Harvard vs. Columbia

[molarbear-d]

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Hey guys! I was lucky to have gotten into both Columbia and Harvard and unfortunately they both have similar cost and similar academic curriculums so I am having a difficult time choosing! For people who have lived in those cities - how is the lifestyle there? (I'm not very interested in historical stuff or sports, but definitely down for good eats and a good social scene. I also care about living in a safe area and cost of living!) Any insight into pros/cons of both schools would be awesome - thank you! 🙂

 

[trynabeadentist]

I’ve never lived in NYC, but Boston is an incredible place to live. It’s a small city, but has a ton to do. The seafood is delicious, the cobblestone streets and small shops are a great feel, and the sports teams are a ton of fun to support. It’s also a pretty clean city, too, if you’re into that. I’d say housing prices are probably very similar to NYC, if not a tiny bit cheaper.

 

[future_nostalgia]

I haven't lived in either, but also got into both of those schools, so congrats! From visiting both cities several times I would describe NYC as being a place I'd like to visit often, but unsure if I'd want to live there. I'd def describe Boston as being a little more livable -- however it depends if you like having unlimited options of things to do! For me, I find that somewhat overwhelming and would constantly feel like I haven't explored the city enough haha

 

[Alaskan _Polarbear]

I lived in both Boston and NYC

NYC and Boston are very similar in that they are both big cities in which the cost of living is expensive. NYC can be a bit more expensive depending on what borough you live in (Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island tend to be cheaper and Manhattan the most expensive). Boston cost of living depends where you live and how close you are to the main parts of the city.

Food wise NYC wins because of the huge amount of different cultures you can find -- you can literally think of any culture and you can find that food somewhere in NYC. Boston mainly is seafood based but does have a Chinatown if you like Asian foods.

People wise Boston are nicer/friendly. NYC has the stigma that everyone needs to get somewhere and doesn't give two ****s and times about you and sometimes can come off rude.

Both Boston and NYC have good amounts of homeless people depending on your area.

NYC can have a bigger social scene because of the late night restaurants/bars where as Boston does not really have a 24/7 life.

If you plan on commuting to Columbia (which you should because no one really drives to the city unless you love traffic) be aware of the ****ty MTA and the $3 (soon) fare to just ride the train. I'm assuming living cost you want the least expensive so probably you might find a place in Brooklyn for around $800 or less (compared to Manhattan which is around $1500 or more) and if you do plan on communiting to get to Columbia that's around 1.5 hours a day (just to get there so 3 hours commuting everyday). Compared to Boston because it's a lot smaller than NYC commutting isn't too bad, trains are pretty decent and on time, and traffic is not crazy.

Boston has the city life and the social scenes (plus a great ocean view and whale watching) and in my opinion is nicer than NYC because it's less crowded.

Overall Boston and NYC are very similar except Boston has a smaller population and less food options than NYC.

 

[tooth knockn]

NYC is expensive.
Bronx and Brooklyn are the most UNSAFE boroughs

Queens is the best option right in the middle:
Astoria, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, SunnySide, Jamaica, Flushing - Cities I recommend to live in as a student

MTA is annoying, but it is 10x better than driving to NYC

 

[theKingLT]

Hey guys! I was lucky to have gotten into both Columbia and Harvard and unfortunately they both have similar cost and similar academic curriculums so I am having a difficult time choosing! For people who have lived in those cities - how is the lifestyle there? (I'm not very interested in historical stuff or sports, but definitely down for good eats and a good social scene. I also care about living in a safe area and cost of living!) Any insight into pros/cons of both schools would be awesome - thank you! 🙂

I lived in both Boston and NYC

NYC and Boston are very similar in that they are both big cities in which the cost of living is expensive. NYC can be a bit more expensive depending on what borough you live in (Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island tend to be cheaper and Manhattan the most expensive). Boston cost of living depends where you live and how close you are to the main parts of the city.

Food wise NYC wins because of the huge amount of different cultures you can find -- you can literally think of any culture and you can find that food somewhere in NYC. Boston mainly is seafood based but does have a Chinatown if you like Asian foods.

People wise Boston are nicer/friendly. NYC has the stigma that everyone needs to get somewhere and doesn't give two ****s and times about you and sometimes can come off rude.

Both Boston and NYC have good amounts of homeless people depending on your area.

NYC can have a bigger social scene because of the late night restaurants/bars where as Boston does not really have a 24/7 life.

If you plan on commuting to Columbia (which you should because no one really drives to the city unless you love traffic) be aware of the ****ty MTA and the $3 (soon) fare to just ride the train. I'm assuming living cost you want the least expensive so probably you might find a place in Brooklyn for around $800 or less (compared to Manhattan which is around $1500 or more) and if you do plan on communiting to get to Columbia that's around 1.5 hours a day (just to get there so 3 hours commuting everyday). Compared to Boston because it's a lot smaller than NYC commutting isn't too bad, trains are pretty decent and on time, and traffic is not crazy.

Boston has the city life and the social scenes (plus a great ocean view and whale watching) and in my opinion is nicer than NYC because it's less crowded.

Overall Boston and NYC are very similar except Boston has a smaller population and less food options than NYC.

I'm pre-med, not dent, but interviewed at Columbia. Don't dental students get subsidized housing in washington heights alongside med students? That would eliminate commute times and $900 rent without leaving manhattan

 

[BluntForceTrauma]

In a nutshell:

Boston - College-town trying to pass as a city

Legit LOL.

Boston: small City, walkable, amazing sports programs, seasons, places to see and things to do around town. Clean for a city (notice I did not place "big"). It is definitely a college town, as there are tons of schools here, but it definitely has a life of its own outside of that.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Life of Pablo]

Columbia is in Washington Heights which, although technically is part of NYC, really doesn't feel like NYC at all. Columbia is around 160th street (sandwiched between the Bronx and Harlem) and the "nice" parts of NYC probably go up until ~60th street. If you're looking for a good place to live, I think Cambridge>>>>>>>Washington heights.

You can get to downtown NYC via the subway but it takes like 30-45 minutes.

 

[thisismyacct]

I've visited both cities, and I liked Boston more.

 

[Alaskan _Polarbear]

I'm pre-med, not dent, but interviewed at Columbia. Don't dental students get subsidized housing in washington heights alongside med students? That would eliminate commute times and $900 rent without leaving manhattan

I don't know much about housing. All i know is that Washington heights is boarded by Harlem which is basically the projects of NYC and can be dangerous. Just be careful where you live because NYC has some dangerous areas

 

[Alaskan _Polarbear]

NYC is expensive.
Bronx and Brooklyn are the most UNSAFE boroughs

Queens is the best option right in the middle:
Astoria, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, SunnySide, Jamaica, Flushing - Cities I recommend to live in as a student

MTA is annoying, but it is 10x better than driving to NYC

Brooklyn is not really "unsafe" it depends where. Anywhere in NYC is dangerous. Every borough as its safe and dangerous neighborhoods. If anything Brooklyn is safe it you stay away from Williamsburg, Park Slope, and some places by Atlantic Ave and Flatbush