I don’t know how long it takes you to close the store, but I’d recommend starting the process earlier so you can be out by 12:30 and make the last train. This is what a pretty much everyone has to do.

Check local bus schedules as well, some might run a little later.

Several years ago, we did experiment with late-night T and Bus Service but there wasn’t enough demand to justify it. There was big backlash when they removed it, particularly from workers like yourself and hospital workers. Maybe it’ll come back with a new GM, I think extending T service by just an hour would be really useful.

Biking is fine, people do bike in the winter. Get special tires for the snow and ice tho.

Otherwise, if you don’t have a car - your options are Uber or walk. Or request a different shift.

Sometimes it's fetishization.

Sometimes its just an interesting happen-stance.

You've been together for 2 years, and you haven't experienced any race-related objectification from him.

It's more than likely the features he likes about you are unique to you. If he says you have "beautiful ____", it's probably because you have beautiful ____.
It doesn't have to mean anything more than that.

Even if he has some unconscious racial preference in dating, there's a huge line between that and abject fetishization. You might have some of those same unconscious preferences.

Overall, this sounds like this is an area in which you're experiencing some insecurities. I understand where those feelings may be coming from and you should know they're normal.

I would recommend two things. The first is to objectively look at your relationship and ask a few questions. Are you happy? Do you communicate healthily? Do your goals and values align? Can you trust each other?

I have a feeling you're going to answer those questions positively.

The next is to talk to him a little more about how you're feeling. Make sure he understands. More to the point, you may have to tell him what you need. He may not know.
If you need reassurances, tell him that.
If there's a compliment he uses that doesn't sit right with you, tell him about it and maybe offer an alternative.

You'll figure this out, hopefully.

I'm not saying they're taking their teslas to school. I'm mostly saying they drive 20 year old beaters around the neighborhood, and ding their cars up when they poorly parallel park. I see it happen.

> sublet and move especially with the upcoming tunnel closure

If you rely on a car for work, this is a good idea. Weekend tunnel closures already adds a solid 25-30 minutes to driving anywhere. Places that are 15 minutes away are now a 45 minute trek. The 4 months next year with permanent closure will be a nightmare.

The area has a disproportionate number of teenagers and teenaged drivers. The High School is right here. I'm not surprised.

Dillon’s Russian Steam in Chelsea may be what you’re looking for. I haven’t been, but was told their clientele is plurality gay men. It’s also the oldest such establishment in the country, it’s like 140 years old.

Keytar Bear’s winter hibernation cave.

Ticketed events is where it’s at.

As someone that travels abroad a lot, Boston is an extremely walkable city, and to say otherwise is bullshittery. Almost all tasks can be accomplished on foot. Also, you’re never more than a 5-10 minute walk from a park, and a public square. It’s safe, well lit, and clean.

Even by European (and yes, British Standards), we do a fantastic job. As long as we’re not comparing to London. If we’re comparing to Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham or even Dublin - we’re categorically above.

We have many neighborhoods with walk scores of 99. Cambridge is the most walkable city in the country and ranks as highly as anywhere abroad. We average lower due to neighborhoods like West Roxbury and Roslindale that are more car dependent, but the core city is great.

Unfortunately the MBTA is meh-as-fuck. Even though Paris Metro on-time performance is similar to ours, they still manage to have 2 minute departures during peak hours.

Our Blue Line is pretty normal by European standards in terms of reliability - and the Orange Line actually seems better with all the new trains. Though departure times are less frequent since the Feds got involved and cleaning house.

Hopefully things will get better with Governor Healy. I’m not entirely optimistic, but TBD.

Double Chin is open until 4AM on weekends

Peach Farm is open until 3AM.

La Chiva is open until 3AM.

South Street Diner is 24/7.

Bova’s Bakery is 24/7

IHOP is 24/7

Victoria’s Diner doesn’t close Thursday through Saturday.

There’s more stuff here and there, but that’s why I got off the top of my head. There’s many additional “late night” dining options that serves until 2AM, but after is the tough part. There’s also a few grocery and convenience stores scattered around that are 24/7.

With children, I always recommend stuff like the New England Aquarium or Boston Children’s Museum (pending on age). The Museum of Science is pretty cool too - they have a fun tesla-coil show. Depending on weather, Franklin Park Zoo may be an option.

Blue Man Group has a residency in Boston at the Charles Playhouse. I don’t know what their season schedule is, but it may be worth googling.

