How do they afford it? (Boston, Springfield: house prices, refrigerator, neighborhood)

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by 2KidsforMe

This thread has got me thinking. We had made the decision to stay here (we moved from CA) after passing on opportunities in NC, GA and NH. We are fortunate that my husband makes a pretty decent living and I can afford to stay at home with the kids. What we hadn't factored into our decision to stay was what it may be like for our kids once they are grown and on their own. If they are not blessed to have a high paying job, wll Eastern MA be to tough for them? We hadn't really thought that far down the road. I wonder if we shoud have... All in all though, there are places (like most of CA) that are a lot worse cost of living wise.

What about before that when they go to college? One of the benefits of moving to some of these southern states is for the state universities.

[wheelz]

The reason the houses are so expensive in MA is because of the people selling them and the people who will pay the outrageous asking price. People are their own worst enemies because WE are the one's who decide the cost of housing. Then, we sit back and complain about the greed of all the big corporations. Most people who work in the High Tech/Corporate sector in MA are way overpaid for what they accomplish. Most people I know who have bought property have done so with the help of their parents equity that they have built up in their own property. Quality of life? 30 years ago that went out the window as far as I am concerned, once the yuppies started moving in with their "your business IS MY business" the whole state went to hell. I grew up in central MA on 125 acres that my parents rented and I had a stay at home mom. Once the yuppies came to town, that all changed virtually overnight. Our "quality of life" absolutely stinks when compared to a lot of other states. Yeah, we have plenty of shopping and a boat load of corporate owned chain restaurants and movie theaters. Me, I'm more of the old local type who would prefer to go to a drive in or even candlepin bowling. LOL!

I really love the traffic flow though!

[toohotinaz]

Here is an outside perspective from a foreigner...
the only reasons I can think of that makes one stay in MA (or New England) for that matter is:
- if all your family lives near you and you love to stay close to your family
- you earn either a good income or inherited money
- you like lousy weather
If you do not match these criteria and you're flexible... go somewhere else!
Arizona, Nevada, Carolinas, Florida...it is all better quality of live ...and as expensive at the most and in many cases much much cheaper.

[tchemgrrl]

I am curious how young people starting out can afford a home in Massachusetts and many of the New England areas. Can some of the natives explain this?

I'm always surprised how many "young people just starting out" assume they CAN afford a house right away--but maybe that's because I'm from the northeast. I suppose the short answer is "you can't", although it doesn't bother me at all. I've lived in apartments my entire life save a few months when I was a baby, and I've never yearned for a yard to mow, plumbing leaks, or wasted space.

[NY'er lost in MA]

My wife and I started by renting from a family member to save money. We saved up for 3 years and then bought a condo. We were unable to sell the condo after living in it for 3 years, so we rented it out and bought a single family home. This all took about 8 years total. From when we were 27-35 years old.

During this time we also had advances in our career that helped.

I agree that young people should not be focused on buying a house. I would focus on your career and social life in the beginning, and take it from there!

[baystater]

Originally Posted by toohotinaz

Here is an outside perspective from a foreigner...
the only reasons I can think of that makes one stay in MA (or New England) for that matter is:
- if all your family lives near you and you love to stay close to your family
- you earn either a good income or inherited money
- you like lousy weather
If you do not match these criteria and you're flexible... go somewhere else!
Arizona, Nevada, Carolinas, Florida...it is all better quality of live ...and as expensive at the most and in many cases much much cheaper.

You got most of the reasons why I wish to live in mass. (Ok maybe not the lousy weather But everything else.) But you miss the cultural aspects. I like how the people are in mass. We may be on the cold side. But there is mostly substance behind the people that live in Mass. New Englanders are in general hard working and very industrious. I find that they're not as much into keeping up with the jones as some other places I've lived. (Granted I came from a more blue collar area.) And are more reserved and more thoughtful in the way they take up a debate on an issue. Unless it's the Red Sox. At least this is my perception of the people of Mass. as I grew up there.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by baystater

You got most of the reasons why I wish to live in mass. (Ok maybe not the lousy weather But everything else.) But you miss the cultural aspects. I like how the people are in mass. We may be on the cold side. But there is mostly substance behind the people that live in Mass. New Englanders are in general hard working and very industrious. I find that they're not as much into keeping up with the jones as some other places I've lived. (Granted I came from a more blue collar area.) And are more reserved and more thoughtful in the way they take up a debate on an issue. Unless it's the Red Sox. At least this is my perception of the people of Mass. as I grew up there.

Yeah, one of the first things I noticed when I moved here was how terribly everyone was dressed! In Atlanta, I rarely saw people walking around in a regular t-shirt. Everyone wears a collared shirt unless they are mowing the lawn. Here, it seems like 1 out of every 10 people walking down the street is wearing a red sox tshirt.

[LeavingMA]

Go to another city when the red sox are in town and you'll see almost every fan in their red sox t-shirts. Doesn't matter if your out around the city or at the ballpark, most have a sox hat and/or t-shirt on.

[baystater]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA

Go to another city when the red sox are in town and you'll see almost every fan in their red sox t-shirts. Doesn't matter if your out around the city or at the ballpark, most have a sox hat and/or t-shirt on.

Actually I living down in New Jersey right now and you would be surprised how many people wear Red Sox Gear down here. Probably most transplants but I did talk to a couple people who said that most Mets fans would root for the The Red Sox before They would root for the Yankees. I really couldn't get a exact reason why this was so. Maybe NY'er lost in MA knows.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by toohotinaz

Here is an outside perspective from a foreigner...
the only reasons I can think of that makes one stay in MA (or New England) for that matter is:
- if all your family lives near you and you love to stay close to your family
- you earn either a good income or inherited money
- you like lousy weather
If you do not match these criteria and you're flexible... go somewhere else!
Arizona, Nevada, Carolinas, Florida...it is all better quality of live ...and as expensive at the most and in many cases much much cheaper.

You're talking heat,heat,humidity,hurricanes and tornados. Have you read on these posts how many people want to leave Florida? Living cheaper doesn't necessarily equal better quality of life, does it?