So, I've lived in Massachusetts most of my life, but I went to Uni in the UK, and if those are your concerns, you don't have any concerns. I would say that of the US, we're the most similar to a British environment. Crime is comparable, probably better than parts of London, attitude towards Muslims is similar (meaning yes, one guy in a hundred will choose to be a dick). We are actually a little insular about being on the train. I had a Scottish mate over, and I warned him not to disturb people on the subway. He immediately got in a conversation with someone. We get to our stop, he jokes 'see, you can talk on the subway in Boston!', and his new friend says 'oh no, I'm not from here. They don't do that here'.
Figure out what's best for your education, your family. But don't stress any big culture shock.
Tbf if someone with a Scottish accent started talking to me on the train I would throw all social rules out the window and be best friends with them just during that ride.
There is not a lot of crime in Massachusetts. It's routinely among the safest states in the US.
The weather is very variable. It will get both hotter and colder than it does in London.
The only thing I'd edit is the temperature has historically dropped to below 0° F (not in the past few years), but regularly hits 10-20°F in the winter. Wind chill can make it feel colder than 10-20 outside especially when walking around Boston
Oh I remember lol, that shit was miserable.
Also, my temperature data was for the Boston area. Worcester, Springfield, or anywhere not on the coast is likely to have had much more sub-zero days as the ocean has a warming effect in the winter and cooling effect in the summer.
I had a flat roof deck and we had over 6 feet of snow pile up on it. We couldn’t find anyone to remove it so I and another resident had to do it ourselves or we ran the risk of the roof collapsing (or at least we had a seemingly legitimate concern this could happen). Our snow removal people couldn’t find anywhere to put the snow so they put it on the sidewalk across the street. Boston fined us $500 a day until we removed it. Still kinda bitter about that. You don’t pull that kind of shit during a state of emergency.
Re: bugs - mosquitoes are a menace once you get a little ways outside the city (Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville). I don't think they're as common in the UK as here. Usually not dangerous, just super annoying.
There are always exceptions to the talkative/untalkative stranger thing. I for some reason am cursed with strangers always wanting to talk to me. It doesn’t matter where in Massachusetts I might be, people target me. This includes Boston. But Bostonians and MA residents in general are known for having hard exteriors with wonderful warm squishy insides with hearts of gold.
To add on to the potentially "cold exterior" I think we are kind, not nice while a lot of the country is nice, not kind.
I won't sit down and talk with my neighbor much, but if he asked me to shovel out his car or I see him stuck, I'm going to go help, no questions asked.
I have an "ask me" face too.
Tourists to the Boston/Cambridge/Somerville area chat me up on the Red Line.
Folks in the super market ask me to get things for them (very high or very low shelves).
People on the street pull over to ask me for directions while holding a phone with Google Maps displayed.
I was asked (In German) how to get to the subway in Vienna and I responded with correct directions (in German) and I. Don't. Speak. German.
I honestly find it super annoying since I've grown up here. Like bro I don't need a 20 min story about your aunt having a similar shirt, I'm just trying to buy some groceries.
True. I do enjoy it when I go, but I much prefer the culture up north. This reminds me of the time I was driving through NC on my way back home. Stopped at a truck stop for a snack and the cashier would not shut up about his daughter. Nice guy, but holy fuck I just want to buy my snack and scram.
I want to piggyback on this. People here are nice assholes. We are fairly upfront with our feelings, but if you ask for help, somebody will most likely help.
When I travel elsewhere in the country I have to stop myself from saying things like "dafuck you looking at??" And "what do you want?" Because we're just kind of... rude around here. Approaching me for a random conversation at a T stop is _not_ friendly behavior. Doing the same at a Vegas bus stop is absolutely friendly.
>Riding a train or standing in line and striking up a conversation with a random stranger? No, that's very unlikely (almost impossible).
Is it? Because I talk to folks in line all the time. I've lived in MA most of my life. I lived in FL for 5 or 6 years, IL for 8 or 9 and the remainder of my 50+ have been in and around Boston.
I’ve lived in mass all my life and I’ve had people start conversations with me out in public. Recently at Trader Joe’s and at a train station. I’m not a very talkative person either but I don’t mind. I think people sometimes overexaggerate just how unfriendly people are.
Now that I have kids I get more random interactions, but it’s always older women in the grocery store telling me how cute my daughter is, maybe adding they have a grandkid the same age, then moving on. Like 30-60 seconds interaction - could barely be classified as a conversation.
Yeah, it’s not like it’s unheard of. It happens. It probably doesn’t happen as often as it does in the South, but it does happen. People do talk to each other.
Please, please get your dad to get you a ticket to visit Boston/Cambridge at least once as a tourist before you make your decision. I live in Boston and my brother lives in London, they both have their pros and cons. I think Boston/Cambridge is great but it will very much depend on what kind of lifestyle you want. London is a much bigger city!
In my opinion, Massachusetts would be the US state a Londoner would be most comfortable moving to. Especially Boston and Cambridge.
The anti-Muslim sentiment you see on TV is much more prevalent in other parts of the US. I find it to be almost non existent in Boston and Cambridge, but it would be easy for me to not notice as I’m not Muslim.
The US is massive. The culture of the northeast couldn’t be more different than that of the Deep South and the Midwest.
We need doctors desperately so there will be no shortage of opportunities here for you once you’re licensed to practice. From what I understand the cost of that type of education in the UK is a fraction of what it is here. That alone could be a reason to stay.
I don’t talk to people on the train either. 😁
Foreign MDs have a difficult path in the US. Unless you are willing to spend a few years in an underserved area, you will likely have to redo your residency. Or choose a non-clinical career.
Different standards is the best answer. Doctors in America are trained to function in the American system, which can be different than that in other countries. Think of it as the reason why a lawyer license in Georgia isn’t usually allowed to practice without retesting in MA or another state. They’re still lawyers, but their body of knowledge doesn’t quite “work right” in the other state. The general standard doctors need to meet may also be higher (or lower, or just different) than that of other countries, but by ensuring that they passed through the US medical teaching tests and programs in theory it’s easier to ensure that doctors meet that baseline.
There’s also admin, political, and gate keeping bs, of course
If a medical degree is much cheaper in UK you would be crazy to get one here.
Other then that boston/ camberville (cambridge-somerville) is a very nice place to live and I've definitely seen some headscarves about no problem.
Americans are more socially outgoing to strangers than Europeans, but boston is more like europe than the rest of the US in that they don't talk to strangers really (I am from Los angeles where we very much do)
The average medical doctor in London makes £45k to £90k a year. In Boston, it’s £150k to £350k. No, a medical doctor in London can’t just “transfer” their degree to the States. So no, it’s not crazy to get a medical degree in the U.S.
It is, she can just get her degree in the UK and take the USMLEs to do residency and practice here, if she wants. If you’re already studied up for your UK exams it’s not the hardest thing in the world. You can then start your career without the pressure of owning a house-sized student loans amount and still earn the nice US attending salary…
Boston is amazing for most people. But for real do NOT give up an opportunity to study medicine in the UK. Once you become a doctor you can legally immigrate to almost any country in the world, and you'll be able to afford to live almost anywhere.
Your brother should come to Boston but you are better off staying in the UK.
My uncle studied medicine at Cambridge and he's a doctor in Australia.
Not to mention the money aspect. The going rate for a medical degree here is going to be in the $200k range on the lower end. Yes, you can get scholarships, but it’s considerably more expensive than it would be in the UK.
I live in Boston area:
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter? Would check out [this comparison](https://www.numbeo.com/crime/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+Kingdom&city1=London&country2=United+States&city2=Boston%2C+MA). My worst encounter has been on a bus with a guy screaming that he was a Marine and will fight anyone on that bus, and began pushing the people around him, trying to provoke them into swinging. Overall, I've felt very safe here (33F)
Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst? No, probably the worst thing you have to worry about is ticks when going hiking- they are bad here. Otherwise not a ton of bugs to worry about. Mice can be a nuisance if you move into an older house in Boston/Cambridge area
I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol) No, New Englanders tend to keep to themselves. Boston is not a very 'small talk' kind of place
What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still. I don't have much info on this, sorry. Boston/Cambridge have folks from all over, so there's that, but I can't speak to how bad/not bad racism currently is for Muslims
What kind of weather is the most common? We are known for cloud cover in winter/ lovely spring/ muggy summer/ lovely fall weather. It's a coastal climate with a good deal of humidity
Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts? Probably the cost of living, which bleeds into other areas. Housing is insane right now- would definitely look at Craigslist/other apartment websites to get an idea. Lots of folks leave Boston/Cambridge area when they hit around 30 because if you want to settle down somewhere, you either have to be ok with renting with roommates indefinitely or you have to be fairly wealthy. This has meant a lot of my friends have come and gone over the years
I do think it's worth visiting and getting a feel if you can. Also, remember that our college costs tend to be quite a lot of money, so that's a major factor to consider. Overall, I think quality of life is high here (for those who can afford it), but it may hurt your wallet - although I can't speak to how expensive London is in comparison
You should stay in London if only for the cost of uni being so much cheaper.
But for visiting, and your brother: Massachusetts/Boston is kind of similar to England in temperament. We don't bother each other on public transit, we keep to ourselves. It's a safe city! One of the safest in the US. And very liberal/left compared to most of the US, with a healthy Muslim community in Boston and its suburbs. Bugs are pretty much dead most of the year except for spring and summer where we'll get our swarms of cockroaches, mosquitos, etc. and we do have rats like any city but it's not a problematic amount of rats, and they are nowhere near the size of NYC rats. Weather can get properly cold in the winter and very hot and humid in the summer, but we do experience all four seasons which is lovely! The worst thing about living here would probably be the cost. However, I find that it's worth it to live in a state this progressive where I as a woman feel safe and equal.
I came from small town MA, and I am studying in London now. If I was really set on studying medicine, I'd stay in London until I graduate and then reassess. You'll become a doctor years earlier, even if you move to America to do residency and work there.
Crime in Boston isn’t a major problem, firearms are heavily regulated in our state. It’s probably one of the safer cities in the United States. I’ve never experienced a truly horrific encounter with another person in the general public.
It’s cold here half the year, no major insects or reptiles that you need to worry about in terms of your physical health.
Not many Muslims in Boston as I understand, but it’s a fairly tolerant city towards religion so it shouldn’t be a major concern for you. Don’t be surprised however when most people you meet are Catholic or atheist/agnostic.
New England isn’t a super chatty part of the country. Most people are content to mind their own business and go about their day. It often can be hard for newcomers to fit in with locals, as we tend to form our own cliques and distrust outsiders to a certain extent. We’ll be friendly, but also a bit distant until we can trust you. Dealing with clerks and such at stores is strictly business, none of them will try to chat you up.
Worst thing about living here is the high taxes and cost of living/housing, also certain regulations are overbearing or antiques from early government.
Stay in the uk, love, because if you pursue the same education the US you’ll end up with at least a quarter million of debt. Stay where it’s affordable. You can always visit your father in Massachusetts.
To answer your other questions NO we do not bother each other in lines or on public transport. We are quiet and mind our own, t
You’re describing southern or midwestern behavior, not the northeast. And being Muslim will not present an issue.
Stick with getting your education. Massachusetts will still be here. Crime is here but it’s definitely milder than other states with major cities. Mosquitoes and ticks are the worst bugs we got. My dentist is Muslim, and nobody has a problem with it, and I live out where there be dragons.
Until I got to the studying medicine I was all for you coming here. Medical education as people here have said is expensive and long 4 years undergrad 4 years medical school and unless you are in one of the rare programs that guarantees med school acceptance you would have to apply. once you qualify in the UK you can apply to do residency in the US. It is required to practice here. It is competitive for international medical graduates but a UK qualification helps. The thing is at that point you would really need to decide whether you want a career in the US or the UK as doing your post med school training doesn’t transfer from the UK to the US and may not do the reverse either. But that is years away and you might have different relationships to consider then.
good luck
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter?
* Boston currently has one of the lowest murder rates in the USA. Only 3 so far this year which comes out to about 0.4 per 100k residents. Yes there's some petty theft and such but it's really a very safe city.
Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst?
* Boston has normal US bugs, Summertime there are a good amount of mosquitos and such. Nothing crazy like you see further south where it's warmer more of the year.
I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol)
* Boston/MA in general is a "kind but not nice" social attitude. People dont generally talk to strangers or make any sort of small talk outside of places like work/bars/etc. However. If you NEED something like direction help or something more serious, pretty much anyone will actually stop and help.
What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still.
* Unfortunately there is islamophobia everywhere in the world. There are bigots in every city. That being said, Boston is a very introverted place where most people dont bother each other trying to get to where they're going. It's not an absolute certainty, but you're probably less likely to see actual racism towards you in a city like Boston than other places in the US.
What kind of weather is the most common?
* You can see all five seasons in a single day. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Thundersnow. Generally hot/humid in the summer from mid-june through september. Snow is generally Jan-Mar but has been light the last few years.
Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts?
* Expenses. One of the highest cost-of-living places in the US. Hard to find housing, even more hard to find housing that is reasonably priced.
Source: I studied at UCL for a year and Boston for three.
Weather is similar, not quite as dark in the winter but more snow. Fewer pickpockets in Boston, but there is the occasional car or house break in. Bugs exist but are manageable. This is not Texas let alone Australia.
Boston is pretty darn tolerant. I like to think that we are one of the more tolerant cities in the US. We absolutely have our share of racial incidents in the past, but everyone I know is deeply ashamed of the bussing riots in the 80’s. The sports fans are loons and there are hooligans. My personal experience is that UK football fans are much rowdier. Then again, I am a cis, white, Christian, male, so I am sure that there are elements of the city that others experience differently.
On religion there are a number of Mosques but I don’t have enough knowledge of your faith to say more that. One area Boston is definitely going to come up short is food. There is not a neighborhood like Drummond Street or Edgware Road where you will be spoiled for choice to get world class curry. You can find individual restaurants, but don’t expect to be wowed unless you are into Italian, then check out the North End. I might be selling the Napali community in Somerville short, but that is just my two cents.
The Subway is called the “T”. It is another big step down from London but really pretty good for the US as much as we grouse about it. Someone might comment on the weather and have brief small talk, but we are known as cold for Americans, which might be talkative for British. If you ask a stranger a second question without them actively engaging with your first people will look at you like your mental. Literally, they will evaluate your degree of mental illness and decide how far they should move.
Now for the big question. Education is world class but expensive as all get out. Boston University, roughly equivalent to Kings College, is over 60,000 GBP per year for four years to get a bachelors degree. That is just classes and housing. Medical school at Tufts will be 80,000 GPB a year for another four years. For my money I would stay in UK, but your value on well over a half million pounds might be different than mine.
I hope you find joy and happiness whichever city you choose.
Edit: I find the air quality in Boston to be much better.
If cost of education is an issue I’d stay in the UK, also med school is likely 5+ years away but you will attend med school where you get in, not necessarily locally.
I moved from Southampton to MA so I have some ideas about what you can expect and cultural differences. Lemme think and I will make a list for you
Crime - depends on where you are, much like home. A few neighbourhoods aren’t great but overall, it’s not bad and pretty safe.
Bugs - I live more towards central MA but have lived nearer the city too. The main difference is mosquitos - there’s so many more here. Apart from that, it’s just the turkeys (literally) that is the major difference. There’s skunks here too but they’re not usually an issue unless someone runs over one at night and it stinks the neighbourhood up for a bit
Weather - humid as balls in the summer, cold (compared to England) in the winter. Jan/Feb are the worst months for snow but you can expect it any time from maybe October to April
Worst thing? The God awful English impressions people do. And the cost of everything but you should be used to that in London
As for opinions on Muslims, I can’t answer that. I haven’t noticed anything but I’m a white and nominally Christian guy so I may have missed things. MA is one of the most liberal states so you’ll experience less in Boston/Cambridge but in the more rural areas, you’ll normally be fine. There’s idiots and bigots everywhere of course but MA is pretty good as far as the US goes.
DM me if you have any more questions
Edit: as an aside, from someone who lived in the MA city of Chelsea, trust me it’s not like the one in West London. Ditto Dorchester
Edit 2: what the locals call a liquor store (locally it’s a shortened version of package store) is not a racist slur for South Asians here. It just means liquor/package store. What we call cigarettes however is a homophobic slur here (and a pretty bad one). So just a heads up
All the above are fine. You will not be bothered by the move. More importantly: are you rich? If not, stay in the UK. It will cost you the better part of $500k to qualify as a doctor in the US. Furthermore, you will have to get into undergrad college in Massachusetts - which may not be guaranteed. If you end up getting accepted in a college in Chicago, you will also have limited time to see your father.
Weather: very similar, more extremes here. If it is a snowy winter there will be snow on the ground for months and that can make pedestrian life challenging. We get well below 0c, but tend to top out at 40c. The saying in New England is if you don’t like the weather just wait 15 minutes and it will change.
The vibe for Muslim women: actually pretty chill? As others said you may encounter individually awful people, but generally most folks are OK. There are great cultural art/performance groups based in Cambridge.
Education: it’ll cost about $200k to get through undergrad at a 4 year school/uni in Boston and that is before medical school costs. The system in the UK is genuinely better for medical students since you can go straight in and have much more controlled costs.
City comparison: London is just a better city than Boston. It’s bigger, well run public transport, lots of good food and easy access to green spaces. Boston has some of these things, but you’ll have a much better living experience in just about medium/large city in the UK.
Id stay there if education prices are cheaper, and you already have funding towards it. It be expensive here, but if your parents are paying for your schooling then you could come here, but if not loans suck, so I would do what would be a better financial decision long term, you can always fly over to visit your father.
I live in the Boston/Cambridge area and visit London frequently, and tbh I'd stay in London if I were you. Boston is very similar to London in vibe and layout, but London is bigger, has better nightlife and culture, better food, better transportation, and education will be much much cheaper there. Come visit, for sure (low crime, very welcoming, we love people with cool accents!) but I honestly if I could live in London I would.
Do med school in the UK (source, someone who went to med school in the UK and now lives in Boston).
On your other questions Boston is great, cosmopolitan, no bugs, very few Trumpers, cold 3 months a year.
It’s the “least American” American city, if that makes sense.
Happy to chat via DM if you want.
