Boston's response to accusations of "playing 'big city'"

Who says Boston's not a legitimate 'big city'? We even have an awesome skyline./ PHOTO VIA futureboston.wordpress.com

“Pretty Cute Watching Boston Residents Play Daily Game of ‘Big City,” is the bold title of a new article from the satirical news organization, The Onion.

Does this make your blood boil, Bostonians?!

Or are you an original New Yorker who reads the satirical piece with a knowing smile on your face?

The article chuckles at Boston residents, portraying them kind of like little kids in a make-believe playground as the older, more responsible citizens of America watch on. While The Onion is just poking fun, as it usually does, is there a ring of truth behind its words?

You know – maybe the huge cities like New York and Los Angeles just resent us for having all the benefits of a big city while maintaining the lovely coziness of a small town. There are benefits to living in Boston. Okay, okay, our nightlife is no New York City nightlife.  We aren’t constantly abuzz with people, and our streets aren’t filled with celebrities like LA’s streets are. But there are some pretty cool things about Boston. I wouldn’t say we are pretending to be a big city, but rather that we are a unique one, a hybrid of small-town-life and busy-city-thrill. For example:

1. We have the large buildings and busy streets of a big city, without the filth. In fact, Forbes rated Boston the 10th cleanest city in the world in 2007 (tied with Lexington). Take that, New York.

2. We have a convenient, easy-to-use subway system that transports you all around Boston with relatively no hassle. It has a color code that’s easy to understand and maps to help you along the way. And soon it may be running past midnight into the wee hours of the morning! (Okay, don’t poke fun. We’re getting there. We’re revamping our nightlife transportation, I promise. Boston will soon have a thriving, busy nightlife.)

3. The music on Boston’s streets and in the T station is usually great. You never fear being stuck in the T station for too long because there is some pretty fantastic music keeping you entertained, oftentimes by very talented local college students. Which brings me to my last point…

4. Boston is one of the biggest college cities you will ever come across. I know, you’ve heard it before. But really– the amount of college kids in the city keeps the town abuzz with a crisp energy. Everyone in Boston is learning something, eager to build their future, and excited to meet people and make friends. And while the majority of Boston may seem to fall under a younger demographic, it doesn’t stop it from being any less diverse. You can come across many different cultures in the hub.

So whether you’re a Bostonian who needed a little bit of a pick-me-up because you were down about your favorite city, or a hard New Yorker who needed a bit convincing, read this and know that Boston has some pretty fantastic things about it. For the record, The Onion’s article made me laugh. But I still refuse to admit there’s any truth behind the words.

Originally published: March 17, 2013

Website of original published article: http://freepblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/bostons-response-to-accusations-of-playing-big-city/