Those leaving Boston, or who have left Boston. Do You Have any Regrets? Where did you move? (Brookline: homes, neighborhoods)

[canyontothesky]

I was born and raised in MA, and in Newton from ages 8-18, and I moved to NYC (first Manhattan, now Brooklyn) after that. After a while of living here, I missed Massachusetts, but we moved to Brooklyn last month and I love it here. It's sad that so many people don't understand Brooklyn, which I feel has a somewhat Bostonian feel to it, and they think that the only NYC life is the Manhattan life.
In the past I really wanted to move back to New England to Porsmouth or Portland. I could never move back to Boston because to me it would feel like going back to high school. Too easy to see the people I grew up with. Also the weather. I was never fond of Boston anyway, for some reason, which I'll never understand because it's a nice city, I guess!

[Frodo2008]

Originally Posted by canyontothesky

I was born and raised in MA, and in Newton from ages 8-18, and I moved to NYC (first Manhattan, now Brooklyn) after that. After a while of living here, I missed Massachusetts, but we moved to Brooklyn last month and I love it here. It's sad that so many people don't understand Brooklyn, which I feel has a somewhat Bostonian feel to it, and they think that the only NYC life is the Manhattan life.
In the past I really wanted to move back to New England to Porsmouth or Portland. I could never move back to Boston because to me it would feel like going back to high school. Too easy to see the people I grew up with. Also the weather. I was never fond of Boston anyway, for some reason, which I'll never understand because it's a nice city, I guess!

Yeah I hear ya about not wanting to go back to your hometown. I feel the same way. Once I've changed jobs or I've moved to another place I never look back. A lot of people seem to spend their lives looking back and I never understood that. I always look forward. Every time I change jobs I want to work where I've never worked before. Every time I move I want to move to a place I've never lived before. I have an adventurous spirit. I like new things.

[firsttimeowner]

I never realized that the woman in Boston were as conservative as has been mentioned in this thread. Maybe that was a good thing for me since I lived in Boston for 10 years. During that time I ran a very successful and profitable escort service. I sure put out a lot.......lol. Anyway I moved to San Diego 15 years ago and I have not regretted it at all. This is the best city in the usa. As far as weather and people and too many things to mention. I have at times missed the leaves changing colors and I wouyld like to show Boston to my son one day. It has so much history as does DC and its a great place to live but I got tired of the cold winters. I have many great memories from 10 years in that city that I will never forget. Now I am leaving San Diego to buy a house because with all its greatness, san diego is too expensive unless you have 300k-400k to spend. So I am very sad but every city has something to offer and as they say life goes on. Time to make new memories.

[Lcstyle]

Originally Posted by firsttimeowner

I never realized that the woman in Boston were as conservative as has been mentioned in this thread. Maybe that was a good thing for me since I lived in Boston for 10 years. During that time I ran a very successful and profitable escort service. I sure put out a lot.......lol. Anyway I moved to San Diego 15 years ago and I have not regretted it at all. This is the best city in the usa. As far as weather and people and too many things to mention. I have at times missed the leaves changing colors and I wouyld like to show Boston to my son one day. It has so much history as does DC and its a great place to live but I got tired of the cold winters. I have many great memories from 10 years in that city that I will never forget. Now I am leaving San Diego to buy a house because with all its greatness, san diego is too expensive unless you have 300k-400k to spend. So I am very sad but every city has something to offer and as they say life goes on. Time to make new memories.

It's also why Prostitution is legal in Rhode Island, personally I find it to be disgusting to go get a "massage" in one of those places. But I think guys up here are forced to with all the prudeness going around.

This is not a personal attack but seriously women up here think they are hot or something like they deserve everything.


Anyways not to deviate off - topic, I am looking to leave boston. This city is a bore with all its intellectualism and "culture". It's pretty much staid. Of course I'm from Miami which is pure Hedonism, so I figured being up here for a while would keep me out of trouble.

Where should I move to next?

Anyone have any suggestions about an in between (between Miami and Boston) city?

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by Lcstyle

Where should I move to next?

Anyone have any suggestions about an in between (between Miami and Boston) city?

