35mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO 200
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to go to school in Boston. Now, during the college application process, that deep-rooted desire actually took a back seat, with perspective schools founds coast-to-coast, from California to Colorado, Austin to Boston, Wisconsin to New York, and much, much more. When I’d narrowed my list down to two or three schools, it became much more evident that opportunity to live in Boston would become a huge consideration.
I could never really explain what my attraction to Boston was. I’d always vaguely say something along the lines of “I love the deep sense of history there.” And that’s still mostly true, but there’s something else to it- the people here, the environment- it’s very different from what I’ve become accustomed to back in Texas. People ask me all the time which I prefer: Texas or Boston. My response has lately become quite solidified: you can’t really compare the two.
On the surface, Boston is an incredibly tiny 40 square milesto Houston’s 600 square miles. Boston’s population shrinks dramatically during the summer whereas Houston is perpetually the 4th most populous cities in the country. Texas is considered “red” and Boston “blue” (though I find each to be quite “purple”).
I love Boston, I love Texas, one was the home I grew up in, the other is the home I am growing up in now.
I love the architecture in Houston; the glass, the steel, the concrete. I love the people and their warmth. I love seeing pickups everywhere.
I love the history in Boston; the old buildings and cemeteries, the landmarks and trails. I love the people and their independence and their professionalism. I love mass transit.
So please, don’t ask me to compare. I don’t have an answer.