It could be an incredibly high concentration of colleges and universities. It could be the little-big city feel. Maybe it’s the easy access to restaurants, bars, entertainment, and public transit. Whatever the reason, Boston has become a magnet for the Millennial generation, and we’re not surprised. Curious about what Millennials can do in Boston — or thinking about joining them in moving to New England’s coastal city? Here’s a guide to Boston for Millennials.
Millennials make up a big part of the city
As of 2018, adults ages 25 to 34 make up 23% of Bean Town’s population, and 15% of those folks moved to Boston within the last year — that’s second only to San Francisco. This means that it’s easy to tap into the youthful social scene, find like-minded friends and colleagues, and access events and activities targeted at the Millennial mindset. Boston’s arts and tech scenes are innovative, ever-evolving, and growing with the city itself — and since Millennials are moving to new places regularly, there is a constant infusion of fresh energy.
The Foodies come to Boston — and your tastebuds will love it
Boston has become the new home for a number of the foodie scene’s best and most creative chefs. This is a fairly new evolution for a city that once so heavily relied on seafood as the main attraction. However, the Hub has been attracting top chefs from across the country.
- Barbara Lynch has done away with drink menus at the city’s original speakeasy called, of course, Drink. Here the mixologists custom make drinks for every guest.
- Todd English, a judge on PBS’s Cooking Under Fire and owner of multiple restaurants worldwide, has his original flagship restaurant Olives right here in Boston.
- The Quiet Few is a new whiskey bar with a high-end flair in East Boston. Here, you can add East Boston Oysters caviar to the waffle fries, for example.
- Stillwater chef and owner Sarah Wade is a Chopped champion with a reputation for comfort food prowess at her previous gig at Lulu’s Allston. Now she’s serving up what she’s calling redefined comfort food in downtown. Trust us, it’s a necessary thing amid the bustle of the city.
There are lots of fun (and weird) things to help you make new friends
If you think you’ll be pigeon-holed into the old-school “go to bars and try to meet people” game, think again. There are a variety of clubs and events run by Boston’s Millennials to keep things interesting and help you settle in after moving to a new city.
- Boston Hash describes themselves as “a drinking club with a running problem”. Full of sass and lots of shenanigans, those who enjoy running and drinking will find kindred souls at these weekly runs. If there were an official Millennial’s guide to Boston, this would definitely be high on the “to-do” list.
- Get your dance on every week at Soulelujah, hosted by the ever-popular Sinclair in Cambridge. Soul, funk, and R&B 45’s are bound to make the vibe right.
- Tantra Speed Date advertises itself as “yoga for your love life”. If you’re just so over dating apps, join one of the monthly events at the Somerville Armory. Bonus: if you don’t meet a match, they’ll give you a ticket to the next event for free.
- Outdoorsy? Millennial Bostonians love to get outside, and MeetUp has tons of groups dedicated to hiking, rock climbing, paddling, cycling, and more. MetroRock also has an adult climbing team, where you can work on sending harder routes and make new friends.
Where to live in Boston
Rent in Boston and the surrounding neighborhoods are definitely on the pricey side. Many Millennials live with roommates if they aren’t partnered up. That helps to keep the bills lower and save those pennies for all that Boston has to offer. Many of Boston’s young professionals flock to Cambridgeport, a newer neighborhood right on the Charles River. This neighborhood offers mid-range options for family housing as well as apartment buildings. Southie is an up-and-coming spot for young Millennials with lots of converted warehouses and newly constructed or renovated condos. Somerville offers a slightly more eccentric and funky vibe for those who don’t necessarily want to be right in the hustle of downtown. If you’re more of a quiet, old-soul type, look at areas like Peabody or Newton. You’ll find affordable housing that is still within easy distance of the city.
Wherever you decide to land, let a team of professional Boston movers help make it a smooth transition to your new life in the East Coast’s coolest city.
