Valentine’s Day is in exactly one week. It’s time to buy cards and candy for loved ones, plan romantic evenings, and surprise each other with gifts. For parents, it’s time to buy that box of cartoonish valentines, sit your child down, and help them write one out for every kid in the class.

If you find yourself wondering why you are out shopping for cards and heart-shaped candies and navigating through the tedious class list sent home by your child’s teacher, you’re not alone. Some people even question the authenticity of the holiday, claiming a conspiracy by candy makers and card companies. But the day can be traced back to well before the middle ages, and handwritten valentines originated before the 1400s.

The actual history behind Valentine’s Day is as fascinating as it is mysterious. The stories and legends are murky, but many involve a Roman priest named Valentine who lived in the third century. According to legend, the emperor at the time, Claudius II, outlawed marriage because he believed single fellows made better soldiers. Valentine defied the law and married young couples in secret. He was discovered an imprisoned, where he apparently healed the jailor’s daughter of blindness and fell in love with her. Before he was put to death, he sent her a note and signed it “From Your Valentine.”

Valentine’s Day was officially established as a “feast day” in 496 AD by Pope Gelasius I. He established the day to suppress a very ancient pagan festival called Lupercalia, which was held from February 13 through 15. Although Pope Gelasius intended to convert this pagan ritual into a pious holiday, the very ancient rituals persisted.

In the 1300s, Valentines Day was forever linked to romance by Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of the Canterbury Tales. Chaucer, one of the most distinguished figures in English literature, wrote a poem based on the French and English belief at the time that birds mated in February.

The oldest written valentine is kept in the British Library in London, England. In 1415, Charles, the Duke of Orleans, was imprisoned in the Tower of London. A French nobleman, he was captured after the Battle of Agincourt and would spend the next 25 years as a prisoner of war. When he was first imprisoned, he wrote a poem and sent it to his wife – one of about 500 poems the duke wrote while being held in the Tower.

And while the origins may be muddy, the history of Valentine’s Day in the United States is very clear: The US can trace its first mass-produced valentines to 1847. An artist named Esther Howland began making valentines after receiving one from England. Her father, who owned a stationery store in Worcester, Massachusetts, helped her start her business, which grew steadily into a major operation.

Now, if your sweetheart decides to pull the “it’s not a real holiday” line on you, you’ll have a response. Valentine’s Day has been associated with romance throughout history, so get with tradition and celebrate with hearts, flowers, and chocolates. Enjoy!

We’ve waited months, riding the roller-coaster of ups and downs, twists and turns … our hands in the air, our shouts of joy and disbelief echoing around us, and finally, we’re inching toward that final breath-stealing finale that signals the end of the ride. Football fans know what I’m talking about … the Big Game is Sunday.

Okay, I’ll admit it … just as when the roller coaster finally slides to a stop, I’m sort of relieved that it’s over. Sure, I want to go again (next year), but for now, I’m breathing a sigh of relief. I get my couch back. Finally, my husband’s friends will find their way to their own homes and start doing all of those tasks that have been neglected on weekends while they’ve been planted in front of my big-screen TV, munching chips and drinking beer … washing cars, painting trim, mowing lawns.

For the big finale, I’m planning an all-out party. I could go the typical route and serve 7-layer taco dip, sliders, chili, and hot wings, but I think I may want to try something new this year … something I like to call the Snack Bowl. I’m going to make the food compete, just like the players on the screen. Who will win? I’m not sure – New England and New York are both famous for their amazing food and drinks.

First up: the Battle of the Chowders. New England clam chowder has an edge here … it is thick, creamy, and delicious. Of course, Manhattan clam chowder could pull off an upset. The tomatoes add just enough of a bite to keep the guests coming back for more. I’m going to make two big batches of each and see which one gets gobbled up first.

Second round: Battle of the Pizza. My husband, a native New Yorker, makes one mean pizza, so he’ll be in charge of the New York style pizza. I’ll be making the New Haven clam pizza. Honestly, the New Haven clam pizza is the clear underdog, simply because my husband has managed to find and befriend all of the displaced New Yorkers in a 50-mile radius of our Atlanta home. They will be at my house on Sunday, gobbling up their native pizza pie. But you never know — the New Haven clam pizza may win them over.

