Sturbridge 2017 (Southbridge, Clinton, Spencer: house, movies, YMCA)

[House Hunting 17]

So we're doing that fun and painful task of house hunting and running out of time - I know the areas that work for us commute wise - my budget is limited so it's all based on what I can afford and a school system.

Looking at a house I can afford in Sturbridge ... I know the schools are decent, more interested in just general living... sort the will we be happy there thing - is it ultraconservative or will a two-mom home be welcome ... anything to do there beside Sturbridge Village and Brimfield Flea Market?

[timberline742]

BT Smokehouse and you can supplement income flipping Tree House beers (I'd keep em myself)

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by House Hunting 17

So we're doing that fun and painful task of house hunting and running out of time - I know the areas that work for us commute wise - my budget is limited so it's all based on what I can afford and a school system.

Looking at a house I can afford in Sturbridge ... I know the schools are decent, more interested in just general living... sort the will we be happy there thing - is it ultraconservative or will a two-mom home be welcome ... anything to do there beside Sturbridge Village and Brimfield Flea Market?

Nowhere in MA is ultra-conservative, no need to worry about that. No one should worry about your personal living situation, as long as you don't rub it in people's faces (remember the New England reserve). As far as stuff to do, it all depends on your lifestyle. Plenty of hiking, fishing, boating around. It's a pretty sleepy area, so if you are looking for crazy nightlife it's not the place. A few good restaurants/pubs around though, Teddy G's is a good bet.

[KellyCrash]

I think you would be very happy in Sturbridge. I live next door in Charlton. My son's cub scout den had a two mom family here in Charlton. No one really cares kwim? Families are families and they come in lots of varieties. Charlton always votes republican, but I've never encountered anyone who wasn't tolerant of others and their views.

Stuff to do: movies at Cinemagic in Sturbridge, bowling at Bogey Lanes in East Brookfield is a short drive or Spencer has Bayberry Lanes, swimming at Buffumville lake in Charlton. YMCA in Southbridge has activities. Sturbridge's highschool Tantasqua has a pool that is open on the weekends for family swim for a small fee and they do birthday parties too. Hiking at Wells State Park and there's one other area I forget the name of... I'm sure there are other areas I don't even know about.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by KellyCrash

Hiking at Wells State Park and there's one other area I forget the name of... I'm sure there are other areas I don't even know about.

There is also Bigelow Hollow SP just over the border in CT, real nice.

[NJ to MA]

If you want to get an idea of political leanings by town, this should give you an idea:


Massachusetts Election Results: How Your Town Or City Voted | Politicker


Sturbridge is about 50/50. Charlton is conservative.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by NJ to MA

If you want to get an idea of political leanings by town, this should give you an idea:


Massachusetts Election Results: How Your Town Or City Voted | Politicker


Sturbridge is about 50/50. Charlton is conservative.

I wouldn't call 54-38 extremely conservative. Also, over 6% went to Johnson (indicating a strong independent vibe for the town). Either way, this presidential election was an anomaly that didn't necessarily adhere to traditional party voting patterns. Many towns that traditionally leaned right went for Clinton, while many traditionally left leaning places voted for Trump. It was more a battle of "haves" vs. "have nots", at least among the white population. I'd call Charlton moderate right leaning.

[NJ to MA]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I wouldn't call 54-38 extremely conservative. Also, over 6% went to Johnson (indicating a strong independent vibe for the town). Either way, this presidential election was an anomaly that didn't necessarily adhere to traditional party voting patterns. Many towns that traditionally leaned right went for Clinton, while many traditionally left leaning places voted for Trump. It was more a battle of "haves" vs. "have nots", at least among the white population. I'd call Charlton moderate right leaning.

I said conservative, not extremely conservative. A 16 point spread is enough so I wouldn't call that moderate right leaning. If all the Johnson and Stein voters had gone for Clinton, that would have been an 8 point spread which I guess you could call moderate right leaning.

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by NJ to MA

If you want to get an idea of political leanings by town, this should give you an idea:


Massachusetts Election Results: How Your Town Or City Voted | Politicker


Sturbridge is about 50/50. Charlton is conservative.

Keep in mind conservative in Massachusetts does not mean that an LGBT couple would not be welcome. It's not the "holier than though" BS you get in some southern states. I know several same sex couples who own homes in Charlton, and no one bats an eyelash. Conservative in MA pertain more to fiscal issues than LGBT issues, abortion, etc. OP will not have an issue in Sturbridge at all.