Good Western Mass towns? (Boston, Springfield: house, neighborhoods, to buy)

[StaceyB]

My family (husband and baby) are looking to move to Mass next fall when he graduates from grad school. I grew up spending weekends and summers in the Berkshires and we are thinking of moving back there but need to find an area where an acupunturist would have clients. Anyone have any ideas?

[winnie]

Sturbridge, Northampton, Ludlow, Hadley, Amherst, Westfield..Palmer - all in the Pioneer Valley

For a start!

Or if you really want the Berks then you might consider Pittsfield for a business, it is the only large city west of Springfield.

[tomhooople]

Your husband will do great anywhere in the Berkshires. I live in the Berkshires now and am a veterinary acupuncturist. The Berkshires have become a mecca of alternative medicine. If he is really good he may want to consider applying to work at Canyon Ranch in Lenox. I know my acupuncturist in Pittsfield is way too busy and it takes 2-3 wks to get an appt. The only negative is that there are so many acupuncturists out here there is a lot of competition. Southern Berkshire county is extremely expensive if you want to purchase a home and taxes are going up there. The pittsfield area is more affordable and is finally on the rebound. you also may want to look into northern berkshire county-williamstown, that area. Northampton area is ok but is even more flooded with acpuncturists.
Finally, summers are absolutely beautiful up here, but winters are long, dark, and cold, so be prepared. You can send me a private message if you like.
If you decide on Pittsfield, please let me know where you are looking to purchase a home. There are some bad areas you want to avoid. Also, any of the outlying towns are usu. a quick commute in the larger towns

[jeebs3000]

My family is considering a move to the Berkshires as well and since we are coming from Brooklyn we thought Pittsfiled might be a good transition. But we are wary of bad neighborhoods and bad schools for our 4 yr. old to grow-up in. Any suggestions for Pittsfield?

[ontheroad]

Have lived over the hill from the Berkshires in Hampshire County, but also lived in Brooklyn.

Pittsfield is the last of the towns in the Berkshires I'd recommend. Here is a map of the area

http://www.worcestermass.com/pronoun...recounty.shtml

I'd suggest Stockbridge, Lee, and others--smaller but more family centered.

Here's some more info on the County:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshi..._Massachusetts

and I'd add Great Barrington - one of my favourite towns.

Originally Posted by jeebs3000

My family is considering a move to the Berkshires as well and since we are coming from Brooklyn we thought Pittsfiled might be a good transition. But we are wary of bad neighborhoods and bad schools for our 4 yr. old to grow-up in. Any suggestions for Pittsfield?

[SuperGrover]

I second Lee. It is around the corner from Sturbridge and is absolutely beautiful.

[0294]

Hello
This is my first day on here. I currently live in Groton, MA. My sister lives in Penfield NY. I want to move somewhere in the middle of these two locations which is either in the Berkshires or Albany I think. I want to buy a nice small house for about $150,000. I am a 45 year old divorced mother of four. My grown children will stay in the Boston area. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you so much.
PS I couldn't figure out where to post my question, can you help me?

[wpotsie]

Most towns in the Pioneer Valley would be great. Lots of culture and not far from the city. Stockbridge, Lee and Lenox would be nice, too. Again, lots of culture and not far from Albany!

[ontheroad]

Your question may get lost in this thread. You consider starting a new thread of your own.

Off the top of my head, however, I might suggest Stockbridge or Great Barrington as possibilities. I worked in Albany and had many meetings with my Boston colleagues in those town towns.

Originally Posted by 0294

Hello
This is my first day on here. I currently live in Groton, MA. My sister lives in Penfield NY. I want to move somewhere in the middle of these two locations which is either in the Berkshires or Albany I think. I want to buy a nice small house for about $150,000. I am a 45 year old divorced mother of four. My grown children will stay in the Boston area. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you so much.
PS I couldn't figure out where to post my question, can you help me?

[wayno]

Howdy:

My wife and I have been evaluating a move from the Boston area to western MA (I grew up in Granville). We like the Berkshires, but the overall economic conditions seem pretty poor. Adams and N. Adams appear to be improving, but they are quite remote. Northampton and Amherst are nice communities withall the influences of colleges and universities. Even though they may be "expensive", compared to the Boston area they're downright reasonable! My job requires lots of driving with customers in the Boston, NY, NJ, and eastern PA areas. We like the smaller communities, access to outdoor activities, and the lower cost of living, but we still like access to some "energetic" downtowns.

Does anyone have suggestions? Anyone made a similar move recently?