Moving to Amherst MA from England Help!! (Northampton, Hadley: house, income)

[ontheroad]

Just trying to be both humourous and perhaps accurate.

Originally Posted by bearanddolly

Not sure about the UFO watching !

[ontheroad]

And bearanddolly, just for the record, and in my opinion, this area of New England is very reminiscent of ole England. I lived in London years ago, and in several New England areas, and this remains among my favourites.

I do think you'll be quite comfortable, and the children should fit in easily.

If you have more questions, feel free to query me again.

[katzenfreund]

Amherst has a nice big Whole Foods (health/gourmet food store) and a Trader Joe's. There is also a big bookstore and lots of "big box stores". Northampton is close by for lots of little fun shops, although it does seem a bit more "yuppy". Lots of things going on in that area, we go to Amherst about once a month and often they have some festivals in the town common, from international foods, to reggae or tibet.... a lovely town! I would love to move to that area, but my husband works in Charlton, so the drive would be too long.

[bearanddolly]

Thanks all you friendly US folks! Katzenfreund I an unsure what traderJoe's is and big box stores?? Whole foods I understand though and that sounds right up my alley! The festivals sound really good too. It sounds like a really nice community which is what we want. Are there local shops for essentials or would I need to drive everywhere? In England the towns are all centred around the shops so you can walk to get bread and milk. When I was in the US (did summercamp in 1996 stayed for 6 mths) it all seemed very sprawling with no real centre. This was in a completely different part of course. (mid west)I still absolutely loved it thoiugh and didn't want to come home. I was single then and now my prorities are of course completely different!! Am rambling now. Anyway. Thanks folks!

[ontheroad]

Unless you live in town, it's the car, a bike or by foot. And the large stores Katzenfreund referred to are a drive away (on Rte 9). Trader Joe's a sort of reduced goods shop, and some excellent wine; box stores are large stores that sell their particular fare (housewares, home fixings, etc).

Amherst is quite walkable; has a town square, with a large parking lot. Around the square you'll find a church, a Bed & Breakfast, two or three book sellers; an office supplier; a craft league; shoe store, and more. On Main Street going North, I believe it is, you'll find some shops where you can pick up a quart of milk, several good restaurants, a clothing shop or three, and back behind one of the lots, there was a A+ wine shop.

And on Pleasant Street, you might find some of your neighbours drinking good coffee and eating a good sandwich at the Black Sheep.

Good luck in your re-location!

[katzenfreund]

Like the OP, I came here from Europe and I was used to being able to get everything within walking distance. Like OTR mentioned, there are various shops in the center of Amherst, but I'd expect you'd want to make a weekly trip to the bigger grocery store, I like Whole Foods, but they are not cheap. They do have some very nice produce and they have a huge cheese selection and nice bakery items. Much nicer than any other supermarket chain I've been to. Trader Joe's has some of the "health food" items at cheaper prices and has some european items (it belongs to the german Aldi stores), such as Ritter Sport chocolate, yum. I think you will like Amherst!

[katzenfreund]

And I love those coffee shops where you actually can sit outside (on nice days)!!! For some reason that seems to be a rarity in most towns here, in central MA.

[bearanddolly]

Those posts were sooooo useful. All the things you mentioned are things we really like; especially the good wine shops (husband's area) and cheeses. I was actually wondering if America had decent cheeses just yesterday!! (Alright I know I need to get a life but I do like a good Chedder or Camembert)

Anyone know anything about the schools? We are RC faith and so would like a Catholic School for our 2 chuildren (age 5 and 14mths) that is not too far away. Are children grouped by age or ability or does it depend on the school? In the UK they are put into year groups depending on how old they are the September of that academic year. We will hopefully go and visit schools when we come over in February but we would love some info or a short list first. What are the state schools like versus the private schools? Obviously we would prefer a free education! Thanks again for all the fantastic help so far.

[katzenfreund]

Whole foods stocks a lot of european cheeses, yum. And they also have some good cheddar cheese, too! I like the very sharp ones...
I am afraid I don't know anything about schools there, maybe someone else that knows will come along :-)

[willdufauve]

Your children will be okay in the Amherst Public Schools or the regional high school. They aren't as good as years ago but still among the best in the area. Any of the surrounding town's elementary schools are good too. They're all free. High schools and middle school quality varies by town. Some good, some stink.

There is no Catholic school in that area but St Brigids church is in the center of town opposite Ren's Mobil gas station (petrol) if you take mass. It's a beautiful old style church, not modern.The Catholic schools are in poorer inner city neighborhoods in Springfield, Holyoke and are also very good schools.

You need a car. We drive on the right. There's free/cheap public bus service when school is in session but not summer and vacations. Ren does honest auto repairs and sells used cars.

Wendell is a 60's hippie enclave now pricey. Leverett is rural affluence, nice if you got the $$$. Shutesbury is closer in, almost suburban, has Lake Wyola for summer swimming. Hadley is strip malls, cow farms, expensive houses, good schools.

Generally, houses are over $250K. The market is soft now but you might realistically pay $350-450k. Students make housing competitive. There are no good deals. Rental houses are probably $1500-2500 now, first and last + maybe plus security deposit and + utilities.

You better find something before the students are back looking in late July, with another possible window for renting in end of January second semester..