Super Bowl City Showdown: Seattle vs. Boston

Super Bowl XLIX has come down to a tale of two coasts: East versus West, colonials versus pioneers, old world versus new. What’s the lowdown on the two cities duking it out on the gridiron? Why do Seattleites and Bostonians consider their town such a great place to live? What’s it like to live there? Most importantly, what signature food might Seahawks and Patriots fans snack on during the big game? We talked to Premier Agents in both cities to get their opinion on what makes their hometown so special.

From a respective native daughter and son, here’s a Super Bowl showdown between Seattle and Boston.

Seattle

Portal to the Pacific and gateway to the last frontier, Seattle has a lot more going on than coffee, technology and rain.

“There’s something for everyone here,” said local real estate agent Beth Grotelueschen. “Hiking trails, skiing, craft beer breweries, nightlife, airshows, hydroplane races and pirates.”

Seattle is the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix and grunge, but the city first gained musical renown as incubator for jazz titans like Ernestine Anderson, Ray Charles and Quincy Jones. At Jazz Alley, you might get an evening to remember when an industry legend unexpectedly drops in for an impromptu session.

While a certain bean-based beverage might be the first thing that comes to mind when considering Seattle cuisine, salmon is arguably considered the city’s signature food. You’ll find it prepared every which way—grilled on planks, tucked into tacos, poached with lemon—and served casually at Ivar's Fish Bar on Pier 54 or artistically at the Dahlia Lounge.

Visit the Hiram M. Chittenden boat locks—locally known as the Ballard Locks—and watch boats travel between salty Puget Sound and freshwater Lake Union. An integrated fish ladder lets you watch migrating salmon navigate between the two waters as well.

By the numbers: Seattle

Boston

One of Boston-based Bobby Quinn’s favorite things to tell people about is how geographically handy the city is for people looking for diverse activities.

“You can be in Vermont, skiing in three hours, or boating at the cape in about one hour,” Quinn said. “Mountains, beach and city—it’s the perfect combination.”

If you’re looking for a signature sound in Beantown, you might find more than you expect. Home to the Berklee College of Music, Boston sees a lot of up and coming artists creating unique and creative musical collaborations. Head over to Faneuil Hall, for example, and you might hear a genre-bending hip-hop symphony.

What go-to snack will Patriots fans devour on Super Bowl Sunday? Maybe locally caught lobster rolls. Most Boston restaurants have their own take on the sandwich and while he’s mostly a traditionalist when it comes to lobster rolls, Quinn is intrigued by more unconventional versions, including one with sautéed peppers.

Although Super Bowl rival Seattle is known as the Emerald City, Boston has a hidden gem called the Emerald Necklace, a 1,100-acre string of nine parks that meander from the Boston Commons, through the heart of the city, to the suburbs near Franklin Park, linked by parkways and waterways.

By the numbers: Boston

It doesn't take much to remember all the things that make a hometown such a great place to live—civics, music, sports or whatever comes to mind. Whether you’ll be cheering for the Patriots or the Seahawks or plan to find another way to spend Super Bowl Sunday, there’s no place like home.