From the tropics to cold MA (Taunton: rent, homes, place to live)

[capecodcathy]

While I can't say I've spent a lot of time there (mostly visiting for kids' sports stuff), I think you'll like it. It seemed to be a rather sleepy town, which I like. The good thing about it, too, is that it's centrally located near Taunton, New Bedford, Newport RI. You won't lack for anything to do! If you can tell me what you like to do, maybe I can make some suggestions for you.
What a big move this is! I think I'd be traumatized.

[KELLI2L]

Originally Posted by Anna27298

Thanks for answering Puffle!!

Are you serious about giving up your dogs??? I don´t think I could do it...I have no one to leave them with. I lived alone a few years before getting married (which is not common here...usually girls live with their parents until they marry)...and they have been like my children, they are very spoiled and needy, and I don´t think they would survive if I leave them with someone else. They are really small though...Chihuahuas...together, the four of them don´t even add up to 20 pounds.

Pets are very sensitive - when they are left, even with family for any length of time they become affected, depressed and will even get sick from the stress of it. I could never leave my pet with someone else for more than a vacation trip.

[capecodcathy]

Anna, not trying to be nosy but what kid of rent are you looking at? I just located a $1,300/month in Swansea but they accept small pets.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by KELLI2L

Pets are very sensitive - when they are left, even with family for any length of time they become affected, depressed and will even get sick from the stress of it. I could never leave my pet with someone else for more than a vacation trip.

Fortunetly, one of the dogs has already lived at my parent's house for a year and both are very familiar with my mom and dad. If I do leave them, I would take them to my dad's a few weeks before we would have to leave to see how it goes.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by MagicTouch

Puffle: Just keep your eye on the ball, it will all work out. Hey I'm leaving the week after my 48th Birthday ... 48 in CA ... and now ... who knows. I know it won't be easy financially for a bit, but it all comes out in the wash. If I worry about it to much then all I'll be doing is worrying, so I deal with things as they come along.

I will keep checking in to see how you are doing. You can always send me a quick note. Take care of you and your family !!

MagicTouch, You are a sweetheart for you kind thoughts. You are arriving at the best time of year, you lucky dog! I might have missed what part of California you are from? I was raised in Sherman Oaks in the San Fernando Valley and then lived about 12 years in Westlake Village/Oak Park.
Good luck on your new journey. You will do just fine and find the meaning of true friendship in Ma. Join the Newcomers Club!!!

[MagicTouch]

Puffle: I was born and raised in LA county in Norwalk next to a dairy farm. Of course that is now long gone, along with all of the other dairy farms. I kept moving further away till I landed in Corona about 11 years ago. Now the orange groves, daires and horse farms are all now gone or on there way out. I can't keep just moving further away, the drive to get to work is killing me. Thank you Puffle and I will see about joining that new comers club, can't wait to see the changing seasons.

[tinita]

Anna, Hi Listen Never give up, look through listings, someone may be renting a house who wouldn't mind the dogs, just say they are cats ha ha ha. I had 2 before I love them. Anyhow I live in Plymouth Ma and taunton is only 20 min away on rt 44, I live in west plymouth, its great here you would like it. Never know you may find a little house to buy for a while then you can resell. Good luck and if you have anymore questions you can DM me.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by Anna27298

Hi everyone! I have just been offered a promotion that involves relocation to MA. I currently live in Central America..and have never lived in the USA before. I have been to our head offices in MA a few times and love it there...but I know it´s not the same visiting than living somewhere. I´m extremely nervous as I don´t really know if the offer they´re making me is good enough...of course a significant salary increase...but living costs in MA are way higher than here, so I´m having trouble figuring that out...with the taxes that get taken off your salary and everything...Anyway, I still need to study all those issues...What I need help with is with finding a nice place to live...my husband and I don´t want to buy because we don´t intend to stay permanently, only a maximum of 3 or 4 years...so we want to rent. I will be working in TAunton, but I´ve heard that it´s not a really nice place to live in...so I will appreciate any suggestions of (not so far away) towns that might be nice and not too expensive to live in. Thanks!!!

EDIT: We don´t have any kids, so school system is not important...We do have 4 dogs..so if it could be a pet-friendly town it would be even better. Thanks again!

Hi Anna, Just checking in to see if you found a place to live yet? I also wanted to share my experience with trying to give two of my dearest dogs to my dad this week. I thought I could do it since they would be living with my dad, but when the day came to bring them over, I called my father in tears and said I just couldn't. My heart was breaking a little everyday as the transfer day came closer. Although we aren't moving yet, we are staying at my sister-in-laws whom evidently has no heart. She is coming back for ten days in October and wanted our dogs out of the house while she was back. Long story short, I had my husband put on his "big boy pants" and tell his sister what a terrible effect her decision was having on the family, so she lightened up and is letting them stay. Now I know that there is NO WAY I could ever part with any of them, so I take back my past advise and stick to your guns fellow dog lovers. Never give up!

[FrozenAngel]

Originally Posted by puffle

Moving Forward,,I think it's great that you supplied some options for Anna. It is a hard task cross country let alone over seas. But, apartments that advertise pets ok at the most will only accept two dogs at the most and sometimes pets ok means cats only. Believe me I have probably done more searching for places in Ma. with four dogs than most. But Anna will hopefully find that tolerant landlord that won't have a problem. Please know that I am not trying to be negative as I know others were not trying to do when advising me on the realities of pet friendly places. All we can do is plug along and not give up.

I think 4 tiny dogs is a big difference than 4 labs. Offer a large pet deposit. I would rent under those conditions. I only rent short term but other don't. There a lot of pet lovers in MA.

[FrozenAngel]

Originally Posted by Anna27298

Thanks for asking...I´ll be working in Taunton, but don´t really want to live there...so I was asking for other suggestions of towns or cities.

I found a small house for rent in Swansea, it looks nice. Any comments on this town? Is it safe, nice, clean, etc?

Dighton, MA.