What is the friendliest town in MA??? (Boston: DMV, live)

[in_newengland]

I've always thought CT had the worst drivers. Are we just talking about the Boston area or the entire state of Massachusetts. It sounds like people are only discussing the Boston traffic. Massachusetts is not a "metro area."

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

I've always thought CT had the worst drivers.

Well CT certainly has the most self-entitled and arrogant drivers. Worst leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

I was driving north of I-93 during the storm on Friday and a CT driver was in the left lane behind me. She tried to pass me on the right but I was not going to allow that. I had a small space cushion in place between me and the next vehicle up due to the slippery road conditions.

CT people seem to love to go into other people's metro areas and hog the left lane. It is disrespectful to say the least. The left lane is not for out-of-the-area people to camp in. Don't get me started on I-495 in the summertime.

[ConceivedinKY51]

Originally Posted by markmark09

I have to say I'm surprised to hear this. I'm a recent transplant (Newton), and I've lived in PA, FL, CA, NY, and I think the people around here are very friendly. Even when driving, I get the sense that most drivers are friendly based on their willingness to let you merge, change lanes, yield to pedestrians.

Your experience is not common at all. I'm not the only one who has experienced what I've experienced. And Boston area drivers are known to be THE WORST!!

[semiurbanite]

Originally Posted by ConceivedinKY51

I would love to leave the state but am not able to at this point. One of my beefs with it here (and I've lived in every region of the US but never had this problem before) is what I've encountered as the lack of human warmth and friendliness. I've only lived in Boston and a nearby suburb. Does anyone have suggestions/experiences with towns outside of nearby Boston that you find to be friendly if you're not originally from here?

I find it's much easier to meet neighbors when you actually walk by them every day as opposed to waving from inside of a car. It's true having something in common makes it much easier, having kids for me has been the #1 thing that makes it easier to meet people in the neighborhood, especially when everyone uses the playgrounds.

[OrganicSmallHome]

Traditional New Englanders are not, historically, people who are in-your-face "friendly." They do, however, tend to be straightforward and no-nonsense. And I like that. Shows a respect for privacy and is non-hypocritical. I'm from Texas, originally, but have been in New England for 30 years. Wouldn't live any place else. Every time I have to return to Texas (which was a blue state when I was coming up), I have to steel myself in preparation for all the "friendliness," which is fine from folks I know well (family, neighbors, etc.), but just about drives me out of my mind when it comes from strangers.

[vtecluder617]

Originally Posted by OrganicSmallHome

Traditional New Englanders are not, historically, people who are in-your-face "friendly." They do, however, tend to be straightforward and no-nonsense. And I like that. Shows a respect for privacy and is non-hypocritical. I'm from Texas, originally, but have been in New England for 30 years. Wouldn't live any place else. Every time I have to return to Texas (which was a blue state when I was coming up), I have to steel myself in preparation for all the "friendliness," which is fine from folks I know well (family, neighbors, etc.), but just about drives me out of my mind when it comes from strangers.

See thats what I don't mind. I'm not looking to befriend every person I see in the street or supermarket, but being generally friendly is something we lack up here. Life is too short to be surrounded by miserable, non-friendly people! I love the interactions I get from other young parents when my toddler waves or says hi to theirs. They don't even crack a smile. They grab their kids as in a rush to leave. Pretty sad actually if ask me.

[fluffydelusions]

I grew up in CT, was in the military so traveled and lived all down the east coast and spent some time in California as well. Got out and lived in NYC for 12 years and am now in NJ just outside of Philly. I don't think you'll find a town you can define as friendly. Southerners generally seem more polite and friendly I guess but you'll come across not so nice people anywhere just as you would come across friendly people. Myself and my fiancce took a trip up to Boston and Provincetown last summer and met a ton of nice and friendly people. Even stopped in Worcester for a bit which a lot of people here say is a terrible place but all the people there seemed cool and the place didn't look like the wasteland some people here would have you believe. I've seen far worse places having live in NYC and NJ. BUT if I had to pick the "friendliest" town I've been to it would have to be Provincetown. My fiancce previous to the trip never left the NYC/NJ area and she said the trip to Provincetown was the best time of her life. Everyone there was super friendly and she loved it.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by OrganicSmallHome

Traditional New Englanders are not, historically, people who are in-your-face "friendly." They do, however, tend to be straightforward and no-nonsense. And I like that. Shows a respect for privacy and is non-hypocritical. I'm from Texas, originally, but have been in New England for 30 years. Wouldn't live any place else. Every time I have to return to Texas (which was a blue state when I was coming up), I have to steel myself in preparation for all the "friendliness," which is fine from folks I know well (family, neighbors, etc.), but just about drives me out of my mind when it comes from strangers.

Friendliness in other places never bothered me, but I like that New England straightshooter style much better than hypocrisy. You need to have a little bit of a thicker skin and not take it personally if people are not throwing welcome parties for newcomers. What place does that anymore anyway, except maybe planned retirement communities?

[harricanfloyd]

We are a hard people my friend lol. We are hard on ourselves as well as others. Comes in handy when someone actually has your back...

[astracat111]

Originally Posted by bolehboleh

I've always found the south coast cities of New Bedford and Fall River to be friendly. Whenever I'm down there, people always strike up a conversation with me.

Fall River may be a beautiful town, but it's become run down these days unfortunately.