Do you miss massachusetts? (Boston, Brockton: cost, store, garden)

[Rhaven]

Sadly, I have to say I dont miss it too much. Sure, I miss my friends and the family we left behind. Otherwise, I'm very happy where I ended up.

[tampabutterfly]

Originally Posted by carolynrick2004

Sorry it took so long to answer. Was out-of-town for a week. Did you get to talk with your sister? What I would probably do is touch base with her on one of my 2008 trips to MA. If that would be okay. On my next trip, I'll be staying with a girlfriend who still lives on the same street I grew up on. She works in Abington for some Mortgage Attorney. I'm retired and widowed. (I may have mentioned that before.)

I only have one friend who has a condo in St. Pete, but she's doing the 6/6 thing and is down here when everyone else wants be here.....during the winter months.

I am going to put that ad in the paper though, that was suggested. Will see how that works.

Hi Carolyn,

Okay Carolyn keep me posted. That's a great idea to touch base with her on
one of your visits to MA. We both had hectic schedules this past week
so I haven't had a chance to talk to her. But we have been trying to figure out the 6/6 thing for her also. She was supposed to be here now staying temporarily with me and looking for a short term rental but my elderly aunt (85) became very sick and is in a nursing home so she can't leave her up North by herself(we have a tiny family).

My sister will one day move to Florida full time because she is retired and is feeling like she needs a change and wants to be near us.

Butterfly



Butterfly

[FrozenAngel]

Originally Posted by Rhaven

Otherwise, I'm very happy where I ended up.

Always like to know where people end up and are happy. Where did you end up? Or did I miss that answer .... sorry if I did.

[Rhaven]

Originally Posted by FrozenAngel

Always like to know where people end up and are happy. Where did you end up? Or did I miss that answer .... sorry if I did.

We ended up in the NC triangle area, in a town called Apex. We'd been researching the area for a few years before moving, taking a few trips down to make sure it was suitable. For a family with young kids, it was perfect. I'm still blown away from the sheer amount of things to do for kids around here. I came from central Mass where we had to drive 20 minutes to get to the nearest fun spot for kids. Here, you can't drive down a street without finding something to do. And that, along with warm enough weather that I can actually enjoy the outdoors longer, is what we were looking for. Basically we were looking for a change in our quality of life. Warmer weather but not FL warm, more bang for your buck, more options on things to do, without a city feeling to the area. So far the feeling is unanimous by the whole family we did the right thing.

[angela828]

i was born and raised here,,didnt miss MA, but had to come back

[Barkingowl]

I used to live in Marblehead & now I live in Charlotte, NC. I do miss the North Shore. Maybe one day I'll go back.

[NC from MA]

Rhaven,

I'm in central MA now where I have to drive 20-30 minutes like you mentioned. We are contemplating a move to the Raleigh area (4 school aged kids) How long have you been in Apex? Where in MA did you live?? Do you like the schools? Are people friendlier than up here?? Just curious.

[Rhaven]

NC from MA,

I've been here in Apex now since October. I'll be completely honest, I adore it here. I've lived all over Mass, from the concord area, Tyngsboro/Westford, Ayer, and most recently in Templeton, up near the leominster/Fitchburg area.

People are more openly friendly if that makes sense. It's quite common for some random stranger to start talking to you at a store. This took a little getting used to There is a more laid back feel, people actually stop at stop signs and pedestrian walkways when they see someone needing to cross. Walking down a street, everyone will say hello. And most people here are transplants... you just get accustomed to public politeness.


There is a differing views on the school system in the county I am on. It's causing quite the tantrums among parents. Whether they are jsutified or not, I have yet to come to a personal conclusion. But in order to keep the schools as financially diverse as possible, and the insane influx of new people each year, the county has needed to redistrict where kids go every year. In other words, you do not pick the neighborhood you live in for the school because your child may or may not go there. people make it out to be a bigger thing than it is, upset that their children do not go to the school right next door, but the other side of town. I tend to look back when I was a kid and remember only having ONE school per town anyways, not 5.

Education wise, great schools! I'm extremely happy with the schools education here. My son has ADHD and even in a normal setting he is just flourishing! The teachers have been wonderful in getting my eldest acclimated, up to date with the rest of the children, and comfortable in his new enviorment. They have year round schooling here in Apex, something I adore, and full day kindergarten. My son has learned more in 3 months than I could ever expect.

Before I moved here, I also worked hard to create a network of people I could talk to, learn from, and make some friends. I left everyone i loved besides my immediate family behind and was starting from scrath. After a lot of research I found a great website and forums for mothers in the triangle area. I was able to find a great pediatrician, learn about local places for kids and adults, get great reviews on places of business around here, before I even set foot. That helped the transition to go more smoothly.

All in all, I love it here. We're renting for the time being, but when we do decide to buy it will be in this particular area of the triangle for sure.

[NC from MA]

Thanks for the info...we are hoping to make the move in the next year or so, before any of the kids are high school bound. We visited last April and loved the area. People are very friendly down there. Enjoy the mild weather...you aren't missing anything here (we're in rutland). Snow everywhere!!! How did your family react when you told them you were moving???

[Zipperhead]

I grew up on the North Shore ..... roughly 20 miles North of Bawwston (said in my best New England accent) .

Tired of the snows 4 years ago and moved to Tampa Fl. (hated it) and now living in Central Va (boring) And yep .... planning on putting the house here in Va on the market in 2 months and trudging back up to enjoy the snow, mountains, beaches, crazy paced world of New England again.

And honestly?
I can't friggen wait .....