Debunking Boston Myths That Are Actually True

The second assertion—that Boston is a walkable city—is gloriously true, at least for anyone who's lived in a car-bound town (such as anywhere in Texas). There are sidewalks here! Sometimes they're shoveled! There are small streets with low speed limits and no medians! There are no perilous access roads! It is a walker's paradise for anyone accustomed to places where you get in your car to cross the street. And, thrill of thrills, cars actually stop for pedestrians here. It takes a while to get used to—"Why is that car stopping? For me?"— but once you do, you take advantage of it, and relish in the fact that you are getting further down Harvard Ave on foot than the long line of drivers. Ha! The Globe tries to debunk the idea that Boston is a walkable city by saying that San Francisco is more walkable, but neglects to reveal that we are number three in walkability in that same survey. Not bad. And if you don't think Boston is a walking city, try getting somewhere on foot in Houston. Without dying.

This Bostonist doesn't feel fashion-qualified enough to comment on the state of couture in Boston (which is certainly a little sadder than in some cities), but would like to make one point: it can be hard to look good when it's below freezing outside. Even Gisele can't show off her hot bod properly when she's bundled up in Patagonia and Uggs (or whatever more-expensive brands she probably wears). Considering we're covered up half the year, Boston could be a lot worse when it comes to fashion. Unfortunately, the "staid professional women in their jeans and brown riding boots" or "hipster guys and girls shoehorned into pencil-thin jeans" referenced in the Globe article do nothing to prove that Boston is the opposite of fashion-forward, as you will find people looking exactly like that in every city in America. Next myth, please!

Boston's reputation as "Sportstown" far from a myth. Boston is the most sports-obsessed place this Bostonist has ever seen, and she is from the land of the fan-owned Packers. Anecdotal case closed!

The Beantown nickname is also not a myth, as this is the mantra everyone will chant at you when you say you're moving to Boston. You will also get many gifts of Boston Baked Beans candy, which will be neither hilarious nor delicious. You will doubt whether you should live in such a bean-filled city, then be pleased that it is not really so beany in Boston. As for the Hub of the Universe? Not really a well-known nickname outside Massachusetts.

The lesson to be learned from all this mythbunking? Every outsider's conception of a city (or anything else) has shortcomings. People who haven't lived here form incomplete, potentially inaccurate opinions based on anecdotal information (eerily similar to the anecdotal information used to debunk the myths...), just as Bostonians form similar opinions about other cities based on the information they can access. No one knows what it's like to live somewhere until they've done it. Sure, anybody interested in unfairly stereotyping Boston should walk a mile in our boots, or drive a mile in our cars, before they pretend to know of what they speak. Instead of relying on shallow stereotypes, people should look for firsthand knowledge, but also recognize that everyone's experience is different—and everyone's own city is the hub of his or her own universe.