Right now is hockey season and basketball season. I would check availability for Bruins and/or Celtics tickets at TD Garden.

You can do something a little bit more high culture, check if there’s any performance is going on with Boston Symphony Orchestra or spend a few hours at the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) or Museum of Fine Arts (MFA).

As always, you can do the basic touristy stuff like walk The Freedom Trail, check out various parks such as the Charles River Esplanade, eat dinner the North End, etc.

Yeah, once you're in - you're okay. Getting in is hard. Especially for psych right now.

I have an established relationship with my doc, so I have no issues getting urgent sessions or off-cycle prescriptions. But I know folks that struggled finding local therapists for months. COVID put a lot of pressure on that field.

I mean, there's plenty of licensed online therapy companies these days allowing you to Zoom with someone out of town. Insurance can be tricky then. And medication management is trickier.

By definition, we are still in a pandemic.

Those that did not get severe COVID symptoms in the last two years have delayed seeking basic medical care until they felt safe enough to do so.

Because preventative care was avoided, patient numbers are way up now. It will take a few years for things to even out a little more and meet staffing demand.

If you try to get a specialist of similar quality in any major city, scheduling is a mess. Bay area included. I know folks in other parts of the country that've run into the same issues as you.

What makes Boston unique is that is has the best Hospitals in country, so there is additional demand and strain on the system.

Still, you don't have a PCP. I know, I know - you just moved here. And the timing is unfortunate. But once you're all set with a PCP, scheduling should be easy.

For example, I saw a specialist recently.
I messaged my PCP through a healthcare app asking for a referral, they sent it the next day (it didn't require a checkin), and I was scheduled for the same week. Bip, bam, boom.

If you can establish yourself at Brigham & Women's or Beth Israel, it's worth the wait. If you really cannot wait, Boston Medical Center is perfectly fine, though many folks are biased because it is a Safety-Net Hospital.

I guess the big question is how big is your family?

If it’s like four people, you should do something in the North End like Carmelina’s. Get a reservation a few days ahead of time. The Daily Catch is also excellent.

For Asian, I’ve been a huge fan of Noah’s Kitchen in Brookline. It is absolutely phenomenal and better than pretty much anything in Chinatown, but it does lean on Szechuan flavors. Blossom Bar/Sichuan Garden is nearby and also fantastic - has a better cocktail program, but less interesting food menu.

Chalawan for Singaporean (Chinese/Malay mostly) is a place sure to impress family. Every meal there is outstanding. And Myers & Chang is outstanding as well, though can get booked up quickly.

For Mexican, my favorite places Angeles Cafe in East Boston. It’s a cozy, unassuming little place that does ‘grandma-style’ recipes and they take reservations. Otherwise, most good Mexican food is cheap casual places that I wouldn’t take a visiting family. In lieu of that, I would recommend Tambo 22 in nearby Chelsea for Peruvian. One of my favorite restaurants in the area.

Yes please.

It’s the coldest, windiest and iciest month with little daylight and everyone is fucking miserable. The snow is like 40% trash and dirt and the city looks hideous.

There are times in February when it’s just too inhospitable outside - it literally hurts your face. People would rather take an Uber rather than walk 10 minutes. You also have a good chance of being snowed in on some days.

If you’re not acclimated to this kind of climate, I wouldn’t do it. You would spend more money on a good jacket and boots than you would plane tickets.

Please come back in the summer or next autumn. It’s absolutely beautiful, shit is hopping, streets are clean and people are in good spirits. Also, we love the Irish and you’ll be treated well.

Yeah, you'll need a CharlieCard. You can get one from one of these locations in Waltham, you don't need to go to the "CharlieCard Store" downtown or anything - that 7-Eleven will do. Load up like $20, and then 'tap to pay' when going on a bus or subway. It's that easy.

They're soon piloting ApplePay or Credit Card Tap & Pay for the T, so hopefully that'll be standard next year or the year after.

Commuter Rail can be complicated with infrequent timetables on nights & weekends.

Instead, just use the bus system.

Take the 70 Bus to Watertown Yard.
From here, take the 57 Bus (comes every 8-10 minutes) to Kenmore Square. Watertown Yard and Kenmore are terminal stops, so you don't even need to worry about which direction it goes.
Walk 5 minutes.

It'll cost $1.70 to and from HOB. Bring headphones, it takes about an hour.