A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.

What do you think it means to be in the “ghetto”? I believe that it’s all a matter of perspective. The person who told me that my hotel was in the ghetto is a young female in her 20′s who grew up in a nice area and today lives in an area of Boston that is so charming, I want to move there! So, are you interested in where this hotel is?

A suburb of Boston, Chelsea is located approximately 4 miles from the Boston Logan Airport and is accessible by the hotel’s shuttle. The drive to the hotel actually depends on the shuttle driver and it appears that no two visits are the same.

The route that stands out in my mind is the one that takes us past run down buildings, storefronts of pawn shops and Latin mom and pop bakers. Sheets hanging in the windows and homeless on the corner. One such unfortunate soul actually hung around the hotels front entrance until politely being asked to leave.

The area around the hotel is not exactly fine dining and high end shopping but down to Earth, everyday residents. An auto repair shop stands next to a florist across the street and on Italian restaurant across from them. A short walk straight out the front door and across the train tracks leads to a grocery store that seems to never see a dull moment. Take a few minutes inside and you’ll see why, it’s incredible. Stores like TGMAXX and a pub grace the plaza as well. I haven’t had the time yet to venture out to the local area although one day I might. I’m guaranteed that if there’s any Latin fare that I desire, I will find it in Chelsea although some, OK most, say it’s not recommended to go alone at night.

Personally, when I have a Boston overnight, I am excited at the thought of getting to go to the grocery store and get real food for less. The prepared food section alone is amazing and one time I even got steamed a pre-cracked lobster for $4 a pound! Unique foods that i don’t get at home are a plus too.

So, I have to wonder if the ones who think it’s the ghetto are the ones that grew up more privileged or do they not know that I spent more than a decade living in my own downtown “ghetto”. Is it the best area? Oh, no! But, it’s a down to Earth and the hotel itself and the people that work there are really nice. Oh, except for the pool and gym….