Fun Fact! Nova Scotia gifts Boston a huge Christmas Tree (every year) for the Boston Commons. In recognition of the aid they provided Nova Scotia after the Halifax Explosion! Boston was one of the first cities to send aid, doctors, nurses and medical supplies
The Walmart in Quincy (my neighborhood!) that you guys tried to park at used to be a lot where you could stay overnight, but within the last year or so, they started to cut down on that. People in campers were basically living on the property for months on end, so they put a restriction on it. Glad you found the little trail though - it is a pretty quiet spot most of the time. Not much goes on over in that area unless there is a high school baseball game going on at the field. Glad you guys enjoyed our city for the most part! :)
Ah that’s what we thought. We’ve seen Walmarts where people are sleeping in their cars too, with all their rubbish outside the car. It’s awful that that’s the only way for lots of people but you can see why establishments don’t want it in their car parks too. That trailhead was perfect in the end! You sometimes never know where you’ve driven to but that was a little gem 💛
@@OverlandingSophia yeah it's definitely sad to see how many people have no other choice. I remember seeing the same camper in that Walmart parking lot every time I went for the better part of half a year or more. Then more campers and RVs started popping up. Now they have those police camera things in the parking lot (if you saw them). The trail is a great spot - I live less than 10 minutes from it and the whole area is quiet. If you ever come back this way, definitely skip staying in Boston and just stay around here again. Literally only 15 mins from downtown and way quieter.
I’ve traveled all over the states and lots of the world and I chose Boston for my home. It’s pricey, but for me, the beautiful downtown, oceanfront, surrounding nature and interesting little towns like Marblehead, museums, parks, good food and shopping, intellectual vibes, tech job opportunities, proximity to world-class beaches like Nantucket’s, famous sports teams, and - my favorite - inspiring or at least interesting people make it worth it. When I first started driving here my knuckles were always white and I forgot to breathe. Since I’ve learned how to do it, I hate driving anywhere else. Boston gets things done fast and right. It almost chewed me up and spat me back to the Midwest at first but I stuck around and figured it out and am so much happier for it. So glad you enjoyed!
Saw Boston for the first time this August. It is an amazing place. No desire to ever drive there again, and I was in a car. Great job! The trailhead looked so peaceful and beautiful.
I'm from Boston and your blog title for this episode had me skeptical. Glad it turned out to be a "gotcha" title because there are a lot of worse cities for van life in the US and Europe, for that matter. I shipped my van from the US to Europe this past summer and spent 6 months doing the same hunt for overnight parking in cities there, and dealing with height restrictions throughout Europe. I almost took off the top of my van on a new highway in Paris as it entered a 2 meter high tunnel. Who builds a new highway with a 2 meter high tunnel?
Well, it kind of was a 'gotcha' title and wasn't at the same time! Boston was by far one of the craziest cities we've ever driven in. It was really difficult to 'van life' there and if we hadn't managed to squeeze into that final car park, we would have been defeated! Although, after this we went to New York... which made Boston seem a breeze. The low bridges on Long Island?! Completely understand your European city nightmare! in NY they had 'warning 8ft bridge' on the highway, with nowhere to exit the highway if you needed to. Turns out the 8ft was the edge of the bridge, not the middle, so if we got into the middle lane quick enough we were okay. But that was a horrible experience. Low bridges are everywhere in Europe, we've been caught out a few times there as well. But Boston drivers... man you guys have balls of steel 😆
@@OverlandingSophia haha, we are the best drivers in the world, and least courtliest. If you give us an inch of space we’ll take it. Enjoy Baja, and I hope the turmoil in Peru settles down before you get there.
Phew! I was so nervous when I read the title. I'm from just outside Boston and I was worried you had an awful experience, 'cause you just never know. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Too bad you got rainy days -- but we had an out of character summer when we had a severe draught and we are very grateful for those rainy days though. And Ben did a great job driving! Not easy and can be very frustrating with all the one way streets and everything. I'm from here and I often find it confusing as hell. Since Covid recovery, traffic is much lighter and crowds are far fewer during week days because most office workers now work a hybrid week - 2 or 3 days in Boston and the rest working remotely from home. Come again; there's lots more to see!
Yes we’re okay!! Thankfully it was uneventful but gosh, driving those roads in Boston is an experience 😅 The rain didn’t dampen the beauty of Boston, I think cities always suit the rain in a weird way? Would love to come back and explore more. We missed the North End and all the good Italian food! 💛
Great episode. You brought up a vanlife issue that not many people consider when travelling through big cities. It's not so simple and after spending so much time in nature and serenity, the hustle and bustle of big city life, can be quite overwhelming. Many years ago, I spent a long time in my kombi traveling in the southwest of the USA. Staying in campsites all the time. We had to travel through Vegas and I have to say, it blew my mind. Granted, it's one extreme to another, but I felt shell shocked. Loving your travels
Ah love that you’ve travelled through the US in a kombi! Yes you’re right, the contrast between quiet van life and big cities can be overwhelming. We loved it in Boston though, it was pretty walkable and not too chaotic, so felt like the perfect mix 💛
Loved seeing Boston in Autumn, the colours were stunning…and interesting to see the realities of driving and staying in a city in a van with animals. Not easy, but at least you found ok places in the end. Hope you’re having a good week, this week too.
Boston suits autumn right?! It just felt right to be there in autumn. Balancing the van AND dogs in a city can be tough, if we make it to NYC we’ll probably check them into doggy day care 🐶💛
Thank you for sharing Boston! (I've lived in the state since 1998.) A few items I believe could benefit you in your travels within this country. 1. Most Americans do NOT follow courtesy vehicle customs. It is best to stay to the RIGHT for the most unencumbered travel. 2. Along the coastlines, metropolitan areas have very little parking available - there simply isn't enough real estate. I've found asking law enforcement yields the best results. On the open highway, State Troopers. They usually will inform other officers of your stay to ensure a peaceful stay. 😉 3. There are some very scenic routes outside of the normal routes that you could drive to reach your destination. (Depends on what you wish to see.) I share this as 1. I was raised in Germany as a military dependant where I learned to drive. I have traveled and driven in many countries around the world. And in this country. I make an annual driving trip across most of the USA MINUS the west coast. Albeit in a large sub but from Massachusetts to Montana and Nevada to Arizona and Texas to Florida and back north. Stopping in many states along the way to visit friends and family. I hope this helps you on your journey. Good luck. Godspeed. Safety and fun along the way! 🎉😊
Thank you for the tips and tricks! Yes we’re finding van life on the east coast not so east, but we’re making it work so far! Soon we’ll be heading south and then in the new year, making our way west to Baja. Happy travels to you when you hit the road again 💛
Hey Chesca and Ben! Big respect for all that crazy city driving Ben! I would have been panicking like mad! Boston looks super cool, can’t believe you saw Harvard! Like in the movies! So funny we met someone today from Maine and they were so impressed by how much we knew about it and we learnt everything from your videos 😂 xx Iz!
City van life is always a challenge, but some cities are more difficult than others! We can't miss New York though, so that's going to be interesting 😬 😬
Boston is my favorite US city for just walking around. We would drive from New Brunswick to Portland Maine and catch the train into Boston. So effortless.
Would have to agree! One of my favourite cities we've been to. So easy to walk and get around with the metro too. Trains would be so much easier! But, dogs 🐶 🐶
Good lord, what a week! You guys never disappoint! Even when things are looking a little shady, or gritty, you turn it into such an enjoyable watch - sad to hear about the situation near Walmart (?), but how cool that you were able to find such a pleasant spot as an alternative. Goes to prove, just keep turning over stones, and eventually you find what you need/want. Salem looks incredible, it'd be great to be able to spend some more time there, out of season, and see what stories are hiding in the cemetery - I be there's loads! Boston definitely agrees with you, and the architecture was great - love the 'old' buildings, and you can definitely see/feel the British Colonial influence permeating through. Anyway, I'll stop rambling, have a great week, and see you next weekend! xx
What a week indeed 😅 It was our first taste of what lies just beyond the city boundaries… honestly some of the stuff we saw was pretty horrific to be out in the open on a normal afternoon. But thankfully we found somewhere safe to park. Not going to lie that we’re missing the open spaces of the countryside! Ah those Salem cemeteries! Some of those gravestones go back to the 1600s! Crazy how they close at dusk too… to keep us in or to keep things out?! 👻👻👻 Xxx
Ah Boston. Home of The Celtics my favourite basketball team. So much sporting history in that city. Also that library looked amazing and Salem looked really scary. 👻 Happy travels all four of ye. 😃
Wow! I was in Boston with mum for a lo-ong weekend in 1999 . . . My friend came from MI to meet us and said it was like being in Europe. Ben mentioned the similarity to London UK, did you know much of the old downtown Boston is older than London due to the great fire? Good to catch up with you both again, been a few weeks, but that means a few videos I haven't seen to watch, joy!
