Anyone Move to Boston area from Raleigh, NC? (Bedford: real estate, trip)

[janny]

Hi, all! I apologize in advance for how scattered this post may seem, as I'm writing it with my 3-yr-old son interrupting me every 30 seconds or so.

I am hoping to possibly chat with some people who moved from the Raleigh (or even Charlotte, NC) area up to Boston--for work or any other reason---and get your take on things you like/don't like about the move. We currently live in the Raleigh, NC area. My husband's company may be offering him a position in their Bedford, MA office in the very near future (w/in a year) and so we'd like to do some research now, just in case. We really have not narrowed down the search to just a few areas, just yet, as we are still learning about the area in general (towns with the better schools, low-crime, etc etc)

Some background...

I am from southern NJ originally (Atlantic County), lived outside of Philadelphia for about 7 years during and just after college (loved it), then when my husband and I married we moved up to northern NJ (Morris County---didn't like it so much) for his then-job. My husband was born in NYC, raised on Long Island. We had our son in 2004 and moved to the Raleigh, NC area in November 2005 so we could afford to buy our first home...finally (I was 34, DH was 38).

My husband has had an easy time adjusting here---he is a very laid-back kind of guy. He likes the weather, most of all. I, on the other hand, have had a much harder time adjusting. I really miss living in the NY/NJ/Philly area mostly because of the overabundance of things to do, especially for a family with a small child. I do also miss my friends I had there and have had a hard time making new ones here in NC because we live in a very rural area (i.e. where we could afford to buy a house at the time). I miss the fact that the beaches were only 45 mins to an hour away. There were several zoos in the area close-by (regular zoos, petting zoos, etc.). Lots of universities, good schools, great hospitals, awesome restaurants, museums, historic areas with lots of charm, amusement parks, parks, cultural opportunities, Amish country, nature preserves, skiiing (Poconos), etc. I could go on and on. I'm the type of person who likes to have a lot of things available to do and would like for those kinds of opportunities to be available to our son, too.

We don't miss the high cost of living, of course, the taxes, the traffic and congestion. My husband doesn't miss the snow, but says if he had to live with it again he would. I suppose all those things are necessary evils, though, for the "quality of life" that I feel we are missing out on here in NC due the incredible lack of things to do within close proximity.

So, I would love to hear from the perspective of people who have lived in the Raleigh area especially, (but I suppose anywhere else down south would suffice) who moved to Boston.

*What was it like, making that change?
*How hard has it been for you to get used to the winters? (We saw our fair share of snow in northern NJ, but we know not as much as MA people see).
*How do the areas compare when looking at family-oriented activities?
*Are there a lot of things to do on the weekends?
*Plenty of day-trip possibilities?

*What about the schools?
*If you have school-aged children, do you feel your kids are getting a better education in MA than they were in NC?
*Anyone with a child with an IEP? My son is 3 years old, has an IEP, and will be going to a developmental preschool at one of the local public schools (he was a micro-preemie). I'd really love some input on the special education program, if possible.
*Are there any issues with overcrowding in any of the schools in the suburbs of Boston?

*Is there a light rail service from the suburbs into the city (in case that's where I end up working)?

They're all the questions I can think of for now.

Also, I know this will come up, so I will address it now. We do realize that the cost of living and real estate prices are *significantly* higher in the Boston area than they are here in the Raleigh area. My husband will be getting an increase in salary and I plan on returning to work on a part-time basis, initially, when/if we move there. We anticipate having to live further out from Bedford, MA than would be ideal so that we could find an affordable home by Boston standards.

I know that it would be helpful if I had specific towns in mind, but as our research is still very much in its beginning stages, we would be satisfied with some more general information for now.

Thanks in advance!

[findingmesomeday]

Since we're trying to go the other way, after 11 years here in the Boston area, I'm not sure how much help I can be!

I can tell you that after doing a lot of research on the schools in Raleigh, I'd have to rank at least 80% of metrowest suburban school districts as outperforming mostly anything in Raleigh---maybe with the exception of Chapel Hill schools. I can't answer your IEP questions since I don't have kids on that plan, but I do know that different towns are their own school districts, so explore this carefully before finding a house.

It's outrageoulsy expensive to live here and utilities (oil/gas heat, electric, etc.) are sky high.

Maybe post this in the NC or Raleigh forum too?

