Boston - a - ments
 

Hey I was checking out another thread and saw a lot of trash talking about Boston. I'm planning on moving there in July, to become a full time poker pro, and living with a friend doing the same thing.

We're looking to pay about 1K/month each.

I don't know anything about Boston / Boston area.

but judging from that thread I'm making a horrible mistake (esp. since I'm moving from sunny San Diego).

Am I being a nit?

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

there are people who will talk trash about anything on the internet, i wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in what they say.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

boston over san diego? why?!?

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

I live in boston, so feel free to ask questions.

But, I'm confused, you're moving to Boston to become a poker pro? At foxwoods? If it's online, why move to such an expensive city?

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

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I live in near boston, so feel free to ask questions.

But, I'm confused, you're moving to Boston to become a poker pro? At foxwoods? If it's online, why move to such an expensive city?

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Re: Boston - a - ments
 

Boston is a bit of enigma as a city.

We have an incredible set of colleges and universities, which I think sets a tone where education and intellectualism and culture are very important.

We have some of the best hospitals in the world.

We have an awful lot of old money and blue blooded families, who kind of give off a inflated sense of self-importance to a lot of the city/state.

Despite the fact that Boston is a 'major' city, it's also fairly unique as a very walkable American city, which gives it a very European feel. Only a couple other US cities are like this, one of which is NYC which is so gigantic that it really doesn't feel 'walkable' (which is kind of unfair imho).

Property values are extremely high, basically b/c there is none left. People have been leaving MA b/c of this. There are lots of very nice exurban and suburban places to live - some of the best in the country I think - but you'll pay.

there are lots of great beaches and summer vaca spots, as well as skiing in the winter. the fall has beautiful weather.

the pro sports culture here is 2nd to none, if that's your thing.

The downsides are related to the upsides. B/c of all the colleges, Boston has a rep as a college town that is much better for 20-25 YO's than it is for 26 - 35 YO's. This is certainly true compared to NYC, which is an awesome city to live in in your 30's, but I don't know how it compares to other US cities.

Also, the people here are very aggressive and sarcastic, not weird for the northeast at all. But, this is off putting to a lot of people who just find it rude.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

MA is one of the worst states for poker pros to live in. i don't really want to go into more detail on this.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

Another Masshole here. Stay in San Diego. You won't like our weather here. Genitalia-iverting cold and crack-o-the-butt-sweat heat and humidity, with months of rain in between. I've lived here most of my life and would love to find a job in San Diego.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

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We're looking to pay about 1K/month each.

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if you're living in the city (cambridge/boston/brooline areas) this is pretty close to the bottom rung for a 2br apt (assuming you don't want crack dealers/whores plying their trades on your stoop). It's going to be very old, small, and a bit dumpy. Just so you're prepared.

I live in boston and I think you're making a mistake. I do love it here though as weird as that may sound.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

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We're looking to pay about 1K/month each.

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if you're living in the city (cambridge/boston/brooline areas) this is pretty close to the bottom rung for a 2br apt (assuming you don't want crack dealers/whores plying their trades on your stoop). It's going to be very old, small, and a bit dumpy. Just so you're prepared.

I live in boston and I think you're making a mistake. I do love it here though as weird as that may sound.

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not true is you spend any time looking. $1800 can buy you a decent 2 bedroom in a good neighborhood.

Our big 2/3 bedroom w/ 3 parking spots in Inman Sq. is $1850.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

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Boston is a bit of enigma as a city.

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Totally agree... I was very confussed everytime I visited the city to stay with my girlfriend

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We have an incredible set of colleges and universities, which I think sets a tone where education and intellectualism and culture are very important.

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i.e. I hope to god you're not a Republican... if you are... don't bring it up in a bar... you'll probably be hung


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We have an awful lot of old money and blue blooded families, who kind of give off a inflated sense of self-importance to a lot of the city/state.


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I agree

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Despite the fact that Boston is a 'major' city, it's also fairly unique as a very walkable American city, which gives it a very European feel. Only a couple other US cities are like this, one of which is NYC which is so gigantic that it really doesn't feel 'walkable' (which is kind of unfair imho).

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totally agree... this is the one thing I loved about the city. It was fun to walk from bar to bar as you pass by and building that also has amazing historical significance. Very cool

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Property values are extremely high, basically b/c there is none left. People have been leaving MA b/c of this. There are lots of very nice exurban and suburban places to live - some of the best in the country I think - but you'll pay.


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Welcome to most of the over-populated cities in America... not much different in L.A, NY, Chicago, et. al.

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there are lots of great beaches and summer vaca spots, as well as skiing in the winter. the fall has beautiful weather.


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Fall was beautiful and great for being out-doors. Coming from CA, the beaches are a joke.

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the pro sports culture here is 2nd to none, if that's your thing.

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maybe 15 years ago... but with the Pats and the Celts on the decline... i don't know that it's exactly the same as it used to be.


P.S. If you move out there... PM me... maybe you can go sleep with my ex-girlfriend... I hear I turned her into a bit of a floozy.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

PS... WTF leaves LA to go to Boston to be a Poker Pro

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

bicycle you have to be kidding about "maybe 15 years ago"

boston is a great city because it has character

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

RedSox ftw

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

The weather and chicks are so much better in San Diego. Also, you're stuck with Foxwoods if you want to play live legally. I have no idea why you'd want to live in Boston instead of San Diego. It's not even that much less crowded or cheaper than San Diego.

