City lights, heavy traffic, packed streets and lively Friday nights — these are the realities of urban living that students at UMass Boston experience every day. For many of us, that hustle and bustle is exactly what makes the city so appealing.
In an urban environment, the opportunities for academic and personal growth seem endless. But does this setting give UMass Boston students an edge over those studying at more suburban or rural campuses? After talking to some of my fellow students, it’s clear that the energy of the city is a major reason why many choose to study here.
Environments where people live are typically classified into three types: urban, suburban and rural. Urban areas, as defined by National Geographic, refer to regions, typically cities, with dense populations and bustling activity. Some sources, like the U.S. Census Bureau, consider any region with more than 2000 housing units to be urban. While definitions vary globally, urban areas are generally where the most economic, social and cultural activities occur.
Urban areas include the central city and its surrounding “metropolitan” areas, like Greater New York or Greater London. When multiple metropolitan areas grow and merge, they can form a megalopolis. For instance, the urban stretch from Boston to Washington, D.C. is known as the Bos-Wash corridor, one of the largest megalopolises in the world.
Urban cities aren’t just defined by their population density — they’re also known for their economic advantages. Janiery Sanchez, a UMass Boston student double majoring in economics and chemistry, emphasized this point.
“Boston is where the jobs are,” she said, explaining that graduating from a school in the city or its surrounding areas can offer a competitive edge in the job market.
As president of the UMass Boston Rising Entrepreneurs Association, Janiery was strategic in choosing between New York and Boston, ultimately picking the latter for its location.
Her reasoning aligns with broader economic trends. According to Urbanlinks, cities offer economic benefits like increased efficiency due to population density, access to talented human capital and abundant resources. These factors make urban areas hubs for thriving businesses and economic productivity.
While the economic benefits of urban life are undeniable, cities also have a way of evoking a sense of familiarity, especially for out-of-state and international students. Rehann Silvanus, a first-year master’s student in Applied Economics, shared how Boston’s urban environment reminds him of his hometown, Mumbai, India.
Rehann explained that he wanted to study in a place that not only mirrored the vibrant city life he was used to, but also offered a variety of places to explore. He enjoys the convenience and abundance of coffee shops, which he notes play a role in supporting his mental well-being. Additionally, Rehann appreciates the numerous networking opportunities Boston provides, which adds to the appeal of studying in an urban setting.
No place is perfect, but urban areas definitely have their perks. For some, cities like Boston bring a sense of comfort, with the fast pace and energy feeling just like home. For others, it’s all about the job prospects and the endless opportunities for networking and growth.
At UMass Boston, being in the heart of a city gives students access to experiences they might not get in quieter, suburban or rural settings. Whether it’s career opportunities or just the buzz of city life, the urban environment adds an extra layer to our time here — and for some students, that’s a big reason why they chose this campus.
