Help me convince my step-sister... (Hingham, Cohasset: coop, houses, pharmacy)

[Powersails]

to move to Massachusetts. She absolutely loves the South Shore and hates Arizona, where she now lives, with a passion. A little bit of history is in order, I think.

We are originally from Vermont, she moved to Reno, Nevada about 15 years ago. About 10 years later she took a swim in Lake Tahoe and almost died; she had become "allergic" to the cold since leaving Vermont. She had to take medication daily in wintertime just to go outside and carry an Epi-pen with her at all times. Her doctor advised her to move to a warmer climate, so she moved to Arizona two years ago. She hates it, says she went from bad to worse now that she can't leave her house four to five months out of the year due to the extreme heat. Then to top it all off, four months ago she was diagnosed with skin cancer from that wonderful Arizona sun. So she's leaving Arizona, she just can't figure out where to go.

You should hear her talk about the South Shore, you'd think she was a native born and raised. Now I know that her allergy to the cold will be a drawback to living in Massachusetts, but she's mostly a homebody anyway, and if she's stuck inside in Arizona, don't you think it would be better to be stuck inside in a town that you love? She LOVES the snow, she just can't be in it for any long periods of time. Surely she'd be happier staring at it through her window than staring at the miles and miles of absolute nothing that is the desert.

She mentions Hingham and Cohasset (sp?) quite a bit; are they towns that she could live in and have everything she needs close by? And I mean very basic things like a grocery store, a pharmacy and a doctor within 5 miles. Luckily, she can afford to live pretty much anywhere she wants. Also, she's a single parent; are these towns accepting of single parents?

What would you do in her situation? I'd like to see what people have to say and then show her this post, perhaps it'll sway her to just take the plunge and go where she's always wanted to be. Either way, I think I'm a dead guy when she reads this.

[miu]

But what about her being allergic to the cold? I'm not familiar with that medical condition. Will dressing warmly manage that for her? How at what cold temperature does her body start to get upset?

[Powersails]

Prior to her being diagnosed I'd never heard of it either. It's called cold urticaria. It's pretty rare for it to be as extreme as her case is. I've seen her get hives in 60 degree weather because she felt she'd be conspicuous dressed in heavy winter gear at that temperature. She's going to have a problem no matter where she goes, her case is that extreme. With medication and proper clothing it's managable for her to be out and about for short periods of time.

So I guess it comes down to the fact that she's pretty much confined to the house in winter no matter where she lives. Maybe I'm wrong, I just want her to be happy, and Massachusetts is her Eden. I just think as long as you have to be cooped up, coop yourself up in a town you really love.

[brightdoglover]

Both Hingham and Cohasset are lovely towns with everything you could need well within five miles. They are both pricey because of their beauty and, especially in Hingham, history and antique houses.
What a strange and difficult condition she has. I wish her well in her search for a safe place to love.

[smarty]

OMG...

I may have a mild form of the same thing... cold urticaria


All kidding aside... may be she can be snowbirds... many live here during the summer and move to AZ/FL during the winter...

[foozman]

wow that is quite a tale of woe...I just had to respond to it. You sister would be very happy on the South Shore.. BUT.. It is cold, damp and raw here most of the year. Sounds like she might suffer around here. As far as the services here, she would be very happy..I think. It is nice that she can afford to go anywhere she wants and yes we do allow single moms in the area. There are many of them. Good luck and I hope she finds what she is looking for!