10 Things New Yorkers Will Never Understand About Boston

Culture

It's no secret that New Yorkers and Bostonians aren't the best of friends.

After a century of serpentine sports history, the Big Apple and Beantown have been cemented as fierce rivals, with each city donning drastically different residents and cultures.

New Yorkers might not be getting the full picture on their Boston counterparts. Here are ten things they'll never quite understand.

1. That Boston accent isn't really that strong

Not everyone pahhhks their cahhhs in Hahhhvahhhd Yahhhd. Yet New Yorkers love mocking the signature Beantown accent with drawn-out broad As and slewed vowels. Maybe they've watched The Departed a few too many times; maybe they haven't encountered many Bostonians besides this guy. Either way, that accent isn't nearly as bad as it's made out to be.

2. Boston and New York aren't that comparable

The two cities may be lumped together in the same pro sports division and the same geographic region, but New York and Boston are two very different entities. Boston itself houses just over 625 thousand people, compared to over 8 million dwellers in New York City. Boston's encompassing suburban area, rich colonial history and influx of college towns makes it much different than the Five Boroughs, and living in Beantown is for the most part not nearly as metropolitan as NYC.

3. Boston gets way more snow

It seems trivial, but Boston gets snowed in far more frequently than New Yorkers may think. Because both cities sit right by the Atlantic Ocean, one might expect similar levels of precipitation, but yearly averages indicate that Boston gets almost twice as much annual snowfall as New York. New Yorkers are fond of complaining about their harsh winters, but watch out, Boston has it considerably rougher.

4. Boston's not nearly as diverse

New Yorkers pride themselves on being part of an eclectic community. Thus, it's tough to imagine Beantown being almost 54 percent white compared to a 44% clip in the City That Never Sleeps. Boston was up to 95% back in 1950, and much of the city is still dominated by families of Irish and Italian origin. Approximately 36% of NYC residents are foreign born, a much higher mark than Boston, and New York City's Jewish population is the largest in the United States. Decidedly different racial and ethnic compositions make for completely different cities.

5. Patriots' Day is a big deal

Seriously, this is not something to be trifled with. Patriots' Day is a spirited celebration in Beantown that honors the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The holiday is recognized even by schools, with workers and students alike taking the day off to revel in the history and culture Boston has to offer. The storied Boston Marathon is typically run on Patriots' Day too.

6. So is seafood

Perhaps not a huge staple in NYC's diet, seafood is essential to the cuisine of Boston. Right by the water, Beantown specializes in chowders, clams and lobster dishes that are sure to make the mouth water (wahhhtah?). Most New Yorkers probably don't grasp the importance of a good cup of New England Clam Chowder.

7. Bill Simmons

New Yorkers don't seem to get him. Bostonians can't get enough of him. Formerly dubbed as "The Boston Sports Guy," Simmons' mix of impassioned fan writing and dry commentary fused with pop culture has become polarizing across the country. A former writer for Jimmy Kimmel and ESPN, Simmons is now the editor-in-chief for Grantland.

8. Punk rock has roots in Beantown

There's no doubting New York's superiority here in the music business. The birthplace of hip-hop and the producer of countless other classic acts, NYC boasts one of the most revered scenes in the world. New Yorkers love to underestimate Boston's music, in part because not many huge names claim the city as home. Still, Beantown can hold its own, with an interesting punk scene that ranges from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones to Rob Zombie.

9. Boston's a state capital

New York City residents are privy to many attractions and experiences, but one thing they'll never get is what it's like to be in a state capital. As the capital of Massachusetts, Beantown has more political bureaucracy and legislative pull.

10. Those damn Red Sox

Every city has a loving relationship with its ballclub. But it seems like Boston and the Red Sox are bordering on obsessive. New Yorkers can watch Fever Pitch over and over, but they'll never really get it. In fairness, Bostonians won't have a clue as to what it's like to be a Yankee fan, either.