[gamsauer]

I am moving to Boston from Raleigh on March 1 so currently I can't be of any help. Like you, I am also the kind of person that enjoys living close to many things to do. Boston, in my opinion, has many more things to do than Raleigh. And, yeah, Boston is expensive and, yeah, it does get cold but life is more than about weather. I moved to Raleigh from NY 13 and 1/2 years ago and have wanted to move from Raleigh for a long time. Nothing against Raleigh but it just isn’t for me.

Good luck in your decision.

[janny]

Originally Posted by gamsauer

I am moving to Boston from Raleigh on March 1 so currently I can't be of any help. Like you, I am also the kind of person that enjoys living close to many things to do. Boston, in my opinion, has many more things to do than Raleigh. And, yeah, Boston is expensive and, yeah, it does get cold but life is more than about weather. I moved to Raleigh from NY 13 and 1/2 years ago and have wanted to move from Raleigh for a long time. Nothing against Raleigh but it just isn’t for me.

Good luck in your decision.

I'd really love to hear back from you in April or May when you've had time to get settled in. We will likely be taking a trip up to Boston around that time for my husband's work, so any input you could provide sure would be timely.

Based on all of the research I've done it sure sounds like there is a LOT more to do in Boston than around here. It's nice in a VERY relaxed (affordable) way around here, but there's not much going on in the way of recreation or culture.

Thanks so much for posting and please keep in touch here if you think of it.

[janny]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

Maybe post this in the NC or Raleigh forum too?

Thanks for your input! I do appreciate it! I will try posting in the Raleigh forum, too, although those folks can be a bit hostile at the least little "negative" thing you say about the area. I don't think my post will be well-received.

[gamsauer]

Originally Posted by janny

Thanks for your input! I do appreciate it! I will try posting in the Raleigh forum, too, although those folks can be a bit hostile at the least little "negative" thing you say about the area. I don't think my post will be well-received.

I agree they get a little hostile with anything negative. OMG, whatever you do, don't say the slightest negative thing about Durham. They'll have your head!

I will be back in touch soon with some input soon.

[LeavingMA]

I can understand the Durham thing a little, seeing how many make the place out to be terrible and it has some really nice areas. The NC board gets a ton of hits, and I think some people are tired of reading the same things over and over again. It would be the same if people kept coming on the MA board and saying everyone in MA is rude, snobby, etc., all negative things.

I never found the triangle area to be boring, although I guess it depends what your hobbies and interests are. I like the fact it is usually above freezing so you can do things outside even in the winter. I think all cities offer plenty of things to do, it just depends on preference. The rough thing about Boston though, is anytime you go out and want to grab something to eat or drink your looking at spending more $ than other places. So the cost of going out definitely starts to make you reconsider how many times you go out there. I used to go in Boston quite a bit after college, now I basically never go and could care less for the scene and the cost.

I realize the Raleigh area is more spread out and not the same type of urban area as Boston. If you really like taking public transportation, a small city in terms of land size (which makes it more walkable), and amentities in a short distance, then Boston is a good place.

[findingmesomeday]

It would be hard to replicate the charm of New England anywhere. I've lived a lot of places (Seattle is my fav) and I will miss a lot of things about New England, *IF* we ever get to leave. But the weather and cost of living are not on that list! We've been here 11 years, so it's probably time to move on. It won't happen any time soon though since our oldest is halfway through 11th grade right now.

I agree about the Raleigh board. Don't mention anything negative about the Wake Co schools either! LOL

The moderation on this board is more relaxed. Funny that MA has the reputation of being rude when from an internet perspective, I've found the MA board to be one of the most laid back!

[holden125]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

The moderation on this board is more relaxed. Funny that MA has the reputation of being rude when from an internet perspective, I've found the MA board to be one of the most laid back!

People might disagree vehemently but my personal impression is that Mass. and the northeast in general, people are intense and combative in traffic or whatever, but open to bashing of the area since we all know it can be challenging at times, though for many of us the good aspects make it worth it. In the south, on the other hand, my experience is that everyone is relaxed and friendly in a superficial way but that goes out the window when you break the rules of conformity.

[gamsauer]

Originally Posted by holden125

People might disagree vehemently but my personal impression is that Mass. and the northeast in general, people are intense and combative in traffic or whatever, but open to bashing of the area since we all know it can be challenging at times, though for many of us the good aspects make it worth it. In the south, on the other hand, my experience is that everyone is relaxed and friendly in a superficial way but that goes out the window when you break the rules of conformity.

You got it exactly right.