Yes! It really does have European vibes, so interesting about being older than London. But you’re right, it was founded in the 1600s so plenty of it is ooold. For a city it has so much character. Hope you enjoy the catch up 🙂💛
Hey, hope you’re all well, happy Halloween 🎃 for tomorrow! Loved the hocus Pocus movie, love the spooky ness 👻. Loved the history, the museum of the Witch House. Nothing wrong with broccoli soup! 😂. Even present is Michael Myers’s too!! Boston public gardens are nice! and the buildings make for good sightseeing. Yeah Boston better than London. There was a Walmart I sent you on the Instagram, I hope that one was ok? That’s good you’ve found a suitable place to stay. Oh I love the look of the rainbow 🌈 cookies 🍪.. Devonshire street rules 😂😂. The library 📚 looks so interesting! Great architecture! The night cityscape view is great! Anyway guys, have a good week, see you next time 👌👍
Hey Mark! It was broccoli and cheddar soup too, even better! 😂 Yeah the Michael Myer's dude was fun, just standing in an alleyway and freaking everyone out. Once we managed to find somewhere in Boston the city was awesome, just a shame they don't make it easier for you to park larger vehicles there as it would be a nightmare to go back there 😆 We drove past a Taunton today! And we're almost hitting Plymouth. Sending love from one Devon town name to another! 🧡
@@OverlandingSophia ah great, well I'm just finished my Isle of Wight holiday, 4 days of exploring and now back to Devon, sending love back to you wherever you may be! 🎃🧡
These two got lucky but it’s generally ill advised to come to Salem in October as the size of the town isn’t equipped to handle the influx of visitors. Most residents love to see visitors enjoying the history and spooky spirit, but please consider visiting any other month. The spooky stuff will still be here and you’ll get much better service at local businesses and not need reservations for things. If you must come in October, please visit the Salem MA subreddit and website to get information on being prepared so you don’t have a miserable visit.🎃 And geez Louise guys, anyone could tell you driving a van around Boston common is a horrendous idea or Boston in general. Park at an MBTA station and take the train in.
Hey Brandy! We checked on Park Salem before we arrived as heard it was pretty hectic. But shuttle buses only operate during the weekends and we’d read during the weekdays we should be fine, which it was. And I think October is THE month to come to Salem, that’s when the whole town comes alive! Loved the atmosphere. But would always tell people to check parking beforehand and use the shuttle buses if needs be. We aren’t from here so we didn’t realise how bad Boston would be for parking. But we made it work and travelling with dogs makes getting trains etc difficult. Despite the stressful start we had a blast there, such a great city.
I'm glad you experienced New England. Boston is tough to park because of the size, crazy streets in downtown. Our sports culture is great. Enjoy your trip.
Wow 😳. Quite a difference from Canada and New England. Ben you have nerves of steel driving around like a champ!!!Exploring Salem a different time of year would be super 👻 You four be safe, happy and stay healthy. Can’t wait until next Sunday 🥰
Yeah. The biggest difference! 😳 First we thought the driving in New Brunswick was worse. Then it was Maine, now we realise all those drivers were angels 😂 Ben is amazing at driving on roads like this, you really have to have eyes in the back of your head 😳😳 Have a lovely week Starr, love from all of us! Xx
Next time you're in Boston, take the commuter rail into town! Dogs can ride it on weekends and off-peak hours and there are plenty of spots to park your van. The commuter rail goes in all directions around the city and spans roughly half the state - you could've taken it from Salem. Better yet, you don't have to deal with traffic!
GR8 VID ~ LOVED ❤ IT !!! I lived in Boston for 2 years and this video reminded me of just how much Bostonians love to drink in their neighborhood pubs !!!
Just a tip. I don't think there are any in New England area, but as you travel across America a restaurant chain named "Cracker Barrel" allows RV's to park overnight for free. Some local ordinances may prohibit it, but the chain allows overnight parking where they can. Lot's of them in the Southern US.
Thanks Steven! We do know about Cracker Barrel although we haven't come across any yet. Think Ben checked but there weren't any very close to Boston unfortunately. So grateful to places like that which allow overnight parking, makes for much safer driving and parking especially if you're getting stuck for places to go 💛
For new england, I know of four cracker barrels in mass, one in Rhode Island, one in Connecticut, and one in New Hampshire. None in Maine or Vermont. For massachusetts, one is near I495 in northeastern mass (about a half hour north of boston), one is near I495 in southeastern mass (about a half hour south of boston), one is near I90 in central mass (about an hour west of boston), and one is near I90 in Western mass (about an hour and a half west of boston).
That was cool. Salem looked so atmospheric. I've heard good things about Boston - I skirted by when I used to live in the States and I was on my way to Maine. The public library looked great! Give me coffee, a library/bookstore 📚and I'm in absolute heaven. Have fun and see you both next time.
Same!! My productivity would be so high if I lived near a library like that. I’d be in there all the time 💛 Boston was such a fun city and walkable too which is always a bonus xx
What a difference, forests and empty roads, to a city with crowded roads. The older houses in Salem were very interesting, I liked the way they had information boards outside. I guess you have accept the commercialisation. Boston looked very interesting, what a shame there are so many homeless, when there is so much wealth. Sadly it's the same wherever you go now, even in our little market town, it makes me very sad. I loved your city clothes Chesca, stay safe with love and hugs from Sue and Bryn xx
Variety is the spice of life as they say! Loved feeling the bustle of the city, it’s been a while since we’ve been anywhere as hectic as Boston. Very sad about the homeless. Think it’s a real problem here after having spoken to a few people about it 😔 Sending all the love to you and Bryn xx
Hey guys! I'm so glad you got to experience a little of Boston. I live near Portland, Maine and my son and his family live right in the city. I refuse to drive there so we come down on the train and it's a short walk from there. Luckily, very few Massachusetts people are idiot drivers but the worst ones we call "Mass-holes" which kind of fits them. Thumbs up for this one! Looking forward to next week. Stay safe!
I have to disagree that there's very few idiot drivers in MA. I live in Somerville just north of Boston and there are A LOT of Masshole drivers. Your assessment that 70% don't use their "blinkahs" is spot on, and they definitely will cut you off. They also will honk if you don't go the very second the light turns green, they will keep going long after it turns red to try and get through, and will pull a "boston left" which is turning left immediately as the light turns green instead of yielding to let the oncoming traffic go first. And they will scream f-bombs at you and flick you off for any number of minor things, including stopping in order to not hit pedestrians. "Aggressive" is an understatement. I've been living here for 7 years, driving almost daily so I'm used to it, and it STILL stresses me out. My advice to anyone coming to Boston is to keep your head on a swivel, and drive as little as you absolutely have to. Good luck
Glad you enjoyed Boston 😉 it's a shame you couldn't stay there longer as there was a lot more to see and do. We stayed at Westborough and caught the T into Boston. Looking forward to your next video. 😀
Thank you Les, wish we could have stayed longer too but our wallets wouldn’t have thanked us 😂 Next time we’d love to do the Freedom Trail and find the hidden Bodega shop - two things we didn’t get chance to do!
Some friends and I are going on a New England fall tour in '23! Aside from just being a lovely couple and having a great channel, I really appreciate that your timing could not have been more perfect! Best wishes on your travels! Well done!
Amazing!! Ah you’re going to have the best time! Definitely get yourselves to New Hampshire and the Kancamagus highway. Then head to Boston for some drinks 🍺😍
You’re absolutely right! That must be so surreal to see your house in the film 😍 Despite the parking and driving chaos, Boston was such a great city. We loved it 💛
Great video. I have to thank you for showing me a good sport to overnight in Digby, Nova Scotia. I went down to visit family in Halifax area and came across the ferry from New Brunswick. I met some friends in Digby for dinner and I stayed in the same spot you guys used. Thanks again and have a fun trip.
Oh we love this!! Was it the old visitor centre car park? We were only talking about that place today! Glad you had a good night there, it’s a great little place 💛
@@OverlandingSophia Hi guys. Yes I stayed at the visitor center. I had a great sleep with the dogs. I tried to get to Fred's hole, but got lost. Lol, you were right. Have a great trip. I will keep watching.
Our daughter went to Emerson in Boston (post graduate). We visited a few times. Loved that city! And we are rural Texans! Flew in and walked or used mass transit everywhere. Y’all’s (a little Texan lingo) video reminds me of the good times we had there! Be safe on your travels! Take care!
@@OverlandingSophia I am sure that helped. Sorry Boston was frustrating. Suffolk county is the seventh most densely populated county in the country and even the locals have trouble finding a place to park. A lot of us don’t even bother owning a car.
As an experienced Walmart camper my advice is to try to stick to the small towns or suburbs of the larger cities. The Supercenters near Interstates are usually camper friendly. This applies to the Cracker Barrels, Targets, and Home Depots too.