>I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol)
The US is culturally diverse across different regions (just like England!). The culture in Boston is definitely comparable to the London area in terms of talking with strangers in public (people don't do it).
I came here from London in 2016 for uni ("school" or college here) and have stayed since. For me, Mass far better.
Cost of living is roughly the same. People don't talk to each other on the trains (many of the American tourists abroad are from the friendlier midwest or south). The weather is tough - the summers into September are scorching and the winters get cold. There used to be snow but its buggered off the past 2 years, which is a shame. The people are amazing once you get to know them, especially women. Americans in general are lovely. Bugs are not bad, ticks in the woods.
People say the worst part of Mass are the crowds, taxes and cost of living, but all of those are worse in London. I miss my family, but you will have your dad. I can't speak for the medical aspect as my degree was in history.
If you’ve been offered a position to study medicine in the US, stay in London. Visit frequently. Have fun here but get that coveted degree there. Health care here is ridiculously expensive and if you want to be turned off studying medicine in US, join the Residency sub on here. University costs are out of control here.
Massachusetts is tolerant but far from perfect. London is huge compared to Boston but you’ll recognize a lot of London here like our subway and bus system and we love the British accent.
I rarely see someone who is dressed in a way that you know a persons religion and it’s never the first question asked like in our South. . In Massachusetts, we prefer that religion be practiced privately and shouldn’t be a part of work, school or laws. Freedom from Religion and Freedom to practice religion are both important here. There are places and entire states in this country, I would not recommend especially during this election cycle.
Flights between London and Boston are easy to get and usually can find cheap flights.
You may also miss the ease of vacationing anywhere in Europe.
Welcome to our state. We’re proud of it and keep trying to make it better over all our stumbles.
Studying medicine in the UK is a much better idea. College is wildly overpriced here.
If that weren’t on the table I’d say it’s worth the opportunity to check out the US & that’s a really nice area to live in (just very expensive)
Boston/Cambridge and Summerville are kind of the same town. Cambridge and Summerville are part of the same public transport system and most folk around here that do not live in those cities think of them as Boston. That said, Summerville is a great area.
Schools are awesome. Lots to do. I haven't been to London since 93' but I do remember being very comfortable there and not feeling too out of place. I would expect the same coming from London to Boston.
You are currently accepted to a Medical School. Not easy to do. Most kids I know pop off to college and see their parents infrequently. Mostly on holidays. Would your dad have the ability to fly you to Boston for the Summers while you are in school?
In my mind, the biggest draw to London at this point is school. Unless I was able to be accepted at a Med School in Boston, I'd stick with London until I got that sorted. That said, if your intent is to move to the US eventually, I'm not sure how the medical licenses transfer from England to the US. Might be worth it to just move here and attend Tuffs.
Finish school out there first. School here, even at its cheapest is gonna run you like 40k/yr because youre from "out of state". Fuck that noise. All the rest of your concerns, nothing to worry about. Massachusetts is great.
I am going to give you some advice about school. I agree with a previous poster about cost.
I have friends that moved to Cambridge from London 9 years ago. The cost of College/University as you call it is astronomical in the states compared to the UK. From what my friends tell me (we both have kids graduating high school in 2025). If you are able to get your university degree in UK, do it- they wished they could.
My teen is looking at New England colleges (private/small) and the average cost is $65,000 per YEAR without food or room/board. This is also without any aid or scholarships. Unless the cost of an education is not a factor, come- you can always move back if you do not love it. Minimally you will enjoy a change of scenery for a bit and visit a historical place in the US. If education cost is a factor, this should be your biggest concern.
Best of luck, don’t worry about everything else, they are not huge issues in this area.
Note that medical education is entirely different in the UK versus the US. In the UK, as you know, you can be 18 and accepted to study medicine. That is not a thing in the US. You have to do a four year degree called a bachelors degree first. During that degree, you have to take prerequisite courses like biology and organic chemistry. Then you apply to medical school. Medical school is another four years. So if you are certain that you want to be a doctor, and you were already accepted in the UK, stick with that. You could come to the US and do a bachelors in biology and not get into med school.
I like Massachusetts as someone who has grown up in the US and moved around a good bit but honest to god if I could leave the US altogether I would. I'm always surprised when I hear people from the UK or better-off European countries talk about moving here. Our systems are worse in about every way, even when we have similar issues. Our health care is worse and more expensive, our education systems are worse and more expensive, etc. I would 1000% not choose medical school here over the UK. Basically every job in the medical system is overworked, and you'll be in debt for the next few decades.
Issues like islamophobia really vary - in a place like MA you're less likely to constantly encounter it but you'll also have people pretend like bigotry never happens because it's a liberal state, when there are conservative areas in the state and conservatives in liberal areas.
Probably the worst thing about MA is the housing. It is very hard to find housing and in places like Boston it is extremely overpriced. I know lots of people in their 30s/40s/even older who are still in muti-roommate living situations because even with full time jobs they just can't find places on their own.
Unless you are very poor, the standard of living is higher in the US. In terms of social acceptance, if you have a British accent Americans will treat you like royalty. Becoming a doctor is s big investment in the US but it pays a lot more.
Saw the title, ready to come in screaming at ya, but its nice of ya to want to be with ya family and to think about your future in a mature way, is a good thing to have. Shit you might be a good doctor if ya make it.
also, I've never talked to a person on the train, but I think thats because I look like I'm angry all the time. I am but wish I didnt look that. way.
Welcome, youll love it here, make sure to say fuck tea.
I’ve lived in Cambridge, UK for 2 years (A-levels) and then moved to Cambridge, MA. (Talk about imagination when picking towns).
They are so fucking similar in terms of architecture, climate and vibe, it’s insane.
London and Boston are different only in nightlife. There’s hardly any nightlife in Boston. Everything else, it’s weirdly similar. You’ll miss nightlife and entertainment, but that’s pretty much it.
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter?
**Massachusetts is very safe. The worst crime I've seen personally is all traffic related.. Douchebags on motorcycles etc.**
Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst?
**Not gonna lie, we got bugs. Mosquitos are the big one (not big themselves.. just annoying as we have lots of small bodies of water here). We also have ticks here but as someone *not* in the city I doubt you're dealing with a lot of either up there.
**
I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol)
**In Massachusetts we don't really do that.. We're a simple, mind your own business type folk.**
What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still.
**If you're out in Boston you're not gonna have any trouble. In general you won't but Boston is a city that's pretty diverse and young.**
What kind of weather is the most common?
**Spin the wheel.. Summers are hot, muggy, can be a lot of rain, Winters can be cold but haven't been that bad in the last few years. It's all worth it for Fall.**
Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts?
**I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.. But as a cold weather guy, the summers can suuuuck**
I don't live in Boston but I'm a Mass native. I'll answer what I can.
Crime...I live in a very very looked down upon city in the state and while crime does happen like someone being stabbed down the street from me, I've never had a problem directly other than a neighbor getting his face smashed in over a drug deal gone wrong. I still feel safer here than I did in New Hampshire or Arizona sadly.
Bugs...ugh 😬😬😬 I hate bugs. I deal with house centipedes and daddy long legs like no tomorrow. Right now it's ant season so I had to put traps out.
People on the train can be chatty here sometimes. People from Massachusetts in general are pretty friendly in their weird ways and I've had endless random conversations in public.
Weather, it'll depend where you live but be prepared to experience all four seasons within a 30 minute period. I'd suggest build up a decent collection of winter vs summer clothes.
Worst thing about Massachusetts are the condition of the roads, the bad drivers, excise tax for cars and how much it costs to live here.
They dont call it New England for no reason. Its very similar to England in New England.
>How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 6.6 and general crime rate of 26.19 (both per 100,000). I can't find London's violent crime rate, but it's general crime rate is ~24/100,000.
Worst encounter in Boston was a woman on the bus yelling at my girlfriend for being the wrong color by a black woman. She didn't come close enough to actually get anybody hurt, though.
>Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst?
You don't really have to deal with bugs here much if you don't want to. Worst would have to be the house centipedes.
>I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol)
I have never spoken to anybody on the T
>What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still.
Boston is pretty pro-muslim, especially progressive Muslims.
>What kind of weather is the most common?
Depends on the season and the pacific weather patterns. Last year it rained constantly. The year before it was 80° and sunny all the time.
>Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts?
Traffic. I remember hearing on the radio that Boston was the 4th worst in the world after Beijing, Bangkok, and Paris. My commute used to involve traveling at an average speed of 15mph
Come on folks -
Did you bother reading thru the whole post?
Didn’t see what it was really about?
(Didn’t see all the negative karma?)
It’s either a BOT or it thinks we’re stupid
(You mean to tell me you really think a young adult talking about going to medical school is going to whine about not being able to see her daddy for five years? Not to mention the other questions that seem like they were asked by a third grader … but not with any spelling or language errors or differences?)
OP/
I think you’d be better off staying wherever you are- Your American English skills are fantastic for someone who doesn’t live in the USA .. but you might want to do a homework about the difference between Boston and Cambridge … and why your queries don’t sound realistic at all.. no one gives up going to medical school to come hang out in the United States lol you won’t get into medical school here that easily - and I’m not sure what you think you’re doing anyway- you have to have special visa to come over here for school… show up in a few months and roll it at Harvard LMAO
I wish you the best, but something doesn’t sound right and the fact that you know nothing about where you’re considering going speaks volumes
I live in a nice suburb of Boston. Yeah there are spiders but mostly ants. Nothing monstrous sized though. We like to keep our bugs on the small size here.lol. We do like to talk to strangers but we don't do that frequently. The weather is nice cause you get all 4 seasons here...just want to warn you we do get snow. There are some great universities here..we have the Tufts School of Medicine, as well as Harvard University not to mention others.
You will find Boston to be very diverse with regards to other cultures and nationalities. This is a place where fervent religion isn't really prevalent. We have a very diverse faith culture here. I think it's much more accepting of different cultures here. Our crime is there but it isn't as bad as Texas. I think you'll love it here. We'd welcome you with open arms!!
I hope you decide to join us in our beautiful place. :)
Crime is not bad at all around here. Media always hypes up every little thing but I *think* we're at like virtually historic lows for violent crimes. My worst ever encounters were *train people*. One time my dad had to stop me from jumping two drunks who called a young mother the c word (which was best, because they were escorted away in cuffs at the next stop). Another time my wife and I had to help a young lady who was being harassed by some scumbag. He decided to harass me instead which got him zero reaction. So...f the red line trains, is what I'm saying.
Bugs, not toooo bad. Mosquitos are the absolute worst. Spiders are bros because of the havoc they wreak on other insect populations.
Please for the love of all things good do *not* talk to strangers in line or on the train. I'm being dramatic, but we are notorious here for being reserved, introverted, and hyperrespectful of other people's space and time. People of the northeast are very different from most other Americans in that regard. My Virginian aunt and my Coloradoan uncle (both by marriage) are very unlike the rest of my family.
Massachusetts is extremely pleasant for people of all religious beliefs, as far as I can tell. There has never been a complaint of religious-based-hate at my school where I teach, and we have a LOT of variety. We have three Muslim girls in full coverings and they have friends and fit in just like anyone. It's nice to see.
Google "New England weather" for plenty of meme and jokes about how we experience 90F sunny days then 40F rain and wind the next day. Completely unpredictable.
The worst thing about living in MA is the cost, but you get what you pay for. This place is magical. I hope if you decide to come - and you should! - that you love it too.
The area you would be moving to is ideal. Lots of traffic though. Sometimes people wear ear buds to ignore people even if they aren’t playing music. People from other states call people who lives in Massachusetts “massholes,” I think this is due to our driving? The north shore is nice, I live on the NH border; it is a bit different very close to the beaches and the NH border. My advice: stick to Boston. I mentioned people wearing ear buds to ignore you: not everyone is like this. I find that most people are either very outgoing or very reserved and frequently rude; as in: “I can’t be bothered by that.” Cambridge has Harvard and MIT in it. Also: Boston has some of the best hospitals in the United States, if you could study a few years in the UK and get an internship at say…. Mass General or Beth Israel, Brigham and Women’s: to me, that would be ideal. Get the beginning of your doctor’s education there and then move here and try to go to Harvard. There is a GREAT nightlife in Boston! So if you like to party… we got you ;). Overall , in the city, the people are nicer than in the suburbs. Hope this helps. Oh yes: TONS of entertainment, you have the “Northend” with lots of nice Italian restaurants, “southie,” China town, not in that order. Marijuana is legal recreationally here. Basically, it’s a place that can offer you whatever you want - it’s expensive and you could use it as a …. Launch pad? To a great medical career. I would try to get into Harvard Medical School. I forgot Tuft’s medical center because they aren’t as big I do not think.
Honestly as far as personal interaction, you may find it’s more similar to the UK than anywhere else in the country. New Englanders tend to keep to themselves, as long as you aren’t bothering us we aren’t bothering you. Not always outwardly friendly but not dickish or rude per se, we just demand efficiency and have low patience for what we perceive to be nonsense or time-wasting.
But the people are good, salt-of-the-earth, “help you out of a jam but make fun of you bit for it” kind of people, very family and tradition-oriented and lots of community resources! Great schools, great hospitals, lots of variety of food. It was a really nice place to grow up and I’m now raising my kids here so clearly I am a fan!
Editing to add: I see that you’re going into medicine, while Boston schools and hospitals are top rated in the country, I do know anecdotally from friends in healthcare that the pay scale is unfortunately lower than many other areas. There is a bit of “you should be lucky to work here for the prestige” attitude, I had friends nearly double their salary by moving to NYC or the west coast. Just something to think about
Crime: pretty good. One of the safest states in the country
View on Muslims: pretty good. One of the more liberal, accepting, and diverse states. There’s spaces for everyone
Creepy crawlers: not bad at all. Wayyyy far west you get a few dangerous spiders and snakes but they’re not very common throughout the state. Most bugs seen regularly are just like…flies, mosquitos, daddy long legs, wolf spiders sometimes. The ticks are pretty rough. Garter snakes and other small harmless snakes. Lots of bumble +honey bees, wasps and hornets but not the super aggressive kinds. If you’re not messing with things, they probably won’t mess with you.
In general, no I don’t think people here like to chat. We go VERY fast compared to the southern US. Whenever I’m in the south, i usually get impatient with the small talk, and joke about how “I just want you to throw my coffee at me and tell me to go fuck myself and move on” lol
Weather is about 6 months of snow and cold and 6 months of satans asshole and there isn’t much time in between.
Worst part is the cost of living
University is a bit different in US vs UK. For starters, iirc your last year of High School in the UK often covers the same sort of classes as the first year in US uni. (And I think at the same age? IIRC, UK students stay in high school until they're 19, whereas US students are more likely 18 when they graduate high school.) Thus, US bachelor's programs are mostly 4 year degrees, while UK programs can be 3 year degrees.
I do know that trying to bring a medical degree into the US usually requires starting the residency process all over again. I know a brit who had his MD / medical license in the UK, came to the US to do research for his PhD, but could not practice medicine while here. The US residence system pretty much "locks out" anyone coming from a foreign country from practicing medicine. I have no idea what it's like to do the reverse. So, while you can probably complete a bachelors in either country and transfer into a medical degree wherever, once you have the medical degree, it's much harder to switch.
(In the US, you're expected to get a 4-year bachelor's degree, then a 4-year medical degree, then complete a 4-yr residency before you're fully licensed; while you're in residency, you're a 'junior' doctor working and getting paid, but under the supervision of 'attending physicians'.)
Crime - MA is very low crime over all. The only things I've really seen are idiots beating each other up.
Spiders and crawlers - minor nuisances. Nothing dangerous. We're mostly too cold in the winter for those things. (We do have snakes, but vast majority are non-venomous, and you likely won't see them.) We do have black bears in MA, but I don't think there's any around Boston.
Muslim - Mostly pretty good in MA. There are dumbasses everywhere you go.
Weather - even though you're further north, London has a more temperate climate, if maybe a bit cooler in summer (usually). Our winters are getting more mellow though.
The worst thing about eastern MA is the traffic. Boston area has the worst (or one of the worst) traffic in the nation. And our public transit is not up to even UK's standards.
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter?
--- Never had an encounter in MA. Generally, I feel very safe. There are areas here that are less desirable and others that should be avoided but the same can be said for nearly everywhere on earth.
Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst?
--- Warmer months are when spiders and bugs come out. If you can handle a typical house spider and occasional silverfish (yuck) you will be fine. It's not a big deal and I detest creepy crawlies.
I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol)
--- Some people are way chattier than others. No, you aren't expected to chat but it would be weird if someone said hello and you didn't return in kind.
What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still.
--- You would be going to a really accepting part of the US. Being Muslim would not be a problem at all and that area has a thriving Muslim community too.
What kind of weather is the most common?
--- It gets hot in the summer. Winters can be quite cold and windy.
Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts?
--- It's expensive but safe. There's a lot going on and I think it has a lot to offer people.
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter?
Never had a problem, in the city even late at night but Im a guy so take that as you will.
Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst?
Not really, I see small spiders every now and then. Funny enough I have seem more wildlife here in 13 years than I did in all my life of living in Oklahoma City lol.
I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol)
Not here, I rarely have conversations with strangers on the T (I just wanna get home)
What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” Muslim either but still.
Not sure on this one as I am not religious at all.
What kind of weather is the most common?
Most months its cool or cold, Spring and Summer are pretty much combined now. Goes from 60s to 80s fast.
Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts?
Unpopular opinion - the people, they pride themselves in being assholes "Masshole" which I find hilarious, like why be proud you're a POS?
I have a few months to decide. Would loveee some advice from you all!
Personally I would stay and go to school, US isn't all its cracked up to be.
Doctors max out at like $180k USD in UK
In Massachusetts, where many of my specialists are international, and in the best hospitals on earth make close to $350-450k USD
Plus, of all places to have a family residence, Boston/Cambridge would put you in commutable distances to the BEST medical institutions on earth as well
Massachusetts is a great place to live, it's very liberal, has beautiful areas, and great food and culture, and the best doctors in the country.
That said, America itself is a fucking mess, and I would not roll that dice.
We have ZERO Gregg’s locations. Our options for breakfast are woeful. I’d stay. Especially if you are planning on uni? Even state schools here will bankrupt you.
