Family Relocating to Boston Area - Please Advise (Lynn, Quincy: houses, travel)

[scarletfire]

In today's paper:
Homeowners near plume get vapor systems - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

And Smart's earlier post on the subject:
Just beware there are certain parts of Ashland still cleaning up the toxic dump.

Nyanza-;The Nyanza NPL site in Ashland is a former dye-manufacturing facility. Residents of Ashland reported several cases of various types of sarcomas among young adults from the same graduating class in Ashland. MDPH has worked closely with a community advisory committee in conducting a retrospective cohort study to examine the possible relationship between exposure opportunities to the Nyanza site as a risk factor for cancer. Through extensive outreach efforts, aided by community members, approximately 1,700 persons who attended school in Ashland during 1960 to 1985 agreed to participate in the study. These persons were interviewed for this study and medical records of those diagnosed with cancer were sought. Data collection has been completed, and data analysis is ongoing. The study uncovered 73 cases of cancer and eight cancer-related deaths. About two thirds of those diagnosed were under 35 and many of their cases involved rare forms of the disease.

[url]http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=6&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2= Community+Health+and+Safety&L3=Environmental+Healt h&L4=Environmental+Health+Investigations&L5=Ashl an d+Nyanza+Chemical+Waste+Site+Health+Study&sid=Eeoh hs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_environmental_c_invest igations_ashland_report&csid=Eeohhs2

[SwiftCreek]

Well that's a disturbing bit of news! My youngest daughter is slightly asthmatic and has a hard time recovering from the simplest colds. We won't move our children to an area that could be a threat to their health. What are of town is this in?

[scarletfire]

Nyanza was on Pleasant St sort of near where the train station is now. I grew up across town from there and two boys I went to school with in the same family contracted a rare form of cancer and a good family friend who lived down the street from the plant died very young of cancer. The worst part is that there are still plumes of this toxic waste underneath the ground because there is no easy way to eradicate it. I grew up there and had a wonderful childhood and adored my old neighborhood but would never move back.

[scarletfire]

Four schools in Ashland (Ashland High School, David Mindness Middle School, William Pittaway School, and New Covenant Christian School) are located within a one-mile radius of the site.

[SwiftCreek]

Southborough is beginning to sound like a better option. What a tragedy for these people to contract cancer. I think you said you live in Southborough. right?

[scarletfire]

I know, it's awful about Ashland. Yes, I lived in Southboro til recently and I miss it. I love where I am now but the access isn't as good.

On another subject: Nyer, if you're around today, I just got back from Outlook Farm in Holliston & they're having a tomato & corn festival all day. There's a good folky sounding band playing and it's a nice place to have a bite to eat. :-)

[NY'er lost in MA]

Originally Posted by scarletfire

I know, it's awful about Ashland. Yes, I lived in Southboro til recently and I miss it. I love where I am now but the access isn't as good.

On another subject: Nyer, if you're around today, I just got back from Outlook Farm in Holliston & they're having a tomato & corn festival all day. There's a good folky sounding band playing and it's a nice place to have a bite to eat. :-)

Ohh- wish I had seen this earlier. I was out in the yard doing work all day. Great day...

I hear Highland Farm in Holliston is great too..

[Mr.Mortgage]

I thought I replied to you, though I don't see my posting. But I'll respond again. Pardon me if my point has been previously made.

People on the South Shore want me to remain quiet. They want to keep their secret, but I just have to tell all. I've lived in all parts of Massachusetts, including the areas you mention. I also work in real estate (mortgages), so I know statewide property values and town services better than most. Of all the places, the South Shore is the best far and away. If you want real housing value, the best performing schools, ocean front communities, limited traffic, incredible shopping options,and short, easy private and public commuting to Boston, then you must check out towns like Hingham, Norwell, Duxbury (my favorite) and Kingston (check out Indian Pond Estates for real value and for an incredible community- Country Club Community of 250 homes with all young families - also commuter rail station). I'll never leave this part of MA.

[beachlady58]

Originally Posted by NY'er lost in MA

ummmm. enough said.

One of my best friends just moved down to Norwell. Took him over 2 hours to get to Boston one morning. No thanks!

It can take you 2 hours to get to Boston from anywhere in traffic...I live on the south shore (Duxbury) and there are commuter boats, trains, highways...and I consider this area to b a "destination town" - when I travel inland on business I feel sorry for folks who live land locked! I love it here!

[scarletfire]

S'Creek, I just noticed this posting re: Newburyport from an earlier poster so thought I'd share it:

My husband and I spent the summer in Newburyport and loved it. He took the train in to Boston daily. He said it was a 65 min train ride plus about a 15 min walk from the North Station(he was going to the Financial District). He also liked that the Newburyport train was the start of the line, so he always got a seat and never had to wait on the platform. The quality of life there was wonderful... summer concerts in the park, "Yankee Homecoming" week with numerous fun activities for all age groups, Plum Island beaches only 10 min away. For our family, the commute was a bit too far, otherwise we'd pick Newburyport for our upcoming move. My husband is a runner and found the countryside there beautiful for that so I would imagine you could cycle there as well.