Thank you Roy! Maybe it depends where in the States you are? We've found the smaller Walmarts aren't great... the one we went to here was a place called Quincy which is about 10 miles outside of Boston and it was really strict. One in Salem was also very strict about no overnight parking. The best ones we've found are those who share their carparks with other stores like Lowes, Kohl's etc.. they seem to be the ones without the signs. Maybe because the car parks are leased to multiple shops rather than just one? Who knows. Have yet to try a Cracker Barrel!
@@OverlandingSophia Mass to Pennsylvania is a little rougher. I tend to stay at truck stops or rest areas in that region but when you get past there it's a bit more welcoming. The wide open spaces of the west help too.
So glad you got to see Boston, great city. We walked the freedom trail and visited Faneuil Hall for food. We drove to Cape Cod, much slower pace which suited us. Loving your trip , thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍 x PSwell done Ben for city driving !
It’s a great city isn’t it! Freedom trail is on the list for next time. I think Ben secretly loves the hectic driving! Can’t beat them, may as well join em 😂🙈
I hope when you got back to the van Ben, you found an episode of Cheers to put on haha. Classic 👌 Hats off for driving in the crazy traffic, madness. Wonderful visit to the city, agree with Ben, London by the river is lovely, especially round Richmond for me. 50 dollars for a city parkup is amazing. Fabulous as always both. Love Following Your Adventures. Love and Hugs ❤
Haha no Cheers episodes, I still haven’t seen it 🙈 I felt like Boston was the best of London, but with a bit more grandeur with the skyscrapers everywhere. Missing the Richmond Park deers though! 🦌 Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend Asa! Sending love from Boston 💛
Salem looked wonderfull! I guess a as Salem resident you just have to give in into the Halloween spirit! American City van life sounds quite difficult, but you managed to do quite well I'd say. But I'd guess it's different to your experiences in Europe? I heard that the homeless situation in big cities in America ist quite shocking to people visiting. So yeah, I guess that's no surprise for you aswell. Anyways Boston looked great, hoped you had a great stay! xx 💕
Salem was really cool, a little commercialised but that's to be expected. Can imagine it was absolute carnage this weekend! Our experience of Boston was SO different to European cities! It was difficult to park anywhere - even for the day. Max street parking of 2 hours and that was hard enough to find! That car park we found was the only place we fit - and by mid morning it was completely full. The outskirts weren't very nice (as we saw) so we had to drive 30 minutes out to even find somewhere to lay our heads. So... yes, we managed it but it wasn't easy 😂 🧡
Cheska, when you said take this old girl all the way to Argentina was it yourself or Sophia you were referring to? A great vlog that plays out like a good Sunday roast dinner, you look forward to it being served, you savour it when it arrives and you look back on it with warm cherished memories when you finish. Wishing you all well with blessings!
Salem is a cool place. We visited it a few years ago. We flew to Boston and took cabs everywhere or walked. They knew how to drive. Boston was great too. We loved it.
You found a parking spot on the street in Boston!?! Nice! I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. You really got a taste of why I don't travel the 15 miles into town unless I have to. 😀
Lovin the background music when you guys are in Salem, Boston is kinda cool but too bad with the weather and ya the parking is nuts there. Really liked Harvard. Another great video. 👍
Ah cheers David, needed something spooky! Parking was mad, if we couldn’t get in that last car park we would have had to abandon the mission. So glad we made it though, it’s a cool city 💛
Hey if you're looking for a place to park you can always come down to the malls in Danvers or head over to somewhere towards Salem down by the commons or park near one of the hiking trails. The best advice though is sleep during the day
I don’t think sleeping during the day really works for us! 😅 But we did manage to find parking, even if it wasn’t the easiest. Got an amazing spot on Salem common to explore the town from 💛
I only found your posts today. If I’d found you earlier you could’ve parked in our drive. Good luck with the rest of the adventure. Ex pat brit living just outside Boston.
$70 Canadian for two days parking sounds like a to me! But worth it to see Boston for sure. That is a stunning library, it must cost a fortune to upkeep it. The Boston Museum of Fine Art would be an incredible place to visit too.
It is a lot of money! But we think for a big city like Boston, $25 for 24 hours for a secure overnight car park in the heart of downtown, in walking distance to everything is worth it. How beautiful was the library! The Isabella Gardner Museum is also meant to be beautiful, we didn’t make it that far south though 💛
@@OverlandingSophia I was SHOCKED you paid so little LOL...and found such a nice lot. If I drive to work in downtown, the cheapest place is generally $40 a day. I bet it was an MBTA parking lot since those are usually cheaper. (I work between 2 places you were - the old state house on State Street and the Rose Kennedy Greenway --that's the financial district.)
I live in central Massachusetts and have lived here my whole life. Just so you know, it is pretty common knowledge that Massachusetts drivers are known around the country as..."MassHoles"!!!! Funny, but very true! 🤣 Also, people that live in Boston have a hard time finding a place to park. 😂 Planes at Logan Airport in Boston take off and land at a rate of about one per minute. That is one busy airport. Thank you for visiting our little state. If you're ever around again, you should come to Central Massachusetts and visit Worcester, the second biggest city in New England. 😁
Hahah yes MassHoles is a new word we learnt this week 😂 Some of you guys work hard for the name! Wow one plane per minute, can definitely confirm. Once they got going in the morning it was constant 🫠 It was a beautiful spot by the river and downtown though, Boston is full of so much character. We loved it, despite the kamikaze drivers 💛
Welcome to the jungle? Wait the last time I used that reference you were in a little jungle. What a difference a week makes. Good luck in finding places to park. Stay safe. Peace, keep the faith. Dean
I got worried, you came an hour later today. After hearing about Luca and his strokes and being in the hospital, I was hoping nothing had happened to one of you four. I wish I had your rain there, it's so dry here. Loved the city tours of spooky Salem and the hustle and bustle of Boston. I do think that was a good deal for $50 in Boston.....despite the noise. I've been doing the same thing when I go to park my van because it's long, I back up somewhere where I can let the back end hang over the space. And Chesca, I can see you going to Harvard or Boston University and studying psychology, I bet you would do well. Hope you're finding some good places to park and more exciting places to visit this week. Take care and Happy Halloween!
I was in tears watching Sara earlier. Absolutely heartbroken for what she went through and we hope and pray Luca makes a quick and speedy recovery. He's young and healthy so hopefully he's back home soon. So awful 😢 ❤️ ❤️ Yep, $50 isn't too bad for secure, overnight parking in a city like Boston! Hope you're having a lovely weekend Adele, off on any more trips soon? Sending love from all of us xx 💕
@@OverlandingSophia Oh, and with the guidance of a friend, I changed the oil in my van on Friday. I am ready to hit the road again....not sure where yet. Will you guys be with Ben's brother's family in Calif. for Christmas?🎄🤗
Just found you guys on You Tube yesterday. Watched your Northumberland coast video. And now you're in the US I'm hooked. Can I ask what you guys do to fund your travels?
Hi guys, I traveled solo to Boston for a week a few weeks ago and I mainly stayed in the northern area of the city, went to little Italy most days (literally an area called the north end) and I stayed away south from china town because I heard it’s full of drugs and isn’t safe. I can imagine how unsafe you guys must’ve felt being in that parking lot, 😮 next time that you visit Boston, don’t go south
Ah we didn’t quite make it to north end on this trip but we were really close. That car park was absolutely safe and we felt great parking there. It was just outside downtown and not a million miles from North End. The dodgy area we drove through was South Bay and outside the main city centre. Have since learned how bad it is there 😬 But where we were in downtown was great and we’d recommend that car park to anyone 😊💛
@@OverlandingSophia Oooh South Bay not a good place to be - so glad you left. Next time drive 5 miles right outside downtown Boston into Revere and you can park on Revere Beach. Oldest Public Beach in the USA and still free for all. (And the sun rises directly in front of you on the water and it is beautiful!)
@@OverlandingSophia South Bay is in Dorchester which is hit or miss and South Bay is a big miss. “South Boston” is one of the nicest parts of Boston and is filled with charming brownstones, amazing thrift and open air markets on the weekend, and some of the city’s best restaurants. “Southie” is another area that’s in the southern part of Boston that isn’t dangerous. Used to be fairly rough, but now it’s filled with bros in Jeep Wranglers chasing down Buffalo wings with beers at corner bars after a long, lazy day at the beach. I personally love “Chinatown” (also in the southern part of Boston) and have never felt unsafe there. And it’s such a shame that you didn’t get to the north end (little Italy). To me, that’s the best part of Boston. That and Newbury Street in Back Bay…. And Charles Street in Beacon Hill with lunch at 75 Chestnut…. I even like Seaport. At least you made it to the Common and the Public Garden and the library! So much to do when you come back 😉.
Hi guys as you're heading south just so you know Cracker Barrel restaurant lets people stay in the parking lot, there are some in the north, but most are in the south also if you are on some of the main highways you can usually stay in some of the rest stops ....the ones with gas stations and food it's bright and should be a lot of other vans and campers ...lots of truckers.