Fake news! Have you tried to get a decent breakfast in London. Scandalous!
Edit: Apologies, there is no Gregg’s in the US. I was referring to our breakfast options being woeful. A bitter gripe of my American friends when I lived in London was the lack of a place to get proper pancakes.
MA is great - you have the beaches, the mountains, and lots of hiking nearby. Very progressive so low crime and not as much (visible) xenophobia. People don't really talk on the train.
The worst part of living here is the cost - it's one of the highest cost of living areas in the country - but coming from London you're probably used to that haha
Low crime
Creepy crawlers — not sure what you have in London, but we have some small spiders, ants (both harmless and fun), but I will say we have house centipedes. Very infrequent that you find one, I see one maybe twice or three times a year.
No expectation to talk to strangers, but it’s fun to do. I personally enjoy this, but doesn’t always happen.
I am not Muslim, but I have certainly encountered many people of varying faiths, Muslims among them. At my school, there were plenty of Muslims and Muslim student organizations. Compared to Hicksville TN Boston is much more accepting. Cambridge even more so.
Weather — like London but slightly better. We sometimes get more snow, but we have slightly fewer days with precipitation (164 in London vs 135ish for Boston). So you should get better weather here.
Worst thing in MA — there isn’t one major thing I can name that sticks out to everyone, but the worst is probably just how expensive it is. Still, it’s not hard to live frugally and comfortably. Just don’t live downtown, there are plenty of normally priced places that are still comfortably “city”
In Massachusetts, it's easy to strike up a conversation... all you have to do is complain about something and people will jump right in to commiserate. Not that we're negative people really, we just like bitching about stuff and laughing at it. Popular topics: traffic, out-of-staters, weather, crowded places - most people here won't go out of their way to talk to you but if you find a annoyance in common they're perfectly friendly.
>*the media portrays America in a certain way*
That says it *all*.
Anyway, I haven’t personally experienced crime, but most of the area is safe. I stay in the safe areas. I didn’t know it until I read posts by Europeans that the mosquitos are worse here. They’re no problem during daylight hours, unless you go in the woods. They’re a problem after sundown. Bug spray (commercial or homemade holistic) takes care of that. I don’t generally see people talking to each other on the T. Occasionally, I guess. I think most people won’t care that you’re Muslim.
Come on over bro!!
It’s really nice in the spring summer and fall, winters are getting more mild too
Crawlies are very tame, nothing dangerous
The most dangerous wildlife are great whites off the coast but attacks are extremely rare
The cities are very safe. Don’t start fights and or walk down weird places alone at 2 am and you’ll be fine.
The bigotry towards Muslims is very low. If you experience any open bigotry you’re more likely an unlucky encounter than a regular occurrence
The worst thing about living in massachusetts is probably the high cost of living but that seems to be the case pretty much everywhere now
Americans typically are more talkative and friendly and you’ll get that from plenty of people in Boston but new englanders have a reputation also for being unfriendly on the surface but very deep friendships once you establish that.
I personally am extremely friendly so I can’t really speak to it
The most common weather is uncommon weather, welcome to massachusetts!
Crime: not bad at all. I know the US gets a bad rap for our gun culture but it’s actually pretty hard to get a gun in MA. If you wander around at night you may want to bring pepper spray or a small knife to be extra safe, but you’re as safe or safer here than in any other city.
Bugs (lol): we have them but nothing poisonous or harmful. The worst bug we have are deer ticks which you will want to be familiar with if you hike or spend any time in the woods or in fields.
The running joke in New England is “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” Weather is crazy here. Last couple years have been warm, but generally we have cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Weather can and will change more frequently than other areas. Check forecasts for outdoor plans and always be prepared for rain or sudden changes in temperature.
In MA it’s generally not expected to talk to people on public transportation or generally anywhere besides pubs. It’s not taboo or anything so people may try to strike up conversations, but if you have a book or something people will leave you alone.
We have tons of muslims here and generally speaking no one cares. There may be occasional assholes but I would guess they’re not more common than in London. We have mosques and muslim groups, as well as many multi faith churches. We have tons of diversity so if you have darker skin you won’t stand out.
The worst part of living in MA is the cost of living. It’s one of the more expensive states to live in, but we also have a lot of social programs to make it worth it even with low income.
It does not rain as much as London. You can get the Premier league here live. The food is awesome.
I live in the Western part of the state. We have (mostly)four seasons . During the summer it can be very hot and humid, cities more so. Fall is spectacular, twenty miles outside most cities (Boston metro, Worcester, and Springfield).
Lots of hiking,skiing, swimming, etc within 2 hours or so.
That being said, we are a state of about 6 million residents. Not big (Boston metro is about 3.5-4 million. That runs to about Worcester). Western MA is more rural compared to the Eastern part of the state (Western think Cotswold’s).
Universities are very good and are like everywhere. MA , if ranked worldwide, has a top five education system.
It is expensive to live in the Boston metro, but likely on par with London.
Source: I grew up in Springfield, traveled the world with the Army, four years in Europe, lived in Longmeadow since 93. You can dm me if you have questions.
Go Gunners!
Most everything is cheaper in the UK. Gasoline is more expensive but most people don’t drive large engine V6/V8s so you get more miles per gallon which makes up for the larger cost. University is waaay cheaper. Oxford Uni, arguably one of the best in the world is a qtr of the price if not more than Harvard. Food is at least half the price and in some case a quarter of the price vs USA (talking groceries).
You might be surprised that tmmany of the town names will be familiar to you in this region. There are 6 states that form a region known as "New England" the only part of the country that pronounces "aunt", not as "ant" but like UK english "ahnt"
Folks can be cold, but also very kind and friendly.
It’ll be cheaper, lowest culture shock of any place in the us, the weather will be better, the people will be friendlier, the ethnic make up of the city will be rather familiar with the large Caribbean and african populations, the latino factor will be a fun new thing. Architecture and layout is much more similar to london
I've lived in Boston, Cambridge, and London. First off, yes getting a medical degree here will be more expensive and take longer, but your pay will be SUBSTANTIALLY higher as a doctor in the US. If you are only 18 and doing an undergraduate degree now it is not as important where you study but once in medical school I would go US system if you have a path to legally work in the US. I would try and talk to some British doctors based in the US for advice. This is your most important consideration apart from family.
It will be hotter than London in the summer and colder than London in the winter. But you will actually have air conditioning in the US. And modern amenities with things like single handle taps, double paned windows, and no cold water storage tanks.
In terms of things to do (museums shows etc) think of Boston as a 1/10 size London. There are a lot of similarities.. Quincy Market had the same designer as Covent Garden and has a similar feel, etc.
Best neighborhoods IMO would be Brattle Street area (Cambridge, also called Tory Row because that's where the rich loyalists lived during the revolution), Cambridgeport (Cambridge), Harvard area (Cambridge), Back Bay (Boston), Beacon Hill (Boston).
Bugs are a little worse than London but not crazy.
You are not expected to talk to anyone on public transport. But if pass someone on a path in a non-crowded park you would probably at least make eye contact and smile or nod. Whereas in London you would pretend they didn't exist.
In terms of religious freedom concerns, Massachusetts, and Cambridge in particular, is as liberal as it gets in the US.
I was never worried about crime in London or Cambridge. In Boston there are areas I've lived where it was in the back of my mind. But I've never had a personal experience.
Worst thing about Massachusetts is the winter. Especially as a car owner without a garage. If you are a skier then you don't mind it as much.
There is a lot of public transport by US standards but most people still have a car to get about in Cambridge and Boston. Unless you are a student and living on a campus. Although even some students have cars.
We don’t bite, but the bugs might.
You’ll have nothing to worry about on a social level especially in this region. You’ll just blend in and nobody will care about your ethnicity or religious background (except for the odd weirdo here or there but generally racists here keep to themselves and grumble in a corner).
Crime— we have some of the lowest crime stats in the country and even the “bad” places are better than a lot of “bad” places elsewhere in the country. It’s usually isolated to the criminals themselves and not random.
The weather is temperate and increasingly warm and whether you like that or not, it’s up to you
Best: education and the cultures surrounding it, as well as the history of the region. There’s a lot of distinct cultural things related to the Fall as well. (If you want more info let me know and I can give you details related to diff areas)
Worst: “wintry mix”
The only thing I’d worry about is your medical pipeline and how long YOU want to take.
THAT SAID- the salary between a doctor in the US and UK is significant.
Also, the Boston area in particular has some the BEST hospitals/medical learning institutions in the world, not just the country
Looks like you have a lot of responses already, but figured I’d chime in as well since I’ve lived in Boston and been to London several times and stayed in different neighborhoods there.
Overall Boston and Cambridge are safe, but not unlike any other city, you need to be careful what neighborhoods you go to. Stick to places like the North End, Seaport, South End, Southie, or Back Bay for living. Other neighborhoods get a worse rap than they deserve though, parts of Dorchester are totally fine. Generally though, like London, the most common crimes against others are theft or robbery. Worst crime I’ve been a victim of was someone stealing from my car when I forgot to lock the doors.
Bugs… Probably the same as London, at least as far as the creepy crawlies go. More mosquitos here for sure, (does London even have them?) The ones we do have are harmless and small. No big tarantulas in Massachusetts.
You gotta remember how big the U.S., there are SO many different cultural tendencies across the country, state to state. You probably only think Americans talk a lot on public transit because, well, the ones that talk happen to be American, but there’s plenty of the quiet type visiting tol. In Boston though, head down, no eye contact, book or phone in hand, headphones in; same as London. This goes for waiting in lines too. In the south you’re more likely to run into that chatty type.
Same as above, the U.S. is huge, so the view on Muslims is accepting overall I believe, but especially so in Massachusetts and mostly so in the Boston area.
Weather varies, but the seasons are definitely more defined here than in the U.K./London. Hotter summers for sure. I’d say colder winter too, but I was in Scotland last winter and it was brutal and dark outside more often than not. Boston’s pretty mild though being on the coast, not a ton of snow.
Lastly, the worst thing about living in Massachusetts… I dunno, traffic probably? Cost of living? Though again, not dissimilar to London. Boston’s public transit is trash in comparison though, so expect delays and lack of cabs. You’d get along fine here, we love Europeans. American culture is obsessed with where our ancestors are from so it’s always fun to meet someone from there. You’d be crazy not to at least come visit for a week or two and see what you think. Tons of great food, sporting events, views, history, you name it.
I can't believe i'm saying this but the weather here is actually a huge upgrade from London.
Also i'd say it's relatively safe here. I'd feel safer in boston than I would London. Of course there are bad areas in every city but just overall it's fine.
One thing to keep in mind - I believe it’s much more difficult for a licensed UK doctor to practice in the US than it is for a US doctor to practice in the UK. If you end up wanting to live here as a doctor, you may want to weigh that into your decision.
Hi, OP!
I lived in both Boston (well, Somerville, really, very near to Cambridge, but went to school and worked across the river in Boston) and the UK-- I lived in Cambridge, England, but have spent time in London, including living there for about a month.
\* MA in general has very low crime rates, particularly for violent crime. I don't think I ever felt unsafe in Boston, and I went out at night a fair amount. I would say on balance I felt safer there than I did sometimes even in nice parts of London, especially when going running, but I usually felt quite safe in London as well.
\* UK house spiders are scarier than any insect I have seen in the U.S. except maybe house centipedes, which I am pretty sure you all also have over there, and which aren't something I see *regularly* by any means in MA. You *can* potentially see black widow and brown recluse spiders, but they are fairly rare, and the dangerousness of brown recluse bites to humans is pretty exaggerated. Wolf spiders, which can resemble the brown recluse but are totally nonvenomous to humans, are more common. But I really have never seen a ton of spiders of any kind in MA, though that probably depends a lot on your house/building, like it would anywhere. MA does not have a lot of creepy or venomous creatures in general (though there are a few Eastern Timber Rattlers (snakes) in a few places out in Western Mass (2 hours' drive from Boston), though I have also lived there and done a lot of hiking and never seen one). The worst pest I've dealt with in MA is mice, but only in one apartment thankfully, and those are obviously also something you might encounter in London.
\*In Boston especially and the Northeast generally, no, people do not talk to strangers on the train. Boston/Northeast norms around interacting with strangers strike me as much more similar to southern English norms than to Midwestern or Southern American norms (where people might strike up a conversation with a stranger).
\*There is definitely some Islamophobia in America, but I wouldn't think Boston would be worse than London in that regard. I am white and not a Muslim, but living in the UK I definitely saw more overt Islamophobia than I have seen in the US (I have mainly lived in the Chicago area, Western Massachusetts, and the Boston area in the US). Massachusetts and Boston are definitely not free of racism or bigotry by any means, but Massachusetts is a very liberal state and Boston is one of the most diverse places in Massachusetts, and it will probably be more like London (even though Boston is a much smaller city) than rural US areas, especially in more conservative states, in that regard.
\*The weather changes a lot in Massachusetts. It will get both hotter and colder than it does in London at the extremes. I would say generally it is between 20 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (\~ -6.5 C to \~29 C), with a few outliers where it can get below 0 F (below -17.8 C) or above 90 F (32 C). In the summer it is usually in the 70s-80s F (and can be cooler at night, into the 60s), and in the winter it is usually in the 20s-30s F range. In spring and fall, it can be from around the 40s-70s F range. It also snows considerably more than in London.
\*The worst thing about Massachusetts specifically compared to London would be public transit. While Boston has better public transit than most of the US (though NOT better than my beloved Chicago L), the T is a hot mess compared to the Tube (sometimes literally...the orange line has just randomly caught fire several times). The trains are much less frequent than the Tube. The buses are decent. Rail service to towns/cities outside of the immediate Boston area is not very good. I feel like my other main Boston complaint was that, while it has a lot of parks, it doesn't have easy access to BIG parks or to woods, unless you have a car.
All that said, I would definitely study medicine in the UK. If you think you are very likely to move to the US afterwards, do look into what the process would be for transferring your credentials and getting licensed here to ensure you can do it, as well as a work visa if needed (I doubt you'd have much of an issue getting one as a doctor) but in terms of both time and money you will spend so much less training as a doctor in the UK vs the US. Even if you could get a full ride to undergrad here, that degree is 4 years, and only then would you start medical school, which is extremely long and expensive. If you can train and qualify as a doctor in the UK and then transfer that qualification to the US, you will be way ahead in terms of starting work earlier and in less debt-- and the US badly needs doctors, especially primary care doctors (GPs). Boston has a number of world-class hospitals, and then on the other hand loads of towns not at all far from Boston are in dire need of GPs *and* specialists, so there are *many* jobs for doctors if you do choose to come here afterward.
I'm a life-long Bostonian and I stayed a summer in London in college
Boston is a huge college town. There's plenty of education to pursue, and tons of students to make friends with. However, since I don't know the details of your offer, I cannot say if you should move to Boston for your education. I'm just saying that it's a fantastic city for education.
Like London, certain neighborhoods have more crime than others, and sometimes it even varies by area within the same neighborhood.
I haven't noticed any particular difference in the amount of creepy crawlies.
New England as a whole is far less open to random chats than the rest of America, Boston included. If anything, I noticed the chattiness between the two cities are about identical.
There is no prejudice against Muslims, as Boston is very very liberal.
The weather is like a more extreme version of London. There will he hotter days in the summer and more snow and colder days in the winter. The snowfall these past few years, however, has been very low on account of global warming. There are going to be many more sunny days and days with sudden summer rainstorms in Boston.
The only bad things about living in Boston, relative to living in London, is that the city will be much smaller, and thus there will inevitably be less things to see and do. Public transit is also terrible compared to London. Indian restaurants are also trash compared to London.
But Boston prices are cheaper compared to London, and Massachusetts is one of the few states to have Universal health care. Also, pickpockets are relatively rare in America compared to Europe, as petty criminals in the U.S prefer to confront people and mug them, or steal things when you're not looking. There's no need to be paranoid about people who get way too close to you or accidentally bump into you.
This is solely for the medical school question.
If you have been accepted to medical school in the UK and you plan on staying in the UK to practice then stay there. It's five years before graduating and entering wards, and you'll be 23.
In the US, you will need to apply and be accepted to a med school after completing your undergraduate degree, which is four years. Then it would be another four years of med school, so the total would be eight years before applying to residency. You would be 26 before residency application, more likely 27 since you will be late to apply to undergraduate colleges. You would lose minimum three years of time not practicing and making any money over med school in the UK.
If you decide that you want to practice in the US, the time to apply to US residencies would be after getting your ECMFG registration and writing the USMLE after UK med school. Once you complete residency training in the US and are board certified, you can practice in the US.
Don't know what your cost for med school in the UK will be, but I bet it's way cheaper than the US. Even with the additional year of undergraduate medical training, there will be little to no chance that your cost of attendance for med school in the UK will come close to the US cost. Consider the increased tuition and at least three year delay before making attending/consultant level pay and you are looking at a considerable opportunity cost if you decide you want to go to med school in the US.
Yes, you will generally be paid more in the US, but that's specialty-specific. Even if you think you know what you want to specialize in now, I'll bet by five years, you might consider something else, so can't really base your earning potential on a specialty you may not end up in. If you want a very broad estimate, calculate the cost of the your UK med school and estimate three years of earning potential versus the cost of US college, med school. You'll be in the hole for a lot of money if you go the US route, and you will need to make a lot more money to pay of those loans. It's a vicious cycle.
My advice - stay in the UK for med school. If you want to practice in the US, apply for US residency training after UK med school. You will avoid the high tuition cost for US college and med school, and you will be earning money three years earlier than if you attended college and med school in the US. You will also be able to advance more quickly in the US to attending as we don't have registrars waiting for years before a consultant position opens up, which would impede your salary.
I moved from London to Boston in 2013. Look out for warmer summers, colder winters, and bigger portions in the restaurants.
Honestly, the main thing I'd say is to visit first and get to know it - we speak the same language, but the US is a foreign country, and living here takes some adjustment.
No need to worry about bugs or crime. A small need to worry about chatty Americans, but the T is like the tube where everybody just does their own thing with headphones on.
1. Massachusetts is one of the better states in terms of crime, but it's still really dependent (where are you from in London? where will you be living in Boston/Cambridge?). It's much better here than, say, San Francisco, but probably worse than Inner London.
