As told to Dawn Morrison

Michael Sampson (BA’87) was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He’s lived on the outskirts of Boston in Bedford, New Hampshire for almost 20 years. He and his family also still call Nova Scotia home, and are able to get back to the province at least once a year to visit family. He is a volunteer with the New England Chapter, and provides a wealth of practical tips for living and working in Beantown.

Best networking spot

“I have a few tips for networking. If you’re relocating here for work, then you’ll find lots of opportunities for networking through your work colleagues. Connect with the Canadian Consulate, and make sure you get on their e-mail list for information and events. You can also attend alumni events to connect with other Dal grads. I recently came across a news article on a new business incubator in Cambridge, so there could be good networking opportunities there for entrepreneurs, for instance.”

Best volunteer opportunity

“Volunteering throughout the week could be tricky, depending on your job. Most people are tied up with either work, or commuting to work, from 6 am to 6 pm each day. To maximize your volunteer hours and opportunities, it’s a good idea to hitch your wagon to to whatever your company is doing in terms of philanthropy. The amount of hours that companies put into their community here is phenomenal.”

Best place to get East Coast flavour

“When a band comes to the city from Canada or the Maritimes, that’s what really attracts the Canadians to come together and take in the show. We often get performers here from Canada, and you can find lots of like-minded people there.”

Most ‘Boston’ thing you can do while there

“Boston Duck Tours are tours of the city in vessels similar to the Harbour Hopper in Halifax (WW II-style amphibious/land vehicles). You tour the city streets, and then it jumps right into the Harbour for a cruise. Beyond that, I would say sporting events are the ultimate Boston experience — we’ve got the Bruins, the Celtics, the New England Patriots, and the Red Sox.”

What’s it like to live and work in Boston?

“It’s really interesting. If you’re a sports fan, you can really fill up your time just with the Majors. Right now, for instance, you can take in major league football, basketball or hockey games in the city. For those who like to play outdoor sports, you can golf, and then drive 2 hours into the mountains and ski. Skiing starts here on American Thanksgiving. In the summertime, Maine is gorgeous, and you can drive up there, or explore The Islands (Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod). You can also hop on a train and be in New York City in an hour. The Boston Aquarium is also a great place to spend the day. There’s always something to do here.”

Best place for Friday night fun

“The North End is a good place to be on a Friday night — all the bars and restaurants are hopping, just like on Argyle Street in Halifax.”

Best place to eat on a dime

“There are a lot of micro-breweries around the city, where you can find good food at reasonable prices. Also, Mike’s Pastry in the North End of Boston is famous for its canolli — the lineups are out the door.”

Best neighbourhood for newcomers

“For newcomers and new grads, it’s best to get something downtown, so you can walk to work and not spend hours each day in traffic. You could also find a condo in the North End. Cambridge, which is home to Harvard and MIT, is beautiful. It’s full of historic buildings, trees and parks — it reminds me of the South end of Halifax around Dal.”

Additional Tips: “If you’re planning to live in Boston, find someone who is already established here and connect in advance, so they can pave the way for you within their local circles. Also, things like getting set up on the health care system can be complicated, so do your research ahead of time. Also, no one is going to let you sign a contract for a place to live, unless you have some American credit. You may already have a Canadian credit card, but things will just go more smoothly if you can open an American credit card when you get here and establish your financial track record.”

For inquiries on Dalhousie’s alumni chapters, please contact Bill Chernin at volunteer@dal.ca.