I come from a small rural town in Southern Maine and when it came time to choose a college, I was ready to leave. As much as I loved the local cafes and walks on the ocean I knew I wanted something with a little more excitement and liveliness. When I chose to come to school in Boston it was a decision made based on location (two hours from home) and the fact that in a city, you can never be bored (and I also chose a great school but that's another story.) Choosing to go to school in a city is a big decision but one that I believe everyone should think about. There are definitely some pros and cons that I've encountered while being here, and if anyone is thinking about going to school in a city, I encourage you to think about these points as well.
1. The noise.
If you come to the city thinking you'll have your window shut and not have to hear any of the outside world, you're wrong. The noise was one of the biggest adjustments, there are sirens all the time, people honk and yell at each other constantly and on weekends you can hear groups of people making their way through town usually rather late. (Con)
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2. Living in the city means exactly that, you're in a city.
I came from an area where I could always go to the ocean or go for a quiet walk and just be outside in nature. In Boston, it's hard to find a quiet place that's easy to access and secluded from the city. While there are some little parks and the Charles river is lovely, it is definitely hard to find a place with fresh air and quiet. (Con)
3. There is always something to do, especially if you're a college student.
Because Boston is such a big college city, most local places offer student deals and places like the Museum of Fine Art, Fenway Park and the Aquarium host day and night events for students to attend, meet other students, and lots of times receive free (a college student's favorite word) stuff. This is by far one of the best aspects of being in a city because if you're bored all you have to do is walk outside and there are a plethora of options for anyone. (Pro)
4. Cities are dirty.
This is something that might take some getting used to if you're custom to fresh air and clean sidewalks. It may also come as a shock when you see the level of poverty in a city and the amounts of people begging in the street. This definitely made me step back and think about how I am going to school somewhere people are struggling to make a living which is a hard concept to grasp. (Con)
5. You meet so many people!
I mean anywhere you go to college you'll meet a lot of people, but in a city, especially Boston, you meet so many people from other schools which is a lot of fun. Whether you meet these people at parties or at some of the student events (MFA, Fenway, etc.) it's a great way to make new friends and make new connections. (Pro)
6. For some majors, you're learning about events that happened right outside your door.
This is such a cool way to learn because, for some of your classes, part of the class will be field trips to museums and monuments. Even if you aren't majoring in a subject that has a relevant history in a city, learning about the history is still pretty cool. (Pro)
7. Culture!
What a better place to learn about different cultures, cities are full of them! Whether you're looking to try new foods or learn a new language you have a lot of resources at your fingertips. Plus, learning about different cultures helps educate you on the world around you. (Pro)
8. $$$
Money Money Money. Yes living in a city is expensive, especially the first few weeks of school when everything is new and exciting and you want to eat out every night (ops). I've found that a lot of my money goes toward buying bus or subway tickets and those do start to add up. If you can find a way to cut back on the eating out (I know having Starbucks and Chipotle at every corner is hard, but try) and make a budget for yourself, it gets easier. Also, try to remember you're a college student, you typically can't afford to be shopping at Urban Outfitters and Lululemon every week, so try to avoid heavy shopping areas because sometimes, it's just too tempting. (Con)
9. Transportation
Any city is bound to have a TON of transportation options, making it incredibly easy to get home when needed. Whether it's by bus, train or plane it's usually not hard to find a way to get back for holidays or for emergencies. This also makes it's easier for your friends and family to come visit you! (Pro)
10. Traditions
Whatever city you're in probably has some events that are specific to just that city and if you're living there, you get to take part too! For example in Boston, there's the Head of the Charles Regatta and the Boston Marathon as well as Red Sox games and other events that make Boston, Boston. It's so fun and exciting to take part in different city traditions and it really makes you feel like you belong.
Going to school in a city is a great decision but it is definitely not for everyone. I do miss the ocean and the peace and quiet, but knowing I can always go back is enough for me. It's important to remember that everyone is different and will react to living in a city in a different way. Something I learned fast is that living in a city, and visiting a city are two different things. Overall, going to school in a city provides you with amazing opportunities to learn about yourself, whatever it is you're studying, and the world around you.