The only benefit I'd see to living in Boston is if there were some kind of career opportunity for you there, which does not apply in your case.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

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maybe 15 years ago... but with the Pats and the Celts on the decline... i don't know that it's exactly the same as it used to be.

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wtf? Cause the early 90's Celts and Pats were full of tradition? The Pats and Red Sox are certainly in much better shape, but I don't really follow Hockey or Basketball.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

1) LOL at Pats being on the decline.

2)I'm from Boston and live in a really nice place with hardwood floors, central air, pool, parking, for $1000/month.

3)Move to Allston/Brighton/Brookline and have sex with tons of BU/BC girls.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

You need to explain WHY you are moving to Boston. All of these replies are worthless because in a heads up match, San Diego wins obv. However Boston is a pretty sweet city to live in if you are young and if this is your only chance, I would take it...you can live in San Diego when you are older and can't deal with cold anymore.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

1k a month/person is plenty to get a decent 2BR in Boston. Some things to consider though:

having a car is a pain in the as in this city (parking, potholes, expensive insurance etc)

closest live poker is an hour and 45 minutes away

Bars close at 2AM

Public transportation stops running at like midnight or something

Theres college kids everywhere

The weather can be brutal

I still love it here though, although I have never lived anywhere else in my life. I have never heard of someone moving here to become a poker pro though.

More details
 

Hey I posted this quickly on my way out the door, I'll give some more details:

I grew up in NY, so I'm used to the east coast weather/ people/ etc.
I'm currently in school at UCSD, but I'm leaving for poker at the moment. Don't turn this into a "stay in school" thread plz, I can do this comfortably.

I'm going to be playing primarily online. I'm not even 21 until Oct, so casinos aren't a big factor.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

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The weather and chicks are so much better in San Diego. Also, you're stuck with Foxwoods if you want to play live legally. I have no idea why you'd want to live in Boston instead of San Diego. It's not even that much less crowded or cheaper than San Diego.

The only benefit I'd see to living in Boston is if there were some kind of career opportunity for you there, which does not apply in your case.

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There's a saying in San Diego, "9 out of 10 girls here in San Diego are hot. The 10th one goes to UCSD."

It's not that bad, but from what I hear the Boston area selection is much better.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

San Diego has hot chicks and warm sunshine. Boston has slutty chicks that may or may not be hot and crazy weather swings. Take your pick.

Please don't bitch about the snow though - it's your choice to live here.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

I moved to Boston after college. It's an awesome city, especially if you are single. It's major drawbacks don't affect you, the commute, the lack of sunshine for working folk, and the fact that it's a bit of a small town so after awhile you can't go anywhere without running into someone you know (both good and bad).

You have to decide which side of the Charles you want to live on. The Cambridge side is probably cheaper but the Boston side has Boston. There are other tradeoffs.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

At this point in time I dont think it makes a lot of sense to move to Boston to become a poker pro. Things are still very up in the air with online poker right now and Foxwoods is kind of a hike, so it just wouldnt make much sense to me to do this now.

Not saying anything bad about Boston, but your timing and needs just dont seem to be right.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

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At this point in time I dont think it makes a lot of sense to move to Boston to become a poker pro. Things are still very up in the air with online poker right now and Foxwoods is kind of a hike, so it just wouldnt make much sense to me to do this now.

Not saying anything bad about Boston, but your timing and needs just dont seem to be right.

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I agree the timing isn't great, but I'm tired of my school at the moment, and I have plans to travel for 3 months.

If I decide to go back to school I'll probably transfer somewhere, and Boston has quite a few schools.

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2)I'm from Boston and live in a really nice place with hardwood floors

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Can someone please tell me the appeal of hardwood floors? Every New England apartment ad seems to boast about them. What's the deal? Why would anyone prefer hardwood to carpet?

Does it have anything to do with your shoes always being wet?

Do carpets+heater always running=static shocks?

I'm serious, I don't get it.

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Why would anyone prefer hardwood to carpet?

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Sweeping is easier than vaccuuming.

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Can someone please tell me the appeal of hardwood floors? Every New England apartment ad seems to boast about them. What's the deal? Why would anyone prefer hardwood to carpet?

Does it have anything to do with your shoes always being wet?

Do carpets+heater always running=static shocks?

I'm serious, I don't get it.

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Aesthetics. They look a lot nicer.

Easier to clean (unless you are diligent, carpets smell after a while). Carpets basically need to be cleaned all the time.

From a selling standpoint, hardwood brings the property value up and is a good selling feature.

Also with Hardwoods you have the option of using nice area rugs to cover certain places that you might want a softer padding.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

I love Boston, and Cambridge even more.
I live in NH now, about 45 min. from Boston, I am putting some serious thought into moving to Cambridge if I can get a job nearby.

There are places you can find cheapish rent... My friend (yeah...the same one) lives about 1/3 mile off of Harvard Square, and her rent is like 1400/mo, split with another person for an avg sized 2 br (not sure if they get raped on utilities)
It would take a decent amount of looking to find a good deal though, and if you're in CA right now I guess you are probably moving in blind.

Though from what I've heard about SD I'm surprised anyone would want to move away.

Re: Boston - a - ments
 

I think anyone who quits anything to start playing poker professionally now is an idiot. If you were already doing it, fine. But anyone who quits school or a job and moves across the country for something that could possibly be illegal in a year. Even a 1% chance of online poker going bust in the next year would dissuade me from making this huge of a life decision.