Do you miss massachusetts? (Boston, Leominster: neighborhoods, construction, organic)

[CrowGirl]

RLCMA, well put. I've lived a number of places including Boston for 7 years. I had to leave because I lost my job and the best position I was able to get was in Florida. I've now been here for 5 years and would rather be back in Boston. And although the cost of living is better down here overall it's not as much as you would expect if you consider soem of the expenses down here that I never had in Boston. I had to get a car when I moved down here. I never needed one in Boston. There's $24,000 and the cost of gas vs. my monthly T pass. I have been directly hit by 3 hurricanes including one where I had to replace my roof, the drywall on one side of the house, and my kitchen. Yes, I had insurance, but that never covers it all, and there's a high deductible.

I miss being able to walk to shops and small restaurants. I miss cultural institutions. I miss autumn and hills and brick builidings. Most of all I miss Fenway Park.

As several people have said there are good things and bad things about everywhere. I have had some tremndous opportunities to do volunteer work I would never have been able to do in Boston. I don't have to deal with the cold. And I can go to the beach and unwind.

But on balance, I miss Massachusetts and would rather be back. Having it all to do over again, I wouldn't have made anotehr decision because I simply had no choice. But had I had the choice I would have stayed.

[redsoxgurl]

I moved to MI 3 years ago on a whim and at first, I missed MA. A lot! I missed the over abundance of dunkin donuts, the noise, the energy, the fast pace... god, did I miss the fast pace. I did however notice the first few days in MI how quiet it was somewhere else. I didn't hear the constant swearing on the streets, the fighting between people, the traffic... The driving is WAY better elsewhere, love the traffic in MI (it's the only thing I do love, lol) Outside of MA I found people to be a lot more trusting and friendly. Also, I found them to be sheltered and not fully aware of the real world which bothered me.

All this being said, I would love to go back to New England. I miss the beautiful scenery and the fact that everything is not flat. But I will not go back to MA. I was raised in New Bedford and lived in Fall River (short, short time) and Rehoboth. I would consider going back to Rehoboth if I didn't have to drive into the city which isn't possible... It's a shame. My daughter was 11 when she saw her first drug deal and she was a kid when she heard a gun shot for the first time. I plan on moving back to NH or Maine... maybe the fast pace isn't what I want anymore. Cost of living is outrageous and people can just be mean. Not all of MA, just my experience from the southcoast.

[FinkieMcGee]

I was born and raised just outside Cambridge. I left for San Diego about a year ago after graduating college. The only things I really miss are my friends/family and when the weather is terrible so you're forced to stay inside and do inside things. Although if I had to go through several months of that I would probably go insane again.

Other than that I'm pretty happy I moved and I'm probably not coming back to Boston anytime soon.

I also miss being able to pay like 20 bucks to see a Celtics game.

[Bluefly]

Originally Posted by redsoxgurl

I moved to MI 3 years ago on a whim and at first, I missed MA. A lot! I missed the over abundance of dunkin donuts, the noise, the energy, the fast pace... god, did I miss the fast pace. I did however notice the first few days in MI how quiet it was somewhere else. I didn't hear the constant swearing on the streets, the fighting between people, the traffic... The driving is WAY better elsewhere, love the traffic in MI (it's the only thing I do love, lol) Outside of MA I found people to be a lot more trusting and friendly. Also, I found them to be sheltered and not fully aware of the real world which bothered me.

All this being said, I would love to go back to New England. I miss the beautiful scenery and the fact that everything is not flat. But I will not go back to MA. I was raised in New Bedford and lived in Fall River (short, short time) and Rehoboth. I would consider going back to Rehoboth if I didn't have to drive into the city which isn't possible... It's a shame. My daughter was 11 when she saw her first drug deal and she was a kid when she heard a gun shot for the first time. I plan on moving back to NH or Maine... maybe the fast pace isn't what I want anymore. Cost of living is outrageous and people can just be mean. Not all of MA, just my experience from the southcoast.

As someone who also moved from Boston to Michigan, I would just like to point out that you should specify where you are in Michigan and speak only about that area - not extrapolate to the entire state. Michigan has a bad enough reputation.

Where I live in Michigan is not flat at all - rugged coastline with beaches and small mountains, lush forests and massive sand dunes, quaint harbor cities. Beautiful scenery.

As for pace, sure it's slow if you compare Boston to Traverse City or something like that. In the wealthy suburbs of Detroit, though, if you're driving less than 80 mph you're a hazard on the highway. Not exactly a slow pace.

On average I don't find people here any less worldly than people in Boston, especially when comparing equal socio-economic situations. Actually, found Boston to be quite insular, myself. A little disappointing for a city that prides itself on its vast intellectual prowess.

Just be careful about over generalizations about entire regions. It'd be like making a generalization about western Mass and Boston. Kind of impossible.

To answer the original question - I don't miss Boston at all.

[burnw005]

Moved to Celebration Florida from Boston North Shore five years ago. Took an early out from employer in Boston after 25 years, sold the house, and headed South. Don't believe anyone who says its cheaper to live in Fla. not true! Homeowners is twice as much as Swampscott, and the cost of electricity for almost year round air-conditioner surpasses what we paid for oil during colder months. Can't wait to leave this place. No real history, culture or sense of place. The houses in this town are overpriced and poorly built. Too bad the real estate market has crumbled in Fla, or we would have been gone long ago. I do miss the seasons, and especially the smell of the air in October. Don't miss the commute to Boston, or the city itself, as the Big Dig ruined it. Looking to head out west next, maybe Colorado or Utah. But as we said in the military...'you never go back'. So Mass. is just a place of memories now.