The grand finale: It may all come down to this … New York Style cheesecake versus Boston cream pie. They’re both great, but my money is on the Boston cream pie. It’s light, fluffy, creamy … and it is topped with chocolate. Sure, the cheesecake is dense and rich, but chocolate and cream? They’re all-stars.

At the end of the game, I’ll determine the Snack Bowl winner, based on the amount of leftovers I’ll be wrapping up and sending home with our over-stuffed guests. I’m guessing after consuming large quantities of chowder, pizza, and cheesecake, not to mention the must-haves hot wings and nachos, they’ll resemble the people who had too much cotton candy before climbing into the roller coaster … slightly green. That’s okay – maybe next year the party will be at someone else’s house.

Even though it is the shortest month of the year, February feels like the longest. It’s cold (usually), the holidays are now just memories, and even football season is coming to an end. If, like me, you tend to want to hibernate from now until spring, here are some suggestions to make the rest of the winter fun:

Plan a month-long bedroom renovation. First, get some inspiration. Then, decide on your budget. Finally, set a deadline. Now, you have an excuse to go shopping … craft stores, flea markets, boutiques, discount stores, antique shops … you’ll need paint, new window treatments, new bedding, new pillows, possibly even new furniture. Use this renovation as an excuse to rearrange furniture, get rid of the clutter, and get organized. If you make your deadline for the end of the month, February will be over before you know it.

Plan a trip. Now is a great time to travel! You’ll find fewer crowds and great deals. Orlando, for example, is currently in the high 70s and low 80s. And, since kids are still in school, the theme parks are less crowded than during the summer months. Or, if you enjoy winter and can’t seem to find it this year (here in Atlanta it is a downright balmy 68 degrees – well above average), head to Idaho! Many ski resorts, such as Sun Valley, offer special packages and discounts in February and March. With high temperatures around 30 degrees and low temperatures in the single digits, you’ll have perfect weather for snow tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, and even sleigh rides.

Form a group. It can be a book club, a game night, movie night – no matter what you enjoy doing, you’re sure to find friends with similar interests. Get a group of 12 together and form a Bunco club. Or set up a weekly a card game. Once you have an activity, plan a schedule. If you plan a once-a-month get-together, decide who will host and when (you, as the organizer, should host first). The night should consist of the activity, snacks, drinks, and possibly prizes.

Take a class. If you’ve always wanted to take yoga or zumba, or learn how to sculpt, or speak a foreign language, or brush up on a work-related skill … now is a great time to get started! Don’t know where to begin? Start by checking with your city’s website, local recreation centers, your local library, and a nearby community college or university campus.

Celebrate! Even if you typically don’t go all-out for Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day, plan something fun this year. Arrange to spend the weekend at a historic bed and breakfast for Valentine’s Day, or plan a trip to Savannah to see the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

After the get-togethers, twinkling lights, crowded stores, and hustle of the past few months, February can seem a little dreary. Don’t let the frosty mornings and the way-too-early nightfall get you down – it will be spring soon! In the meantime, share your upcoming plans with us on Facebook!

Even though I live in Georgia and I’ve never even visited New England, I consider myself a New Englander at heart. Perhaps it is the history of the region or the fantastic stories and legends. Or maybe it is the historic locations filled with amazing architecture. Perhaps it is the picturesque sight of boats dotting a New England harbor. I would love to live in Maine or Vermont. Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts have topped my “must visit” list for years. So when I see the New England Patriots playing football, I find myself quietly pulling for them, even though I have no real connection to the team.

The Patriots will meet up with the Giants on February 5th. The New York Giants also represent a fascinating area – not just New York, but also New Jersey, where they play. I visited New Jersey over the summer and fell in love with the area. It is appropriately named the Garden State – I was surprised by how beautiful the state actually is.

Even though the Patriots represent a six-state region, they’re based in a charming little town near Boston. Foxborough, Massachusetts is one of those quietly-perfect New England gems. It is about 20 miles southwest of Boston and it is home to Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots. The stadium opened in 2002, replacing an older stadium. Patriot Place, a large entertainment center with shops, a movie theater, a hotel, a mall, and several restaurants, wraps around the stadium. This large, modern facility is located not far from reminders of Foxborough’s long history, which began with a small settlement in 1704. Foxborough is home to several historic sites, including Grange Hall, built in 1807, and Memorial Hall, built in 1868.

