In a city as big as Boston, it’s hard to get a handle on the neighborhoods, restaurants, gym deals, and social scene when you first move. It can definitely be overwhelming when you are already dealing with school or work!

September has always been the unofficial marker of the “beginning.” Whether it is for school, a job, a new apartment, or simply the beginning of cooler weather, September is always a time for change.

So, if you are just moving to Boston, welcome! I know when I first moved to the city a year ago, I knew nothing about where to live, where to buy my food, and how ride the sometimes confusing T. But when Qponus Coupons contacted me recently, I thought what a more perfect opportunity to help a young Bostonian figure out the ropes of the city!

Qponus is a company that focuses on getting Bostonian deals on popular places, activities, and events in Boston. They offer percentage off popular restaurants, spas, gyms-whatever you can think of! Qponus is a great way to for the local gal on a budget to try out the hot places and activities in town.

September 2009 marks one year since I moved to Beantown. I’ve learned a lot about myself and met some fantastic people in the city. I’ve loved my time in this town, but I will be moving in September and starting a new adventure!

So, in the spirit of new beginnings and keeping life adventurous, Qponus and GG Boston have joined up to give away a Qponus Coupon. Leave a comment below with why you love fall in Boston by September 18 to be in the drawing to win the coupon.  

Good luck!

-Carla

Restaurant week must be one of the most celebrated weeks in Boston (minus any type of hometown sports win). And lucky us, we have two full weeks to enjoy all that Boston restaurants have to offer.

Boston’s August Restaurant week is from Sunday, August 9 to Friday, August 14 and picks back up from Sunday, August 16 to Friday, August 21. Restaurant week happens every March and August, so be sure to take advantage of the deals now.

So what’s the cost? A three-course prix-fixe lunch is $20.09 (hello year 2009!) and dinner goes for $33.09.

What I love about this week’s Restaurant Week in Boston is the online Unofficial Guide. You can simply choose the neighborhood you want to find a restaurant and the meal you would like to have there, and the site produces a list of participatory restaurants, tailored to your request!

You can also follow the hashtag, Twitter account, and Facebook page for suggestions on different meals.

See you foodies out on the town!
-Carla

Commuters, T-riders, and public transportation lovers rejoice! The MBTA announced that riders can now pay for CharlieCards online. By registering your CharlieCard in the MBTA online system, riders have the ability to cancel a stolen or lost card.

Want to know the best part? If you register with a MyCharlie Account, you can link your monthly card purchases with your bank account. Five days before the end of the month the MBTA will deduct the monthly cost of a CharlieCard without any action on your end. You will be thanking the MBTA when you get to work on time on the first of each month instead of standing in a long line buying your card. The online system also allows you to add cards for family members. Check out the MBTA web site for the full details on the card.

Thumbs up for technology saving us time.

Streamlining tasks that take time out of our day is a great plus for technology advancements. With Boston having such a large tech culture (remember when MIT students hacked the T?) I am sure the MyCharlie account will be adopted by many. In the mean time while you are buying your monthly pass online (remember August is at the end of the week), why not check out some new places to visit off of the T? Sooner or later the cold weather will be back, so make the time to do make trips with your friends now!

-Carla

Photo from here.

As much as I love Boston in the summer, sometimes a gal has to get out and explore. One of my favorite places to visit is New York. NYC is a four hour trip from Boston, which is just short enough that you can squeeze the trip into a weekend getaway. Depending on your budget, however, there are several ways to get from Boston to NYC.

1. Bolt Bus- Bolt Bus has the best service out of all the bus lines I’ve taken. The buses are clean and include outlets and wifi for computer use (techies rejoice!). The price is comparable to other bus lines, ranging from $13-$20 one way depending on the time and date of departure. The buses leave on time and the service is friendly and helpful. The bus drops off near Penn Station and neighboring subways. A+

2. Greyhound/Peter Pan- Unlike Bolt Bus, I have never had a positive experience on Greyhound or Peter Pan. Although the tickets usually run $2 cheaper, the punctuality of the buses is a far cry from Bolt. Scheduled times of departure on your personal bus ticket don’t hold clout as the line is first come, first served. I have waited two hours past my scheduled bus departure time because of a long line ahead of me. The bus drops off at Port Authority Bus Terminal. While the buses are usually well kept, the service isn’t. Go with Bolt if you can. C-

3. Lucky Star-I’ve never taken this line, but friends have told me that the buses are efficient and tickets are cheap. The bus is a straight shot to downtown Manhattan. B+ (from what I've heard)

4. Amtrak- Amtrak is the lone train service for Boston. The Northeast regional line travels from Boston to Newport News,VA making stops throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York (Penn Station) Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington D.C., and Virginia. The ticket from Boston to New York ranges from $65-$140 depending on time and date of departure. It’s definitely a price jump from the bus options, but comes equipped with large seats, a snack car, and a more scenic, smoother ride. I suggest taking this option if you are leaving late at night or during the blistery winter if your budget allows. B+

5. Your Car!- I don’t have a car in Boston, but I can imagine driving between the two cities is pricey when gas and NYC parking expenses are included. Taking a bus may be your best bet. B-

-Carla

Picture from here.

In college we lived in a relatively closed environment where sports, outings, and social events were prepared in advance for us. We were accustomed to sororities and fraternities, music groups, and the available budget for any type of club interest we had. Post-college is quite a different experience. Coordinating these activities can be difficult, especially when moving to a new city and managing the responsbilities of a full time job.

That’s where Social Boston Sports (SBS) comes in to play. SBS is an organization that coordinates sporting leagues, adventure excursions, classes, and social events throughout the year. SBS focuses not just on coordinating sporting events, but on the larger picture: developing a balanced lifestyle in our fast-paced lives.

SBS offers all types of sporting leagues throughout the year including dodgeball, kickball, softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and flag football. SBS also coordinates recreational trips, beach trips, nights out, and community service events throughout the year.

I was lucky enough to go to the SBS summer bash this past June. I met some great people and had a fantastic time dancing the night away. It was by far one of the best nights I've had since I moved to Boston. Even after one SBS event I knew that this organization and the people that belong are young professionals similar to me who enjoy an active lifestyle. It's hard to find these types of people, but SBS brings these young, passionate Bostonians together.

So if you are looking to join a sports league with some friends, are interested in meeting young professionals in the Boston area, or want to try a new experience, Social Boston Sports is the place to be.

For more info on SBS, visit their web site at www.socialbostonsports.com.