Western Mass/Berkshires (Pittsfield, Franklin, Greenfield: for sale, houses, job transfer)

[Jansu]

Hi,
My husband may be working in Pittsfield and so we may need to move to that area. We are willing to live within a half hour drive or so from Pittsfield. We would like to find the town with the very best public high schools (we have two teenage daughters) and a welcoming community. Any recommendations? Also, any really good private schools in the area with strong communities and progressive values? Thanks!

[willdufauve]

Drop the "field." Keep the first syllable. That's where you're going.

I've always liked the towns of Dalton and Peru. They're nice but I wouldn't say progressive, maybe slightly more conservative than middle of the road.

My preference would be Cummington or Plainfield. I know people there I would describe as progressive new-age. The drive along Rte 9 is pleasant and a do-able commute, houses aren't outrageously expensive, and it's a pretty area. Schools are decent.

[madevelopment]

Check out the Northern Berkshires. Lots of great housing at a good price and the North Adams / Williamstown area is on the verge of something big. Great communities and good schools. Pine Cobble is a great private school.
Moresi & Asscoiates - Home

[Jansu]

Thanks for the tips. I will look into all those towns. Yeah, I know Pittsfield itself doesn't have a great rep-- I grew up in Massachusetts. I thought parts of it were supposed to be nice, though. Any one else? What is Lee like? Or Great Barrington? Hard for a newcomer?

[willdufauve]

Outside of the cities and areas with student transients Mass. is, in my experience, tough on newcomers. I grew up here, but left and became a newcomer.

New Englanders are notoriously aloof, especially small towns, and Mass. is so racist it needs to learn some new things from the modern Mississippi.

I absolutely can't stand Franklin County and all the redneck areas like Greenfield, Orange, Colrain, Turners Falls, etc.and truly regret moving there.

[sknn2]

Hello,
I have lived in the berkshires just about all my short 36 year life. I live in Hinsdale, Ma now in a lake community. The schools in Hinsdale,Dalton, Peru are great. They have a lot of programs/sports for the kids. I was born in North Adams and went to school there from K-12. The schools are pretty good there as well. However, if you need anything you will have to travel for it. Not much do do around there either. Sure the town has improved a little from the 80's but still has a way to go. When I came back from college I sought out to live in hinsdale peru. Dalton is the same school district but housing is a bit overpriced for the area. You get more for your buck for just a 5min drive.

FYI...My house is going to be for sale in the next month or two. Job transfer to Fl. I live in a brand new cape with vaulted ceilings, stone chimney 23ft tall inside great room and a water view of the lake. Tile and hardwood thru out. Walk to a little beach, and about 300ft to your own little dock. Its a small lake but big enough to water ski, jet ski etc.

Let me know if you or anyone you know would be interested before I list.

[litlux]

There is plenty to do in the Berkshires if you are a person who enjoys music, theater, dance and the visual arts. Interesting speakers at the colleges - Michael Pollan was at Williams this past October. He wrote Omnivore's Dilemma. Lots of other writers make appearances too.

If you enjoy the outdoors, there is also a wealth of fishing, hiking, camping and other family activities. Sports? I love the Steeplecats baseball games in North Adams.

I am always amazed by people who say there is little to do. They should expand their horizons a little. The Berkshires are a banquet, all you need to do is open your eyes and mind.

[michael49]

Originally Posted by madevelopment

Check out the Northern Berkshires. Lots of great housing at a good price and the North Adams / Williamstown area is on the verge of something big. Great communities and good schools. Pine Cobble is a great private school.
Moresi & Asscoiates - Home

North Adams is fairly economically depressed and downtrodden, IMO. Willamstown is small, but cool, with Williams College (has been rated the #1 liberal arts college in the country several times) as the major driving force. Great hiking arount there.