<p>I used the search functions, but didn't get any results. Just direct me to another threat, in the case there exists something similar. </p>
<p>I was wondering whether living in Boston is expensive, in comparison to U.S. standards and European standards. Perhaps in terms of taxi costs, museum fares, restaurants, grocery prices, hotels (for friends), car rental, etc. All in all, what one needs in his/her everday life (a summary statement perhaps). </p>
<p>Greetings</p>
<p>Its all relative. Compared to most of the US its expensive. Compared to much of Europe it isn’t. What regions would you like to compare it with.</p>
<p>Perhaps NYC (I’ve visited NYC, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Palo Alto)…</p>
<p>Boston can be reasonable (certainly cheaper than NYC), but Harvard Square is expensive… perhaps at NYC levels.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that, as a Harvard student, you could easily go a week without spending a dime, because all of your food, housing, etc is paid for.</p>
<p>To answer some of your more specific questions:
Taxi costs: $35-$40 to the airport (take the subway instead for $1.70). Around $20 to downtown Boston (again, take the subway for $1.70, but it closes around 12:30 a.m.)</p>
<p>Museum fares: I don’t think I paid for a museum in my four years. Your Harvard ID gives you free access to all of Harvard’s excellent museums, as well as the MFA downtown.</p>
<p>restaurants: Lots of places to get a late night burrito or slices of pizza for ~$5. Good mix of cheap eats (~$10 Thai places) and pricier places (~$50+ at Upstairs On the Square) in Harvard Square.</p>
<p>grocery prices: Harvard Square has no true grocery store. The options within a short walk (Broadway Market, CVS, Market in the Square) are pretty horribly overpriced… but most students do little grocery shopping, so it’s not a big deal.</p>
<p>hotels (for friends): Hotels in Harvard square are absurdly priced (especially during any parent visiting days). I recommend using “name your own price” on Priceline.com. You can usually get a great hotel (one of the Boston Hyatts or similar quality) for ~$100/night.</p>
<p>car rental: Impossible until you turn 21, I believe. After that, you can get a ZipCar membership and pay ~$8/hr or ~$70/day for a car.</p>
<p>Alcohol: Ridiculously expensive. Get a friend with a car to go to New Hampshire and stock up for you. There aren’t any cheap bars (beer < $3/pint) in Harvard Square, at least not that I found.</p>