Do you miss massachusetts? (Boston, Cambridge: fit in, income tax, prices)

[Atlantic]

Yes, I moved myself and my daughter back to Gloucester/Rockport area just recently, from Tucson, Arizona. I was so bored in Arizona -- such a mass rush for new houses, 3 car garages, and their cultural (hispanic/native am/not to mention asian and african am) discrimination became too much. 9 years in Arizona, and I know that education is better for my daughter here in MA.

Yes, I missed Massachusetts, and didn't expect to. I thought warm weather, stars, mountains, and pretty houses would do the trick. I didn't count on low low teacher wages, limited ins, no unions, conservative everything, and people hard to get to know. Finally, we realized we wanted those outspoken MA residents, with political signs in their yards and a city full of international residents, visitors, food, and ideas. The busy hub when we wanted it. Yes, we could have stayed in Arizona and bought a house, but a house and new car aren't everything. Sitting in a new house looking at four walls is not my idea of a good time. Life isn't perfect anywhere, and for right now, living by the ocean is great. Here we are picking apples, watching the leaves and seasons change, and maybe I will be able to retire on a salary that is decent. You should see the drivers in Arizona!

[Ellise]

Originally Posted by thinkable

I've just moved to NC after 15 years of living in boston area. I was really getting tired of the rat race when i lived in boston. Everyone seemed to be busy making a living and no time for anyone else. But now I've moved, I really miss Boston, because Boston had history, Boston had certain level of class, boston had architecture, fine museumes, great restaurants, people from all over the world, it had a subway system and sidewalks and parks everywhere. these are all the things most of small/medium sized cities just do not have.

I moved to NC two years ago after all of my life in the Boston area. You're right about the rat race, the busyness, the history, the architecture and parks.

There are things I miss about Boston, like all of the parks and recreation and conservation areas, I miss the river and the fall foliage. I miss the food (I have yet to find a decent Chinese restaurant down here).

But I don't miss the climate, I hated those long winters all my life. Long winter followed by "sprinter", you have to wear winter clothes for about 8 months out of the year. I don't miss the rat race and the 'busyness' either.

[FrozenAngel]

Originally Posted by Ellise

I moved to NC two years ago after all of my life in the Boston area. You're right about the rat race, the busyness, the history, the architecture and parks.

There are things I miss about Boston, like all of the parks and recreation and conservation areas, I miss the river and the fall foliage. I miss the food (I have yet to find a decent Chinese restaurant down here).

But I don't miss the climate, I hated those long winters all my life. Long winter followed by "sprinter", you have to wear winter clothes for about 8 months out of the year. I don't miss the rat race and the 'busyness' either.

Hi there, The winter is what I would like to escape, too. I know there will be a lot I will miss about MA. but honestly, I work so much to keep up that I really never get to enjoy any of what MA. has to offer.

May I ask what part of NC you moved to?? I can live without chinese food

[gamsauer]

Originally Posted by Atlantic

Yes, I moved myself and my daughter back to Gloucester/Rockport area just recently, from Tucson, Arizona. I was so bored in Arizona -- such a mass rush for new houses, 3 car garages, and their cultural (hispanic/native am/not to mention asian and african am) discrimination became too much. 9 years in Arizona, and I know that education is better for my daughter here in MA.

Yes, I missed Massachusetts, and didn't expect to. I thought warm weather, stars, mountains, and pretty houses would do the trick. I didn't count on low low teacher wages, limited ins, no unions, conservative everything, and people hard to get to know. Finally, we realized we wanted those outspoken MA residents, with political signs in their yards and a city full of international residents, visitors, food, and ideas. The busy hub when we wanted it. Yes, we could have stayed in Arizona and bought a house, but a house and new car aren't everything. Sitting in a new house looking at four walls is not my idea of a good time. Life isn't perfect anywhere, and for right now, living by the ocean is great. Here we are picking apples, watching the leaves and seasons change, and maybe I will be able to retire on a salary that is decent. You should see the drivers in Arizona!

OMG, you sound just like me!! I feel the same way about Raleigh, NC that you did about Arizona. I have been in Raleigh 13 years so I think I have given it enough time to know this isn't the right fit for me.

[PhoenixRT]

My husband and i were raised in Mass and i did not appreciate it when we were there. We left at 20 and moved to AZ.....The drivers in Phoenix have a much better reason to be called m*******s than any bostonians do!

I miss the history, the cobblestone streets, the rock walls that line the windy roads, the old cemeteries around every corner. We miss the patriots and red sox and being around sports crazy people. And it took us a long time to get used to super friendly people. Just having strangers walk up and say "hey, nice day were having huh?" The first hundred times that happened I would go home and say to my husband "you shoulda seen the freak i saw at the grocery store, talking to me for no reason!"
And I hate it when people look at me funny when I say "That's wicked awesome" and that people dont know what a "T" is!!!!

BUT we would only move back if property prices fell 50% and global warming turned Mass winters into 70 degree sunny days....probably not going to happen in our lifetime. So we have our 20 years of memories
and a visit back every once in awhile and if we are lucky we fly in when there is a Pats game going on!

[Ellise]

Originally Posted by FrozenAngel

Hi there, The winter is what I would like to escape, too. I know there will be a lot I will miss about MA. but honestly, I work so much to keep up that I really never get to enjoy any of what MA. has to offer.

May I ask what part of NC you moved to?? I can live without chinese food

Southeastern NC--north of Wilmington, south of Camp Lejeune. Very mild winters here; as I tell people, the whole winter here is like April in Boston (except it hasn't snowed here yet)

[FrozenAngel]

Originally Posted by Ellise

Southeastern NC--north of Wilmington, south of Camp Lejeune. Very mild winters here; as I tell people, the whole winter here is like April in Boston (except it hasn't snowed here yet)

Thank you! I am planning a trip next month to check out the area. My plan is to fly into Wilmington and head north along the coast and then into New Bern. I will be searching that whole area. I have a daughter in Middle School. Do you know anything about the middle schools & high schools?

Thanks again!

[Ellise]

Originally Posted by FrozenAngel

Thank you! I am planning a trip next month to check out the area. My plan is to fly into Wilmington and head north along the coast and then into New Bern. I will be searching that whole area. I have a daughter in Middle School. Do you know anything about the middle schools & high schools?

Thanks again!

No kids, so I don't really know anything much about the schools; I seem to recall seeing a thread on the coastal NC forum complaining about the Wilmington schools. And on the other hand; neighbors have said good things about the Topsail middle & high schools (located on Rt. 17 north of Hampstead).

The main attraction to this area is the beaches; I'm able to get into the water right up until late Oct. or early Nov.

You should check out the Coastal NC forum, lots of info there.

Good luck!

[Hellsfury31]

I moved from New Bedford, Massachusettes 2 years ago and came to Florida..I have had enough of Florida and making plans to move back..

[FrozenAngel]

Originally Posted by Hellsfury31

I moved from New Bedford, Massachusettes 2 years ago and came to Florida..I have had enough of Florida and making plans to move back..

If I were you, I would look for a new home besides New Bedford. Another shooting in the So. end in the middle of the day and it is looking like it was a 17 yo Dartmouth student who did the shooting. Crime is getting worse by the minute and the only full time jobs is called "welfare". Why go backwards?