t reveal large amounts of cash or other tempting precious objects such as jewelry or expensive clothing. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an outside coat or front pocket. Use an ATM as far as possible in the daytime.

Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restricts your movement. Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the door. If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant or lighted house. If you’re scared, yell for help. The police also offer these tips for keeping your neighborhood and workplace safer: Report broken streetlights and lobby local government for better lighting in public places. Join or establish a neighborhood, apartment or office watch to look out for each other and help the police. Ask the police to help your group as well. Help out a friend, neighbor or co-worker who’s been a victim of crime. Listen, sympathize and don’t blame them.

Safety rules should be followed if you hang out with your friends, hopping between the hippest, hottest Boston nightclubs. Go clubbing with a friend and when you bring a friend along with you it decreases the chances of being lured away from the group. Never leave the building, or the main room of the club, without bringing your friend along. Don’t bring your whole wallet. You’re only going to need your ID and a little bit of cash. Plan your transportation to and from the Boston nightclubs ahead of time so that you come home with a reliable person and being picked by any stranger on the street. Don’t give out your contact information when you’re clubbing. Quickly locate the emergency exits and the security staff when you walk into a club. Clubs without adequate emergency exits shouldn’t even be in operation, and Boston night clubs with no security should be avoided whenever possible.

While travelling with family and kids, make sure that your kids are with you at all times. Many times during travel kids wander off and become a prey for crooks. Following these rules would make your trip much more fun and exciting!