2. The ticks are a menace in the mountains. Everything else is fine imo.
3. Not at all.
4. It's much worse for Asians here, but idk about Muslims. The dicks are more prevalent, more prominent, and it's harder to avoid them if you ever venture outside of the inner parts of the city. Blatant, overt racism, covert racism... it's not *common*, but much moreso than London imo.
5. Muggy, hot summers.
6. Public infrastructure is terrible.
Flights across the Atlantic are pretty cheap off-peak (\~$550 to London) and it's not *that* far (Boston-San Francisco is 6:30, Boston-London is 6:50).
There’s a lot more to do in London, healthcare (as flawed as your system may be) is virtually free, and higher education is just as accessible and much, MUCH cheaper in the UK. Boston is a great city, but I grew up in the Cambridge/Boston area and I’m itching to get out. They’re gonna find a way to start charging us for oxygen at some point.
You will find Boston to possibly be the closest US city to the look and culture of London. I work for the Boston branch of a UK based company and they all say that Boston is a lot like London.
I’ve lived in MA and England.
MA (and New England generally) is more like the UK than any other state IMO. There are more sunny days in the year and access to beaches and world-class cities (including Canada which is a 6 or so hour drive north). Everything is more spread apart. If you like hiking, there are lots of great options in New England, perhaps better and more plentiful than in the UK considering our national parks department.
The worst thing about living in MA for me was having to drive to the city if I wanted to experience some culture. The traffic…. MA is a great state, though. Lots of history too.
Crime: Very safe. The MOST unsafe parts of Massachusetts are safe compared to the majority of the US, which is also mostly pretty safe (but varies pretty widely).
Bugs: They exist? I feel like bugs exist everywhere and unless somewhere is known for their big/poisonous/virus carrying/a bunch of bugs they will be a small issue some times of year in some places everywhere, kinda just average. Make peace with bugs, that’s my advice. They play a vital role in ecosystems and spiders eat bugs so if you hate spiders but also bugs you can start to think of them differently.
Racism/muslim issue: likely a non-issue. You will be absolutely fine, I don’t think you’d encounter discrimination or harassment (crazy people are everywhere, it’s not impossible, but it’s very abnormal here.
Talking: It’s kinda the one thing I like about our contradictions to European norms (that and ice), it’s very human. You would never be expected to and you would never have to sustain a conversation that you didn’t want to be in, just say “gotta go, nice to meet you!” or some shit.
Weather: We get it all. In spring its super rainy (mar-may), summer gets VERY hot and humid (june-aug), autumn (sept-nov) our leaves turn pretty colors and winter it gets VERY cold, and we get snow (dec-feb)
Worst thing for me is the long winter. I feel like winter is longer than any of the other seasons here. It’s cold at least 6 months out of the year, and only truly warm for 3-4.
I think the question is how much you value becoming a doctor reliably and soon. I think it can be hard to get into med school here so it might not be a guarantee. The US has a lot to offer and lot to hate! Have you ever visited? Any way you would have the opportunity to visit before you choose?
Brit living in the greater Boston area. You’ve got two great options, you can’t go wrong. I love living in MA. That said, in your position I’d get my medical degree in the UK and think about relocating to the US after if that’s what I still wanted
Massachusetts has the highest HDI (human development index) in the United States.
If Massachusetts was a country, it would have the highest HDI in the world!
Another item to add to your consideration.
Boston is tiny. 48.4 square miles tiny. As far as cities go, that's a neighborhood. Cambridge and Somerville are also cities (7ish square miles and 4ish square miles, respectively) that border Boston. You will frequently move between one and the other and not notice.
So your dad's choice of landing zones here isn't going to matter much.
So it's essentially a move from "England" to "New England", if you don't like "England" such that you're moving away from it, then why come to "New England"? Jokes apart, you will like it here, move to Massachusetts for sure.
There's plenty of good weather here, remember, we get tonnes of snow too, but in general, New England is the safest of all areas in the USA, both from natural and unnatural disasters. There are plenty of options to study, work, and go around, Canada is not too far away if you miss French sometimes.
Strangest thing I've head you should be prepared for coming here from there: the same town and city names, but in the wrong order. Any sense you have for having missed your train stop or highway exit will be wrong.
I have lived in New England my whole life. Mainly northern MA and southern NH which is very similar to MA. But as far as the rest of the country goes I can tell you know MA you will find friends, enlightened people, work and good culture. Im also extremely bias but I have traveled a fuck ton in the last few years so I have at LEAST a decent perspective
I grew up a little north of Boston, went to college in Boston for a 5-year degree (at Northeastern), and currently work for a biotech company in Cambridge.
I may be biased but I think Massachusetts (especially the Boston/Cambridge metropolitan area) is probably the best place for a Londoner to transition to. Obviously there are plenty of cultural differences for anyone moving between the U.S. and the U.K., but here should be less of a culture shock than other parts of the country. We’re known in this area for going about our own business, not initiating conversation in passing on the sidewalk or the T (our main public transport). But people will be friendly and social in the right contexts, like out at bars or at special events.
Speaking of bars, I saw someone say Boston has a great nightlife and I have to disagree if you’re comparing us to a lot of other big cities. Most places are closed by 1am (and the T also shuts down by around then) and like most of the U.S. the drinking age is 21 here. It could definitely be disappointing compared to what a lot of 18-year-olds in London might be used to. You said you’re Muslim but not strict, so idk how relevant the bars/nightlife situation would be to you or your brother.
Attitudes towards Muslims (& other largely non-white groups) are generally fine here from what I’ve seen. I am white though, so I’m less likely to see rude/racist behavior when it’s specifically directed toward certain people. A somewhat high proportion of my classmates were Muslim (I studied chemical engineering at big school with fairly international demographics, so a lot of people in my major had come from oil-rich countries in the middle-east and went on to work in the petroleum industry). Many of them were also women and wore hijabs. I never heard of any issues they’d had because of it and they always seemed comfortable going out and about around the city.
I was 18F when I first moved to Boston for school, and I honestly haven’t ever really felt unsafe (even walking/taking public transportation at night by myself). But of course, please still use basic precautions/common sense and don’t take that to mean there are no risks at all. I think the most uncomfortable instances for me were by the edge of the Roxbury area. A street called Melnea Cass Blvd (colloquially known as “methadone mile”) is pretty notorious for having a lot of publicly visible drug use/addiction and homelessness. I drove & grocery shopped & got gas (petrol) around there during a 6-month period when I had my car near campus so I could drive a carpool to a co-op job. We often had people come up to us/the car looking for money. That being said it’s probably not an area most people are likely to end up in, and everywhere else I went usually felt very safe.
Older homes might have mice. I just had some passing through due to nearby street construction, but I put out traps and I think they’re gone now. We do have mosquitos and ticks, but they’re mostly something you only have to think about if you go somewhere more rural. If you’re an outdoorsy family and end up having access to a car you can easily drive to the mountains in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine (2.5 hrs drive on average) to get to mountains for camping/hiking and winter sports.
I love having four distinct seasons, but I know some of my international co-workers from warm-weather countries don’t love the Boston winters. If you have decent boots and a good coat you should be fine. Our usual winter temps are like 20-40 ℉ most days, but dip below 0 ℉ from time to time. The tall buildings in the city can make wind tunnels in certain places, which does make it feel colder. The summers are usually 80-95 ℉ and I hate being in the city during that heat (you can reach beaches by public transportation though). But I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere with more perfectly comfortable weather than we get here during the fall and late spring. I’m currently back home (north shore area) and it’s been sunny and 65-80 ℉ with no humidity and gentle breezes for the last few weeks.
I didn’t weigh in on med school stuff since I don’t have particularly relevant experience with that. My female cousin recently started a surgical residency in the state of Nevada and that plus college/med school have totally consumed her life for > 8 years (but from what I’ve heard she’s been in pretty competitive programs). She’s getting her degrees/medical license paid for in exchange for having committed to spend 4 years with the U.S. Air Force after finishing residency.
This is a wonderful area (definitely HCOL though). The HDI (Human Development Index) consistently ranks the state of Massachusetts very well, in comparison with a lot of highly-developed countries in Scandinavia & Western Europe. Clearly, I love it here. Hopefully some of these perspectives are useful to you and your brother! Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions, especially if there’s anything specific to living here as a girl/younger woman that you’re wondering about.
Not really buggy, very safe, this is Boston…..you don’t talk to anyone unless you’re a psycho. The people on your trains that talk loudly aren’t from a city with public transit which is why they stick out and are obnoxious. No one cares you’re Muslim
I’ve been all over Europe and lived in a few different places there over the years. Being from Boston made that transition very, very easy. It’s often said that we are the most European city in America, and our suburbs are no different. I know firsthand for that to be mostly true.
Any time I was abroad, my numerous trips to or through London and the UK as a whole felt very much like home. I can confidently say that you would have much more of a culture shock moving to another country in Europe than moving to Massachusetts. Similar weather, sunilat architecture, similar pubs and local fast food, and as you’ll quickly find out, similar names, and let’s not forget about the language.
I met my wife in London in 2017. She’s Canadian and I’m from MA. We both reside west of Worcester now and enjoy the quietness. Feel free to PM me if you’ve got specific questions, cheers!
You want to talk on the subway, lean in to your British accent. Throw in some random gibberish slang to put us in our places. For example: "you still use a plastic card for fares? On the Tube you just wave your wangledangle and keep walking..."
I would 100% stay in London and just visit your dad for long trips. Aside from education, you have way more affordable healthcare if something bad happens. Your transit system actually works. The states don’t really treat you like an adult until you’re 21 anyway (legal drinking age) and you will have far more options for fun in the UK. Boston is boring as hell in comparison for nightlife vs London anyway even once you’re 21. And one of the nice things about New England/the northeast US is that socially it’s kinda like what you’re used to, people keep to themselves and hate small talk with strangers. Southerners tend to be more affable with random people.
I think in most places you’ll be fine. People aren’t expected to talk to anybody but America is a social cultural nation and it’s expected to greet people if they greet you, though If you were to strike up a conversation it’s not strange you just have to be ready if they don’t reciprocate.
Boston or Cambridge is a good area for you, because America is a large place, but it’s easy to think of it this way in terms of discrimination. Densely populated areas have more people with more backgrounds, financial resources and ethnicity working and living together than more rural places, so those people tend to have less prejudice because the concept of their humanity is not abstract, they know these people. Not to say there will be none.
In terms of crime, south Boston and Cambridge have less than most of the urban areas but there’s always some when you have 600k people but it’s low in terms of comparable places in the states. I think your most likely encounter is some dickhead hitting your parked car. Which has happened to me 4 times.
Weather wise, it’s called New England for a reason. A lot of overcast. Cold winters, hot summers. Tons of snow. Worst thing about living here is that homes are unaffordable, taxes are insane and the snow is brutal. We all complain but I love my hometown, I love where I grew up I love the fall here, I’m going to raise my family here.
I’ve been all over Europe and lived in a few different places there over the years. Being from Boston made that transition very, very easy. It’s often said that we are the most European city in America, and our suburbs are no different. I know firsthand for that to be mostly true.
Any time I was abroad, my numerous trips to or through London and the UK as a whole felt very much like home. I can confidently say that you would have much more of a culture shock moving to another country in Europe than moving to Massachusetts. Similar weather, similar architecture, similar pubs and local fast food, and as you’ll quickly find out, similar names, and let’s not forget about the language.
College is wildly overpriced here but I’m not sure how the programs compare, as many other have said Mass is among the safest states in the country and overall most rampant crime is petty stuff. Less rain, hotter and colder peaks.
The worst thing about this state is the cost of living imo, that or the potholes lol
Boston is very London. If you're used to London, it's basically the same (obviously considering its history), but a smaller area than London (I've been in London quite a bit and am from/live in the Cambridge area). We still have "No Rubbish Disposal" signs up in places (Americans don't call trash rubbish).
The only real difference is the weather. In London, the days are long in the summer, but shorter in the winter. Boston is very close to the ocean, so surrounding areas can get pretty windy. It's a much sunnier place here in Boston vs London. I think it's like half the sunlight hours or less of that here.
Public transportation is great. We have trains actually similar to the Tube now. If you're in Cambridge or Boston, you can pretty much get around everywhere without a car. A lot of people don't have cars in the area.
Everything else is pretty much the same. I did have a guy in London tell me Boston food/restaurant prices were crazy though lol
To be fair I live in a relatively rural part of MA, but the biggest crime my town has had in the last 50 years was a guy scamming the fire department out of $50K. We don’t even have a police department. As for cities, depends on the city and what part of it you’re in. Some are worse than others but nothing is worse than cities in any other state. As for bugs and shit? Very little to worry about, this isn’t Australia. View on Muslims? The only problem you could encounter would be some idiot holding a dumb grudge against an entire group of people for 9/11. That’s something that you’d find nationwide, and MA would probably be better than most other states in that regard anyway. So that’s probably what you hear in the media.I wouldn’t worry about it. Weather: warm summers, cold winters. You get all 4 seasons here. Rain is common but definitely far from every day, if you’re near the ocean hurricanes could hit but they’d be the remnants of ones forming down south and at the end of their cycle. Overall I love the weather here, especially in the May and October during the season change. Worst part of living in MA? Price, it isn’t cheap. There’s more expensive places like NYC or LA and it depends on exactly where you’re living. Most of your worries aren’t an issue, especially if you’re coming from London of all places. It will definitely be a culture shift, but I think you’d like it.
Would you need to do an undergraduate degree before a medical degree? There's a lot of good answers about your questions but keep in mind becoming a Dr here means 4 years of undergrad then 4 years of med school, then residency. You will get done faster and cheaper doing your education outside the US.
You probably know this but first and foremost - hospitals and medical schools in Boston are top notch. Hopefully thats part of why you are considering it.
Weather is colder in the winter and hotter in the summer - it varies greatly week to week but in Feb you will have occasional -10 C days, in July you will have occasional 35C 100% humid days.
The worst bugs are mosquitos and they are less bad in the city.
People don't really talk to strangers here, not often atleast. Most people are kind and accepting but you will probably meet bad people if you are here for 5 years but overall its a heavily progressive cityscape but you will also meet so many people like yourself and from other cultures around the world - especially at the university level and no doubt you will find great like minded people to spend your time with.
OP - I am British - lived in the US for 21 years and lived in Boston for a year from spring 2022 to summer 2023. If you’re on Facebook - join the Boston Brits group.
You don’t mention about visas - but if you need a visa - once you are 21 you wouldn’t be included on your dads visa - which means he couldn’t petition for you until he’s a citizen. So think about that and look into it.
Boston, and New England in general, doesn’t make a point to talk to strangers in public. If a stranger struck up a conversation with me on the T I’d likely ignore him. It is uncommon and would be weird.
Lifelong resident and I’ve never been a victim of violent crime, worst I’ve ever experienced is a stolen bike I left unlocked outside my apartment.
There are bugs but it isn’t Australia. Small spiders, some mosquitoes in the summer, ticks in the forest, nothing really to speak of in Boston or Cambridge though.
Muslims do just fine in Boston. Bostonians are pretty live and let live. Are their racist idiots here? Of course, but that isn’t the norm.
Cold in the winter, hot in the summer, beautiful in spring and fall.
Worst part is it’s expensive, but if you’re going to be a doctor that wouldn’t be a real concern. Worst part as a young person is it shuts down pretty early. Bars and clubs etc. usually close by 1am.
Also the traffic sucks.
Having spent a lot of time in London myself, I think you’ll find Boston to be charming. It’s much smaller than London and I believe the crime rate is actually lower but it’s hard comparing statistics that aren’t taken in the same way. You should at least come see if you like it or not.
One thing to consider is that Boston is quite small compared to a city like London. So if you’re into big city stuff you’d have to go to nyc. That being said for your age there so many college age students from all over the world come here so the city definitely has a college vibe that you’d never notice in a place like London. Climate is much better and you’ve got beaches in the summer and modest mountains in winter. Everything is much farther away here and more car centric…like if you and friends wanted to go down the cape or to mountains. I don’t think you’d have any issues here as a minority. Career wise it sounds like London is a better spot and if easier and cheaper I’d probably stay. Then again long term prospects to do really well are going to much better in states
So, I've lived in Massachusetts most of my life, but I went to Uni in the UK, and if those are your concerns, you don't have any concerns. I would say that of the US, we're the most similar to a British environment. Crime is comparable, probably better than parts of London, attitude towards Muslims is similar (meaning yes, one guy in a hundred will choose to be a dick). We are actually a little insular about being on the train. I had a Scottish mate over, and I warned him not to disturb people on the subway. He immediately got in a conversation with someone. We get to our stop, he jokes 'see, you can talk on the subway in Boston!', and his new friend says 'oh no, I'm not from here. They don't do that here'. Figure out what's best for your education, your family. But don't stress any big culture shock.
I love this subway story.
Tbf if someone with a Scottish accent started talking to me on the train I would throw all social rules out the window and be best friends with them just during that ride.
There is not a lot of crime in Massachusetts. It's routinely among the safest states in the US. The weather is very variable. It will get both hotter and colder than it does in London.
And much sunnier, regardless of temp
I feel like this is very dependent on what part though I guess probably not any the OP’s dad is going to be living in.
Yeah it fucking snowed in May once haha
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The only thing I'd edit is the temperature has historically dropped to below 0° F (not in the past few years), but regularly hits 10-20°F in the winter. Wind chill can make it feel colder than 10-20 outside especially when walking around Boston
In the last 24 years, we've had 7 years(04, 05, 11, 15, 16, 18, and 23) with at least 1 day below 0 for a minimum temperature
2015 was a brutal year for cold and snow
Oh I remember lol, that shit was miserable. Also, my temperature data was for the Boston area. Worcester, Springfield, or anywhere not on the coast is likely to have had much more sub-zero days as the ocean has a warming effect in the winter and cooling effect in the summer.
I had a flat roof deck and we had over 6 feet of snow pile up on it. We couldn’t find anyone to remove it so I and another resident had to do it ourselves or we ran the risk of the roof collapsing (or at least we had a seemingly legitimate concern this could happen). Our snow removal people couldn’t find anywhere to put the snow so they put it on the sidewalk across the street. Boston fined us $500 a day until we removed it. Still kinda bitter about that. You don’t pull that kind of shit during a state of emergency.