Yes we’ve not had chance to try a Cracker Barrel park up just yet! We looked for one in Boston but seems they’re further south like you say. Thanks for the heads up 💛
Oh I wish I had seen this sooner I was away and you could have parked in my spot in the public alley behind my condo on Comm Ave. Boston doesn't have much crime or significant homeless population but the exception is that area in the South Bay neighborhood of the South End near what we call the Methadone Mile, which is the result of a shuttered treatment facility on Long Island in our harbor. The Walmart and Targets in the suburbs West of the city about 15 miles would be a good safe bet small area in Framingham . Cheers I am enjoying your wonderful adventure. Oh my English nanny was from Plymouth, your Plymouth not ours. She taught me good manners, proper English, a love of football the kind we call soccer , tea , rainy days and gardening. Cheers. Stay safe.
Ah that would have been great! Yep it looks like we drove straight into South Bay 🙈 Apart from there we saw no other area like it, but it definitely wasn't a place we wanted to stay overnight. I absolutely love that your nanny was from Plymouth as that's where Ben is from and where we lived! All those are things we English hold dear to our hearts! Football, a bit of gardening, tea and rain... sounds like a very British weekend 🥰 🫖
I was in Salem Thursday 20th. Like you say, parking is not great, especially as it was much busier. We also managed to find somewhere on the common. Looked like some sort of funfair? In Boston, the bottom of the Common was full of weirdos. Witnessed an altercation in Mcdonalds where some little guy tried to push his way behind the counter and ended up getting ejected by some huge customer. He then proceeded to pull a moony at the window. That was my daughter's highlight. Absolutely tipped it down on Monday/tuesday. We ended up going to Shopper's World at Framington. Walmart gets a bad rap in the UK, but I thought it was awesome.
The common is such a handy parking spot! Yes saw the fun fair too, think it’s part of the Haunted Happenings parade that goes on during the weekends? Hahah at the free full moon you guys got! 😂 Cities always have some interesting characters. We loved Boston though, nice to have a city you can easily walk around 💛
If you go to New Haven, be sure to stop by Claire’s Cornercopia across from the New Haven Green. The carrot cake with their butter cream frosting is great!
Oh wow, I just started following you and had no idea that you were in this area. I am a Bostonian and would have gladly helped guide you and would have warned you about how aggressively we drive around here. Some of us call ourselves Massholes. 🤣🤣
Ah no way! The term mass-holes is a new one to us this week, it's made us laugh 😂 You guys definitely know how to drive assertively. Boston's an amazing city though, we loved it! So walkable and the downtown area was just beautiful. So much character and history around every corner 💛
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are very historic. Philadelphia is where America started. Williamsburg Virginia is also very historic. So is Washington DC and St Augustine Florida, Charleston SC, New Orleans ect.
Hope you enjoyed my home town Capital, Boston wish we knew before hand we could have taken you both to hear some great music at a great dive bar close to the city, if you ever come back around let us know. Godspeed
I strongly suggest that you avoid major cities in the US such as Boston and New York City. Much too crowded, difficult to park and too much of a hassle. I suggest the rural and suburban areas near large cities.
It would be much easier to just avoid them, but we are only passing through once and don't want to miss out! It was worth it in the end for Boston, we really loved that city. It was pretty stressful though, the roads and one-way systems and lack of parking definitely don't make for an easy experience.
FyI only, Salem is barely in the Hocus Pocus 2 movie, most of it is shot in Rhode Island which I hope makes it on your tour. If you swing through I can give you an overnight parking spot in Providence.
You managed to go to the Target off Mass Ave. Yes, there are a lot of homeless and drug use, but, in that parking lot, youd have been safe. They tend to leave outsiders alone there. Now, had you gone up the road near BMC and tried to park, you might have some issues.
We stayed in Boston a couple of years ago. We stayed for 8 days. there is a public parking for $8 a day, 24 hours. We also had a vespa. It is in the city near the water. Cheap!
Overnight public RV parking is pretty much obsolete along the USA northeastern seaboard so you are fortunate to find any during your urban travels. It will also get tough to find boondocking spots in Florida as the infrastructure there primarily caters to commercial parking and camping facilities.
Yeah we were so lucky to grab a spot in that car park. It was our only option so if we’d left it any later we’d have had to abandon mission. Will be interesting to see how we get on further south. Heard it gets better as we head west 💛
Fun Fact! Nova Scotia gifts Boston a huge Christmas Tree (every year) for the Boston Commons. In recognition of the aid they provided Nova Scotia after the Halifax Explosion! Boston was one of the first cities to send aid, doctors, nurses and medical supplies
We had no idea!! Given our deep love of Nova Scotia this is my new favourite fact 😍😍 🎄
Here is the history of the Halifax Explosion: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Explosion
The blast rattled dishes in my grandmothers kitchen 160km away ...
I thought that was near Quincy Market, not the Commons
@@Ashar121 It is on the Boston Common (no "s")
Sitting in traffic, struggling to find parking. The true Boston experience
The Walmart in Quincy (my neighborhood!) that you guys tried to park at used to be a lot where you could stay overnight, but within the last year or so, they started to cut down on that. People in campers were basically living on the property for months on end, so they put a restriction on it. Glad you found the little trail though - it is a pretty quiet spot most of the time. Not much goes on over in that area unless there is a high school baseball game going on at the field. Glad you guys enjoyed our city for the most part! :)
Ah that’s what we thought. We’ve seen Walmarts where people are sleeping in their cars too, with all their rubbish outside the car. It’s awful that that’s the only way for lots of people but you can see why establishments don’t want it in their car parks too. That trailhead was perfect in the end! You sometimes never know where you’ve driven to but that was a little gem 💛
@@OverlandingSophia yeah it's definitely sad to see how many people have no other choice. I remember seeing the same camper in that Walmart parking lot every time I went for the better part of half a year or more. Then more campers and RVs started popping up. Now they have those police camera things in the parking lot (if you saw them). The trail is a great spot - I live less than 10 minutes from it and the whole area is quiet. If you ever come back this way, definitely skip staying in Boston and just stay around here again. Literally only 15 mins from downtown and way quieter.
I’ve traveled all over the states and lots of the world and I chose Boston for my home. It’s pricey, but for me, the beautiful downtown, oceanfront, surrounding nature and interesting little towns like Marblehead, museums, parks, good food and shopping, intellectual vibes, tech job opportunities, proximity to world-class beaches like Nantucket’s, famous sports teams, and - my favorite - inspiring or at least interesting people make it worth it. When I first started driving here my knuckles were always white and I forgot to breathe. Since I’ve learned how to do it, I hate driving anywhere else. Boston gets things done fast and right. It almost chewed me up and spat me back to the Midwest at first but I stuck around and figured it out and am so much happier for it. So glad you enjoyed!
Saw Boston for the first time this August. It is an amazing place. No desire to ever drive there again, and I was in a car. Great job! The trailhead looked so peaceful and beautiful.
Hahah we’re the same, amazing place but don’t fancy that drive again 😅 Just hit NYC and we’re already dreaming of open roads!
I'm from Boston and your blog title for this episode had me skeptical. Glad it turned out to be a "gotcha" title because there are a lot of worse cities for van life in the US and Europe, for that matter. I shipped my van from the US to Europe this past summer and spent 6 months doing the same hunt for overnight parking in cities there, and dealing with height restrictions throughout Europe. I almost took off the top of my van on a new highway in Paris as it entered a 2 meter high tunnel. Who builds a new highway with a 2 meter high tunnel?
Well, it kind of was a 'gotcha' title and wasn't at the same time! Boston was by far one of the craziest cities we've ever driven in. It was really difficult to 'van life' there and if we hadn't managed to squeeze into that final car park, we would have been defeated! Although, after this we went to New York... which made Boston seem a breeze. The low bridges on Long Island?! Completely understand your European city nightmare! in NY they had 'warning 8ft bridge' on the highway, with nowhere to exit the highway if you needed to. Turns out the 8ft was the edge of the bridge, not the middle, so if we got into the middle lane quick enough we were okay. But that was a horrible experience. Low bridges are everywhere in Europe, we've been caught out a few times there as well. But Boston drivers... man you guys have balls of steel 😆
@@OverlandingSophia haha, we are the best drivers in the world, and least courtliest. If you give us an inch of space we’ll take it.
Enjoy Baja, and I hope the turmoil in Peru settles down before you get there.
Phew! I was so nervous when I read the title. I'm from just outside Boston and I was worried you had an awful experience, 'cause you just never know. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Too bad you got rainy days -- but we had an out of character summer when we had a severe draught and we are very grateful for those rainy days though. And Ben did a great job driving! Not easy and can be very frustrating with all the one way streets and everything. I'm from here and I often find it confusing as hell.
Since Covid recovery, traffic is much lighter and crowds are far fewer during week days because most office workers now work a hybrid week - 2 or 3 days in Boston and the rest working remotely from home. Come again; there's lots more to see!
