So here we are, just two months after rolling out of Boston for good and I can’t believe we lived there for over a year. As always, the last couple of months before the move have flew by faster than we imagined possible. And after moving home and getting settled, I can’t believe how much I actually miss the East Coast. More than I ever thought I would. So here, in nor particular order, are the things I’ll miss and the things I won’t miss about living in Boston…
Things I’ll miss:
1. The old. The history of the area, the interesting things that happened there and the fascinating people who made them happen. The amazing architecture and the buildings that have seen centuries of use and places where generations have walked.
2. The new. I have never, not even once, claimed to be a big-city girl. But it turns out the city can grow on you and that it has a lot to offer. There is always something different to do and see. Festivals, museums, concerts and a different park to walk in or place to visit every day of the week.
3. The beach. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, I miss the ocean. I had completely underestimated the restorative effects of a fabulous view on the human psyche. The sound of the waves on the shore at night, the smell of the sea air (which I thought I would NEVER get used to!), just staring out at the ocean. I can’t express how much I miss it!
4. Our backyard community. We lived in one of four townhouse style units that shared a backyard. At first I thought it would be awkward to go into the yard and know that our neighbours had a clear view of us or to go outside and find them already there. But the reality was that it was a wonderful social atmosphere. Our kids adored having playmates that were easily accessible. I loved that they had a huge yard to play in, which was extremely rare where we were living. And the fact that there was almost always someone to visit with was good for me, particularly in the early days when I was feeling kind of isolated. It was also a pleasure to share yardwork, gardening and other outdoor activities with our fantastic neighbours.
5. Cheap shopping. Food, clothes, books, need I say more?
6. The people. Amazing people. Really interesting and wonderful people and a few friends I hope to keep for a lifetime.
7. The Boston accent. It felt so strange and foreign when we first got there but now I will always think of it with fondness and hearing people with the same accent will make me miss our Boston people.
8. The diversity. Another benefit of the big city, especially one with sooo many universities (like 80 something universities in the greater Boston area) is the huge variety of people you have the opportunity to meet. It’s awesome to be exposed to so many different cultures in something as generic as a trip to the park or the grocery store.
9. Public transit. We loved riding the subway! In a few months I went from being totally intimidated by the T system to embracing it completely. We never drove into the city. We could easily walk to the subway and be in town in ten or fifteen minutes. It was convenient and inexpensive and we got a lot more exercise as well as feeling good about not driving so much. The big city i much more conducive to a fantastic transit system.
Things I won’t miss:
1. Traffic. Not so much that there are lots of cars, although there ARE. But also that it takes so long to get places. When you meet new people it frequently happens that you easily live 60 minutes or more (sometimes MUCH more) from each other. This makes it really hard to invite someone over for casual drinks and to create opportunities to get to know new people.
2. Being far away from our family, friends and country of citizenship. It was just way too far from family. Even though we don’t currently live in the same city as most of our family members, we are much closer than we were. And it’s surprising how much closer you feel just by being in the same country. As for our country of citizenship, we genuinely missed being able to participate in our country’s systems and processes. We missed the big and little things. It’s a strange thing to be living in a society where you hold no status (in terms of voting etc.). It’s a little disconcerting.
3. The lack of universal healthcare. I think my posts from our first summer in Boston adequately sum up the frustration of trying to get set up in a very different medical system. I am so glad to once again be able to go to the doctor without having to pay for the visit and to know that I can get prescriptions and medications easily and for a much lower price. I feel much safer, medically speaking, in Canada. Even though H1N1 seems to be running rampant where I’m living. 
Before our one year adventure Boston wouldn’t have made our top ten list of places to visit. In fact, it didn’t register at all! But now I can’t say enough about what an amazing place it is to visit and I constantly surprise myself with how much I miss being there.
Goodbye Boston. We’ll miss you!
