Similarities between Boston and San Francisco?
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06/30/2005
Nish N. says:
So I've lived in San Francisco since 1998. When I first moved here from Manhattan, people were always asking me for comparisons between Ess Eff and NYC i.e. is the Marina like the Upper East Side, which city has better sushi, etc.
To me, New York is the Center of the Universe, in a category all to its own, but I truly love San Franciso. That said, I actually felt there were more similarities between Boston and SF, in terms of neighborhoods, the bar and dining scene, that sort of thing. Anyone care to comment?
06/30/2005
Jeremy "Big Papa" S. says:
Ok I'm biased: 5 years in SF, 1 year in Boston. SF feels more on the cutting edge of fashion, technology, and food. The scene seems on the surface casual (jeans & t-shirts at 5 star restaurants) yet in reality SF folks are trying to be cool (much like our NYC counterparts).
Boston seems to worry less about what is in or what is out. It is about the tride and true - the basics and the classics. It is also important to note that Boston is a real college town. When I go out the average age seems like 24, whereas in SF it's closer to 29.
As I mentioned in my other post I've never been too thrilled with the Boston restaurant scene, but I was impressed with the South End, it has an SF/NY feel...
07/01/2005
Babs P. says:
I've also lived for 5 years in SF, and my whole life on the West Coast, so I'm biased as well. But...well, I just read "The Day of the Locust," and I feel that California's frenzy to be so trendy, jetset, and uberhip has hurt its character. And the sad thing is, SF isn't that hip. It's at least a year behind the fashion scene in New York and London. Politically, it's become stooped in this anti-regime mentality that we don't trust our politicians or our own political movements. I don't know if the East Coast is going to be better, but after living on this side of the continent my whole life, I'm going to keep an open mind.
07/01/2005
Nish N. says:
Wow, pretty heavy stuff Babs. I agree that SF isn't completely hip, but it does have some serious character. It's a city with a bit of an identity crisis at times - we want to be trendy but don't want to admit it. I also feel SF is very different from the rest of California i.e. The People's Republic of San Francisco. But I love the Bay Area in general, the food is amazing, we have the wine country, and a pretty diverse and open-minded cross section of life. I do think our neighborhoods are a little segregated but that happens with any urban sprawl. On the note of being hip, you can try to be hip, you just are! Now what was this thread about? Oh yeah, Boston is also such a college town that I feel it permeates a lot of the cultural life, in good ways and bad. Sort of how politics is forever imbedded in DC, and to an extent technology and the Internet to the Bay Area.
07/01/2005
Babs P. says:
I like San Francisco, too, but honestly, don't read Day of the Locust. It was written in the '30s and is about how Hollywood and to some extent all of California, is just a fantasy. People retire or journey here to live the good life, only to end up bored and restless.
07/01/2005
April M. says:
I've read it too, it's a classic, and it's somewhat timeless. The more things change, the more they remain the same, I suppose. For better or for worse, there's definitely something special about the West. I wonder, there are a lot of pop and rock songs about San Francisco, but not really any about Boston, what does that say?
07/01/2005
Nish N. says:
I've read the book too, in high school I think! Don't forget, Boston does have a rock band (albeit a sucky one) named after it, but I don't think there is one for San Francisco. Plenty of songs though, I agree. Robert Plant would concur as well.
07/01/2005
Nish N. says:
Let's just say, it's "more than a feeling" that Boston (the band) sucks. But I will give kudos to Steve Tyler for making Boston rock.
07/01/2005
Brandon B. says:
of montreal covered "more than a feeling" at this one show i went to and it was one of greatest experiences in my life
07/01/2005
Brandon B. says:
boston has two o's and san francisco has two a's. conspiracy? oh i think so.
07/02/2005
Jonathan S. says:
No rock songs about Boston?!? Come on, haven't you been to a Sox win at Fenway? "Dirty Water" by the Standells!
07/02/2005
Jonathan S. says:
Regarding the comparison between Boston and SF, I've found them pretty similar: both very walkable, you can live downtown, the people are well-educated, liberal, and cultured.
SF definitely has more good bars and restaurants, which is ironic given that there are 100k college students in the Boston area. Or maybe not, since a lot of people probably drink at their apt or dorm or college bar when they're in school. (God frickin' bless the Thirsty Ear, my home away from home away from home.) Boston's a better sports town by a factor of about seven zillion, although I'm obviously completely biased.
07/05/2005
Alyssa C. says:
Boston and SF: Well I lived in Boston 6 years and grew up in Bay Area and now have lived in the city for 2. Lets say this: anyone I knew in Boston has or is moving to SF. Both are great small cities and you can survive without a car. SF by far has a larger art scene (even though I went to art school in Boston) Both cities have a young crowd to them, but SF is more young working professionals while Boston is college kids. Both cities have a million bands in the local sence. Boston fits everyone into types: art/hipster kids, BC kids, BU kids, etc. with no mingling. SF everyone is into everything and not so clearly defined. Boston does have its neighborhoods like SF. Allston and Lower Allston are for hipsters and the collge kids (similar to the Mission). Back Bay is Pac Heights, Fort Point is like SOMA, Brighton is like Panhandle. Bar scene is similar although more sports bars in Boston and unique bars in SF. Dining gets real old in Boston, but two pizza pies for 12 bucks never dissappoints anyone. And yes most people really do love the coffee at Dunkin Donuts because there is so much sugar in it.
07/06/2005
Matt R. says:
Give "The Ice of Boston" by Dismemberment Plan a listen.
07/11/2005
Miss R. says:
I visited San Francisco for the first time since I was 10 last Christmas. I can honestly say it is the only city that has come close to feeling like Boston. I would definitely move there, if I ever leave the Boston area. Even though housing is more expensive.
I do think SF has far better vegan/vegetarian dining options, and the homeless people are far more chill. Boston is easier to get around in (especially walking - not so many murderous hills!), but SF wins major points for being a gorgeous city with some of the most beautiful nature within a 30 minute drive (Muir Woods, I'm looking at you). I was pretty disappointed by the Berkeley area, though. I think Boston probably wins for diversity of awesome universities.
07/11/2005
Babs P. says:
There are homeless people in Boston?! I visited in January, so I guess they migrate south in winter. I'll be moving to Boston soon, so I guess I'll see for myself.
I worked with the homeless population for 4 years in SF, and unfortunately my experience was less chill because many are extremely mentally ill. (And I had to ride loony Muni.)
07/11/2005
Miss R. says:
Yeah, I wasn't implying that the homeless of SF weren't mentally ill, they just seemed to be far less aggressive panhandlers. Boston is full of homeless - walk down Newbury Street, through the North End, into the South End, anywhere, and you'll see them. It's sad, and some of them freeze to death in the cold winter, in spite of volunteer efforts to get people inside and warm.
07/11/2005
Babs P. says:
The SF panhandlers used to be much more aggressive, but when Mayor Newsom passed some anti-panhandling legislation about a year ago, they did chill out.
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