Yes we’re okay!! Thankfully it was uneventful but gosh, driving those roads in Boston is an experience 😅 The rain didn’t dampen the beauty of Boston, I think cities always suit the rain in a weird way? Would love to come back and explore more. We missed the North End and all the good Italian food! 💛
Great episode. You brought up a vanlife issue that not many people consider when travelling through big cities. It's not so simple and after spending so much time in nature and serenity, the hustle and bustle of big city life, can be quite overwhelming. Many years ago, I spent a long time in my kombi traveling in the southwest of the USA. Staying in campsites all the time. We had to travel through Vegas and I have to say, it blew my mind. Granted, it's one extreme to another, but I felt shell shocked. Loving your travels
Ah love that you’ve travelled through the US in a kombi! Yes you’re right, the contrast between quiet van life and big cities can be overwhelming. We loved it in Boston though, it was pretty walkable and not too chaotic, so felt like the perfect mix 💛
Loved seeing Boston in Autumn, the colours were stunning…and interesting to see the realities of driving and staying in a city in a van with animals. Not easy, but at least you found ok places in the end. Hope you’re having a good week, this week too.
Boston suits autumn right?! It just felt right to be there in autumn. Balancing the van AND dogs in a city can be tough, if we make it to NYC we’ll probably check them into doggy day care 🐶💛
@@OverlandingSophia just read your other message - safe travels to find Rosie and get her home safe and sound. Wishing you lots of luck 🍀
You're doing g such a good job with editing...love your intro...including the music. Very cool. Stay safe!💙🐾🤗
Thank you so much my love! 💘💘
Oh wow what a beautiful couple of places! Worth all the hassle driving/parking etc. Stunning photography and commentary as always x
Thank you Sally 🥰 100% worth the hassle but not sure we’d do it again in a hurry 😂💛
Thank you for sharing Boston! (I've lived in the state since 1998.) A few items I believe could benefit you in your travels within this country. 1. Most Americans do NOT follow courtesy vehicle customs. It is best to stay to the RIGHT for the most unencumbered travel. 2. Along the coastlines, metropolitan areas have very little parking available - there simply isn't enough real estate. I've found asking law enforcement yields the best results. On the open highway, State Troopers. They usually will inform other officers of your stay to ensure a peaceful stay. 😉 3. There are some very scenic routes outside of the normal routes that you could drive to reach your destination. (Depends on what you wish to see.) I share this as 1. I was raised in Germany as a military dependant where I learned to drive. I have traveled and driven in many countries around the world. And in this country. I make an annual driving trip across most of the USA MINUS the west coast. Albeit in a large sub but from Massachusetts to Montana and Nevada to Arizona and Texas to Florida and back north. Stopping in many states along the way to visit friends and family. I hope this helps you on your journey. Good luck. Godspeed. Safety and fun along the way! 🎉😊
Thank you for the tips and tricks! Yes we’re finding van life on the east coast not so east, but we’re making it work so far! Soon we’ll be heading south and then in the new year, making our way west to Baja. Happy travels to you when you hit the road again 💛
Hey Chesca and Ben! Big respect for all that crazy city driving Ben! I would have been panicking like mad! Boston looks super cool, can’t believe you saw Harvard! Like in the movies! So funny we met someone today from Maine and they were so impressed by how much we knew about it and we learnt everything from your videos 😂 xx Iz!
Hahaha love this! Who knew Maine trivia would ever come in handy 😅 xx
I just saw your new video! It’s wonderful that you were able to rescue that dog.
Ah it's the biggest relief that she's home! The end of a chapter 💕
Sorry about your parking woes, it’s a notorious problem in all the bigger East Coast cities. Good luck, stay safe, and thanks for another great video!
City van life is always a challenge, but some cities are more difficult than others! We can't miss New York though, so that's going to be interesting 😬 😬
@@OverlandingSophia The Travel beans have been to NYC many times. Get some tips from them.
Boston is my favorite US city for just walking around. We would drive from New Brunswick to Portland Maine and catch the train into Boston. So effortless.
Would have to agree! One of my favourite cities we've been to. So easy to walk and get around with the metro too. Trains would be so much easier! But, dogs 🐶 🐶
Salem and Boston were beautiful. That library was stunning. Thanks for showing us! 🎃🎃🎃♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸🎃🎃🎃👻☠🐱😱🎃
Thank you! Totally agree, that library was incredible. I would be Level 10 productivity if I lived near there 🤩
Good lord, what a week! You guys never disappoint! Even when things are looking a little shady, or gritty, you turn it into such an enjoyable watch - sad to hear about the situation near Walmart (?), but how cool that you were able to find such a pleasant spot as an alternative. Goes to prove, just keep turning over stones, and eventually you find what you need/want. Salem looks incredible, it'd be great to be able to spend some more time there, out of season, and see what stories are hiding in the cemetery - I be there's loads! Boston definitely agrees with you, and the architecture was great - love the 'old' buildings, and you can definitely see/feel the British Colonial influence permeating through. Anyway, I'll stop rambling, have a great week, and see you next weekend! xx
What a week indeed 😅 It was our first taste of what lies just beyond the city boundaries… honestly some of the stuff we saw was pretty horrific to be out in the open on a normal afternoon. But thankfully we found somewhere safe to park. Not going to lie that we’re missing the open spaces of the countryside!
Ah those Salem cemeteries! Some of those gravestones go back to the 1600s! Crazy how they close at dusk too… to keep us in or to keep things out?! 👻👻👻 Xxx
Saw this van while walking my dog last year in salem and thought.... looks like a youtube. And Now randomly the video pops up :) Keep up the good work
Ah Boston. Home of The Celtics my favourite basketball team. So much sporting history in that city. Also that library looked amazing and Salem looked really scary. 👻 Happy travels all four of ye. 😃
Yes!! We really wanted to see a Celtics game but it was over $100 per ticket for the nose bleeds!! If you wanted lower down it was at least $400 😳
GO HABS
Wow! I was in Boston with mum for a lo-ong weekend in 1999 . . . My friend came from MI to meet us and said it was like being in Europe.
Ben mentioned the similarity to London UK, did you know much of the old downtown Boston is older than London due to the great fire?
Good to catch up with you both again, been a few weeks, but that means a few videos I haven't seen to watch, joy!
Yes! It really does have European vibes, so interesting about being older than London. But you’re right, it was founded in the 1600s so plenty of it is ooold. For a city it has so much character. Hope you enjoy the catch up 🙂💛
Thank you I feel we learn so much from the two of you. Ben amazing driving and parking. 💕for River and Scout.
Thank you Jillian, honestly the driving was mad! People have since told us that they call drivers from Massachusetts Mass-holes 😂 xx
Hey, hope you’re all well, happy Halloween 🎃 for tomorrow! Loved the hocus Pocus movie, love the spooky ness 👻. Loved the history, the museum of the Witch House. Nothing wrong with broccoli soup! 😂. Even present is Michael Myers’s too!! Boston public gardens are nice! and the buildings make for good sightseeing. Yeah Boston better than London. There was a Walmart I sent you on the Instagram, I hope that one was ok? That’s good you’ve found a suitable place to stay. Oh I love the look of the rainbow 🌈 cookies 🍪.. Devonshire street rules 😂😂. The library 📚 looks so interesting! Great architecture! The night cityscape view is great! Anyway guys, have a good week, see you next time 👌👍
Hey Mark! It was broccoli and cheddar soup too, even better! 😂 Yeah the Michael Myer's dude was fun, just standing in an alleyway and freaking everyone out. Once we managed to find somewhere in Boston the city was awesome, just a shame they don't make it easier for you to park larger vehicles there as it would be a nightmare to go back there 😆 We drove past a Taunton today! And we're almost hitting Plymouth. Sending love from one Devon town name to another! 🧡
@@OverlandingSophia ah great, well I'm just finished my Isle of Wight holiday, 4 days of exploring and now back to Devon, sending love back to you wherever you may be! 🎃🧡
These two got lucky but it’s generally ill advised to come to Salem in October as the size of the town isn’t equipped to handle the influx of visitors. Most residents love to see visitors enjoying the history and spooky spirit, but please consider visiting any other month. The spooky stuff will still be here and you’ll get much better service at local businesses and not need reservations for things. If you must come in October, please visit the Salem MA subreddit and website to get information on being prepared so you don’t have a miserable visit.🎃
And geez Louise guys, anyone could tell you driving a van around Boston common is a horrendous idea or Boston in general. Park at an MBTA station and take the train in.
Hey Brandy! We checked on Park Salem before we arrived as heard it was pretty hectic. But shuttle buses only operate during the weekends and we’d read during the weekdays we should be fine, which it was. And I think October is THE month to come to Salem, that’s when the whole town comes alive! Loved the atmosphere. But would always tell people to check parking beforehand and use the shuttle buses if needs be.
We aren’t from here so we didn’t realise how bad Boston would be for parking. But we made it work and travelling with dogs makes getting trains etc difficult. Despite the stressful start we had a blast there, such a great city.
