We want to move from Florida to MA (Boston, Amherst: sales, real estate)

[Debi1957]

Good morning all...
I need some good sound advice...we are currently living in Florida and we have lived here all of our lives, except for me...I spent 3 years in New York as a child. We hate it here. We have spent a lot of time in MA, Boston/Foxborough area and we love it there. We are near retirement (maybe another 3 to 4 years) and we are ready to move. I don't think my husband would have any problems transfering up there and I work at home/internet, so that is not an issue. We would like some advice. The reasons we are leaving are many. This includes property taxes (which I know are high up there), cost of living (we may have you guys beat...its expensive here), people (all are very old), total lack of ANYTHING to do, culture is dead unless it involves shuffleboard, hot, hot, hot and that is just in the winter!!! change....change of pace, people, enviroment...etc...can we have some input? We have visited many other areas, Texas, Arizona, California, Washington State, and many others, but prolonged time in Ma...and it is home for us!

[seldomseen]

There are several nice towns you can consider in Ma...but I don't know if you Ma. is going to solve the issues you listed: high cost of living, taxes, lack of cultural, and are trying to leave; because Ma. has all the same issues too. Do you have any idea as to part region of Ma. you want to live in? Western, Central, South Shore, North Shore?

[maggiekate]

hi, I left MA to come to Florida. I have been here almost 9 years. Since 2004
I also am thinking I wish to move elsewhere. Frankly, I no longer can afford to live here. Home insurance is so hard to find, and I miss the New England area also. Boston has alot to offer. I also do dislike the worry over storms here.

[Debi1957]

no, we have no idea what area we are wanting to move to...my husband is a field service tech and so it really does not matter...safety is probably our biggest issue. It would just be so nice to drive 2 hours and be in another state, New York, CT, whatever...here you drive 5 hours and you are still in Florida and the culture is just as non existent! any input would be wonderful...thank you

[bluewatergirl888]

Hi Debi,
I would suggest looking at some of the towns along the coast, either north or south shore. I think the South Shore tends to get less snow, so you may want to consider this since you are from Florida. A lot of these towns offer culture, close proximity to Boston, good restaurants, scenic, ect. Western MA is beautiful in the Amherst / Northampton area. I don't know a lot about Worchester. No matter where you end up in MA you will be only a few hours drive from most of the other New England states. Good luck.

[Lisa_from_Debary]

I live in Florida but I grew up near Boston, I loved Massachusetts.

However I do have to point out you know they call it Taxachusetts?? If memory serves there is a state income tax as well as your Federal.

If you think property is expensive here in Florida have you checked out what a house just like the one your living in now will cost you in Massachusetts?

I could never live there again because the winters can be pretty harsh and they seem to go on forever. If global warming would fix the winter thing, I would be back there in a heartbeat...in a MUCH smaller house however.

[skytrekker]

Lisa

I think the poster makes valid points as you do (since you hate cold)
However Florida is no longer so cheap; Homeowners are seeing increased tax rates based on income and real estate. And the biggest equalization between Florida and Massachusetts is homeowners Insurance. Florida homeowners are getting socked with increases up and beyond..

It is difficult for homeowners on Cape Cod now to get homeowners and parts of beach property in eastern Mass have high rates- but go inland 10-20 miles and the costs are significantly cheaper then Florida.

Also Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Naples Florida actually have real estate prices as high as Boston itself.

[Lisa_from_Debary]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Lisa

I think the poster makes valid points as you do (since you hate cold)
However Florida is no longer so cheap; Homeowners are seeing increased tax rates based on income and real estate. And the biggest equalization between Florida and Massachusetts if homeowners Insurance. Florida homeowners are getting socked with increases up and beyond..

It is difficult for homeowners on Cape Cod now and parts of beach property in eastern Mass- but go inland 10-20 miles and the costs are significantly cheaper then Florida.

I live in a 2000 sq foot house...IF I could sell it, I could get something between 250-300 grand for it, I am 30 minutes from Orlando...do you really know how much that would cost in Massachusetts??

As for home owners insurance...my policy is only 1298 per year...through St. Johns insurance.

New England is a wonderful place but its VERY expensive, if your moving there, you need to do some VERY in depth study in to the costs of living. Alot of people I grew up around moved to New Hampshire because it was cheaper and they could still get into Boston when needed.

[Yankeecybercraft]

I also live in Florida and want to get out. I am originally from Mass but have lived here in Daytona for 21 years. The cost of living is outrageous here now. Our electric bill runs about 400 plus most of the year. I'm also sick of having to carry home owners, wind, flood and hurricane insurance. All 4 going up, up and up. Health care is very behind the time, I am a nurse I know. Cost of houses have quadrupled. We bought our house 14 years ago at $56,000, now goes for $300,000 plus. Let me tell you cost of living is not cheap in this not so pretty state. I am planning a move back in the fall, Deerfield area. Good Luck to you in your exodus out of Florida.

[menglin]

I am from Orlando area also, I grew up in Massachusetts and visit every summer. Here are the problems we had in Massachusetts

1. Housing is double in Ma. If you have a $250 house in Florida, try in the $400's for the same thing.
2. Taxes on car, state, Federal and whatever the city you live in throws at you.
3. Snow, Snow and more snow. We had a blizzard both years we were there.
4. Gets dark at 300pm in the winter, depressing
5. We were there 2 years and could not break into a social group, and not from lack of trying. We are very outgoing people.

I love Massachusetts and it will always be in my heart, the culture, history, the perfect summers,seafood to die for. Beautiful state wether on the coast or inland.
We discovered that Massachusetts is a great place to visit but not live.
We are looking at Tennessee because it has the seasons, low cost of living,not too much snow, no income tax, but high sales tax, Beautiful mountains, ect...

Not sure if this helps but hope you find your special place to retire.