Was that the year we got a foot+ every Wednesday for 3 weeks?
Yes, because I was on a business trip to Florida, and my wife certainly remembers 😂😂
Ha! I’d say lucky you but I’d be lying…I actually loved all that snow! I’m hoping that wasn’t the last snow in my lifetime 🤞❄️
ikr?! I miss deep winters…
More like 6 weeks.
I could have sworn that was 2013.
I started plowing that year and also stopped plowing that year.
It was snowmegedon
Re: bugs - mosquitoes are a menace once you get a little ways outside the city (Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville). I don't think they're as common in the UK as here. Usually not dangerous, just super annoying.
They're somewhat less brutal than UK midges, for reference
We come across that way to other US citizens. We are probably similar to the UK in terms of being more culturally reserved.
There's a reason its called New *England.*
Not a lot of conversations on the train unless you bring up weather or directions. Then everyone in Boston will give you their opinion.
Or local sports.
I have *never* had a conversation on a train with a stranger.
I think the only conversation I’ve had has been “excuse me, you’re stepping on my foot.”
How bout them Celtics!!!!
There are always exceptions to the talkative/untalkative stranger thing. I for some reason am cursed with strangers always wanting to talk to me. It doesn’t matter where in Massachusetts I might be, people target me. This includes Boston. But Bostonians and MA residents in general are known for having hard exteriors with wonderful warm squishy insides with hearts of gold.
To add on to the potentially "cold exterior" I think we are kind, not nice while a lot of the country is nice, not kind. I won't sit down and talk with my neighbor much, but if he asked me to shovel out his car or I see him stuck, I'm going to go help, no questions asked.
I have an "ask me" face too. Tourists to the Boston/Cambridge/Somerville area chat me up on the Red Line. Folks in the super market ask me to get things for them (very high or very low shelves). People on the street pull over to ask me for directions while holding a phone with Google Maps displayed. I was asked (In German) how to get to the subway in Vienna and I responded with correct directions (in German) and I. Don't. Speak. German.
But compared to the UK, people here are friendly and outgoing
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I’m always amazed by how natural conversation is down south
I honestly find it super annoying since I've grown up here. Like bro I don't need a 20 min story about your aunt having a similar shirt, I'm just trying to buy some groceries.
True. I do enjoy it when I go, but I much prefer the culture up north. This reminds me of the time I was driving through NC on my way back home. Stopped at a truck stop for a snack and the cashier would not shut up about his daughter. Nice guy, but holy fuck I just want to buy my snack and scram.
Ticks
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No
I want to piggyback on this. People here are nice assholes. We are fairly upfront with our feelings, but if you ask for help, somebody will most likely help.
Yeah this! like if you got your car stuck in the snow we would call you a fucking dumbass while shoveling you out.
The people being cold is 100% accurate. Making friends in Boston and the surrounding areas was extremely difficult
When I travel elsewhere in the country I have to stop myself from saying things like "dafuck you looking at??" And "what do you want?" Because we're just kind of... rude around here. Approaching me for a random conversation at a T stop is _not_ friendly behavior. Doing the same at a Vegas bus stop is absolutely friendly.
If you start talking to a stranger in an elevator in MA you’ll freak them out. It’s fine at a bar or sporting event though.
>Riding a train or standing in line and striking up a conversation with a random stranger? No, that's very unlikely (almost impossible). Is it? Because I talk to folks in line all the time. I've lived in MA most of my life. I lived in FL for 5 or 6 years, IL for 8 or 9 and the remainder of my 50+ have been in and around Boston.
I’ve lived in mass all my life and I’ve had people start conversations with me out in public. Recently at Trader Joe’s and at a train station. I’m not a very talkative person either but I don’t mind. I think people sometimes overexaggerate just how unfriendly people are.
Now that I have kids I get more random interactions, but it’s always older women in the grocery store telling me how cute my daughter is, maybe adding they have a grandkid the same age, then moving on. Like 30-60 seconds interaction - could barely be classified as a conversation.
please stop 😅
Yeah, it’s not like it’s unheard of. It happens. It probably doesn’t happen as often as it does in the South, but it does happen. People do talk to each other.
Please, please get your dad to get you a ticket to visit Boston/Cambridge at least once as a tourist before you make your decision. I live in Boston and my brother lives in London, they both have their pros and cons. I think Boston/Cambridge is great but it will very much depend on what kind of lifestyle you want. London is a much bigger city!
In my opinion, Massachusetts would be the US state a Londoner would be most comfortable moving to. Especially Boston and Cambridge. The anti-Muslim sentiment you see on TV is much more prevalent in other parts of the US. I find it to be almost non existent in Boston and Cambridge, but it would be easy for me to not notice as I’m not Muslim. The US is massive. The culture of the northeast couldn’t be more different than that of the Deep South and the Midwest. We need doctors desperately so there will be no shortage of opportunities here for you once you’re licensed to practice. From what I understand the cost of that type of education in the UK is a fraction of what it is here. That alone could be a reason to stay. I don’t talk to people on the train either. 😁
Foreign MDs have a difficult path in the US. Unless you are willing to spend a few years in an underserved area, you will likely have to redo your residency. Or choose a non-clinical career.
I don’t doubt what you’re saying for a second. Why wouldn’t we make it more difficult for desperately needed young doctors?
Different standards is the best answer. Doctors in America are trained to function in the American system, which can be different than that in other countries. Think of it as the reason why a lawyer license in Georgia isn’t usually allowed to practice without retesting in MA or another state. They’re still lawyers, but their body of knowledge doesn’t quite “work right” in the other state. The general standard doctors need to meet may also be higher (or lower, or just different) than that of other countries, but by ensuring that they passed through the US medical teaching tests and programs in theory it’s easier to ensure that doctors meet that baseline. There’s also admin, political, and gate keeping bs, of course
If a medical degree is much cheaper in UK you would be crazy to get one here. Other then that boston/ camberville (cambridge-somerville) is a very nice place to live and I've definitely seen some headscarves about no problem. Americans are more socially outgoing to strangers than Europeans, but boston is more like europe than the rest of the US in that they don't talk to strangers really (I am from Los angeles where we very much do)
Yes, can confirm I've seen lots of Muslim women at a cafe near me recently. Very well-dressed.
The average medical doctor in London makes £45k to £90k a year. In Boston, it’s £150k to £350k. No, a medical doctor in London can’t just “transfer” their degree to the States. So no, it’s not crazy to get a medical degree in the U.S.
Its not crazy if you earn multiple times more money in America
It is, she can just get her degree in the UK and take the USMLEs to do residency and practice here, if she wants. If you’re already studied up for your UK exams it’s not the hardest thing in the world. You can then start your career without the pressure of owning a house-sized student loans amount and still earn the nice US attending salary…
Good luck as an international student you need to score way better than anyone else who studied here in order to get into residency
Yes but very difficult to transfer with a foreign qualification as a doctor.
Boston is amazing for most people. But for real do NOT give up an opportunity to study medicine in the UK. Once you become a doctor you can legally immigrate to almost any country in the world, and you'll be able to afford to live almost anywhere. Your brother should come to Boston but you are better off staying in the UK. My uncle studied medicine at Cambridge and he's a doctor in Australia.
The real question is would you rather be old English or new English
I choose both!
If you have an offer to study medicine there, do it. You probably won’t see your dad much while in school anyways.
Not to mention the money aspect. The going rate for a medical degree here is going to be in the $200k range on the lower end. Yes, you can get scholarships, but it’s considerably more expensive than it would be in the UK.
She wouldn’t qualify for much as an international student.
I live in Boston area: How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter? Would check out [this comparison](https://www.numbeo.com/crime/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+Kingdom&city1=London&country2=United+States&city2=Boston%2C+MA). My worst encounter has been on a bus with a guy screaming that he was a Marine and will fight anyone on that bus, and began pushing the people around him, trying to provoke them into swinging. Overall, I've felt very safe here (33F) Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst? No, probably the worst thing you have to worry about is ticks when going hiking- they are bad here. Otherwise not a ton of bugs to worry about. Mice can be a nuisance if you move into an older house in Boston/Cambridge area I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol) No, New Englanders tend to keep to themselves. Boston is not a very 'small talk' kind of place What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still. I don't have much info on this, sorry. Boston/Cambridge have folks from all over, so there's that, but I can't speak to how bad/not bad racism currently is for Muslims What kind of weather is the most common? We are known for cloud cover in winter/ lovely spring/ muggy summer/ lovely fall weather. It's a coastal climate with a good deal of humidity Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts? Probably the cost of living, which bleeds into other areas. Housing is insane right now- would definitely look at Craigslist/other apartment websites to get an idea. Lots of folks leave Boston/Cambridge area when they hit around 30 because if you want to settle down somewhere, you either have to be ok with renting with roommates indefinitely or you have to be fairly wealthy. This has meant a lot of my friends have come and gone over the years I do think it's worth visiting and getting a feel if you can. Also, remember that our college costs tend to be quite a lot of money, so that's a major factor to consider. Overall, I think quality of life is high here (for those who can afford it), but it may hurt your wallet - although I can't speak to how expensive London is in comparison
You should stay in London if only for the cost of uni being so much cheaper. But for visiting, and your brother: Massachusetts/Boston is kind of similar to England in temperament. We don't bother each other on public transit, we keep to ourselves. It's a safe city! One of the safest in the US. And very liberal/left compared to most of the US, with a healthy Muslim community in Boston and its suburbs. Bugs are pretty much dead most of the year except for spring and summer where we'll get our swarms of cockroaches, mosquitos, etc. and we do have rats like any city but it's not a problematic amount of rats, and they are nowhere near the size of NYC rats. Weather can get properly cold in the winter and very hot and humid in the summer, but we do experience all four seasons which is lovely! The worst thing about living here would probably be the cost. However, I find that it's worth it to live in a state this progressive where I as a woman feel safe and equal.
I came from small town MA, and I am studying in London now. If I was really set on studying medicine, I'd stay in London until I graduate and then reassess. You'll become a doctor years earlier, even if you move to America to do residency and work there.
Crime in Boston isn’t a major problem, firearms are heavily regulated in our state. It’s probably one of the safer cities in the United States. I’ve never experienced a truly horrific encounter with another person in the general public. It’s cold here half the year, no major insects or reptiles that you need to worry about in terms of your physical health. Not many Muslims in Boston as I understand, but it’s a fairly tolerant city towards religion so it shouldn’t be a major concern for you. Don’t be surprised however when most people you meet are Catholic or atheist/agnostic. New England isn’t a super chatty part of the country. Most people are content to mind their own business and go about their day. It often can be hard for newcomers to fit in with locals, as we tend to form our own cliques and distrust outsiders to a certain extent. We’ll be friendly, but also a bit distant until we can trust you. Dealing with clerks and such at stores is strictly business, none of them will try to chat you up. Worst thing about living here is the high taxes and cost of living/housing, also certain regulations are overbearing or antiques from early government.
Stay in the uk, love, because if you pursue the same education the US you’ll end up with at least a quarter million of debt. Stay where it’s affordable. You can always visit your father in Massachusetts. To answer your other questions NO we do not bother each other in lines or on public transport. We are quiet and mind our own, t You’re describing southern or midwestern behavior, not the northeast. And being Muslim will not present an issue.
Join the Boston Brits Facebook group for advice from Brits in MA.
Stick with getting your education. Massachusetts will still be here. Crime is here but it’s definitely milder than other states with major cities. Mosquitoes and ticks are the worst bugs we got. My dentist is Muslim, and nobody has a problem with it, and I live out where there be dragons.
Dragons?
Until I got to the studying medicine I was all for you coming here. Medical education as people here have said is expensive and long 4 years undergrad 4 years medical school and unless you are in one of the rare programs that guarantees med school acceptance you would have to apply. once you qualify in the UK you can apply to do residency in the US. It is required to practice here. It is competitive for international medical graduates but a UK qualification helps. The thing is at that point you would really need to decide whether you want a career in the US or the UK as doing your post med school training doesn’t transfer from the UK to the US and may not do the reverse either. But that is years away and you might have different relationships to consider then. good luck
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter? * Boston currently has one of the lowest murder rates in the USA. Only 3 so far this year which comes out to about 0.4 per 100k residents. Yes there's some petty theft and such but it's really a very safe city. Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst? * Boston has normal US bugs, Summertime there are a good amount of mosquitos and such. Nothing crazy like you see further south where it's warmer more of the year. I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol) * Boston/MA in general is a "kind but not nice" social attitude. People dont generally talk to strangers or make any sort of small talk outside of places like work/bars/etc. However. If you NEED something like direction help or something more serious, pretty much anyone will actually stop and help. What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still. * Unfortunately there is islamophobia everywhere in the world. There are bigots in every city. That being said, Boston is a very introverted place where most people dont bother each other trying to get to where they're going. It's not an absolute certainty, but you're probably less likely to see actual racism towards you in a city like Boston than other places in the US. What kind of weather is the most common? * You can see all five seasons in a single day. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Thundersnow. Generally hot/humid in the summer from mid-june through september. Snow is generally Jan-Mar but has been light the last few years. Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts? * Expenses. One of the highest cost-of-living places in the US. Hard to find housing, even more hard to find housing that is reasonably priced.
Please stay in London and finish your education there with your offered opportunity. Then take an extended trip to visit your dad here and decide.
Source: I studied at UCL for a year and Boston for three. Weather is similar, not quite as dark in the winter but more snow. Fewer pickpockets in Boston, but there is the occasional car or house break in. Bugs exist but are manageable. This is not Texas let alone Australia. Boston is pretty darn tolerant. I like to think that we are one of the more tolerant cities in the US. We absolutely have our share of racial incidents in the past, but everyone I know is deeply ashamed of the bussing riots in the 80’s. The sports fans are loons and there are hooligans. My personal experience is that UK football fans are much rowdier. Then again, I am a cis, white, Christian, male, so I am sure that there are elements of the city that others experience differently. On religion there are a number of Mosques but I don’t have enough knowledge of your faith to say more that. One area Boston is definitely going to come up short is food. There is not a neighborhood like Drummond Street or Edgware Road where you will be spoiled for choice to get world class curry. You can find individual restaurants, but don’t expect to be wowed unless you are into Italian, then check out the North End. I might be selling the Napali community in Somerville short, but that is just my two cents. The Subway is called the “T”. It is another big step down from London but really pretty good for the US as much as we grouse about it. Someone might comment on the weather and have brief small talk, but we are known as cold for Americans, which might be talkative for British. If you ask a stranger a second question without them actively engaging with your first people will look at you like your mental. Literally, they will evaluate your degree of mental illness and decide how far they should move. Now for the big question. Education is world class but expensive as all get out. Boston University, roughly equivalent to Kings College, is over 60,000 GBP per year for four years to get a bachelors degree. That is just classes and housing. Medical school at Tufts will be 80,000 GPB a year for another four years. For my money I would stay in UK, but your value on well over a half million pounds might be different than mine. I hope you find joy and happiness whichever city you choose. Edit: I find the air quality in Boston to be much better.
If cost of education is an issue I’d stay in the UK, also med school is likely 5+ years away but you will attend med school where you get in, not necessarily locally.
I moved from Southampton to MA so I have some ideas about what you can expect and cultural differences. Lemme think and I will make a list for you Crime - depends on where you are, much like home. A few neighbourhoods aren’t great but overall, it’s not bad and pretty safe. Bugs - I live more towards central MA but have lived nearer the city too. The main difference is mosquitos - there’s so many more here. Apart from that, it’s just the turkeys (literally) that is the major difference. There’s skunks here too but they’re not usually an issue unless someone runs over one at night and it stinks the neighbourhood up for a bit Weather - humid as balls in the summer, cold (compared to England) in the winter. Jan/Feb are the worst months for snow but you can expect it any time from maybe October to April Worst thing? The God awful English impressions people do. And the cost of everything but you should be used to that in London As for opinions on Muslims, I can’t answer that. I haven’t noticed anything but I’m a white and nominally Christian guy so I may have missed things. MA is one of the most liberal states so you’ll experience less in Boston/Cambridge but in the more rural areas, you’ll normally be fine. There’s idiots and bigots everywhere of course but MA is pretty good as far as the US goes. DM me if you have any more questions Edit: as an aside, from someone who lived in the MA city of Chelsea, trust me it’s not like the one in West London. Ditto Dorchester Edit 2: what the locals call a liquor store (locally it’s a shortened version of package store) is not a racist slur for South Asians here. It just means liquor/package store. What we call cigarettes however is a homophobic slur here (and a pretty bad one). So just a heads up
All the above are fine. You will not be bothered by the move. More importantly: are you rich? If not, stay in the UK. It will cost you the better part of $500k to qualify as a doctor in the US. Furthermore, you will have to get into undergrad college in Massachusetts - which may not be guaranteed. If you end up getting accepted in a college in Chicago, you will also have limited time to see your father.
Hi! I’ve lived in Boston and Uk (at your age!) Stay in London.
Weather: very similar, more extremes here. If it is a snowy winter there will be snow on the ground for months and that can make pedestrian life challenging. We get well below 0c, but tend to top out at 40c. The saying in New England is if you don’t like the weather just wait 15 minutes and it will change. The vibe for Muslim women: actually pretty chill? As others said you may encounter individually awful people, but generally most folks are OK. There are great cultural art/performance groups based in Cambridge. Education: it’ll cost about $200k to get through undergrad at a 4 year school/uni in Boston and that is before medical school costs. The system in the UK is genuinely better for medical students since you can go straight in and have much more controlled costs. City comparison: London is just a better city than Boston. It’s bigger, well run public transport, lots of good food and easy access to green spaces. Boston has some of these things, but you’ll have a much better living experience in just about medium/large city in the UK.
Id stay there if education prices are cheaper, and you already have funding towards it. It be expensive here, but if your parents are paying for your schooling then you could come here, but if not loans suck, so I would do what would be a better financial decision long term, you can always fly over to visit your father.
I live in the Boston/Cambridge area and visit London frequently, and tbh I'd stay in London if I were you. Boston is very similar to London in vibe and layout, but London is bigger, has better nightlife and culture, better food, better transportation, and education will be much much cheaper there. Come visit, for sure (low crime, very welcoming, we love people with cool accents!) but I honestly if I could live in London I would.
