Boston Fun Facts: Beyond the Freedom Trail lore
Think you really know Boston? It's a city with cobblestone streets that could snap a heel, bowls of chowdah that you'll have to try to believe, and sports fans that are louder than the screech of the Green Line. Let's run through the facts, stats, and wicked details that showcase what makes Boston's attitude worth every traffic jam.
Candice, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Candice has called Massachusetts home for 15 years, which started with a Texas to New England road trip in a Honda Civic, three cats, zero plans, and just enough confidence to assume it would all work out. She has lived all over the state which means she knows Massachusetts is really several states pretending to be one. She has been a writing professor, a software designer, a piano and sax player, and a mom to 2 pre teen kids and a very elderly cat. She lives for brunch, needs regular nature fixes to stay sane, and knows exactly which Mass stereotypes are true. At Snappy Scout, Candice keeps Massachusetts guides fast, sharp, and painfully accurate.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes Boston Boston?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
What we actually call it
Most people here just call it Boston or the city if they’re coming in from the suburbs. Whatever you do, don't call it "Beantown" unless you want everyone to know you just got here.
Local Reality Check
People think they'll see the Cheers bar. It's just a tourist trap replica.
You're most likely moving from
New York (seeking lower rent, ironically) or somewhere warmer they'll immediately regret leaving
Strangely large concentration of
Dunkin' locations per square mile and people who refuse to pronounce the letter R
Music scene
Punk and hardcore roots at spots like The Sinclair, plus Berklee students everywhere
You'll have to see it to believe it
The absolute chaos of cars ignoring lane markings in rotaries during rush hour
Unique Geography
Built on landfill, so half the city didn't exist 200 years ago
Boston is home to
America's first public park (Boston Common, 1634) and oldest continuously operating restaurant (Union Oyster House)
Well known for its
Defensive sports fans and revolutionary history shoved into every conversation
Fun history fact
In 1919, a molasses tank exploded, flooding streets with 2.3 million gallons at 35 mph
Celebrity sightings
Matt Damon at Fenway, Mark Wahlberg literally anywhere, Chris Evans jogging the Esplanade
Noteworthy Census stat
Over 35% of residents hold a graduate degree, highest rate of any major US city
Most interesting sub-culture within Boston
Townies who've never left their neighborhood and can tell you which street corner their grandfather owned
Population
1st largest city in MA, top 25 largest nationwide
Boston is roughly the same geographic size as
Miami, Florida (both around 48 square miles of land area)
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
The Head of the Charles! This is an annual rowing event that takes place on the Charles River. The weather is usually perfect, and it is quite the event. And you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll find a team to root for. Quite exhilarating.
— Candice Hallsett
Massachusetts Local Expert
Ready to See If Boston Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Boston guide for the bigger picture.