Where is the Best Place to Live in Massachusetts? (Worcester: activities, title)

[SuperSparkle928]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

Most of the people in this country don't live close to the ocean and most don't miss it. It's all in what you're used to.

I'd choose Northampton or Deerfield for WMass because it's home and because I like rural that still has culture, mountains, green valleys.

In EMass I'd choose Rockport of Gloucester.
Harvestfest today? I'm only 15 minutes away.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Ummm.....
Most of the people in this country DO live close to the ocean:

What percentage of the American population lives near the coast?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: "In the United States, coastal counties constitute only 17 percent of the total land area (not including Alaska), but account for 53 percent of the total population."

And not that household income is the only factor, (things like rural settings, etc can be important), but here is the distribution:
http://www.massbenchmarks.org/stated...a/median99.pdf

[DanaMarley]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

I would say probably Northampton or the immediate area. Amherst is just too crowded with college kids, it's overrun.

If I could live anywhere it would actually be Deerfield because of its beauty and because of Old Deerfield where I could indulge my interest in local history. One great thing about this area is that there is so much to do and you don't have to journey into a big city to do it! It has big city stuff but it's still more or less in the country.

I LOVE Northampton.. Our kinfolk lived there for years. Really nice town!
Amherst is a wonderful town too, but if you don't like college kids, you wouldn't like it! LOL

It's gorgeous there, though in my opinion, and you're near so many social events.. I love the valley there.. Near Holyoke, and all, it's a great place to live, imho.
HOW are the people there? Still friendly? Still laid back?

[DanaMarley]

Originally Posted by SuperSparkle928

------------------------------------------------------------------
Ummm.....
Most of the people in this country DO live close to the ocean:

What percentage of the American population lives near the coast?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: "In the United States, coastal counties constitute only 17 percent of the total land area (not including Alaska), but account for 53 percent of the total population."

And not that household income is the only factor, (things like rural settings, etc can be important), but here is the distribution:
http://www.massbenchmarks.org/stated...a/median99.pdf

And Mass has some gorgeous areas on the coast too. Cape Cod, who doesn't like that area? Maine has some GREAT coastal areas too.
Camden Maine, Bar Harbor, the list goes on & on. And if you go down the east coast, the areas around North Carolina coast are very popular too, even if they've been ravaged by bad hurricanes, the home owners still want to repair the damage done to their houses and move back into the same exact spot in many cases!

However, there's nothing wrong with the mountains either. Especially if you like hills and scenic views, which I"M a fan of

Which parts of western Mass do you like best and find most affordable?
I know the Berkshires are pretty. How's the fall foliage now up there? Still some leaves on the trees? I know the recent snowstorm took down a lot of leaves, not to mention trees, but I'd like to go visit that area before heavy snowfall arrives.

[Woof]

Pittsfield is a fine place with the foliage, hills, two lakes in town ...... I was born there and have lived there several times. It used to have affordable housing, but not so much anymore - it's no Cape Cod or Salem in prices, but it's still too much now for a somewhat dumpy-looking city in a near-rural area (compared to prices in similar cities around the country.) The satellite villages are even more expensive.

[cvap]

Monroe Bridge is by far the best place to live in Ma. As long as you don't need a job, groceries or sunshine!!!

[DanaMarley]

Newton Mass is a nice town

[btownboss4]

Hingham, MA

[bigfatturkey]

if you are looking for quaint sleepy small towns by the water...marion and mattapoisett are great...but relatively more expensive. when you are talking BEST PLACE to live...you might wanna qualify what you meant?

[donewithpretty]

Originally Posted by SuperSparkle928

------------------------------------------------------------------
Ummm.....
Most of the people in this country DO live close to the ocean:

What percentage of the American population lives near the coast?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: "In the United States, coastal counties constitute only 17 percent of the total land area (not including Alaska), but account for 53 percent of the total population."

By this definition, Worcester is a coastal town.

[B'nonkst'bulitz]

Brockton