Foxborough (sometimes spelled Foxboro) contains the vast F. Gilbert Hills State Forest. This beautiful area contains 23 miles of trails on over 1,000 acres. Hikers can access the Warner Trail from this park, a long-distance trail that leads to Rhode Island. Park activities include mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing, and there are areas designated for off-road vehicles.

Perfectly located, Foxborough is halfway between Boston and Providence, offering residents two amazing cities to choose from for work or weekend fun. Lakes and parks dot the landscape, perfect for all types of outdoor activities year-round. Foxborough features a charming downtown wrapped around an open green space. Shops, restaurants, and theaters line the wide sidewalks, inviting residents to window-shop on a sunny afternoon. The Orpheum Theater, built in 1926 as a silent movie house, is now home to live performances.

With two great teams representing two amazing locations, it will be difficult to choose a side in this year’s Super Bowl. Perhaps I’ll annoy my friends and family and cheer for both. No matter what, it’s going to be a great game.

Have you chosen a side for this year’s big game? Tell us who you’re cheering for on Facebook!

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The playoffs are over and the Super Bowl teams have been determined. On February 5, the New York Giants will face off with the New England Patriots. My husband, who was born and raised in Staten Island, is excited about the Giants – even though I pointed out to him that the Giants really belong to New Jersey, since they are based in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Since my team didn’t make it to the Super Bowl thanks to the Giants (there’s always next year, Falcons), I’m trying to psych myself up for the big game by choosing a side based on how attractive I find their home cities. First up: East Rutherford, New Jersey.

As the crow flies, East Rutherford is directly west of Central Park in Manhattan and it is considered a part of the New York metro area. East Rutherford is a tiny little borough, less than four square miles, in Bergen County. But even though it is small, it is home to two powerhouse NFL teams: the Giants and the New York Jets. Both teams play at the MetLife Sports Complex, and there’s a huge rivalry between Jets fans and Giants fans, making the games that much more exciting. (In all honesty, I would probably cheer for both teams. They share a stadium, after all, so why not share fans?)

East Rutherford is just seven miles from New York City, which means residents have access to the City That Never Sleeps for work and play. This is the place for major sports fans – not only is it home to both the Jets and Giants, but also horse racing and college basketball. Just a few minutes away, the Prudential Center is home to the New Jersey Devils hockey team, which (along with the New Jersey Nets, soon to be the Brooklyn Nets) used to also call East Rutherford home. Until these two teams moved to Newark, East Rutherford was home to five major sports teams. No doubt about it – East Rutherford residents always have something to cheer about.

And when they aren’t cheering on others, the borough has a great park system with ball fields and tennis courts. The Hackensack Meadowlands Conservation and Wildlife Area is located along the eastern boundary and offers several hiking trails. And with the world-famous Central Park just a few miles away, residents have plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation.

With a charming, eclectic downtown filled with unique, locally-owned businesses, East Rutherford is the kind of place where shop owners know your name – an impressive feat for a borough in the most densely-populated metro area in the US. Stroll along Paterson Avenue and be charmed by the collection of cafes, diners, pizzerias, and shops. Catch a concert or a basketball game at the Izod Center. Place your bets at Meadowlands Racetrack. And, when it opens, enjoy the amazing shopping experience at the new American Dream-Meadowlands, a vast entertainment and shopping complex with an amusement park, water park, ice rink, stores, restaurants, and more.

East Rutherford enjoys low taxes, a comprehensive public transportation system that whisks residents throughout the metro area, and some hip night clubs on Park Avenue. It’s a great little community with easy access to everything the Big Apple has to offer. And the best part — you get your choice of two jerseys. Go, Giants! (Jets, too!)

My son has been sick for a week. It’s the usual winter “yuck” – stuffy nose, hacking cough, sore throat. I’ve kept him home for the past few days to try and help him get over his cold, and to try and prevent him from getting the ear infection or sinus infection that invariably follows.

