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Washington DC vs. Boston?

Travel Info
Here's the deal: I currently live in NYC, but am looking at moving at the end of this year. I'm originally from the Midwest, and as much as I like NYC, it's starting to wear on me.

I've been to both Boston and DC a few times and love them both. I'm in my mid-20s and work in higher education, and both cities have many colleges that I could work for. I also graduated from college with a double major in American History and Political Science--another reason why I like both cities--so much history and politics.

For people that have lived in one or another (or both!), what's you take on your city? Which is better?

Travel Tips

I'm originally from the Washington DC area, went to university in western MA and have lived in Boston for the 4 years since I graduated. And since a considerable number of friends and family live near DC, I still visit frequently (and I work in government so I visit for work all the time). Anyway, as you said, both cities are similar in a lot of ways and I love them both too. They're both expensive, although if you've been in NYC for a few years then both Boston and DC will both not seem as bad. (Hehe, if you were coming straight from the Midwest you would probably have sticker shock though!) Anyway, both cities have good public transit options. Both cities have quite a few universities and cultural opportunities. DC has the Smithsonian which is definitely the one thing I miss the most about DC except for my friends and family. Boston has longer winters but is less unpleasant in the summer than DC (plus we're even closer to the beach!) Boston also has better restaurants and friendlier people in my experience. And both cities are close enough to NYC that you can always visit for a weekend to go shopping, to the theater, etc...

Anyway I would say it's hard to pick one city over another. I like them both - although I'm not sure I would like DC as much if I didn't have my closest friends and family there. So maybe if you know people in either city that will influence your decision. Or which city you get a job in first, haha. Other than that I would say you'd be happy in either city.
Others

boston is better
I live outside of DC and love it. But I've been to Boston before and thought Boston was great. I prefer both cities to NYC as they are smaller and nicer. I think DC has great public transportation. Also winters are worse in Boston.
I grew up in both areas. I live in DC. If you work in any field involving both history and political science, then DC is going to offer a greater variety of opportunities for you. Also, New Englanders are hereditarily surly with a vengeance, while DC people are only apathetically habitual assholes. DC is generally a more tolerable place to live, and you can always easily get to Baltimore, Philly, or New York (or one of several beaches) from here in a few hours.