Boston, MA

Boston is one of these unique cities whose population drops dramatically between June and August every year, particularly these last dog days of summer. Obviously, there’s the college student population that disappears, making the T (what we affectionately call the subway) a pleasure to ride again, especially on the B and E Green Lines, right where it emerges from underground. To add to that decrease however are also the number of residents who go away to summer homes/retreats on Cape Cod, New Hampshire or Maine to beat the sweltering humid heat. Then, there’s also the workers who get the office doldrums and the chances for relaxing in the sun are slipping away, so everyone tries to pack in their vacation time before summer is over.

This last month of August will see Boston as a veritable ghost town. It’s almost eerie to be able to drive around the Common without a crazy driver merging too close to you. Hitting all the green lights intersection after intersection in the Back Bay makes you scratch your head in puzzlement. Even the sidewalks have the occasional pedestrian walking their dog, tumbleweed and a sheet of newspaper lazily being blown about by the wind.

Hold on to that lonely feeling though. Once September 1st hits, only a measly month away, when the students come FLOODING back into town with their double-parked U-Haul trucks and parents’ SUVs packed to the hilt, you will pray for the return of these lazy, dreamy summer days.

Boston, summer, population, college students, moving, vacation