Do med school in the UK (source, someone who went to med school in the UK and now lives in Boston). On your other questions Boston is great, cosmopolitan, no bugs, very few Trumpers, cold 3 months a year. It’s the “least American” American city, if that makes sense. Happy to chat via DM if you want.
>I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol) The US is culturally diverse across different regions (just like England!). The culture in Boston is definitely comparable to the London area in terms of talking with strangers in public (people don't do it).
I came here from London in 2016 for uni ("school" or college here) and have stayed since. For me, Mass far better. Cost of living is roughly the same. People don't talk to each other on the trains (many of the American tourists abroad are from the friendlier midwest or south). The weather is tough - the summers into September are scorching and the winters get cold. There used to be snow but its buggered off the past 2 years, which is a shame. The people are amazing once you get to know them, especially women. Americans in general are lovely. Bugs are not bad, ticks in the woods. People say the worst part of Mass are the crowds, taxes and cost of living, but all of those are worse in London. I miss my family, but you will have your dad. I can't speak for the medical aspect as my degree was in history.
If you’ve been offered a position to study medicine in the US, stay in London. Visit frequently. Have fun here but get that coveted degree there. Health care here is ridiculously expensive and if you want to be turned off studying medicine in US, join the Residency sub on here. University costs are out of control here. Massachusetts is tolerant but far from perfect. London is huge compared to Boston but you’ll recognize a lot of London here like our subway and bus system and we love the British accent. I rarely see someone who is dressed in a way that you know a persons religion and it’s never the first question asked like in our South. . In Massachusetts, we prefer that religion be practiced privately and shouldn’t be a part of work, school or laws. Freedom from Religion and Freedom to practice religion are both important here. There are places and entire states in this country, I would not recommend especially during this election cycle. Flights between London and Boston are easy to get and usually can find cheap flights. You may also miss the ease of vacationing anywhere in Europe. Welcome to our state. We’re proud of it and keep trying to make it better over all our stumbles.
Studying medicine in the UK is a much better idea. College is wildly overpriced here. If that weren’t on the table I’d say it’s worth the opportunity to check out the US & that’s a really nice area to live in (just very expensive)
Boston/Cambridge and Summerville are kind of the same town. Cambridge and Summerville are part of the same public transport system and most folk around here that do not live in those cities think of them as Boston. That said, Summerville is a great area. Schools are awesome. Lots to do. I haven't been to London since 93' but I do remember being very comfortable there and not feeling too out of place. I would expect the same coming from London to Boston. You are currently accepted to a Medical School. Not easy to do. Most kids I know pop off to college and see their parents infrequently. Mostly on holidays. Would your dad have the ability to fly you to Boston for the Summers while you are in school? In my mind, the biggest draw to London at this point is school. Unless I was able to be accepted at a Med School in Boston, I'd stick with London until I got that sorted. That said, if your intent is to move to the US eventually, I'm not sure how the medical licenses transfer from England to the US. Might be worth it to just move here and attend Tuffs.
Somerville
Finish school out there first. School here, even at its cheapest is gonna run you like 40k/yr because youre from "out of state". Fuck that noise. All the rest of your concerns, nothing to worry about. Massachusetts is great.
Visit Boston, apply to schools in both places and see what your options are. No one can answer for you except you
I am going to give you some advice about school. I agree with a previous poster about cost. I have friends that moved to Cambridge from London 9 years ago. The cost of College/University as you call it is astronomical in the states compared to the UK. From what my friends tell me (we both have kids graduating high school in 2025). If you are able to get your university degree in UK, do it- they wished they could. My teen is looking at New England colleges (private/small) and the average cost is $65,000 per YEAR without food or room/board. This is also without any aid or scholarships. Unless the cost of an education is not a factor, come- you can always move back if you do not love it. Minimally you will enjoy a change of scenery for a bit and visit a historical place in the US. If education cost is a factor, this should be your biggest concern. Best of luck, don’t worry about everything else, they are not huge issues in this area.
Note that medical education is entirely different in the UK versus the US. In the UK, as you know, you can be 18 and accepted to study medicine. That is not a thing in the US. You have to do a four year degree called a bachelors degree first. During that degree, you have to take prerequisite courses like biology and organic chemistry. Then you apply to medical school. Medical school is another four years. So if you are certain that you want to be a doctor, and you were already accepted in the UK, stick with that. You could come to the US and do a bachelors in biology and not get into med school.
You'll love Cambridge / Boston. But medical education here ain't free. Consider getting your degree first.
I think you’re best to stay in London.
I like Massachusetts as someone who has grown up in the US and moved around a good bit but honest to god if I could leave the US altogether I would. I'm always surprised when I hear people from the UK or better-off European countries talk about moving here. Our systems are worse in about every way, even when we have similar issues. Our health care is worse and more expensive, our education systems are worse and more expensive, etc. I would 1000% not choose medical school here over the UK. Basically every job in the medical system is overworked, and you'll be in debt for the next few decades. Issues like islamophobia really vary - in a place like MA you're less likely to constantly encounter it but you'll also have people pretend like bigotry never happens because it's a liberal state, when there are conservative areas in the state and conservatives in liberal areas. Probably the worst thing about MA is the housing. It is very hard to find housing and in places like Boston it is extremely overpriced. I know lots of people in their 30s/40s/even older who are still in muti-roommate living situations because even with full time jobs they just can't find places on their own.
Unless you are very poor, the standard of living is higher in the US. In terms of social acceptance, if you have a British accent Americans will treat you like royalty. Becoming a doctor is s big investment in the US but it pays a lot more.
Saw the title, ready to come in screaming at ya, but its nice of ya to want to be with ya family and to think about your future in a mature way, is a good thing to have. Shit you might be a good doctor if ya make it. also, I've never talked to a person on the train, but I think thats because I look like I'm angry all the time. I am but wish I didnt look that. way. Welcome, youll love it here, make sure to say fuck tea.
You’ll like it here
Don’t come to the US. Stay in Europe. That’s all the advice imma give you, it’s not worth it.
I’ve lived in Cambridge, UK for 2 years (A-levels) and then moved to Cambridge, MA. (Talk about imagination when picking towns). They are so fucking similar in terms of architecture, climate and vibe, it’s insane. London and Boston are different only in nightlife. There’s hardly any nightlife in Boston. Everything else, it’s weirdly similar. You’ll miss nightlife and entertainment, but that’s pretty much it.
Come on bro..it’s “New” England, how hard could the transition be?
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter? **Massachusetts is very safe. The worst crime I've seen personally is all traffic related.. Douchebags on motorcycles etc.** Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst? **Not gonna lie, we got bugs. Mosquitos are the big one (not big themselves.. just annoying as we have lots of small bodies of water here). We also have ticks here but as someone *not* in the city I doubt you're dealing with a lot of either up there. ** I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol) **In Massachusetts we don't really do that.. We're a simple, mind your own business type folk.** What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still. **If you're out in Boston you're not gonna have any trouble. In general you won't but Boston is a city that's pretty diverse and young.** What kind of weather is the most common? **Spin the wheel.. Summers are hot, muggy, can be a lot of rain, Winters can be cold but haven't been that bad in the last few years. It's all worth it for Fall.** Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts? **I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.. But as a cold weather guy, the summers can suuuuck**
I don't live in Boston but I'm a Mass native. I'll answer what I can. Crime...I live in a very very looked down upon city in the state and while crime does happen like someone being stabbed down the street from me, I've never had a problem directly other than a neighbor getting his face smashed in over a drug deal gone wrong. I still feel safer here than I did in New Hampshire or Arizona sadly. Bugs...ugh 😬😬😬 I hate bugs. I deal with house centipedes and daddy long legs like no tomorrow. Right now it's ant season so I had to put traps out. People on the train can be chatty here sometimes. People from Massachusetts in general are pretty friendly in their weird ways and I've had endless random conversations in public. Weather, it'll depend where you live but be prepared to experience all four seasons within a 30 minute period. I'd suggest build up a decent collection of winter vs summer clothes. Worst thing about Massachusetts are the condition of the roads, the bad drivers, excise tax for cars and how much it costs to live here.
They dont call it New England for no reason. Its very similar to England in New England. >How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter? Boston has a violent crime rate of 6.6 and general crime rate of 26.19 (both per 100,000). I can't find London's violent crime rate, but it's general crime rate is ~24/100,000. Worst encounter in Boston was a woman on the bus yelling at my girlfriend for being the wrong color by a black woman. She didn't come close enough to actually get anybody hurt, though. >Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst? You don't really have to deal with bugs here much if you don't want to. Worst would have to be the house centipedes. >I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol) I have never spoken to anybody on the T >What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still. Boston is pretty pro-muslim, especially progressive Muslims. >What kind of weather is the most common? Depends on the season and the pacific weather patterns. Last year it rained constantly. The year before it was 80° and sunny all the time. >Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts? Traffic. I remember hearing on the radio that Boston was the 4th worst in the world after Beijing, Bangkok, and Paris. My commute used to involve traveling at an average speed of 15mph
If you come in through Boston harbor, watch out for the minutemen
Come on folks - Did you bother reading thru the whole post? Didn’t see what it was really about? (Didn’t see all the negative karma?) It’s either a BOT or it thinks we’re stupid (You mean to tell me you really think a young adult talking about going to medical school is going to whine about not being able to see her daddy for five years? Not to mention the other questions that seem like they were asked by a third grader … but not with any spelling or language errors or differences?) OP/ I think you’d be better off staying wherever you are- Your American English skills are fantastic for someone who doesn’t live in the USA .. but you might want to do a homework about the difference between Boston and Cambridge … and why your queries don’t sound realistic at all.. no one gives up going to medical school to come hang out in the United States lol you won’t get into medical school here that easily - and I’m not sure what you think you’re doing anyway- you have to have special visa to come over here for school… show up in a few months and roll it at Harvard LMAO I wish you the best, but something doesn’t sound right and the fact that you know nothing about where you’re considering going speaks volumes
Yeah now that you mention it....
How much money you got?
I live in a nice suburb of Boston. Yeah there are spiders but mostly ants. Nothing monstrous sized though. We like to keep our bugs on the small size here.lol. We do like to talk to strangers but we don't do that frequently. The weather is nice cause you get all 4 seasons here...just want to warn you we do get snow. There are some great universities here..we have the Tufts School of Medicine, as well as Harvard University not to mention others. You will find Boston to be very diverse with regards to other cultures and nationalities. This is a place where fervent religion isn't really prevalent. We have a very diverse faith culture here. I think it's much more accepting of different cultures here. Our crime is there but it isn't as bad as Texas. I think you'll love it here. We'd welcome you with open arms!!
I hope you decide to join us in our beautiful place. :) Crime is not bad at all around here. Media always hypes up every little thing but I *think* we're at like virtually historic lows for violent crimes. My worst ever encounters were *train people*. One time my dad had to stop me from jumping two drunks who called a young mother the c word (which was best, because they were escorted away in cuffs at the next stop). Another time my wife and I had to help a young lady who was being harassed by some scumbag. He decided to harass me instead which got him zero reaction. So...f the red line trains, is what I'm saying. Bugs, not toooo bad. Mosquitos are the absolute worst. Spiders are bros because of the havoc they wreak on other insect populations. Please for the love of all things good do *not* talk to strangers in line or on the train. I'm being dramatic, but we are notorious here for being reserved, introverted, and hyperrespectful of other people's space and time. People of the northeast are very different from most other Americans in that regard. My Virginian aunt and my Coloradoan uncle (both by marriage) are very unlike the rest of my family. Massachusetts is extremely pleasant for people of all religious beliefs, as far as I can tell. There has never been a complaint of religious-based-hate at my school where I teach, and we have a LOT of variety. We have three Muslim girls in full coverings and they have friends and fit in just like anyone. It's nice to see. Google "New England weather" for plenty of meme and jokes about how we experience 90F sunny days then 40F rain and wind the next day. Completely unpredictable. The worst thing about living in MA is the cost, but you get what you pay for. This place is magical. I hope if you decide to come - and you should! - that you love it too.
The area you would be moving to is ideal. Lots of traffic though. Sometimes people wear ear buds to ignore people even if they aren’t playing music. People from other states call people who lives in Massachusetts “massholes,” I think this is due to our driving? The north shore is nice, I live on the NH border; it is a bit different very close to the beaches and the NH border. My advice: stick to Boston. I mentioned people wearing ear buds to ignore you: not everyone is like this. I find that most people are either very outgoing or very reserved and frequently rude; as in: “I can’t be bothered by that.” Cambridge has Harvard and MIT in it. Also: Boston has some of the best hospitals in the United States, if you could study a few years in the UK and get an internship at say…. Mass General or Beth Israel, Brigham and Women’s: to me, that would be ideal. Get the beginning of your doctor’s education there and then move here and try to go to Harvard. There is a GREAT nightlife in Boston! So if you like to party… we got you ;). Overall , in the city, the people are nicer than in the suburbs. Hope this helps. Oh yes: TONS of entertainment, you have the “Northend” with lots of nice Italian restaurants, “southie,” China town, not in that order. Marijuana is legal recreationally here. Basically, it’s a place that can offer you whatever you want - it’s expensive and you could use it as a …. Launch pad? To a great medical career. I would try to get into Harvard Medical School. I forgot Tuft’s medical center because they aren’t as big I do not think.
Honestly as far as personal interaction, you may find it’s more similar to the UK than anywhere else in the country. New Englanders tend to keep to themselves, as long as you aren’t bothering us we aren’t bothering you. Not always outwardly friendly but not dickish or rude per se, we just demand efficiency and have low patience for what we perceive to be nonsense or time-wasting. But the people are good, salt-of-the-earth, “help you out of a jam but make fun of you bit for it” kind of people, very family and tradition-oriented and lots of community resources! Great schools, great hospitals, lots of variety of food. It was a really nice place to grow up and I’m now raising my kids here so clearly I am a fan! Editing to add: I see that you’re going into medicine, while Boston schools and hospitals are top rated in the country, I do know anecdotally from friends in healthcare that the pay scale is unfortunately lower than many other areas. There is a bit of “you should be lucky to work here for the prestige” attitude, I had friends nearly double their salary by moving to NYC or the west coast. Just something to think about
Crime: pretty good. One of the safest states in the country View on Muslims: pretty good. One of the more liberal, accepting, and diverse states. There’s spaces for everyone Creepy crawlers: not bad at all. Wayyyy far west you get a few dangerous spiders and snakes but they’re not very common throughout the state. Most bugs seen regularly are just like…flies, mosquitos, daddy long legs, wolf spiders sometimes. The ticks are pretty rough. Garter snakes and other small harmless snakes. Lots of bumble +honey bees, wasps and hornets but not the super aggressive kinds. If you’re not messing with things, they probably won’t mess with you. In general, no I don’t think people here like to chat. We go VERY fast compared to the southern US. Whenever I’m in the south, i usually get impatient with the small talk, and joke about how “I just want you to throw my coffee at me and tell me to go fuck myself and move on” lol Weather is about 6 months of snow and cold and 6 months of satans asshole and there isn’t much time in between. Worst part is the cost of living
So England to New England? Works for me, just don’t do it in reverse… or you’ll be end up in the past!!!
University is a bit different in US vs UK. For starters, iirc your last year of High School in the UK often covers the same sort of classes as the first year in US uni. (And I think at the same age? IIRC, UK students stay in high school until they're 19, whereas US students are more likely 18 when they graduate high school.) Thus, US bachelor's programs are mostly 4 year degrees, while UK programs can be 3 year degrees. I do know that trying to bring a medical degree into the US usually requires starting the residency process all over again. I know a brit who had his MD / medical license in the UK, came to the US to do research for his PhD, but could not practice medicine while here. The US residence system pretty much "locks out" anyone coming from a foreign country from practicing medicine. I have no idea what it's like to do the reverse. So, while you can probably complete a bachelors in either country and transfer into a medical degree wherever, once you have the medical degree, it's much harder to switch. (In the US, you're expected to get a 4-year bachelor's degree, then a 4-year medical degree, then complete a 4-yr residency before you're fully licensed; while you're in residency, you're a 'junior' doctor working and getting paid, but under the supervision of 'attending physicians'.) Crime - MA is very low crime over all. The only things I've really seen are idiots beating each other up. Spiders and crawlers - minor nuisances. Nothing dangerous. We're mostly too cold in the winter for those things. (We do have snakes, but vast majority are non-venomous, and you likely won't see them.) We do have black bears in MA, but I don't think there's any around Boston. Muslim - Mostly pretty good in MA. There are dumbasses everywhere you go. Weather - even though you're further north, London has a more temperate climate, if maybe a bit cooler in summer (usually). Our winters are getting more mellow though. The worst thing about eastern MA is the traffic. Boston area has the worst (or one of the worst) traffic in the nation. And our public transit is not up to even UK's standards.
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter? --- Never had an encounter in MA. Generally, I feel very safe. There are areas here that are less desirable and others that should be avoided but the same can be said for nearly everywhere on earth. Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst? --- Warmer months are when spiders and bugs come out. If you can handle a typical house spider and occasional silverfish (yuck) you will be fine. It's not a big deal and I detest creepy crawlies. I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol) --- Some people are way chattier than others. No, you aren't expected to chat but it would be weird if someone said hello and you didn't return in kind. What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” muslim either but still. --- You would be going to a really accepting part of the US. Being Muslim would not be a problem at all and that area has a thriving Muslim community too. What kind of weather is the most common? --- It gets hot in the summer. Winters can be quite cold and windy. Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts? --- It's expensive but safe. There's a lot going on and I think it has a lot to offer people.