I'm glad you experienced New England. Boston is tough to park because of the size, crazy streets in downtown. Our sports culture is great. Enjoy your trip.
Wow 😳. Quite a difference from Canada and New England. Ben you have nerves of steel driving around like a champ!!!Exploring Salem a different time of year would be super 👻 You four be safe, happy and stay healthy. Can’t wait until next Sunday 🥰
Massachusetts IS New England.🥰
@@northerngirl1637 😂 should’ve said rural New England 👍🏻
Yeah. The biggest difference! 😳 First we thought the driving in New Brunswick was worse. Then it was Maine, now we realise all those drivers were angels 😂 Ben is amazing at driving on roads like this, you really have to have eyes in the back of your head 😳😳 Have a lovely week Starr, love from all of us! Xx
Next time you're in Boston, take the commuter rail into town! Dogs can ride it on weekends and off-peak hours and there are plenty of spots to park your van. The commuter rail goes in all directions around the city and spans roughly half the state - you could've taken it from Salem. Better yet, you don't have to deal with traffic!
Wow!! So spooky place!! And the weather helps it!!
Yes! The one time you actually want it to be grey and misty and miserable 😆
So do you have 2 monthes untill christmas, so beautiful season, in where place u count to spend that days?
GR8 VID ~ LOVED ❤ IT !!! I lived in Boston for 2 years and this video reminded me of just how much Bostonians love to drink in their neighborhood pubs !!!
We loveddd Boston! Felt like a cooler, more chilled out NY 😄
Just a tip. I don't think there are any in New England area, but as you travel across America a restaurant chain named "Cracker Barrel" allows RV's to park overnight for free. Some local ordinances may prohibit it, but the chain allows overnight parking where they can. Lot's of them in the Southern US.
Thanks Steven! We do know about Cracker Barrel although we haven't come across any yet. Think Ben checked but there weren't any very close to Boston unfortunately. So grateful to places like that which allow overnight parking, makes for much safer driving and parking especially if you're getting stuck for places to go 💛
@@OverlandingSophia Some do but they play music all night long in the parking lot, hard to sleep!!
For new england, I know of four cracker barrels in mass, one in Rhode Island, one in Connecticut, and one in New Hampshire. None in Maine or Vermont.
For massachusetts, one is near I495 in northeastern mass (about a half hour north of boston), one is near I495 in southeastern mass (about a half hour south of boston), one is near I90 in central mass (about an hour west of boston), and one is near I90 in Western mass (about an hour and a half west of boston).
That was cool. Salem looked so atmospheric. I've heard good things about Boston - I skirted by when I used to live in the States and I was on my way to Maine. The public library looked great! Give me coffee, a library/bookstore 📚and I'm in absolute heaven. Have fun and see you both next time.
Same!! My productivity would be so high if I lived near a library like that. I’d be in there all the time 💛 Boston was such a fun city and walkable too which is always a bonus xx
What a difference, forests and empty roads, to a city with crowded roads. The older houses in Salem were very interesting, I liked the way they had information boards outside. I guess you have accept the commercialisation. Boston looked very interesting, what a shame there are so many homeless, when there is so much wealth. Sadly it's the same wherever you go now, even in our little market town, it makes me very sad. I loved your city clothes Chesca, stay safe with love and hugs from Sue and Bryn xx
Variety is the spice of life as they say! Loved feeling the bustle of the city, it’s been a while since we’ve been anywhere as hectic as Boston. Very sad about the homeless. Think it’s a real problem here after having spoken to a few people about it 😔 Sending all the love to you and Bryn xx
Hey guys! I'm so glad you got to experience a little of Boston. I live near Portland, Maine and my son and his family live right in the city. I refuse to drive there so we come down on the train and it's a short walk from there. Luckily, very few Massachusetts people are idiot drivers but the worst ones we call "Mass-holes" which kind of fits them. Thumbs up for this one! Looking forward to next week. Stay safe!
Mass holes 😂 Love it. They're definitely a bit more intense than we're used to!
I'm like you, I hate to drive in Boston. I only go there for Logan Airport and I take the bus from my home in New Hampshire.
I have to disagree that there's very few idiot drivers in MA. I live in Somerville just north of Boston and there are A LOT of Masshole drivers. Your assessment that 70% don't use their "blinkahs" is spot on, and they definitely will cut you off. They also will honk if you don't go the very second the light turns green, they will keep going long after it turns red to try and get through, and will pull a "boston left" which is turning left immediately as the light turns green instead of yielding to let the oncoming traffic go first. And they will scream f-bombs at you and flick you off for any number of minor things, including stopping in order to not hit pedestrians. "Aggressive" is an understatement. I've been living here for 7 years, driving almost daily so I'm used to it, and it STILL stresses me out. My advice to anyone coming to Boston is to keep your head on a swivel, and drive as little as you absolutely have to. Good luck
Am loving Overlanding Sophia City Edition. Very fun vlog!! Sending heaps of love xxxxxx
Hehe big city life! 🎵 💕
Glad you enjoyed Boston 😉 it's a shame you couldn't stay there longer as there was a lot more to see and do. We stayed at Westborough and caught the T into Boston. Looking forward to your next video. 😀
Thank you Les, wish we could have stayed longer too but our wallets wouldn’t have thanked us 😂 Next time we’d love to do the Freedom Trail and find the hidden Bodega shop - two things we didn’t get chance to do!
Some friends and I are going on a New England fall tour in '23! Aside from just being a lovely couple and having a great channel, I really appreciate that your timing could not have been more perfect! Best wishes on your travels! Well done!
Amazing!! Ah you’re going to have the best time! Definitely get yourselves to New Hampshire and the Kancamagus highway. Then head to Boston for some drinks 🍺😍
Hocus Pocus 2 was filmed in Providence, RI and Newport, RI...not Salem. :-D
You can even see my house (Providence) in one of the school scenes.
You’re absolutely right! That must be so surreal to see your house in the film 😍 Despite the parking and driving chaos, Boston was such a great city. We loved it 💛
@@OverlandingSophia That's great to read!
Great video. I have to thank you for showing me a good sport to overnight in Digby, Nova Scotia. I went down to visit family in Halifax area and came across the ferry from New Brunswick. I met some friends in Digby for dinner and I stayed in the same spot you guys used. Thanks again and have a fun trip.
Oh we love this!! Was it the old visitor centre car park? We were only talking about that place today! Glad you had a good night there, it’s a great little place 💛
@@OverlandingSophia Hi guys. Yes I stayed at the visitor center. I had a great sleep with the dogs. I tried to get to Fred's hole, but got lost. Lol, you were right.
Have a great trip. I will keep watching.
Salem looks absolutely awesome! It's on m to do list for sure🧟🧟♂ Thanks for the video :) Stay safe you two!
Make sure you come in October! It’s lots of fun 👻👻
Our daughter went to Emerson in Boston (post graduate). We visited a few times. Loved that city! And we are rural Texans! Flew in and walked or used mass transit everywhere. Y’all’s (a little Texan lingo) video reminds me of the good times we had there! Be safe on your travels! Take care!
You found a parking space in Salem in October. Very impressive!
Yes we were so surprised at how easy it was?! There were spaces around the common all day. Go mid week and in the fog I guess 😋
@@OverlandingSophia I am sure that helped. Sorry Boston was frustrating. Suffolk county is the seventh most densely populated county in the country and even the locals have trouble finding a place to park. A lot of us don’t even bother owning a car.
Oh loved this tour🥰 Hocus Pocus was/is one of my daughters and I favorite Halloween films😄
Mine too! You HAVE to go at Halloween - as Hocus Pocus is set in Salem, during Halloween - it feels like you're in the film 😍
That would be a dream🥰! Just me and my daughter (she turned 30 yesterday😱) Thank you so much for sharing🤗
Great job navigating the insanity that is Boston traffic !!
Haha thank you Mindy! A baptism of fire into the city 😂💛
As an experienced Walmart camper my advice is to try to stick to the small towns or suburbs of the larger cities. The Supercenters near Interstates are usually camper friendly. This applies to the Cracker Barrels, Targets, and Home Depots too.
Thank you Roy! Maybe it depends where in the States you are? We've found the smaller Walmarts aren't great... the one we went to here was a place called Quincy which is about 10 miles outside of Boston and it was really strict. One in Salem was also very strict about no overnight parking. The best ones we've found are those who share their carparks with other stores like Lowes, Kohl's etc.. they seem to be the ones without the signs. Maybe because the car parks are leased to multiple shops rather than just one? Who knows. Have yet to try a Cracker Barrel!
@@OverlandingSophia Mass to Pennsylvania is a little rougher. I tend to stay at truck stops or rest areas in that region but when you get past there it's a bit more welcoming. The wide open spaces of the west help too.
