By: Kyla Foreman-Andrade
Before coming to Boston, I had spent my entire life in the South. I had only been to Boston once before attending BU. I was so lost my first year, getting used to the culture shock. If you’re like me, a Southerner through and through, here’s a guide to New England life.
1. Saxby’s IS NOT Zaxby’s
If you’re like me and come from the Southeast, you may know of a restaurant chain called Zaxby’s. If you’re also like me, you may have been excited to hear about Zaxby’s being on campus and you were excited to get your fill of fried chicken. Sadly, BU does not have a Zaxby’s, but rather a Saxby’s, a coffee shop. Although you can’t get buttery Texas toast and fried white cheddar bites, you can get a delicious breakfast burrito and a killer honey cold brew. If you’re in search of good fried chicken, try the Raising Canes in West; it’s almost like tasting home.
2. You Need a Jacket
Southern winters mean 30s in the morning and a lovely 50-60s in the afternoon. That is not the case for Boston. I would consider myself very tolerant of the cold, but as soon as mid-October hit, I knew I needed a good jacket. For a mild winter jacket, you can get away with a puffer. The pick on campus is the black North Face puffer. My mild winter jacket of choice is a heavy-weight jacket from Uniqlo. It’s nice and fuzzy and easy to carry around. Uniqlo always has sales, so I suggest hitting up the one on Newbury as soon as you feel a cold breeze.
For the harsher winter, you need a parka. The only way to truly stay warm is to have your jacket cover you from head to toe. I have a North Face parka that I got for really cheap at an outlet. Throw on a scarf and a pair of gloves and you’re ready to face the CDS wind tunnel.
3. Find Your New England Style
You don’t have to throw out your entire closet, but you’re in college now in a new city, it’s time to take some fashion risks. You also have to learn how to dress for the ever-changing New England weather. If you’re looking for places to spruce up your wardrobe, look no further than Newbury Street. They have tons of big-name stores such as Urban Outfitters, Nike, and Lululemon, but they have a bunch of small boutiques. Boston also has a fantastic thrift scene. The Garment District is a great place to start if you get tired of the campus Goodwill. There is also a pop-up thrift market called Select Markets that brings together lots of thrift vendors, so you can do your shopping all in one place.
4. Get to Know You’re New Regional Grocery Stores
The days of Publix, HEB, and Food Lion are over. You’re in the North now, it’s time to get familiar with your new grocery stores. This was one of the biggest shocks to me. When I finally wanted to go food shopping, I had no clue where the best spots were. Something close to campus and cheaper than you may think is Trader Joe’s. There is one off of Newbury Street and one in Brookline. Star Market in West Campus or Fenway is always full of deals and easily accessible. If you want more grocery store names to throw around with your New England friends, mention Stop and Shop, Market Basket, and Shaw’s.
5. Keep That Southern Hospitality
Bostonians have a reputation for being some of the rudest people, while the South is known for great manners and charm. The real truth is: Bostonians aren’t as rude as people make them out to be. Don’t feel pressured to change who you are or lie about where you come from. Keep that Southern Charm. Smile at the people you meet. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone new. Be proud of your Southern accent. You can also learn a few things from Bostonians like knowing when to jaywalk and how to take the T without paying, but that’s a topic for another day.