Moving to Massachusetts from UK

[CaseyB]

All of those are good choices. Franklin would be the furthest from Raynham.

[VlyRoadKid]

I've been researching the UK as a place to retire, so we're reversed! You are at an advantage, even in Massachusetts (though has a higher cost of living than most places in the eastern US). But if you stop thinking that eastern MA is your only option (as I had to give up on Richmond in Surrey!), and looks at places in Western Mass., you will be pleasantly surprised.

Not only are prices cheaper here, it is much more beautiful, countrified and has just as much culture as Boston, and more culture than the surrounding suburbs. To begin with, there are many colleges and educated parents here, who insist on high educational quality in the schools. The towns around the "Five-College" area (Amherst-Northampton), are home to some of the best public schools in the US (not the same meaning as "public" in the UK, but just as good).

Furthermore, your housing options will be more open. What you would pay for a semi-detached residence in one of the closer London boroughs (like Richmond!), will fetch you a single residence here in a much better neighborhood.

If you DO look in Western Mass, I would focus on towns like Sunderland, South Deerfield, Amherst, Northampton and South Hadley. Due to school choice, your residence in one town permits the option of your children attending school in another district, if you prefer it, there are spaces enough and if you ask for it soon enough.

Not only is W. Mass home to a rich cultural and geographical life, but it is one of the oldest settled areas in the U.S., with a focus on this through secondary and college course curricula.

Here is the site for the Amherst Public Schools

Amherst Regional Public Schools | Amherst Regional Public Schools

For a more rural approach, here is an excellent school, with a focus on athletics like soccer and alternative learning:

Welcome to Four Rivers Charter Public School

Good luck to you in your move! Feel free to message me for more information.

[percynjpn]

You're certainly right! I'm from Longmeadow originally - how about you?

[in_newengland]

Another WMass person here and I do agree that it's just as good if not better than the Boston area but the OP said her husband would be working in Raynam. At this time there's no easy way to get from WMass to the Boston area--it's about a two hour drive each way, no public transportation.

[percynjpn]

I understand - I just wanted to agree with VlyRoadKid about how much nicer WMass is compared to EMass. I lived in Boston and Quincy over several years, and I would never want to live in that area again!