Maybe you could ask that question in the General U.S. forum, you'll get lots of suggestions, I'm sure.

[Go Blue 99]

I grew up in the Boston area. Went to the midwest for college and then came back after college. I moved down to Atlanta for grad school, and decided to stay here after graduation. I've been here for 5 years now and really enjoy it (even met my wife here).

One of the reasons I didn't think I would be in Boston long-term was due to cost of living. My parents worked hard for decades at their jobs, but were never able to attain their goal of home ownership. Instead they've lived in a simple 2-bed/1 bath condo for the past 25 years (my childhood home). In addition, looking at my personal situation, it always amazed me that a young married couple with college degrees and good jobs couldn't afford a house in a decent suburb.

In Atlanta, we live in a great city neighborhood and bought a new construction townhouse last year- 4 bd/3.5 ba 2600 sq foot for $323,000. My friends who come down to visit are always amazed how nice our place is, and how cheap it was. New construction luxury homes in the top school districts here aren't even obscenely expensive. Of course, cheap housing shouldn't be only reason to live in a specific city- but it is a very nice bonus.

I'm really enjoying the weather down here too. The summer is pretty useless here- can't do anything outdoors from June-August. But it's so nice when it's November and mid 70's and sunny. I do miss the snow though (at least the beauty of freshly fallen snow).

I also like the diversity here- racial and geographical. Very few people are actually from Atlanta- most moved here for work. Therefore, there are quite a few Northeasterners. I don't think I'd be happy in a southern city where there are few non-natives (say Dallas or Houston).

The traffic here can be miserable but you just need to be smart about where you live. Both of us have 25 min commutes to work, which isn't bad at all. The people with the worst commutes are ones that want to live in the far-out suburbs where you can buy a 3000 sq ft house for $225k.

The greenery here is great. Tons of parks, trees, etc. Though it is annoying that the closest beach is 5-6 hours away.

The quality of schools definitely lacks compared to Boston. My Boston childhood friends are very successful in their careers, and I have to think that the schools up there contributed to that. Young professionals there seem to be very smart and ambitious.

Of course I miss Boston. I go back often to visit my parents, and about half of my childhood friends are still there. I was there over the weekend for a friend's wedding, and it was awesome being back. I feel very nostalgic every time I go back. But at this point, I don't anticipate moving back in the future- it's just too expensive for us.

[Martha Anne]

Originally Posted by adambos

Boston is an amazing city. It has an incredibly large anmount of culture to offer those that live there. It's museums, art and intellectualism are above 90% of the rest of the country. There is also, however, a thick level of provinciality within Boston. After living there for quite sometime the city began to feel very small, and quite limited. I couldn't dream big in Boston. I was being forced into neat boxed expectations by those around me. While Boston can be a very politically liberal enviornment, socially, it is down right puritanical at times. Having left and viewing it in the rear view mirror, many of the social expectations seem even more rediculous now.

What do I mean by sophistication? There is an international worldliness to NYC that I have not encountered anywhere else. You are truly on a world stage here. Optimism is everywhere. Dreams are encouraged. You are surrounded by the overwhelming sense that ANYTHING is possible here. I'm pursuing some fairly lofty goals now that I'm in NY, goals that would never have been possible in Boston.

My commentary on Boston's suburban interdependance and it's ensuing effects on quality of life dynamics also play a large factor in my view. I love the city life. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. For those who don't like the city, NYC is really not the place for you. New York has such incredible depth. It is layered with some of the most interesting, exciting ,and optimistic individuals that I've ever met. This isnt about designer clothes and invetment bankers. Living in New York isnt about dollar cost averaging, cost of living, or salary calculators. It's about the american dream and the pursuit. Connecting your reality to your soul's passion. You can do that here. Those that surround you will encourage, sit back, flash that little grin and nod with the understanding that only comes from livin' the dream.

I am not knocking Boston, but the forum question was, "Do you regret leaving?" MY answer is a resounding no.

Adambos,

I respect your articulate, thoughtful reply. For years and years, I have wondered: What is it that I don't get?

I have walked around Tribeca, the West Village and the upper east and upper west sides and Harlem and simply don't know what it is that I am missing. I guess I get your thing about "international worldliness" but I saw that already in Boston when I had my roommates from Sardinia and Bejing and the French Alps and knew not a few research type scientists who came from other states or countries: Italy, etc.

Is that what you are talking about? That Manhattan (you must only be refering to Manhattan when you talk about New York City) has people from all over the world? Sure, I have, on my short block, people from Greece, China, Trinidad and local NY areas: Is that what you mean?

What is the matter with me? I don't seem to have "grown" from this "worldliness". I have a friend from Camaroon by way of Paris. So what? I don't seem to have found that I need to be in Manhattan to meet people from all over.

I have not grown personally due to my NYC contacts. Have you? And, how?

You say that there is optimism. I felt far more optimistic in beautiful Boston. Dreams? My friends were intellectuals, and they dream! In Boston! They are readers and writers and researchers in various fields. Optimism? What makes one more optimistic in NY. You never explained and that is precisely what I need to know. What makes it less so in Boston, say?

I don't get the Puritanical thing about Boston whatsoever! Having lived in each city for over 25 years each place, I have no idea why you say what you do. Give me an example. Only examples will help. Illustrations.

Thanks!

[Suericio]

i was born and raised just right outside boston. at 22 i moved to orlando, fl. now i think it was interesting to read everyone opinions on everything. but no matter how much u argue back and forth u will not come to an agreement because we are all different types of ppl. everyone will have there own opinions.
but honestly i hate it when ppl say boston is boring. there is alot to do, its just a matter of doing it or deciding what to do with your time. which is also your personal preference. also i do think that the ppl are more reserved in the northeast, but i think once u make a friend its for life, unlike other parts of the country. and as far as dating goes, boston women are a little harder to talk to but to some ppl like that challenge. some women like persistance. i can stereotype and say in miami or hollywood that i could pull almost any hot chick if i was to pull up in a lambo. which is certainly not true.
but all in all i would say i do regret moving to florida.
i miss the food, culture, diverisity, the winding roads, mountains, the reserved attitude, all the tree lined streets, friends, family, public transportation, english as the 1st langauge everywhere, drinking tap water which is a no no in florida, not having to drive to the nearest store, sidewalks, and especially the food.

[mboyle1988]

I grew up in Boston and still go back once or twice a year and LOVE it! I'm in Durham, NC right now in college. LOVE my college, HATE the town (but the rest of the triangle is nice enough). My heart truly belongs to south Florida (where my Mom has always lived), but that is because I am one of THOSE people who have to be at the beach every day and who love the sunshine. Every place has advantages and disadvantages. It is up to the individual to decide what is truly important in his/her life, and to find a community that matches those ideals. For me, I love the cultural offerings of Boston, I love the intellectualism, I love the beauty of downtown, but I got frighteningly depressed in the winter, I felt like a fish out of water as a conservative Evangelical Christian, and I got frustrated beyond belief several times a day by not only the traffic but also the layout of the roads. My Dad/family moved to Scottsdale, AZ anyway. As some people have said already, I loved Boston, but it was time to go.

I'll always love to visit my friends, my high school etc. I'll ALWAYS cheer for the Celtics/Red Sox. I'll always say "wicked" and talk a million miles an hour. And you BEST believe I'm gonna chew out any New Yorker who tries to diss my city. Yeah...I really wish I could live in Boston actually, but God made me the way I am for a reason, and I just never want to go back to the way I felt pretty much every winter up there. For whatever reason, I just need the sunshine, and I'm okay with that.

[mboyle1988]

Originally Posted by holden125

This I agree with a million percent. Could never get with the suburban pseudo-cities of the Sun Belt.

Well, you don't move to the Sun Belt because you want art or culture or a city feel. You move to the Sun Belt because you don't like liberal politics, cold winters, high taxes, traffic/bad roads, or the high cost of living in general. The closest you can get to having it all is Houston, and really, Houston is just a compromise. It has better weather than Boston (IMO) but worse than Miami/LA. Better roads than New York, but worse than Dallas/Raleigh. More culture than any other Sun Belt city, but nothing people around the world come to visit, a la Smithsonian/the Met/Harvard. Everything in life has pros and cons.