Are you ‘from Boston’? Here’s when you can actually say it.

Readers Say

“I’ve been here over 30 years, and I still say I’m from somewhere else.”

When can you say you’re “from Boston”? It’s a question we recently discovered can be surprisingly difficult to answer.

Boston’s identity is often framed through its connection to Revolutionary times, but not everyone relates to this narrative. 

“The traditional marketing of Boston is very Paul Revere on the night ride, and I wish they would broaden the lens more,” said Kaylicia Merisier, a lifelong resident of Mattapan. Merisier said her lived experience as a Black Bostonian is distinct from the city’s mainstream image.

For newcomer Amin Karmali, the transition to becoming a Bostonian feels deeply personal. “Being a true Bostonian is when you feel that this is your home, and you can’t imagine yourself living anywhere else,” he said. “It’s when you find something that keeps you here.” 

When we asked Boston.com readers to weigh in on the designation, more than 100 readers responded.

For some readers, the answer is clear-cut: being born in one of Boston’s neighborhoods is a non-negotiable. For others, it’s about how much of the city’s culture you’ve embraced—riding the T, rooting for the Red Sox, and respecting the sacred space saver in a shoveled-out parking spot.

Some readers said the answer might depend on your audience.

“The closer you are to Boston, the narrower the definition,” Rudy P. in Beverly said. “But if you lived in Boston for any time before you were 18, you are from Boston. If you are from somewhere else and went to college here, you say you went to school here, but you’re not ‘from’ here.” 

Steve in Brighton said, “I think it depends on who you are speaking to. To non-Bostonians, I’d probably just say that I am from Boston, but to people from around here, I’d be more specific.” 

Whether it’s the accent, the attitude, or the roots you’ve planted, what makes someone “from Boston” is deeply personal—and, as readers made clear, highly debatable.

See a sampling of responses below on what makes you “from Boston,” according to Boston.com readers.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

Readers say you’re ‘from Boston’ if: 

You were born in Boston 

“When Boston is listed on your birth certificate.” – Patricia H., Westlake

“I’ve been here over 30 years, and I still say I’m from somewhere else. People here make it clear: unless you’re born here, you are NOT ‘from’ Boston.” – Diane D., Boston

“The main criteria to meet would be being born in Boston (one of the 23 neighborhoods) and living here during your childhood and young adulthood. The next would be being born elsewhere, but your family moved to Boston when you were young, and you spent the majority of your childhood here. Lastly, and this is a stretch, but if you’ve lived in Boston for more than half your life, you can say you are from Boston.” – Matt, Charlestown

“You have to be from Boston. You gotta pay Boston taxes, be in a Boston school district, use the T, and understand the deeper neighborhood cultures.” – Sam, West Roxbury

You were raised in Boston 

“When you are actually raised in Boston. A good portion of Eastern Massachusetts folks happen to [have been] born in Boston (due to its great hospitals).” – Geralt, Mission Hill

“Not unless you grew up there. You can just say you live there, otherwise.” – Melody, Fenway

You have the Boston accent or know the slang

“I am of the opinion that speech patterns play a huge role in whether or not one can claim to be ‘from Boston.’” – Joe M., Dorchester

“You’re from Boston when you use ‘wicked’ not only as an intensifying adjective within a sentence but when you use it as a stand-alone, one-word reply to a question.” – John, Beacon Hill

You have mastered the Bostonian way of life

“When you can make a right-hand turn from the left lane without using your blinker.” – Tom K., Back Bay

“You can say you’re from Boston when you’ve braved the T on a regular basis, know what a ‘medium regular’ is, know not to park in a shoveled-out spot with a summer beach chair in it, and know the difference between the ‘Common’ and the ‘Public Garden.’” – Kerry, Brighton

You are a true Boston sports fan

“When you adopt the Red Sox as your home team and foreswear the Yankees forever.” – Carol, East Boston

“You can say you’re from Boston when you are a Red Sox fan even though you were born in the Bronx.” – Linda G., Somerville

“When you’ve lived through individual championships for the Red Sox, Pats, Bruins, and Celtics, and have actively rooted for each of them through thick and thin.” – Mike, Carlisle

You feel at home in Boston

“When the person has put down roots in Boston, unlike a student or visitor.” – Anonymous, Brookline

“You’re from Boston if you feel it. It is purely a matter of self-identity.” – Roger, Jamaica Plain

“We love gatekeeping our communities because excluding others makes us feel special, but let’s be real. The only way to be from a place is if you’re home. So I say you’re from Boston when you want to be, even if you got off a plane this morning.” – Michael, Lowell

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinions.