Moving to Western Massachusetts (Boston, Springfield: rental, mortgages, house)

[Yankeecybercraft]

I will be moving to Western Massachusetts at the end of October beginning of November. I have been watching craigs list and have found many rental properties that are within my price range. I am hoping to find something in the Deerfield or Amherst, Northampton area. Does anyone have any suggestions to make the move easier. We are moving from Daytona Beach Florida. I am origianlly from Springfield and left in 1986. I will be moving my daughter who is 19 and my son who is 16. I am an LPN and don't mind commutting a distance to go to work.

[seldomseen]

I think Western, MA is a very nice place to live. The job market isn't booming in this part of the state. But, you should be able to secure gainfull employment at any of the hospitals, homecare agencies, or long term care facilties within your area. Commuting east into Boston will be extremely tiresome, and expensive.

Good Luck!

[MinuteMan]

Presently its a buyers market, mortgages are comparable to rents (not everywhere though)...you just need that deposit to proceed. There are many web sites to glance through, Realtor.com (sales and rental) being the most popular. Good luck and welcome home.

[ontheroad]

Craigslist isn't a bad way to check listings, however, some are greatly exaggerated and it is wisest to either accept one on a short term lease until you can familiarize yourself with the area or until you find something that suits you and the children hand-in-glove.

The Hill towns also have a new-ish webpage that might help:

Hilltowns Online Newspaper

And the Hampshire Gazette has listings.

What I've personally found is the farther away from Amherst and/or Northampton the bigger and less expensive housing is in the Valley.

[missionhill]

One suggestion to make the move easier is not to move in November unless these Florida children of yours are psyched about snow and cold, and maybe they are--not much skiing in Florida. Otherwise a warmer time of year could be a better sell for them. But it's a great part of the state and I should think health care is a big job market anywhere.

[treeomatic]

We moved (escaped) from a D.C. subub to Amherst three years ago in November. We love it here. We felt like on vacation everyday. It is so quiet and peaceful. People are so gental, nice and friendly. Going to stores has become a pleasurable thing to do again. The only thing I wish Amherst has more is restaurants. But Northampton makes up for it. Your kids would probably like Northampton more because there are more activities/happenings there. We bought a house before our move. But I think renting first and getting to know the area before purchasing a house is a wise idea, if you don't mind packing and moving again. Good luck and welcome to Western Mass!