No More New Mexico!! (Boston, Worcester: apartments, for rent, schools)

[sweetmelissa818]

I am planning a move with my family for next summer to New England. We're from NM and have been to the east coast before but more south (NC and Virginia). NM is too hot, too dry, and too expensive for the wages and the area. We have one daughter (a year old) and another baby on the way. A better place to raise a family is our main wish. My husband works with computers at our local college and I am attending school, but have experience in a hospital setting. We're looking mostly at eastern MA, but are open to other possibilities. We are needing to rent at first, and cost is a major concern. Any help would be great.

[capecodcathy]

SweetMelissa,
NM & AZ are becoming popular with retirees from the NE, because of the dry climate. Go figure!
Money is always a factor. What's your price range? Computer work shouldn't be a problem. What degree are you working toward and what kind of hospital work did you do?

[Jeremy01506]

Unless you're dead-set on being near the ocean, I would highly recommend Western Mass (Amherst/Northampton specifically) for a place to live in the state. The further west you go from Boston the more affordable it becomes. Central Mass is also affordable, but unless you're near Worcester or points east the towns are lacking in cultural and artistic things, but they sure are beautiful! I find that towns near the Amherst area (Springfield/Chicopee excluded) are similarly beautiful but abound in the "good stuff" plus having UMass right there adds to the "educational" quotient with academic options that aren't school related (i.e. discussion groups, gatherings, etc).

Hopefully that made sense, my wife and I are looking at either moving to the Amherst area in the next five years or we are leaving Massachusetts & New England to start somewhere else anew!

And, in advance: WELCOME!

[sweetmelissa818]

I'm not sure of the exact figures for cost. Right now we're living on about 23000 per year and 600 per month (more than half of our income) for rent. I'm working on a criminal justice degree, but my work in a hostpital was in sterilization and I've found that Boston has openings in this area often.

[capecodcathy]

I believe Jeremy has a good point. Central MA has some potential for you.
There's UMass Medical Center and I'm sure some opportunities in Criminal Justice. There's also UMass Amherst and lots of computer opportunities. It's a growing area and your incomes will probably improve allowing you to find somewhere nice to live.

[doog123]

if you think nm is expensive just wait till you get here. There are NO apartments foe 600 a month.

[MovingForward]

Originally Posted by sweetmelissa818

I'm not sure of the exact figures for cost. Right now we're living on about 23000 per year and 600 per month (more than half of our income) for rent. I'm working on a criminal justice degree, but my work in a hostpital was in sterilization and I've found that Boston has openings in this area often.

Unfortunately, it will be difficult--if not impossible--for you to find an apartment for rent at that price. Certainly impossible anywhere near Boston, or even within an hour of Boston. You would need to live in a very small town in Western MA to find rent at that price, and even that might be impossible.

[MagicTouch]

I would suggest that you google "cost of living calculator", there are a few of them. This will give you a comparison of two cities, the one you currently live in and the one you wish to move to. Boston is about equal to the cost of living in Los Angeles CA, which is high. IMO you will need to make more per year to move there.

No matter you decision ... best wishes to you and your family.

[baystater]

Originally Posted by MagicTouch

I would suggest that you google "cost of living calculator", there are a few of them. This will give you a comparison of two cities, the one you currently live in and the one you wish to move to. Boston is about equal to the cost of living in Los Angeles CA, which is high. IMO you will need to make more per year to move there.

No matter you decision ... best wishes to you and your family.

SweetMelissa, heed MagicTouch's advice. Otherwise you might be in for quite a shock when you come up here. It ain't cheap. Agree with CCC that west or central MA. might be a good good alternative to eastern MA.

Much luck to You.

[sweetmelissa818]

I am finding a lot of relatively cheap places in Worcester. They have the UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Medical School for possible jobs. Is this a good place to live? Schools, recreation??