No matter how much we fight against it (frequent hand-washing, flu shots, drinking our orange juice), I’ve yet to win the battle and get through a winter without someone (and most often everyone) in our household getting sick. So, if you’ve followed all of the stay-healthy rules and still find yourself home sick (or you find yourself home with a sick child), here are some tips to get everyone healthy and back to daycare/school/work:

First, know what you are dealing with. Is it a cold or the flu? Body aches, headaches, and fever will accompany the flu, while a cold is nasal and chest congestion, and perhaps a sore throat and sneezing. A cold comes on gradually, while the flu tends to hit fast. Also, a vaccine exists for the flu, but not for the common cold. Once you have a cold or flu, there isn’t much you can do except rest, treat your symptoms with over-the-counter decongestants and pain relievers, and let the virus run its course.

That’s where we are – the “letting it run its course” part. My son is a miserable patient – he’s cranky, he insists that he has an infection, strep throat, the plague – and I can’t get him to take anything. He says he can’t

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swallow pills and liquid medicine “tastes bad.” So I have a whining, stuffy, tissue-covered kid to deal with. If you find yourself in a similar boat, try coming up with some activities to help take your child’s mind off his discomfort. Kids don’t like to stay in bed, especially younger children, so find some quiet games to play or books to read together. Also, most pediatricians don’t recommend cough medicine for younger children – know what you can give your child and what you shouldn’t.

I’ve been having the “should he go to the doctor or shouldn’t he” internal debate today. He doesn’t have a fever and he is eating and sleeping normally, so I’m leaning toward no — there isn’t much a doctor can do for a cold, so we’re playing the “wait and see” game. If you aren’t sure, this handy chart will help you decide. It may be more difficult to decide when it’s your baby – this handy quiz may help — but above all, trust your instincts.

While you are home, follow your grandmother’s lead and make a hearty chicken soup – it isn’t just an old wives’ tale – it really does work. Once you are in the kitchen, try making some other comfort foods. They may not improve your cold symptoms, but comfort food has a way of making everything better (right, grandma?).

A new year is a great time for a fresh start. If you’ve been looking to make a big move, why not make 2012 the year you finally leap? As the job market begins to improve, there are some locations that outshine others. US News put together a list of the best cities to find a job – here are a few of the cities that made the top 10:

Baltimore, Maryland: Elegant, historic neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown, the Patapsco River and the nearby Chesapeake Bay … this is a great city. If you plan on renting an apartment in Baltimore, you’ll enjoy a healthy economy, history that dates back to the 1700s, top-rated universities such as Johns Hopkins University and the University of Baltimore, the Baltimore Ravens football games, and the amazing Inner Harbor. The fact that Baltimore is also walker-friendly and pet-friendly may move this city to the top of your list.

Not too far south of Baltimore you’ll find the number one city for job growth: Washington, DC. This is a great location – government, of course, plays a key role in the area’s job growth – all three branches of the Federal government are located here. But Washington, DC is also home to foreign embassies, the World Bank headquarters, major international organizations, and a strong tourism industry. It is home to the top-rated Georgetown University, George Washington University, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the US Capitol building, and (of course) the White House. Washington DC has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, beautiful neighborhoods, the Smithsonian, and the Lincoln Theatre.

If the busy East Coast isn’t calling you, perhaps St. Paul, Minnesota is your perfect new place. It is the smaller of the Twin Cities, but it packs a major punch – St. Paul is densely-populated, home to roughly 285,000 residents. Major corporations call this beautiful Upper Midwest location home, including Gander Mountain, Ecolab, and Lawson Software. St. Paul is a family-friendly location and is home to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the Como Zoo, Lake Como, and the Wabasha Street Caves.

During Prohibition, St. Paul was a haven for big-name mobsters. The Wabasha Street Caves, which date back to the 1840s, served as a speakeasy during the 1920s. Rumor has it that John Dillinger was a frequent visitor. With its fascinating history, a great parks system, charming neighborhoods such as Saint Anthony Park and Summit Hill, and the nearby University of Minnesota, St. Paul is the perfect starting-over city.

Perhaps you want to really get away from it all and start over in a location with plenty of elbow room. Utah is one of the least-densely populated states in the US, and Salt Lake City was number two on the US News list for job growth. Wide-open spaces and plenty of opportunity, plus soaring mountains and the Great Salt Lake make Salt Lake City a hot destination. As the state capital, government plays a key role in Salt Lake City’s economic stability. Other major employers include Salt Lake City International Airport, Intermountain Health Care, the University of Utah, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Wasatch Mountains give Salt Lake City residents the perfect place to play – snowboarding, skiing, camping, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing – the list of outdoor recreation is long. If you’d rather enjoy sports from the sidelines, the NBA’s Utah Jazz will give you plenty to cheer about. College football is also popular, and both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah have strong teams – both also play in NCAA’s Division I Mountain West Conference, meaning these two teams are major rivals, making the football games even more exciting.

Are you planning to relocate in 2012? If so, tell us all about your new city and what makes it so great!

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In honor of National Soup Month, here are some of my favorite soup recipes. Don’t open a can – make a batch of soup from scratch! It’s easy, it warms up your kitchen, and it tastes great on a frosty January evening.

1. French Onion Soup – an all-time cheesy favorite. If you’ve never tried it – and even if you aren’t fond of onions – give this a try.

2. Toscana Soup – A trip to Olive Garden isn’t complete without a bowl of this delicious soup. As one of my all-time faves, I scoured the Internet until I found a recipe that comes close to the real thing.

3. Italian Wedding Soup – This soup is warm and cozy. It can be a little bit tricky to make, but don’t let that stop you – it is so worth it.

4. Chicken and Dumplings – This is comfort food at its finest. More “stew” than “soup” but it is so wonderful it deserves to be on the list.

5. Chicken and Noodle Soup – As a kid, whenever I didn’t feel good, my mom would make a big batch. She even made the noodles from scratch. Small confession … sometimes I wasn’t all that sick – I just love this soup.

6. Chili – No doubt about it, chili is an all-time American classic. From the Super Bowl to your local chili cook-off, everyone has their favorite way to make it. Me, I like mine with a nice slice of homemade cornbread. Yum!

7. Clam Chowder – Growing up on the coast of Florida, seafood was abundant. There’s just nothing better than a big bowl of clam chowder and some hush puppies.

8. Seafood Gumbo – Believe it or not, I came across many recipes that didn’t include okra. For me, it isn’t a gumbo without the okra.

9. Vegetable Soup – A classic that is guaranteed to warm you up.

10. Tomato Soup – If you’ve never had tomato soup made from scratch, it is delicious! Go ahead and make the grilled cheese sandwiches to go with this kid-friendly favorite – you know you want to.

What’s your favorite soup recipe? Share it with us on Facebook!

Happy Houseplant Appreciation Day!

Okay, so as holidays go it doesn’t really compare with the season we just left behind. But houseplants aren’t just nice to look at – they clean the air by removing airborne pollutants and producing oxygen. They can lessen headaches, decrease dust, and even help fight the common cold. Houseplants also act as humidifiers, relieve congestion, reduce stress, and help you think.

In honor of Houseplant Appreciation Day, why not get a new plant for your apartment? It doesn’t take much to appreciate your new plant – just water, a little fertilizer, and some natural light. Here are some great plants to choose from:

Aloe – When I was a kid living in Florida, this was my mom’s go-to sunburn remedy. I spent a lot of time with strips of aloe on my shoulders and it works great. Aloe makes a great houseplant because it doesn’t like direct sun and it doesn’t need a lot of water. If you get an aloe plant, water it more frequently in the summer (whenever the soil becomes dry). From September to March, just add a little water here and there to keep the leaves plump. If you have a pet, aloe can be toxic – be sure to check the ASPCA’s list of plants that can harm your pet before you bring a new plant home.

Viola – Some houseplants can actually wind up on your dinner plate, such as the viola. The flowers can be added to salads, teas, and desserts. The leaves are loaded with vitamin C. If you buy a plant you intend to consume (including herbs such as basil, oregano, and parsley), be sure to grow them safely – don’t add chemicals or pesticides. Not all plants are edible – check this list for plants that can be consumed.

Bromeliads – This hardy plant looks great even without its colorful bloom – the sculpted leaves have an exotic look to them. A bromeliad is a great houseplant for people who have never tried to grow anything – they are tough, apartment-friendly plants and are very easy to care for. Put it near a window that doesn’t get direct sunlight then just keep the center “cup” filled with water. That’s it. No guessing, no sticking your finger in the soil and wondering if it is damp enough, no need to fertilize. If you take good care of your bromeliad, it will reward you with a little “pup” plant. When you see this new little plant, dig it up and place it in its own pot.

Orchids – If you are up for something a little more challenging, purchase a gorgeous orchid. There are many types of orchids and this plant has a wide variety of uses. Vanilla comes from a specific orchid that grows mainly in the tropics. Another type of orchid is used in Turkey as a powdered spice called salep, which is considered an aphrodisiac. Another kind of orchid is used to flavor rum, and China has used orchids in herbal remedies since 2800 BC. The type of orchid you’ll bring home to your apartment, however, is there to smell pretty and look beautiful. Consider your orchid a stress-reliever and air-purifier. Orchids are fun to grow – spray them often with water to keep them well misted, water them as necessary, and be sure they have plenty of indirect sunlight.

Do you have a favorite houseplant? Share it with us on Facebook!

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I make a point of visiting as many historic locations as I can. I’ve been to the Roman Coliseum, I’ve stood at the base of the Eiffel Tower, I’ve marveled at Big Ben and the Tower of London, and I had my picture taken next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I’ve been to the Pirate House in Savannah, I’ve walked the ancient streets of St. Augustine, and I’ve been awed by the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

One place on my must-see list is New England. The farthest I’ve traveled up the east coast in New York City, and I’d love to visit the Boston area. The city fascinates me – the history, the architecture, the legends. I’ve always wanted to stand on the shore and see the boats dotting the harbor and stroll along streets with the ghosts of history. There are so many famous locations in Boston: the Freedom Trail, the Paul Revere House, Faneuil Hall … and of course, Boston Common.

The cities and towns surrounding Boston are equally intriguing: Chelsea, Cambridge, Medford, and Quincy. I’m especially drawn to Quincy, a coastal town and the birthplace of the second and sixth US Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. It is also the birthplace of statesman John Hancock. Quincy is part of the South Shore region, which extends from Boston to Cape Cod.

Part of the attraction of Quincy is its 27 miles of beautiful coastline. Wollaston Beach is the largest beach, perfect for beachcombing, swimming, or enjoying a volleyball game. Other beaches include Avalon Beach, Nickerson Beach, and Baker Beach. The beaches are great for walking the trails, swimming, and picnicking.

But while the beach is a definite draw, it is the history that makes Quincy special, and it is evident in the narrow streets lined with historical architecture, a picture-perfect downtown with quaint shops and period lighting, and its museums and landmarks.

In 1625, a group of colonists led by Thomas Morton settled an area of present-day Quincy and called it Mare Mount. Morton wasn’t the typical English settler – he wasn’t a Puritan and he enjoyed having a good time. Perhaps he enjoyed a good time a little too much, because the neighboring colony of Puritans were scandalized by his antics – one of which involved a Maypole celebration. Morton complained about the Puritan ways, stating that the Puritans were going to make his settlement a “woeful” mount instead of a “merry” mount. When more Puritans arrived to the Boston area, they arrested and deported Morton and the Mare Mount colony was dissolved.

Taking Morton’s words to heart, this section of present-day Quincy is called “Merrymount.” Today’s Merrymount (which was owned by the Adams family for many years) is a beautiful residential neighborhood along Quincy Bay. Because it was private property for so long, the homes here are relatively new; but visitors can still imagine the ghosts of those fun-loving colonists dancing around a Maypole.

Adams National Historical Park contains the oldest birthplace of a US President: the home where John Adams, the second president, was born. There are three historic homes and a library to visit, and a trolley takes visitors from the visitor’s center to each of the sites. The park celebrates the history of the Adams family from 1720 until 1927 and is the location of several special events. Other Quincy attractions include the Thomas Crane Public Library, the Josiah Quincy House, and the Hancock Cemetery – the first burial ground established during the colonial period.

Since Quincy is part of the Boston metro area, it is well-connected – hop on the subway and be in downtown Boston in minutes. There are four subway stops in Quincy on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) line, known as “The T.”

If you make it to the Boston area for a visit (or if you are planning to move to the Boston area), check out the unique seaside town of Quincy. With over 100 historic sites and miles of coastline, it is a location that shouldn’t be missed.