Shoveling snow? (Boston, Westfield, Burlington: how much, home, landscaping)

[Natashae]

Hi,
We are thinking about moving to MA, and are wondering about what it feels like to live there. We are thinking about living at least about 15 miles away from Boston; may be in Burlington.

How often do people have to shovel snow off the driveway? What are the alternatives to shoveling? What do old people do when their health doesn't let them get up early in the morning to do that? Or, say, single moms who can't leave their children home by themselves, or in any other similar situation?

I am originally from Russia and love snow, but in my country the city takes care of the snow, even driveways. Right now I am living in TN, and miss snow very much, but because I don't have any experience shoveling snow, I don't know if I can permanently live somewhere where it is done on a regular basis for several months. Any solutions?

[winnie]

You can either get a snowblower which makes the job pretty easy, or you can hire a plow service and decide how frequent he/she should come in a snowstorm.

We used a snowblower even in the worst of storms and it made the job a breeze on our 50ft drive. But if you have a huge long driveway you might want to hire someone.

Also see if the plow service will drop some rock salt too, and be sure to have a bag on your porch to throw down on the walkway.

[Cosmic]

Originally Posted by Natashae

Hi,
What are the alternatives to shoveling? Any solutions?

It is very easy. Just go tell your new neighbors that you are new in town and you have a bad heart and your back has a slipped disk. Plus limp a little bit.

No new people in MA, ever shovel snow. They never pay either. When in doubt look helpless, mumble. If they refuse, call them heartless and cruel.

If you learn to become "One Way", you are sure to fit right into the "New Scene" as practiced within the borders of MA.

PS: It will even work in the summer when the grass needs to be cut.

[winnie]

Just FYI, a lot of russians are moving to western MA. Westfield in particular had a growing russian population. I have no idea about the Boston area.

[2KidsforMe]

Cosmic, I am a Southern CA native, and have shoveled my own driveway since the first winter we have been here! The first few winters hubby and i thought it was kinda fun! We would laugh, and sing and have snowball fights. The neighbors thought we were nuts!

[CaseyB]

We hire someone to plow us. We have an arrangement where they will come if it is more than 3 inches.

[CityGirl52]

I hired 2 brothers that started up their own company in town, they mow our lawn in the summer and they plow our driveway in the winter, they do a really good job too. We have to shovel the walkway though ourselves. It's kind of a pain in the neck but at least it's not a massive long long walkway to get to the porch steps, it's not too bad. We go out there and shovel it after the snowstorms usually when it's nice and quiet and peaceful outside, it's the best part of a snowstorm actually! Most of the time it's at night around 6 or 7 PM.

You're not really supposed to shovel after a certain age, due to heart attacks and all that. I think it's after the age of 50 if I'm not mistaken. BUT sometimes you have to do what you have to do. In New England we a lot of times will get a heavy snow, which means you have to be careful with the way you pick the shovel up when the snows on it! There's a trick to it that you have to follow. It takes a little longer to accomplish, but it eventually gets all done! In the last couple of years we've lucked out in New England, especially on the seacoast where I live and a lot of times we only had a few inches on the ground and it was a breeze to shovel it all up!

[netman4u]

I have my 13 and 10 year old daughters do it for $10 a piece!

Any given year you shovel no more than about 5 times. Sometimes less.

[Noodle]

Originally Posted by winnie

Just FYI, a lot of russians are moving to western MA. Westfield in particular had a growing russian population. I have no idea about the Boston area.

Seriously, There are a lot of Russians in Westfield. I know. I live here. For the most part, I find them to be pleasant, and hard working. I think you would like it here. And there are plenty of landscaping companies that will shovel your snow in the winter. That's their bread and butter in the winter.

[Natashae]

Thank you VERY much for all the responses- very helpful!
How much do those plowing companies charge per day or season?
Do you really shovel just about 5 times a year? That's it?
What about the property taxes around Burlington or Westfield?