Welcome to Boston!
Benvingut! Are you a catalan and just landed in the Boston area? We have you covered!
The first thing you want to do is to join the mailing list. It is the best way to get to know catalan people at MIT and surroundings. If you have any question, do not doubt to contact the catalan officers at catalonia-officers@mit.edu. We're here to help
Boston is considered to be one of the more european-like cities in the US, but don’t be mistaken! Alcohol laws, for starters, are more restrictive: you will need a passport or a Massachusetts state ID to purchase alcohol and walk into bars. Public transportation and city layout make it easy to get everywhere without the need of a car. Affordable accessible areas include Cambridge, Somerville, Allston and Fenway.
The greater Boston area is home to 35 colleges, universities and community colleges. You can expect to meet a lot of people that work in academia: students, postdocs, faculty, etc. Private tech industry, education and __ are other major attractors of international talent. Boston sees constant in and out flow of people, (per acabar)
If you are new in town and are looking for things to do, here are some suggestions!
Sightseeing
Boston Public Garden, Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, Newbury Street. These are very centric locations that you will go often. The Bostonian version of Ciutadella, Passeig de Gràcia and Ciutat Vella!
Museums
MFA, ICA, Isabella Steward Gardner, Church of Christ Scientist. Many of them are free for MIT students, and others have special days with free or reduced entry.
Hiking
Blue Hills Observatory, White Mountains National Forest, Cape Cod. For this, you'll need a car. As an MIT student, you have great discounts using Avis and Budget.
Food & Drinks
Boston offers menus for all budgets and cultures. New Englan Clam Chouder and Lobster Roll are the most emblematic meals for Bostonians, don't leave the city without having tried it once! But here you have some other options that you most likely opt in your everyday life. Remember to tip the waitress, it their salary!
- Brunch: The Friendly Toast, Warren Tavern, Lulu’s, Rosebud, Alden & Harlow
- Lunch: Time Out Market, Quincy Market, Shy Bird
- Dinner: Bow Market, Smoke Shop
- Breweries: Aeronaut, Owl’s Nest, Lamplighter
- Night bars: Phoenix Landing, La Fabrica, The Sinclair
- Catalan / Spanish food: Barcelona Wine Bar, Taverna del Haro, Toro, Dalí
Sports
Boston has teams in the 4 biggest national sports: Football (Patriots), baseball (Red Sox), ice hockey (Bruins) and basketball (Celtics) and well, soccer too (Revolution). Regular season tickets may range from $30 - $200. Moreover, the Boston Marathon takes place each year in the Spring. It is the oldest marathon and one of the big 4 in the world.
Weather
From May to November, expect a similar weather than we have in Catalonia. The peak of the winter is tough (January-February), with temperatures reaching -20 C, and consistently below 0 C. But do not worry! Winter jackets are warmer here and the city is prepared for the cold.