Boston vs New England

[holden125]

Ogre's post is a very good summary.

Personally I'm a big city person but Boston comes with a high price tag and big city traffic, etc.

As far as the rest of the cities on your list:

I would say Bangor and Augusta are too remote, particulary Bangor. I'm not sure where in SD you are, but Bangor is at least 4 hours from Boston, and much more when you have to deal with either weather or traffic, which affect that drive often. Augusta is not as far but is pretty dull in my book.

As others have said, Lowell and Springfield are cities that are just starting their climb back from some lean years. They both have some nice towns around them if you're OK with suburban life and not going downtown as much (i.e. saving your urban experiences for when you drive into Boston).

I have never been sold on Providence. It is the second largest city on the list, and it has some OK sections I don't find it that interesting. At one point I was considering it as a more affordable Boston alternative, but every time I've been there I just have not been impressed enough to make that move. Just an opinion.

Portsmouth and Portland are very nice smaller coastal cities. Portsmouth is an hour and change to Boston without traffic, Portland about two hours. They both have very attractive downtown areas with a lot of history. Both far smaller than Providence and Boston, but with something of a downtown area to enjoy and reasonably easy proximity to Boston on the weekends, etc. Personally I'd lean toward these. I was just in both over the weekend and was pleasantly reminded how nice they are.

[Siobjuan]

Having lived the first 38 years in Massachusetts, I say anywhere BUT!!!

NH, or Maine! I am partial to Maine as it is where we wanted (and are). There is a lot of truth to the reputation of people in Mass (M***holes). Seing as you are from South Dakota, snow shouldn't be an issue for you. If you have a family, I would say New Hampshire or Maine.

Hey, use City Data to help. http://www.city-data.com/ lol!

Good luck!!!

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by Siobjuan

There is a lot of truth to the reputation of people in Mass (M***holes).

The only truth about this is Mass rhymes with *ss so it makes it easy and convenient for ignorant people to craft crude nitwiticisms. I could similarly choose to be so stereotypical and crass, but that would not be proper, especially for a proper Bostonian.

[Siobjuan]

Originally Posted by Bostonian08

The only truth about this is Mass rhymes with *ss so it makes it easy and convenient for ignorant people to craft crude nitwiticisms. I could similarly choose to be so stereotypical and crass, but that would not be proper, especially for a proper Bostonian.

EEEXXXCCCUUUSSSEEE MMMEEEE! IMHO, people (old, young, middle aged, farmers, shop owners, people in line at the grocery store...) in Maine have been much nicer, less judgemental and more accepting in the past 2 years than the people in Massachusetts in the 38 preceding ones.

[HoneyRyder]

I would go for RI, more suburban, better place to raise children, better COL. Actually a few degrees warmer too...and nice beaches. Let me know if you have any questions about RI.