@@crawroy11 Trucks stops is a great shout, we never think of them! 💛
@@OverlandingSophia they can be noisy with the trucks that run overnight and the ones coming and going but they work in a pinch.
So glad you got to see Boston, great city. We walked the freedom trail and visited Faneuil Hall for food. We drove to Cape Cod, much slower pace which suited us. Loving your trip , thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍 x PSwell done Ben for city driving !
It’s a great city isn’t it! Freedom trail is on the list for next time. I think Ben secretly loves the hectic driving! Can’t beat them, may as well join em 😂🙈
I hope when you got back to the van Ben, you found an episode of Cheers to put on haha. Classic 👌 Hats off for driving in the crazy traffic, madness. Wonderful visit to the city, agree with Ben, London by the river is lovely, especially round Richmond for me. 50 dollars for a city parkup is amazing. Fabulous as always both. Love Following Your Adventures. Love and Hugs ❤
Haha no Cheers episodes, I still haven’t seen it 🙈 I felt like Boston was the best of London, but with a bit more grandeur with the skyscrapers everywhere. Missing the Richmond Park deers though! 🦌 Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend Asa! Sending love from Boston 💛
So glad you loved Boston and especially the BPL! Hope you got to see the Sargent ceiling murals while you were there and the interior garden cafe.
The library was so beautiful! Loved the murals but didn't even know there was a garden cafe?! 😢
Salem looked wonderfull! I guess a as Salem resident you just have to give in into the Halloween spirit!
American City van life sounds quite difficult, but you managed to do quite well I'd say. But I'd guess it's different to your experiences in Europe?
I heard that the homeless situation in big cities in America ist quite shocking to people visiting. So yeah, I guess that's no surprise for you aswell.
Anyways Boston looked great, hoped you had a great stay! xx 💕
Salem was really cool, a little commercialised but that's to be expected. Can imagine it was absolute carnage this weekend! Our experience of Boston was SO different to European cities! It was difficult to park anywhere - even for the day. Max street parking of 2 hours and that was hard enough to find! That car park we found was the only place we fit - and by mid morning it was completely full. The outskirts weren't very nice (as we saw) so we had to drive 30 minutes out to even find somewhere to lay our heads. So... yes, we managed it but it wasn't easy 😂 🧡
Cheska, when you said take this old girl all the way to Argentina was it yourself or Sophia you were referring to?
A great vlog that plays out like a good Sunday roast dinner, you look forward to it being served, you savour it when it arrives and you look back on it with warm cherished memories when you finish.
Wishing you all well with blessings!
Cheeky! 😂 Nick that Sunday roast analogies has to be one of our favourite yet. If we could be compared to anything, nothing beats a Sunday roast 😍
Lived in Boston all my life, glad you guys enjoyed it as much as I want to get out of this town it’s definitely home ❤
Boston looked amazing and snaps to Ben for the driving!
Thanks Pamela, Boston was awesome. Ben secretly loves it, no rules driving! 😂🙈
Salem is a cool place. We visited it a few years ago. We flew to Boston and took cabs everywhere or walked. They knew how to drive.
Boston was great too. We loved it.
Never been anywhere like it, it was really cool to experience it at Halloween 🎃
@@OverlandingSophia good timing. We went in summer and took the high speed ferry back to Boston. That was awesome.
Love Boston ❤ had the best clam chowder ever there xx
You found a parking spot on the street in Boston!?! Nice! I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. You really got a taste of why I don't travel the 15 miles into town unless I have to. 😀
Hahah we really don't blame you! We aren't in a hurry to drive back 😆 But there was quite a bit of free parking along Boston Common - 2 hours only 💕
Lovin the background music when you guys are in Salem, Boston is kinda cool but too bad with the weather and ya the parking is nuts there. Really liked Harvard. Another great video. 👍
Ah cheers David, needed something spooky! Parking was mad, if we couldn’t get in that last car park we would have had to abandon the mission. So glad we made it though, it’s a cool city 💛
Hey if you're looking for a place to park you can always come down to the malls in Danvers or head over to somewhere towards Salem down by the commons or park near one of the hiking trails. The best advice though is sleep during the day
I don’t think sleeping during the day really works for us! 😅 But we did manage to find parking, even if it wasn’t the easiest. Got an amazing spot on Salem common to explore the town from 💛
I only found your posts today. If I’d found you earlier you could’ve parked in our drive. Good luck with the rest of the adventure. Ex pat brit living just outside Boston.
$70 Canadian for two days parking sounds like a to me! But worth it to see Boston for sure. That is a stunning library, it must cost a fortune to upkeep it. The Boston Museum of Fine Art would be an incredible place to visit too.
It is a lot of money! But we think for a big city like Boston, $25 for 24 hours for a secure overnight car park in the heart of downtown, in walking distance to everything is worth it. How beautiful was the library! The Isabella Gardner Museum is also meant to be beautiful, we didn’t make it that far south though 💛
@@OverlandingSophia I was SHOCKED you paid so little LOL...and found such a nice lot. If I drive to work in downtown, the cheapest place is generally $40 a day. I bet it was an MBTA parking lot since those are usually cheaper. (I work between 2 places you were - the old state house on State Street and the Rose Kennedy Greenway --that's the financial district.)
4.50 - Gareth off “The office” 😂
😂😂
You met methadone mile 😬 it’s rough down there! If you ever come back to Boston try the beach there’s plenty of parking and the cops don’t bother you.
It looked like that 😬😬 We ended up driving down to somewhere near Quincy?
Glad your both doing well 🙋♂️
We're doing great, thank you 🥰
wow what a great episode loved Salem,and i can't stop singing the Bee Gees song lol
Hahaa sorry not sorry, who doesn't love a bit of Bee Gees 😆
The NewYork library is also beautiful I was in awe when visited a few years ago.
Oh yes!! One to add to the list when we make it there 😍
awe my home town I love boston . Amazing you found free parking in Boston . I just park in an outlining city like chelsea and take the T in
Free for two hours but yep, all along one side of the common! Trains are always easier but a little tricky with the dogs 🐶
I live in central Massachusetts and have lived here my whole life. Just so you know, it is pretty common knowledge that Massachusetts drivers are known around the country as..."MassHoles"!!!! Funny, but very true! 🤣 Also, people that live in Boston have a hard time finding a place to park. 😂 Planes at Logan Airport in Boston take off and land at a rate of about one per minute. That is one busy airport. Thank you for visiting our little state. If you're ever around again, you should come to Central Massachusetts and visit Worcester, the second biggest city in New England. 😁
Hahah yes MassHoles is a new word we learnt this week 😂 Some of you guys work hard for the name! Wow one plane per minute, can definitely confirm. Once they got going in the morning it was constant 🫠 It was a beautiful spot by the river and downtown though, Boston is full of so much character. We loved it, despite the kamikaze drivers 💛
Welcome to the jungle? Wait the last time I used that reference you were in a little jungle.
What a difference a week makes.
Good luck in finding places to park.
Stay safe.
Peace, keep the faith.
Dean
Haha yes! Welcome to the concrete jungle 😂 Variety is the spice of life as they say. Hope all is good with you Dean 💛
You guys are so cute!🤣 Boston & Salem look gorgeous 😍
Haha thank you 🥲 We loved both of them!
I got worried, you came an hour later today. After hearing about Luca and his strokes and being in the hospital, I was hoping nothing had happened to one of you four. I wish I had your rain there, it's so dry here. Loved the city tours of spooky Salem and the hustle and bustle of Boston. I do think that was a good deal for $50 in Boston.....despite the noise. I've been doing the same thing when I go to park my van because it's long, I back up somewhere where I can let the back end hang over the space. And Chesca, I can see you going to Harvard or Boston University and studying psychology, I bet you would do well. Hope you're finding some good places to park and more exciting places to visit this week. Take care and Happy Halloween!
I was in tears watching Sara earlier. Absolutely heartbroken for what she went through and we hope and pray Luca makes a quick and speedy recovery. He's young and healthy so hopefully he's back home soon. So awful 😢 ❤️ ❤️
Yep, $50 isn't too bad for secure, overnight parking in a city like Boston! Hope you're having a lovely weekend Adele, off on any more trips soon? Sending love from all of us xx 💕
@@OverlandingSophia Oh, and with the guidance of a friend, I changed the oil in my van on Friday. I am ready to hit the road again....not sure where yet. Will you guys be with Ben's brother's family in Calif. for Christmas?🎄🤗
@@always.wondering.wandering I don't think we'll be that far at Christmas! We don't have any idea where we'll be 😂
@@OverlandingSophia And isn't that a fun way to travel.....just wing it and see where life takes you.
Just found you guys on You Tube yesterday. Watched your Northumberland coast video. And now you're in the US I'm hooked.
Can I ask what you guys do to fund your travels?