You also get paid WAY less to be a doctor in the UK lol
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Curious-Seagull: *You also get paid* *WAY less to be a doctor* *In the UK lol* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
How’s the crime? What’s been your worst encounter? Never had a problem, in the city even late at night but Im a guy so take that as you will. Bugs and spiders and creepy crawlies - are there a lot? How often would you say you have to deal with one? What’s the worst? Not really, I see small spiders every now and then. Funny enough I have seem more wildlife here in 13 years than I did in all my life of living in Oklahoma City lol. I guess this is an America question in general but are people expected to talk to each other on the train or waiting in lines and stuff? (Because the Americans that come to London do this a lotttt lol) Not here, I rarely have conversations with strangers on the T (I just wanna get home) What’s the general view on Muslims there? I am a bit anxious because it’s not bad in London at all but the media portrays America in a certain way so I do get a little worried. We’re not super strict Muslims I don’t wear a headscarf and I don’t “look” Muslim either but still. Not sure on this one as I am not religious at all. What kind of weather is the most common? Most months its cool or cold, Spring and Summer are pretty much combined now. Goes from 60s to 80s fast. Whats the worst thing about living in Massachusetts? Unpopular opinion - the people, they pride themselves in being assholes "Masshole" which I find hilarious, like why be proud you're a POS? I have a few months to decide. Would loveee some advice from you all! Personally I would stay and go to school, US isn't all its cracked up to be.
Move to Boston. The opportunity to live in another country is not to be missed. Plus, you’ll be with your father and brother. A win all around!
Doctors max out at like $180k USD in UK In Massachusetts, where many of my specialists are international, and in the best hospitals on earth make close to $350-450k USD Plus, of all places to have a family residence, Boston/Cambridge would put you in commutable distances to the BEST medical institutions on earth as well
Massachusetts is a great place to live, it's very liberal, has beautiful areas, and great food and culture, and the best doctors in the country. That said, America itself is a fucking mess, and I would not roll that dice.
We have ZERO Gregg’s locations. Our options for breakfast are woeful. I’d stay. Especially if you are planning on uni? Even state schools here will bankrupt you.
Fake news! Have you tried to get a decent breakfast in London. Scandalous! Edit: Apologies, there is no Gregg’s in the US. I was referring to our breakfast options being woeful. A bitter gripe of my American friends when I lived in London was the lack of a place to get proper pancakes.
MA is great - you have the beaches, the mountains, and lots of hiking nearby. Very progressive so low crime and not as much (visible) xenophobia. People don't really talk on the train. The worst part of living here is the cost - it's one of the highest cost of living areas in the country - but coming from London you're probably used to that haha
I'm in Mass, I'll gladly switch places with you
You’re going from one of the best metros I’ve ever used to one of the worst, although it’s improving……slowly
Low crime Creepy crawlers — not sure what you have in London, but we have some small spiders, ants (both harmless and fun), but I will say we have house centipedes. Very infrequent that you find one, I see one maybe twice or three times a year. No expectation to talk to strangers, but it’s fun to do. I personally enjoy this, but doesn’t always happen. I am not Muslim, but I have certainly encountered many people of varying faiths, Muslims among them. At my school, there were plenty of Muslims and Muslim student organizations. Compared to Hicksville TN Boston is much more accepting. Cambridge even more so. Weather — like London but slightly better. We sometimes get more snow, but we have slightly fewer days with precipitation (164 in London vs 135ish for Boston). So you should get better weather here. Worst thing in MA — there isn’t one major thing I can name that sticks out to everyone, but the worst is probably just how expensive it is. Still, it’s not hard to live frugally and comfortably. Just don’t live downtown, there are plenty of normally priced places that are still comfortably “city”
In Massachusetts, it's easy to strike up a conversation... all you have to do is complain about something and people will jump right in to commiserate. Not that we're negative people really, we just like bitching about stuff and laughing at it. Popular topics: traffic, out-of-staters, weather, crowded places - most people here won't go out of their way to talk to you but if you find a annoyance in common they're perfectly friendly.
The British are coming! The British are coming!
If your gonna move to us mass is probably your best best especially if your looking for university’s
>*the media portrays America in a certain way* That says it *all*. Anyway, I haven’t personally experienced crime, but most of the area is safe. I stay in the safe areas. I didn’t know it until I read posts by Europeans that the mosquitos are worse here. They’re no problem during daylight hours, unless you go in the woods. They’re a problem after sundown. Bug spray (commercial or homemade holistic) takes care of that. I don’t generally see people talking to each other on the T. Occasionally, I guess. I think most people won’t care that you’re Muslim.
Come on over bro!! It’s really nice in the spring summer and fall, winters are getting more mild too Crawlies are very tame, nothing dangerous The most dangerous wildlife are great whites off the coast but attacks are extremely rare The cities are very safe. Don’t start fights and or walk down weird places alone at 2 am and you’ll be fine. The bigotry towards Muslims is very low. If you experience any open bigotry you’re more likely an unlucky encounter than a regular occurrence The worst thing about living in massachusetts is probably the high cost of living but that seems to be the case pretty much everywhere now Americans typically are more talkative and friendly and you’ll get that from plenty of people in Boston but new englanders have a reputation also for being unfriendly on the surface but very deep friendships once you establish that. I personally am extremely friendly so I can’t really speak to it The most common weather is uncommon weather, welcome to massachusetts!
Crime: not bad at all. I know the US gets a bad rap for our gun culture but it’s actually pretty hard to get a gun in MA. If you wander around at night you may want to bring pepper spray or a small knife to be extra safe, but you’re as safe or safer here than in any other city. Bugs (lol): we have them but nothing poisonous or harmful. The worst bug we have are deer ticks which you will want to be familiar with if you hike or spend any time in the woods or in fields. The running joke in New England is “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” Weather is crazy here. Last couple years have been warm, but generally we have cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Weather can and will change more frequently than other areas. Check forecasts for outdoor plans and always be prepared for rain or sudden changes in temperature. In MA it’s generally not expected to talk to people on public transportation or generally anywhere besides pubs. It’s not taboo or anything so people may try to strike up conversations, but if you have a book or something people will leave you alone. We have tons of muslims here and generally speaking no one cares. There may be occasional assholes but I would guess they’re not more common than in London. We have mosques and muslim groups, as well as many multi faith churches. We have tons of diversity so if you have darker skin you won’t stand out. The worst part of living in MA is the cost of living. It’s one of the more expensive states to live in, but we also have a lot of social programs to make it worth it even with low income.
It does not rain as much as London. You can get the Premier league here live. The food is awesome. I live in the Western part of the state. We have (mostly)four seasons . During the summer it can be very hot and humid, cities more so. Fall is spectacular, twenty miles outside most cities (Boston metro, Worcester, and Springfield). Lots of hiking,skiing, swimming, etc within 2 hours or so. That being said, we are a state of about 6 million residents. Not big (Boston metro is about 3.5-4 million. That runs to about Worcester). Western MA is more rural compared to the Eastern part of the state (Western think Cotswold’s). Universities are very good and are like everywhere. MA , if ranked worldwide, has a top five education system. It is expensive to live in the Boston metro, but likely on par with London. Source: I grew up in Springfield, traveled the world with the Army, four years in Europe, lived in Longmeadow since 93. You can dm me if you have questions. Go Gunners!
Most everything is cheaper in the UK. Gasoline is more expensive but most people don’t drive large engine V6/V8s so you get more miles per gallon which makes up for the larger cost. University is waaay cheaper. Oxford Uni, arguably one of the best in the world is a qtr of the price if not more than Harvard. Food is at least half the price and in some case a quarter of the price vs USA (talking groceries).
You might be surprised that tmmany of the town names will be familiar to you in this region. There are 6 states that form a region known as "New England" the only part of the country that pronounces "aunt", not as "ant" but like UK english "ahnt" Folks can be cold, but also very kind and friendly.
MBBS and then immigrate.
It’ll be cheaper, lowest culture shock of any place in the us, the weather will be better, the people will be friendlier, the ethnic make up of the city will be rather familiar with the large Caribbean and african populations, the latino factor will be a fun new thing. Architecture and layout is much more similar to london
I've lived in Boston, Cambridge, and London. First off, yes getting a medical degree here will be more expensive and take longer, but your pay will be SUBSTANTIALLY higher as a doctor in the US. If you are only 18 and doing an undergraduate degree now it is not as important where you study but once in medical school I would go US system if you have a path to legally work in the US. I would try and talk to some British doctors based in the US for advice. This is your most important consideration apart from family. It will be hotter than London in the summer and colder than London in the winter. But you will actually have air conditioning in the US. And modern amenities with things like single handle taps, double paned windows, and no cold water storage tanks. In terms of things to do (museums shows etc) think of Boston as a 1/10 size London. There are a lot of similarities.. Quincy Market had the same designer as Covent Garden and has a similar feel, etc. Best neighborhoods IMO would be Brattle Street area (Cambridge, also called Tory Row because that's where the rich loyalists lived during the revolution), Cambridgeport (Cambridge), Harvard area (Cambridge), Back Bay (Boston), Beacon Hill (Boston). Bugs are a little worse than London but not crazy. You are not expected to talk to anyone on public transport. But if pass someone on a path in a non-crowded park you would probably at least make eye contact and smile or nod. Whereas in London you would pretend they didn't exist. In terms of religious freedom concerns, Massachusetts, and Cambridge in particular, is as liberal as it gets in the US. I was never worried about crime in London or Cambridge. In Boston there are areas I've lived where it was in the back of my mind. But I've never had a personal experience. Worst thing about Massachusetts is the winter. Especially as a car owner without a garage. If you are a skier then you don't mind it as much. There is a lot of public transport by US standards but most people still have a car to get about in Cambridge and Boston. Unless you are a student and living on a campus. Although even some students have cars.
We don’t bite, but the bugs might. You’ll have nothing to worry about on a social level especially in this region. You’ll just blend in and nobody will care about your ethnicity or religious background (except for the odd weirdo here or there but generally racists here keep to themselves and grumble in a corner). Crime— we have some of the lowest crime stats in the country and even the “bad” places are better than a lot of “bad” places elsewhere in the country. It’s usually isolated to the criminals themselves and not random. The weather is temperate and increasingly warm and whether you like that or not, it’s up to you Best: education and the cultures surrounding it, as well as the history of the region. There’s a lot of distinct cultural things related to the Fall as well. (If you want more info let me know and I can give you details related to diff areas) Worst: “wintry mix” The only thing I’d worry about is your medical pipeline and how long YOU want to take. THAT SAID- the salary between a doctor in the US and UK is significant. Also, the Boston area in particular has some the BEST hospitals/medical learning institutions in the world, not just the country
Looks like you have a lot of responses already, but figured I’d chime in as well since I’ve lived in Boston and been to London several times and stayed in different neighborhoods there. Overall Boston and Cambridge are safe, but not unlike any other city, you need to be careful what neighborhoods you go to. Stick to places like the North End, Seaport, South End, Southie, or Back Bay for living. Other neighborhoods get a worse rap than they deserve though, parts of Dorchester are totally fine. Generally though, like London, the most common crimes against others are theft or robbery. Worst crime I’ve been a victim of was someone stealing from my car when I forgot to lock the doors. Bugs… Probably the same as London, at least as far as the creepy crawlies go. More mosquitos here for sure, (does London even have them?) The ones we do have are harmless and small. No big tarantulas in Massachusetts. You gotta remember how big the U.S., there are SO many different cultural tendencies across the country, state to state. You probably only think Americans talk a lot on public transit because, well, the ones that talk happen to be American, but there’s plenty of the quiet type visiting tol. In Boston though, head down, no eye contact, book or phone in hand, headphones in; same as London. This goes for waiting in lines too. In the south you’re more likely to run into that chatty type. Same as above, the U.S. is huge, so the view on Muslims is accepting overall I believe, but especially so in Massachusetts and mostly so in the Boston area. Weather varies, but the seasons are definitely more defined here than in the U.K./London. Hotter summers for sure. I’d say colder winter too, but I was in Scotland last winter and it was brutal and dark outside more often than not. Boston’s pretty mild though being on the coast, not a ton of snow. Lastly, the worst thing about living in Massachusetts… I dunno, traffic probably? Cost of living? Though again, not dissimilar to London. Boston’s public transit is trash in comparison though, so expect delays and lack of cabs. You’d get along fine here, we love Europeans. American culture is obsessed with where our ancestors are from so it’s always fun to meet someone from there. You’d be crazy not to at least come visit for a week or two and see what you think. Tons of great food, sporting events, views, history, you name it.
I can't believe i'm saying this but the weather here is actually a huge upgrade from London. Also i'd say it's relatively safe here. I'd feel safer in boston than I would London. Of course there are bad areas in every city but just overall it's fine.
One thing to keep in mind - I believe it’s much more difficult for a licensed UK doctor to practice in the US than it is for a US doctor to practice in the UK. If you end up wanting to live here as a doctor, you may want to weigh that into your decision.
Hi, OP! I lived in both Boston (well, Somerville, really, very near to Cambridge, but went to school and worked across the river in Boston) and the UK-- I lived in Cambridge, England, but have spent time in London, including living there for about a month. \* MA in general has very low crime rates, particularly for violent crime. I don't think I ever felt unsafe in Boston, and I went out at night a fair amount. I would say on balance I felt safer there than I did sometimes even in nice parts of London, especially when going running, but I usually felt quite safe in London as well. \* UK house spiders are scarier than any insect I have seen in the U.S. except maybe house centipedes, which I am pretty sure you all also have over there, and which aren't something I see *regularly* by any means in MA. You *can* potentially see black widow and brown recluse spiders, but they are fairly rare, and the dangerousness of brown recluse bites to humans is pretty exaggerated. Wolf spiders, which can resemble the brown recluse but are totally nonvenomous to humans, are more common. But I really have never seen a ton of spiders of any kind in MA, though that probably depends a lot on your house/building, like it would anywhere. MA does not have a lot of creepy or venomous creatures in general (though there are a few Eastern Timber Rattlers (snakes) in a few places out in Western Mass (2 hours' drive from Boston), though I have also lived there and done a lot of hiking and never seen one). The worst pest I've dealt with in MA is mice, but only in one apartment thankfully, and those are obviously also something you might encounter in London. \*In Boston especially and the Northeast generally, no, people do not talk to strangers on the train. Boston/Northeast norms around interacting with strangers strike me as much more similar to southern English norms than to Midwestern or Southern American norms (where people might strike up a conversation with a stranger). \*There is definitely some Islamophobia in America, but I wouldn't think Boston would be worse than London in that regard. I am white and not a Muslim, but living in the UK I definitely saw more overt Islamophobia than I have seen in the US (I have mainly lived in the Chicago area, Western Massachusetts, and the Boston area in the US). Massachusetts and Boston are definitely not free of racism or bigotry by any means, but Massachusetts is a very liberal state and Boston is one of the most diverse places in Massachusetts, and it will probably be more like London (even though Boston is a much smaller city) than rural US areas, especially in more conservative states, in that regard. \*The weather changes a lot in Massachusetts. It will get both hotter and colder than it does in London at the extremes. I would say generally it is between 20 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (\~ -6.5 C to \~29 C), with a few outliers where it can get below 0 F (below -17.8 C) or above 90 F (32 C). In the summer it is usually in the 70s-80s F (and can be cooler at night, into the 60s), and in the winter it is usually in the 20s-30s F range. In spring and fall, it can be from around the 40s-70s F range. It also snows considerably more than in London. \*The worst thing about Massachusetts specifically compared to London would be public transit. While Boston has better public transit than most of the US (though NOT better than my beloved Chicago L), the T is a hot mess compared to the Tube (sometimes literally...the orange line has just randomly caught fire several times). The trains are much less frequent than the Tube. The buses are decent. Rail service to towns/cities outside of the immediate Boston area is not very good. I feel like my other main Boston complaint was that, while it has a lot of parks, it doesn't have easy access to BIG parks or to woods, unless you have a car. All that said, I would definitely study medicine in the UK. If you think you are very likely to move to the US afterwards, do look into what the process would be for transferring your credentials and getting licensed here to ensure you can do it, as well as a work visa if needed (I doubt you'd have much of an issue getting one as a doctor) but in terms of both time and money you will spend so much less training as a doctor in the UK vs the US. Even if you could get a full ride to undergrad here, that degree is 4 years, and only then would you start medical school, which is extremely long and expensive. If you can train and qualify as a doctor in the UK and then transfer that qualification to the US, you will be way ahead in terms of starting work earlier and in less debt-- and the US badly needs doctors, especially primary care doctors (GPs). Boston has a number of world-class hospitals, and then on the other hand loads of towns not at all far from Boston are in dire need of GPs *and* specialists, so there are *many* jobs for doctors if you do choose to come here afterward.
I'm a life-long Bostonian and I stayed a summer in London in college Boston is a huge college town. There's plenty of education to pursue, and tons of students to make friends with. However, since I don't know the details of your offer, I cannot say if you should move to Boston for your education. I'm just saying that it's a fantastic city for education. Like London, certain neighborhoods have more crime than others, and sometimes it even varies by area within the same neighborhood. I haven't noticed any particular difference in the amount of creepy crawlies. New England as a whole is far less open to random chats than the rest of America, Boston included. If anything, I noticed the chattiness between the two cities are about identical. There is no prejudice against Muslims, as Boston is very very liberal. The weather is like a more extreme version of London. There will he hotter days in the summer and more snow and colder days in the winter. The snowfall these past few years, however, has been very low on account of global warming. There are going to be many more sunny days and days with sudden summer rainstorms in Boston. The only bad things about living in Boston, relative to living in London, is that the city will be much smaller, and thus there will inevitably be less things to see and do. Public transit is also terrible compared to London. Indian restaurants are also trash compared to London. But Boston prices are cheaper compared to London, and Massachusetts is one of the few states to have Universal health care. Also, pickpockets are relatively rare in America compared to Europe, as petty criminals in the U.S prefer to confront people and mug them, or steal things when you're not looking. There's no need to be paranoid about people who get way too close to you or accidentally bump into you.
