What's there to love in Boston?

[Tristan Lall]

It has come to pass that I'm being considered for a co-op* position in the Boston area, (Woburn, MA, to be exact). Though I won't get notice of approval or rejection for several days, (the 28^th at the latest), I thought it might be prudent to do a little research on what that area of the world is like. The company involved is Azure Dynamics, a firm which supplies hybrid vehicles and powertrains to (principally) commercial/fleet users.

I've never visited the Boston area, much less lived there for a while, so I'm curious about all of the logistical issues related to cost of living (or, before I get ahead of myself, places in which to live). On a less practical note, I'm equally curious as to what I could do in my spare time; tourist things, recreational things, etc.. Of course, with the FIRST season approaching, I also wonder if there's a team (or teams?) out there that could use some extra freelance help.

So in short, tell me something about Boston.

*A paid internship for academic credit, lasting 4 months, starting in January 2006.