Originally Posted by ogre
Have to agree with the sentiments here and on other threads about allegations of censorship. That said, with regard to the main topic of this thread, skytrekker brings up something V-Chick might find worth noting about proximity to the coast. Not only does the water make for milder winters, but it also shifts the season changes to a little later. Water changes temperature more slowly than land, so anywhere near a large body of water will tend to stay warm later in the fall and cold later in the spring than you'd find at the same latitude inland.
When I look at the places mentioned here, where this may be most significant is Cape Cod. Chick, the truth is that if you're from western Oregon, you're going to find the winters anywhere around here colder than you're used to. Mild is a relative term. However, you might find that the occurrence of a fair number of sunny days, as opposed to weeks on end of clouds and rain in OR (again, if you're in western OR), will compensate for the colder temperatures in your overall experience of winter. On the Cape, which is almost surrounded by water, you'll find the closest to a western OR climate, though still not quite as warm during winter. The winters are milder than in most other parts of New England, but spring also comes later, and tends to be a little more wet. More drizzly, chilly days well into the months which the calendar calls "spring," kind of the price you pay for the relatively mild winters.
One thing, however, even though the winters in southern New England are, um, invigorating, they're not as bad as you may be envisioning. With the possible exception of the mountains in western MA, you have to get well up into northern New England before you begin to have a serious far-north kind of winter.
By the way. A couple of people here have mentioned Portsmouth, as well as Northampton. I can't offer much advice regarding veggie-friendly places, or communities with drumming circles, but if those towns both have opportunities in these areas, given your aversion to long, cold winters, you might especially consider Portsmouth, unless there's a reason you particularly want to live in MA. Being a bit farther north, Portsmouth has winters less mild than those on Cape Cod, but it's still going to be quite a bit less, um, invigorating during the winter than Northampton, which is well inland. If you really want MA, I'm guessing you'll find a lot of what you're looking for in some of the towns north of Boston. Let's hope people who know that area can offer suggestions about specific locales.
Another area to look into, depending on how flexible you are about where to live, how far from the city, etc., might be Provincetown, and to a lesser extent all of the Outer Cape (Cape Cod north of the elbow). I'm not really familiar with the area, but P'town's known for having a gay community, artist's colonies, etc. Seems like generally the kind of area where you're likely to find some new-age interests. Again, let's hope someone more familiar with the area can tell you whether this holds true.
The joys of moving. Sometimes it can be tough finding a place that has everything you want. Hope this helps. Best of luck, and take care.
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07-27-2007, 11:20 AM
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