[tigers40]

I was born and raised in Pittsfield. I do miss it. I moved to Boston when I was ten. I haven't been to Pittsfield in years but it will always be home. I would not want to live there though. I live in AtL and there is too much of a difference for me to go back now. I have family there and it is always nice to go back to your roots. I do miss the snow, Friendly's, and the pure apple pies and cider made from Barlett's apples.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by burnw005

Don't miss the commute to Boston, or the city itself, as the Big Dig ruined it.

Not true at all. The Big Dig was a mess while it was going on (and hopefully they've fixed the issues with the tunnels themselves), but I saw a whole bunch of kids enjoying the fountain on the new Greenway a week or two ago and it looks better than ever.


Rose Kennedy greenway fountain on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Greenway Bridge on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
The Greenway - a set on Flickr
Summer in Boston on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Big Dig Park on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[carolynrick2004]

Not true at all. The Big Dig was a mess while it was going on (and hopefully they've fixed the issues with the tunnels themselves), but I saw a whole bunch of kids enjoying the fountain on the new Greenway a week or two ago and it looks better than ever.


Thank you so much for those great pics!!!! Boston looks beautiful!!!! Those snapshots would make anyone want to at least visit!!

I'm heading to MA for a vacation in a week and Can't Wait!!!!!!! I planned it so I'd be there in the middle of "blueberry season"!!! Again, Can't Wait!!!! Will be staying with friends in Kingston. I'm originally from Whitman (the Toll House Cookie place)!!!! Miss it!! Miss it!!! Miss It!! Can't afford to go back!!! Only visit.

[meltinjohn]

Originally Posted by burnw005

Moved to Celebration Florida from Boston North Shore five years ago. Took an early out from employer in Boston after 25 years, sold the house, and headed South. Don't believe anyone who says its cheaper to live in Fla. not true! Homeowners is twice as much as Swampscott, and the cost of electricity for almost year round air-conditioner surpasses what we paid for oil during colder months. Can't wait to leave this place. No real history, culture or sense of place. The houses in this town are overpriced and poorly built. Too bad the real estate market has crumbled in Fla, or we would have been gone long ago. I do miss the seasons, and especially the smell of the air in October. Don't miss the commute to Boston, or the city itself, as the Big Dig ruined it. Looking to head out west next, maybe Colorado or Utah. But as we said in the military...'you never go back'. So Mass. is just a place of memories now.

I can't blame you a bit. I left MA for FL (not my choice tho) and I would pick MA in a heartbeat knowing what I know now. My mom moved to FL and I personally have no idea how she came across it seeing she used to hear all these horror stories about it and she said she wouldnt move then all of a sudden she decides to like things are a lot different where she is now than in the places where these crimes have happened. I am trying to support myself now and do whatever the hell I can to leave FL and start my own life. I bitched about MA only when I never really lived anywhere else but once I left MA, I wanted back big. People here say how they find out why they left once they leave but to me its the reverse. You know you made a mistake leaving MA is what I found. Happiness comes internally tho so I just try to stay happy while the right chance comes.
When its all said and done, I'll end up in Portland Oregon more likely. How I view Boston now, knowing what I know now, it would not be bad in all honesty. Living in outer Boston I wouldnt want due to the snobs and stuff like Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, Stoneham, Needham, Wellesley, but Boston itself or the area I wouldn't mind if it were in Cambridge, Malden, Revere, Somerville in parts, Billerica being the most far out I'd live. Billerica now is a real nice place. Chelmsford bites. Most places beat Florida anyhow. I miss a ton about MA seeing I am in FL. Getting to Portland, I probably wont give it much thought seeing Portland has more than enough charms. If anyone wants to move to FL, I tell them to rethink it hard because you dont know what you got until its gone. People may not lay on their horns but its a very annoying lifestyle here. St Pete is my favorite city in FL and parts of Orlando. I grew up around Lowell but even Lowell looks ok next to many parts of FL and I swear by that lol.

[BGF]

Reading this thread gives me a business idea. I'm starting a site where city-data.com readers can swap houses, jobs, and friends with other forum members so that everyone can just parachute into a new state and try out a new life. Of course, the challenge will be policing the site because everyone is going to say that they make $300k/year, that their girlfriends are 5'9" and 125 lbs, and that their friends are smart, witty and generous.

I'm not a native Bostonian, so while I do appreciate Boston as a more polite and refined version of NYC, I don't get to enjoy it very much because tech work tends to be around the 128 and 495 corridor, not in downtown. When it comes to sports, I support the Giants, the Mets, and the Wolverines, so trying to find a sports bar to watch a game with like-minded people can be challenge. I just went out last night to a bunch of clubs and bars downtown, drove home (sober I hope) at 3:30 AM, made it to my western suburbs town and then got stopped by the police because I was driving 35 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. Geez, I'd have to be on the brakes the entire time to drive 30 on a down hill section. Of course I was fine because it had been 3 hours since I drank, but I couldn't help but think that this is no way to "have fun" because it actually felt more like work.

For those whose jobs and lifestyle allow them to live and work in city center, Boston is as good as it gets for city life.