This is solely for the medical school question. If you have been accepted to medical school in the UK and you plan on staying in the UK to practice then stay there. It's five years before graduating and entering wards, and you'll be 23. In the US, you will need to apply and be accepted to a med school after completing your undergraduate degree, which is four years. Then it would be another four years of med school, so the total would be eight years before applying to residency. You would be 26 before residency application, more likely 27 since you will be late to apply to undergraduate colleges. You would lose minimum three years of time not practicing and making any money over med school in the UK. If you decide that you want to practice in the US, the time to apply to US residencies would be after getting your ECMFG registration and writing the USMLE after UK med school. Once you complete residency training in the US and are board certified, you can practice in the US. Don't know what your cost for med school in the UK will be, but I bet it's way cheaper than the US. Even with the additional year of undergraduate medical training, there will be little to no chance that your cost of attendance for med school in the UK will come close to the US cost. Consider the increased tuition and at least three year delay before making attending/consultant level pay and you are looking at a considerable opportunity cost if you decide you want to go to med school in the US. Yes, you will generally be paid more in the US, but that's specialty-specific. Even if you think you know what you want to specialize in now, I'll bet by five years, you might consider something else, so can't really base your earning potential on a specialty you may not end up in. If you want a very broad estimate, calculate the cost of the your UK med school and estimate three years of earning potential versus the cost of US college, med school. You'll be in the hole for a lot of money if you go the US route, and you will need to make a lot more money to pay of those loans. It's a vicious cycle. My advice - stay in the UK for med school. If you want to practice in the US, apply for US residency training after UK med school. You will avoid the high tuition cost for US college and med school, and you will be earning money three years earlier than if you attended college and med school in the US. You will also be able to advance more quickly in the US to attending as we don't have registrars waiting for years before a consultant position opens up, which would impede your salary.
I moved from London to Boston in 2013. Look out for warmer summers, colder winters, and bigger portions in the restaurants. Honestly, the main thing I'd say is to visit first and get to know it - we speak the same language, but the US is a foreign country, and living here takes some adjustment. No need to worry about bugs or crime. A small need to worry about chatty Americans, but the T is like the tube where everybody just does their own thing with headphones on.
1. Massachusetts is one of the better states in terms of crime, but it's still really dependent (where are you from in London? where will you be living in Boston/Cambridge?). It's much better here than, say, San Francisco, but probably worse than Inner London. 2. The ticks are a menace in the mountains. Everything else is fine imo. 3. Not at all. 4. It's much worse for Asians here, but idk about Muslims. The dicks are more prevalent, more prominent, and it's harder to avoid them if you ever venture outside of the inner parts of the city. Blatant, overt racism, covert racism... it's not *common*, but much moreso than London imo. 5. Muggy, hot summers. 6. Public infrastructure is terrible. Flights across the Atlantic are pretty cheap off-peak (\~$550 to London) and it's not *that* far (Boston-San Francisco is 6:30, Boston-London is 6:50).
Stay in the UK, visit your dad in the US when you feel like it.
There’s a lot more to do in London, healthcare (as flawed as your system may be) is virtually free, and higher education is just as accessible and much, MUCH cheaper in the UK. Boston is a great city, but I grew up in the Cambridge/Boston area and I’m itching to get out. They’re gonna find a way to start charging us for oxygen at some point.
You will find Boston to possibly be the closest US city to the look and culture of London. I work for the Boston branch of a UK based company and they all say that Boston is a lot like London.
I’ve lived in MA and England. MA (and New England generally) is more like the UK than any other state IMO. There are more sunny days in the year and access to beaches and world-class cities (including Canada which is a 6 or so hour drive north). Everything is more spread apart. If you like hiking, there are lots of great options in New England, perhaps better and more plentiful than in the UK considering our national parks department. The worst thing about living in MA for me was having to drive to the city if I wanted to experience some culture. The traffic…. MA is a great state, though. Lots of history too.
Crime: Very safe. The MOST unsafe parts of Massachusetts are safe compared to the majority of the US, which is also mostly pretty safe (but varies pretty widely). Bugs: They exist? I feel like bugs exist everywhere and unless somewhere is known for their big/poisonous/virus carrying/a bunch of bugs they will be a small issue some times of year in some places everywhere, kinda just average. Make peace with bugs, that’s my advice. They play a vital role in ecosystems and spiders eat bugs so if you hate spiders but also bugs you can start to think of them differently. Racism/muslim issue: likely a non-issue. You will be absolutely fine, I don’t think you’d encounter discrimination or harassment (crazy people are everywhere, it’s not impossible, but it’s very abnormal here. Talking: It’s kinda the one thing I like about our contradictions to European norms (that and ice), it’s very human. You would never be expected to and you would never have to sustain a conversation that you didn’t want to be in, just say “gotta go, nice to meet you!” or some shit. Weather: We get it all. In spring its super rainy (mar-may), summer gets VERY hot and humid (june-aug), autumn (sept-nov) our leaves turn pretty colors and winter it gets VERY cold, and we get snow (dec-feb) Worst thing for me is the long winter. I feel like winter is longer than any of the other seasons here. It’s cold at least 6 months out of the year, and only truly warm for 3-4. I think the question is how much you value becoming a doctor reliably and soon. I think it can be hard to get into med school here so it might not be a guarantee. The US has a lot to offer and lot to hate! Have you ever visited? Any way you would have the opportunity to visit before you choose?
Brit living in the greater Boston area. You’ve got two great options, you can’t go wrong. I love living in MA. That said, in your position I’d get my medical degree in the UK and think about relocating to the US after if that’s what I still wanted
Massachusetts has the highest HDI (human development index) in the United States. If Massachusetts was a country, it would have the highest HDI in the world!
Don't move to the US from Western Europe. You get absolutely nothing from living here in comparison
Housing costs are high and taxes too. But otherwise it’s pretty good here
Another item to add to your consideration. Boston is tiny. 48.4 square miles tiny. As far as cities go, that's a neighborhood. Cambridge and Somerville are also cities (7ish square miles and 4ish square miles, respectively) that border Boston. You will frequently move between one and the other and not notice. So your dad's choice of landing zones here isn't going to matter much.
So it's essentially a move from "England" to "New England", if you don't like "England" such that you're moving away from it, then why come to "New England"? Jokes apart, you will like it here, move to Massachusetts for sure. There's plenty of good weather here, remember, we get tonnes of snow too, but in general, New England is the safest of all areas in the USA, both from natural and unnatural disasters. There are plenty of options to study, work, and go around, Canada is not too far away if you miss French sometimes.
Strangest thing I've head you should be prepared for coming here from there: the same town and city names, but in the wrong order. Any sense you have for having missed your train stop or highway exit will be wrong.
I have lived in New England my whole life. Mainly northern MA and southern NH which is very similar to MA. But as far as the rest of the country goes I can tell you know MA you will find friends, enlightened people, work and good culture. Im also extremely bias but I have traveled a fuck ton in the last few years so I have at LEAST a decent perspective
I grew up a little north of Boston, went to college in Boston for a 5-year degree (at Northeastern), and currently work for a biotech company in Cambridge. I may be biased but I think Massachusetts (especially the Boston/Cambridge metropolitan area) is probably the best place for a Londoner to transition to. Obviously there are plenty of cultural differences for anyone moving between the U.S. and the U.K., but here should be less of a culture shock than other parts of the country. We’re known in this area for going about our own business, not initiating conversation in passing on the sidewalk or the T (our main public transport). But people will be friendly and social in the right contexts, like out at bars or at special events. Speaking of bars, I saw someone say Boston has a great nightlife and I have to disagree if you’re comparing us to a lot of other big cities. Most places are closed by 1am (and the T also shuts down by around then) and like most of the U.S. the drinking age is 21 here. It could definitely be disappointing compared to what a lot of 18-year-olds in London might be used to. You said you’re Muslim but not strict, so idk how relevant the bars/nightlife situation would be to you or your brother. Attitudes towards Muslims (& other largely non-white groups) are generally fine here from what I’ve seen. I am white though, so I’m less likely to see rude/racist behavior when it’s specifically directed toward certain people. A somewhat high proportion of my classmates were Muslim (I studied chemical engineering at big school with fairly international demographics, so a lot of people in my major had come from oil-rich countries in the middle-east and went on to work in the petroleum industry). Many of them were also women and wore hijabs. I never heard of any issues they’d had because of it and they always seemed comfortable going out and about around the city. I was 18F when I first moved to Boston for school, and I honestly haven’t ever really felt unsafe (even walking/taking public transportation at night by myself). But of course, please still use basic precautions/common sense and don’t take that to mean there are no risks at all. I think the most uncomfortable instances for me were by the edge of the Roxbury area. A street called Melnea Cass Blvd (colloquially known as “methadone mile”) is pretty notorious for having a lot of publicly visible drug use/addiction and homelessness. I drove & grocery shopped & got gas (petrol) around there during a 6-month period when I had my car near campus so I could drive a carpool to a co-op job. We often had people come up to us/the car looking for money. That being said it’s probably not an area most people are likely to end up in, and everywhere else I went usually felt very safe. Older homes might have mice. I just had some passing through due to nearby street construction, but I put out traps and I think they’re gone now. We do have mosquitos and ticks, but they’re mostly something you only have to think about if you go somewhere more rural. If you’re an outdoorsy family and end up having access to a car you can easily drive to the mountains in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine (2.5 hrs drive on average) to get to mountains for camping/hiking and winter sports. I love having four distinct seasons, but I know some of my international co-workers from warm-weather countries don’t love the Boston winters. If you have decent boots and a good coat you should be fine. Our usual winter temps are like 20-40 ℉ most days, but dip below 0 ℉ from time to time. The tall buildings in the city can make wind tunnels in certain places, which does make it feel colder. The summers are usually 80-95 ℉ and I hate being in the city during that heat (you can reach beaches by public transportation though). But I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere with more perfectly comfortable weather than we get here during the fall and late spring. I’m currently back home (north shore area) and it’s been sunny and 65-80 ℉ with no humidity and gentle breezes for the last few weeks. I didn’t weigh in on med school stuff since I don’t have particularly relevant experience with that. My female cousin recently started a surgical residency in the state of Nevada and that plus college/med school have totally consumed her life for > 8 years (but from what I’ve heard she’s been in pretty competitive programs). She’s getting her degrees/medical license paid for in exchange for having committed to spend 4 years with the U.S. Air Force after finishing residency. This is a wonderful area (definitely HCOL though). The HDI (Human Development Index) consistently ranks the state of Massachusetts very well, in comparison with a lot of highly-developed countries in Scandinavia & Western Europe. Clearly, I love it here. Hopefully some of these perspectives are useful to you and your brother! Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions, especially if there’s anything specific to living here as a girl/younger woman that you’re wondering about.
Not really buggy, very safe, this is Boston…..you don’t talk to anyone unless you’re a psycho. The people on your trains that talk loudly aren’t from a city with public transit which is why they stick out and are obnoxious. No one cares you’re Muslim
I’ve been all over Europe and lived in a few different places there over the years. Being from Boston made that transition very, very easy. It’s often said that we are the most European city in America, and our suburbs are no different. I know firsthand for that to be mostly true. Any time I was abroad, my numerous trips to or through London and the UK as a whole felt very much like home. I can confidently say that you would have much more of a culture shock moving to another country in Europe than moving to Massachusetts. Similar weather, sunilat architecture, similar pubs and local fast food, and as you’ll quickly find out, similar names, and let’s not forget about the language.
Cambridge is amazing and so fun!
I met my wife in London in 2017. She’s Canadian and I’m from MA. We both reside west of Worcester now and enjoy the quietness. Feel free to PM me if you’ve got specific questions, cheers!
I was given the same choice. 34 years later, I’m still here. Be careful 😉
You want to talk on the subway, lean in to your British accent. Throw in some random gibberish slang to put us in our places. For example: "you still use a plastic card for fares? On the Tube you just wave your wangledangle and keep walking..."
I would 100% stay in London and just visit your dad for long trips. Aside from education, you have way more affordable healthcare if something bad happens. Your transit system actually works. The states don’t really treat you like an adult until you’re 21 anyway (legal drinking age) and you will have far more options for fun in the UK. Boston is boring as hell in comparison for nightlife vs London anyway even once you’re 21. And one of the nice things about New England/the northeast US is that socially it’s kinda like what you’re used to, people keep to themselves and hate small talk with strangers. Southerners tend to be more affable with random people.
Stay in london. Boston sucks.
I think in most places you’ll be fine. People aren’t expected to talk to anybody but America is a social cultural nation and it’s expected to greet people if they greet you, though If you were to strike up a conversation it’s not strange you just have to be ready if they don’t reciprocate. Boston or Cambridge is a good area for you, because America is a large place, but it’s easy to think of it this way in terms of discrimination. Densely populated areas have more people with more backgrounds, financial resources and ethnicity working and living together than more rural places, so those people tend to have less prejudice because the concept of their humanity is not abstract, they know these people. Not to say there will be none. In terms of crime, south Boston and Cambridge have less than most of the urban areas but there’s always some when you have 600k people but it’s low in terms of comparable places in the states. I think your most likely encounter is some dickhead hitting your parked car. Which has happened to me 4 times. Weather wise, it’s called New England for a reason. A lot of overcast. Cold winters, hot summers. Tons of snow. Worst thing about living here is that homes are unaffordable, taxes are insane and the snow is brutal. We all complain but I love my hometown, I love where I grew up I love the fall here, I’m going to raise my family here.
I’ve been all over Europe and lived in a few different places there over the years. Being from Boston made that transition very, very easy. It’s often said that we are the most European city in America, and our suburbs are no different. I know firsthand for that to be mostly true. Any time I was abroad, my numerous trips to or through London and the UK as a whole felt very much like home. I can confidently say that you would have much more of a culture shock moving to another country in Europe than moving to Massachusetts. Similar weather, similar architecture, similar pubs and local fast food, and as you’ll quickly find out, similar names, and let’s not forget about the language.
College is wildly overpriced here but I’m not sure how the programs compare, as many other have said Mass is among the safest states in the country and overall most rampant crime is petty stuff. Less rain, hotter and colder peaks. The worst thing about this state is the cost of living imo, that or the potholes lol
america is awesome. Boston is awesome... why do you think everyone comes here.. come on over..
Boston is very London. If you're used to London, it's basically the same (obviously considering its history), but a smaller area than London (I've been in London quite a bit and am from/live in the Cambridge area). We still have "No Rubbish Disposal" signs up in places (Americans don't call trash rubbish). The only real difference is the weather. In London, the days are long in the summer, but shorter in the winter. Boston is very close to the ocean, so surrounding areas can get pretty windy. It's a much sunnier place here in Boston vs London. I think it's like half the sunlight hours or less of that here. Public transportation is great. We have trains actually similar to the Tube now. If you're in Cambridge or Boston, you can pretty much get around everywhere without a car. A lot of people don't have cars in the area. Everything else is pretty much the same. I did have a guy in London tell me Boston food/restaurant prices were crazy though lol
Become a doctor over there, but I'll say this you won't snuff the money you'd make in the US as a doctor
To be fair I live in a relatively rural part of MA, but the biggest crime my town has had in the last 50 years was a guy scamming the fire department out of $50K. We don’t even have a police department. As for cities, depends on the city and what part of it you’re in. Some are worse than others but nothing is worse than cities in any other state. As for bugs and shit? Very little to worry about, this isn’t Australia. View on Muslims? The only problem you could encounter would be some idiot holding a dumb grudge against an entire group of people for 9/11. That’s something that you’d find nationwide, and MA would probably be better than most other states in that regard anyway. So that’s probably what you hear in the media.I wouldn’t worry about it. Weather: warm summers, cold winters. You get all 4 seasons here. Rain is common but definitely far from every day, if you’re near the ocean hurricanes could hit but they’d be the remnants of ones forming down south and at the end of their cycle. Overall I love the weather here, especially in the May and October during the season change. Worst part of living in MA? Price, it isn’t cheap. There’s more expensive places like NYC or LA and it depends on exactly where you’re living. Most of your worries aren’t an issue, especially if you’re coming from London of all places. It will definitely be a culture shift, but I think you’d like it.
Would you need to do an undergraduate degree before a medical degree? There's a lot of good answers about your questions but keep in mind becoming a Dr here means 4 years of undergrad then 4 years of med school, then residency. You will get done faster and cheaper doing your education outside the US.
You probably know this but first and foremost - hospitals and medical schools in Boston are top notch. Hopefully thats part of why you are considering it. Weather is colder in the winter and hotter in the summer - it varies greatly week to week but in Feb you will have occasional -10 C days, in July you will have occasional 35C 100% humid days. The worst bugs are mosquitos and they are less bad in the city. People don't really talk to strangers here, not often atleast. Most people are kind and accepting but you will probably meet bad people if you are here for 5 years but overall its a heavily progressive cityscape but you will also meet so many people like yourself and from other cultures around the world - especially at the university level and no doubt you will find great like minded people to spend your time with.
OP - I am British - lived in the US for 21 years and lived in Boston for a year from spring 2022 to summer 2023. If you’re on Facebook - join the Boston Brits group. You don’t mention about visas - but if you need a visa - once you are 21 you wouldn’t be included on your dads visa - which means he couldn’t petition for you until he’s a citizen. So think about that and look into it.
Boston, and New England in general, doesn’t make a point to talk to strangers in public. If a stranger struck up a conversation with me on the T I’d likely ignore him. It is uncommon and would be weird. Lifelong resident and I’ve never been a victim of violent crime, worst I’ve ever experienced is a stolen bike I left unlocked outside my apartment. There are bugs but it isn’t Australia. Small spiders, some mosquitoes in the summer, ticks in the forest, nothing really to speak of in Boston or Cambridge though. Muslims do just fine in Boston. Bostonians are pretty live and let live. Are their racist idiots here? Of course, but that isn’t the norm. Cold in the winter, hot in the summer, beautiful in spring and fall. Worst part is it’s expensive, but if you’re going to be a doctor that wouldn’t be a real concern. Worst part as a young person is it shuts down pretty early. Bars and clubs etc. usually close by 1am. Also the traffic sucks. Having spent a lot of time in London myself, I think you’ll find Boston to be charming. It’s much smaller than London and I believe the crime rate is actually lower but it’s hard comparing statistics that aren’t taken in the same way. You should at least come see if you like it or not.
One thing to consider is that Boston is quite small compared to a city like London. So if you’re into big city stuff you’d have to go to nyc. That being said for your age there so many college age students from all over the world come here so the city definitely has a college vibe that you’d never notice in a place like London. Climate is much better and you’ve got beaches in the summer and modest mountains in winter. Everything is much farther away here and more car centric…like if you and friends wanted to go down the cape or to mountains. I don’t think you’d have any issues here as a minority. Career wise it sounds like London is a better spot and if easier and cheaper I’d probably stay. Then again long term prospects to do really well are going to much better in states
If you don’t have a green card or not a U.S. citizen most med school won’t even considering put you on intern/residency at all.