Hey John! Ah this is awesome to hear, thank you so much. We both run a design business that allows us to work remotely 💛
Hi guys, I traveled solo to Boston for a week a few weeks ago and I mainly stayed in the northern area of the city, went to little Italy most days (literally an area called the north end) and I stayed away south from china town because I heard it’s full of drugs and isn’t safe. I can imagine how unsafe you guys must’ve felt being in that parking lot, 😮 next time that you visit Boston, don’t go south
Ah we didn’t quite make it to north end on this trip but we were really close. That car park was absolutely safe and we felt great parking there. It was just outside downtown and not a million miles from North End. The dodgy area we drove through was South Bay and outside the main city centre. Have since learned how bad it is there 😬 But where we were in downtown was great and we’d recommend that car park to anyone 😊💛
@@OverlandingSophia Oooh South Bay not a good place to be - so glad you left. Next time drive 5 miles right outside downtown Boston into Revere and you can park on Revere Beach. Oldest Public Beach in the USA and still free for all. (And the sun rises directly in front of you on the water and it is beautiful!)
DO go to the South End of Boston if you ever feel homesick for London. Several lovely garden squares. Largest Victorian neighborhood in the US.
@@OverlandingSophia South Bay is in Dorchester which is hit or miss and South Bay is a big miss. “South Boston” is one of the nicest parts of Boston and is filled with charming brownstones, amazing thrift and open air markets on the weekend, and some of the city’s best restaurants. “Southie” is another area that’s in the southern part of Boston that isn’t dangerous. Used to be fairly rough, but now it’s filled with bros in Jeep Wranglers chasing down Buffalo wings with beers at corner bars after a long, lazy day at the beach. I personally love “Chinatown” (also in the southern part of Boston) and have never felt unsafe there. And it’s such a shame that you didn’t get to the north end (little Italy). To me, that’s the best part of Boston. That and Newbury Street in Back Bay…. And Charles Street in Beacon Hill with lunch at 75 Chestnut…. I even like Seaport. At least you made it to the Common and the Public Garden and the library! So much to do when you come back 😉.
Made me so homesick for the U.S east coast. I’m so glad you had a good visit and found reasonable parking. Are you going to visit NYC?
We’re loving it here 💛 Despite the stresses of parking etc we had the best time in Boston. And yes, on our way to NYC!
I love living in Massachusetts, and visiting Salem regularly it’s the best!
It's a very cool State! Busy, but fun 😃
Hi guys as you're heading south just so you know Cracker Barrel restaurant lets people stay in the parking lot, there are some in the north, but most are in the south also if you are on some of the main highways you can usually stay in some of the rest stops ....the ones with gas stations and food it's bright and should be a lot of other vans and campers ...lots of truckers.
Yes we’ve not had chance to try a Cracker Barrel park up just yet! We looked for one in Boston but seems they’re further south like you say. Thanks for the heads up 💛
Good afternoon, as always great stuff, well done!
Thank you so much Kim! 🥰
Another fantastic episode
Thank you Martin 🥰
Haven't heard from you two for a long time, I hope you are both safe!
Hello! If you have a read of our community post, or go over to Facebook and see our latest post, it explains everything. We will be back soon! 💛
Absolutely love your channel, great information and beautiful doggies 🥰 Salem looked great shame really it's so commercialised but still 👻..
Ah thank you so much guys! Means a lot 🥰 Salem was fun- worth it for the experience but if you want creepiness, maybe somewhere like Sleepy Hollow?! 👻
Oh I wish I had seen this sooner I was away and you could have parked in my spot in the public alley behind my condo on Comm Ave. Boston doesn't have much crime or significant homeless population but the exception is that area in the South Bay neighborhood of the South End near what we call the Methadone Mile, which is the result of a shuttered treatment facility on Long Island in our harbor. The Walmart and Targets in the suburbs West of the city about 15 miles would be a good safe bet small area in Framingham . Cheers I am enjoying your wonderful adventure. Oh my English nanny was from Plymouth, your Plymouth not ours. She taught me good manners, proper English, a love of football the kind we call soccer , tea , rainy days and gardening. Cheers. Stay safe.
Ah that would have been great! Yep it looks like we drove straight into South Bay 🙈 Apart from there we saw no other area like it, but it definitely wasn't a place we wanted to stay overnight. I absolutely love that your nanny was from Plymouth as that's where Ben is from and where we lived! All those are things we English hold dear to our hearts! Football, a bit of gardening, tea and rain... sounds like a very British weekend 🥰 🫖
I was in Salem Thursday 20th. Like you say, parking is not great, especially as it was much busier. We also managed to find somewhere on the common. Looked like some sort of funfair?
In Boston, the bottom of the Common was full of weirdos. Witnessed an altercation in Mcdonalds where some little guy tried to push his way behind the counter and ended up getting ejected by some huge customer. He then proceeded to pull a moony at the window. That was my daughter's highlight.
Absolutely tipped it down on Monday/tuesday. We ended up going to Shopper's World at Framington. Walmart gets a bad rap in the UK, but I thought it was awesome.
The common is such a handy parking spot! Yes saw the fun fair too, think it’s part of the Haunted Happenings parade that goes on during the weekends? Hahah at the free full moon you guys got! 😂 Cities always have some interesting characters. We loved Boston though, nice to have a city you can easily walk around 💛
Loved this video! Love to you all xx
Thank you my love! Hope all is well with you? Sending love to all of you xx 💕
If you go to New Haven, be sure to stop by Claire’s Cornercopia across from the New Haven Green. The carrot cake with their butter cream frosting is great!
These are our kinda recommendations Michael! Consider it noted! 😋 💛
Thanks again , very nice vlog
New video - good. Glad to see you.
Thank you Sergei, hope you enjoy 🥰
Oh wow, I just started following you and had no idea that you were in this area. I am a Bostonian and would have gladly helped guide you and would have warned you about how aggressively we drive around here. Some of us call ourselves Massholes. 🤣🤣
Ah no way! The term mass-holes is a new one to us this week, it's made us laugh 😂 You guys definitely know how to drive assertively. Boston's an amazing city though, we loved it! So walkable and the downtown area was just beautiful. So much character and history around every corner 💛
@@OverlandingSophia so glad you enjoyed it despite the massholeyness. 🤣
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are very historic. Philadelphia is where America started. Williamsburg Virginia is also very historic. So is Washington DC and St Augustine Florida, Charleston SC, New Orleans ect.
Thanks for yet another great and interesting video!
Does Chesca have a new nose ring
Thank you Jim! I’ve had this one since Nova Scotia 🥰
Hope you enjoyed my home town Capital, Boston wish we knew before hand we could have taken you both to hear some great music at a great dive bar close to the city, if you ever come back around let us know. Godspeed
Oh that sounds right up our street too! Such a shame!
@@OverlandingSophia well you 4 enjoy your fantastic journey!
Love the BPL , love the center court yard ... they actually have books that are locked up
It was amazing! Absolutely beautiful. Would love to peek at those locked up books 😍
I strongly suggest that you avoid major cities in the US such as Boston and New York City. Much too crowded, difficult to park and too much of a hassle. I suggest the rural and suburban areas near large cities.
It would be much easier to just avoid them, but we are only passing through once and don't want to miss out! It was worth it in the end for Boston, we really loved that city. It was pretty stressful though, the roads and one-way systems and lack of parking definitely don't make for an easy experience.
Boston It's an Amazing City love the Vid drive safe ❤️
Totally agree! Crazy roads but worth it 😀
I grew up there in Boston. Next time just drive out to Spy Pond in Arlington. No problem parking there.
Wishing you all a Happy Halloween from the UK
Happy Halloween to you too Sandra 🎃 👻
Welcome to Boston, definitely a wise decision not spending the night at South Bay. Safe travels, cheers!
Yeah it definitely didn’t feel the safest 😬
FyI only, Salem is barely in the Hocus Pocus 2 movie, most of it is shot in Rhode Island which I hope makes it on your tour. If you swing through I can give you an overnight parking spot in Providence.
Good too, google anything along the MBTA easy to go in to town while finding parking.
Headed across country I'd highly suggest stopping at Sedona, Arizona 😊
Be safe guys 💖
You managed to go to the Target off Mass Ave. Yes, there are a lot of homeless and drug use, but, in that parking lot, youd have been safe. They tend to leave outsiders alone there. Now, had you gone up the road near BMC and tried to park, you might have some issues.
We stayed in Boston a couple of years ago. We stayed for 8 days. there is a public parking for $8 a day, 24 hours. We also had a vespa. It is in the city near the water. Cheap!
Nice! Vespa would be perfect for those narrow roads!
Overnight public RV parking is pretty much obsolete along the USA northeastern seaboard so you are fortunate to find any during your urban travels. It will also get tough to find boondocking spots in Florida as the infrastructure there primarily caters to commercial parking and camping facilities.
Yeah we were so lucky to grab a spot in that car park. It was our only option so if we’d left it any later we’d have had to abandon mission. Will be interesting to see how we get on further south. Heard it gets better as we head west 💛
@@OverlandingSophia kudos to you folks for also helping out Tread the Globe find replacement parts for their caravan.