Boston

## When to Use User asks about Boston for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data. ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Visitors** | | | Attractions (must-see vs skip) | `visitor-attractions.md` | | Itineraries (1/3/7 days) | `visitor-itineraries.md` | | Where to stay | `visitor-lodging.md` | | Tips & day trips | `visitor-tips.md` | | **Neighborhoods** | | | Quick comparison | `neighborhoods-index.md` | | Downtown, Back Bay, Beacon Hill | `neighborhoods-downtown.md` | | Cambridge, Somerville | `neighborhoods-cambridge.md` | | South End, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury | `neighborhoods-south.md` | | North End, Charlestown, East Boston | `neighborhoods-north.md` | | Choosing guide | `neighborhoods-choosing.md` | | **Food** | | | Overview & dining scene | `food-overview.md` | | Seafood & New England classics | `food-seafood.md` | | North End Italian & ethnic | `food-ethnic.md` | | Best areas for dining | `food-areas.md` | | Dietary, alcohol, practical | `food-practical.md` | | **Practical** | | | Moving & settling | `resident.md` | | Transport (T, buses, bikes) | `transport.md` | | Cost of living | `cost.md` | | Safety | `safety.md` | | Weather & seasonal tips | `climate.md` | | Local services (banking, utilities) | `local.md` | | **Career** | | | Tech industry & salaries | `tech.md` | | Business & legal | `business.md` | | Startups & funding | `startup.md` | | Visas & work permits | `visas.md` | | **Lifestyle** | | | Culture & customs | `culture.md` | | Healthcare & hospitals | `healthcare.md` | | Universities & education | `education.md` | | Expat & social life | `lifestyle.md` | | Driving & car ownership | `driving.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Identify User Context First - **Role**: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur - **Timeline**: Short visit, planning to move, already there - Load relevant auxiliary file for details ### 2. Education Capital Reality Boston metro has 50+ colleges and universities with ~250,000 students: - **Harvard** (Cambridge): World's top university, drives local prestige - **MIT** (Cambridge): Tech and engineering powerhouse, Kendall Square hub - **Boston University**: Large urban campus, Comm Ave corridor - **Northeastern**: Co-op program leader, Fenway area - **Tufts** (Medford/Somerville): Research university, Davis Square access - **Boston College** (Chestnut Hill): Catholic institution, Green Line end - **Berklee**: World's largest music college, Back Bay Student calendar affects everything: September move-in chaos, May exodus, summer quiet. See `education.md` for complete university guide. ### 3. Weather Reality Boston has true four seasons with extremes: - **Winter (Dec-Mar)**: 20-35F, snow common, wind chill brutal - **Spring (Apr-May)**: 45-65F, unpredictable, can snow in April - **Summer (Jun-Aug)**: 75-90F, humid, beach weather - **Fall (Sep-Nov)**: 50-70F, best weather, foliage season **Winter survival**: Proper coat, waterproof boots, layers. The T runs slower in snow. See `climate.md` for monthly breakdown and survival strategies. ### 4. Current Data (Feb 2026) | Item | Range | |------|-------| | 1BR rent (Back Bay) | $2,800-3,800/mo | | 1BR rent (Cambridge) | $2,600-3,500/mo | | 1BR rent (Somerville) | $2,200-2,900/mo | | Senior SWE salary | $180K-260K total comp | | MBTA monthly pass | $90 (CharlieCard) | | Lobster roll | $25-35 | | Student budget | $1,800-2,500/month | ### 5. Cost Reality Boston is 3rd most expensive US metro after NYC and SF: - **Housing**: 40-50% of budget typical - **September surge**: Rents spike 10-20% for student turnover - **Broker fees**: One month rent (unique to Boston market) - **Heating costs**: Gas heat adds $100-200/month in winter - **Parking**: $200-400/month, street parking near impossible ### 6. Transit Overview The MBTA ("The T") is America's oldest subway: - **Four lines**: Red, Orange, Blue, Green (Green is actually trolley) - **Coverage**: Good in Boston/Cambridge core, limited suburbs - **Reliability**: Improving but delays common, especially winter - **CharlieCard**: Tap card, lower fares than cash - **Commuter Rail**: Suburbs and Providence/Worcester Most residents don't need cars if living near T. See `transport.md`. ### 7. Tech Hub Context Greater Boston is a top-5 US tech hub: - **Kendall Square** (Cambridge): Biotech capital, Google, Microsoft, startups - **Seaport**: New innovation district, Amazon, Reebok HQ - **Route 128**: Traditional tech corridor (now less trendy) - **Harvard/MIT pipeline**: Constant talent flow Biotech and healthcare tech dominate. Pure software less common than Bay Area. See `tech.md` for industry details. ### 8. Neighborhood Matching | Profile | Best Areas | |---------|------------| | Young professionals | South End, Cambridge (Central/Harvard), Somerville | | Families | Brookline, Newton, Arlington, Lexington | | Students | Allston, Brighton, Fenway, Medford | | Budget-conscious | Dorchester, East Boston, Malden, Quincy | | Tech workers | Kendall Square, Seaport, Central Cambridge | | Walkability seekers | Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End | ## Healthcare Hub Context Boston has world-class healthcare and medical research: - **Mass General Hospital**: Top-ranked US hospital, Harvard-affiliated - **Brigham and Women's**: Research powerhouse, also Harvard - **Dana-Farber Cancer Institute**: World's leading cancer research - **Boston Children's**: #1 pediatric hospital in US - **Beth Israel Deaconess**: Major teaching hospital Healthcare jobs represent ~20% of Boston employment. Medical tourism brings international patients year-round. See `healthcare.md` for patient and professional guidance. ## Boston-Specific Traps - **September 1st madness** — 65% of leases turn over. Streets packed with moving trucks. Book movers in June. - **Broker fees** — Most rentals require one month fee to broker. Budget accordingly. - **Winter underestimation** — Wind chill makes 20F feel like 0F. Proper gear essential. - **The T reliability** — Allow 15+ min buffer for appointments. Track delays on MBTA app. - **Parking nightmares** — Street parking is permit-only by neighborhood. Snow emergencies tow instantly. - **Snow emergency routes** — Your car WILL be towed within hours if on marked routes during storm. - **Jaywalking culture** — Bostonians cross anywhere, but tourists get ticketed occasionally. - **Cash-only places** — Some iconic spots (Regina Pizzeria, Santarpio's) cash only. - **Sunday alcohol** — Liquor stores open at noon on Sundays. - **Happy hour ban** — Massachusetts banned happy hour drink specials in 1984. Still illegal. - **Rotary confusion** — Traffic circles ("rotaries") have unintuitive right-of-way rules. - **Last call at 2am** — All bars close at 2am. The T stops around 12:30am. - **College sports indifference** — Boston is pro sports obsessed; college games are afterthought. - **Red Sox ticket myth** — Games aren't always sold out since 2013. Check day-of availability. ## Sports Culture Warning Boston has the most intense sports culture in America: - **Red Sox**: Fenway Park (1912) is sacred ground. Rivalry with Yankees is real. - **Patriots**: Six Super Bowls. Now rebuilding post-Brady but still religion. - **Celtics**: 18 NBA titles. TD Garden gets loud. - **Bruins**: Hockey matters here. Original Six franchise. Game days affect traffic, restaurant availability, and general city mood. Don't wear Yankees gear unless you want commentary. See `lifestyle.md` for sports calendar and culture. ## Historical Context Boston is America's most historically significant city: - **Freedom Trail**: 2.5 miles connecting 16 historic sites - **Harvard** (1636): America's oldest university - **Boston Common** (1634): America's oldest public park - **Fenway Park** (1912): America's oldest baseball stadium - **The T** (1897): America's first subway History is everywhere but doesn't dominate daily life. Most locals rarely walk the Freedom Trail. See `visitor-attractions.md` for historical sites worth visiting. ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `dubai` - city guide reference - `travel` - general travel planning ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star boston` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`