Every time I introduce myself to a native East Coaster and say I’m from California, I get the same response: “Oh, wow! That’s so nice!” and while I definitely agree, there are so many amazing aspects of the East Coast that don’t exist on the West Coast, so I usually have the same response for someone who says they’re from Boston.
When asked which city I like better, it isn’t easy to choose simply because there is nothing similar between them. Like Los Angeles, Boston has a plethora of unique history, architecture, food, culture, and people. When I travel from Los Angeles to Boston and vice versa, it feels as if I’m hopping into a portal and going from one world to another. Not only do the two cities look completely different, but they feel different too. Los Angeles will always be home, and I miss it dearly, but Boston brings me comfort, and I absolutely adore the charm of the cobblestone streets and brownstones.
If I’m completely honest, my headline is a bit of a click-bait. There is truly nothing that I loathe about Boston, other than the frigid cold. But even the snow — as numbing as it can be — brings me a sense of comfort and, as weird as it sounds, warmth. I’ve always dreamt about having a white Christmas but living in California, my family’s tradition was to go to the beach because the coldest it gets is 55 degrees. If it were 55 degrees here in Boston, people would be wearing shorts.
I value the fact that the two cities are completely different because had I gone to school in California, it would’ve just been more of the same. Coming to Boston has pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’ve become a more hard-working person. Being in Boston has taught me to value intellect over looks, memories over physical items, and time over money. And that’s not to say I had bad values in California, but the values of Angelinos are very different from those of Bostonians.
There are so many things to love about Boston. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, and it’s the perfect mix of the old world and new. I love visiting shops and restaurants that have been here for more than 200 years and walking around Beacon Hill and the Public Garden, knowing the history with each step I take. Although there are many days where I wish I were back home in California, I wouldn’t trade the past year and a half of being in Boston.
I love how each city has shaped me into the person I’ve become. I still have room to grow and many paths to take, but I’m grateful to have experienced two very different places and made such precious memories.
Whether I stay in Boston after graduating from BU, go back to Los Angeles, or end up somewhere completely different, I can always call both cities my home.
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