Flushing out the negative reviews of Longmeadow (Boston, Springfield: fit in, houses)

[aquaqueen]

Hello and thank you for reading. I am hoping someone can shed light on some of the negative comments that I've read on here about Longmeadow.

My family is in the home search in the Western Mass area. My husband and I both work in the Amherst area but have family in CT and NY. So far, we've settled with Longmeadow and East Longmeadow as places that provide the lifestyle we want such as parks, sidewalks, good schools, and safety for our two daughters, along with proximity to extended family in CT. We also lean toward Longmeadow because of the proximity to I-91, as getting to some places in East Longmeadow can be a pain driving through Longmeadow. We've looked in Amherst, but there's not a lot of inventory and what you get in our price range is a main road and something that needs a lot of work. Longemeadow and East Longmeadow seem to have decent homes that may not need a lot of work and in nice neighborhoods.

As a little background about us, my husband and I both worked in the media in our former careers as single people. Between us some of the places we've lived includes: Southern New Jersey; Charleston, SC; Tulsa, OK; Phoenix metro area in Arizona (including Phoenix & Scottsdale); CT; New York; Boston. Given that experience, we feel we can make the most of anywhere, but I would like to flush out the negative comments about Longmeadow.

Anyway, I constantly read posts about Longmeadow that along with recognizing the good schools will say it has a "keeping up with the Joneses" feel, snobby people, nice cars, pressure cooker schooling, and the list goes on. So I guess my question is what examples do folks who say that have of that? Is that how it USED to be? If not, what information do you have to show that it's still ongoing? My husband and I plan to accentuate good values in our home along with influence from our extended family, so we don't think our kids would be swallowed up by Longmeadow all day, everyday, since we plan to incorporate Springfield, Amherst, CT, NY, etc. into their lives. So is it simply that seeing nice cars gives that snobbish feeling? Or is there something more? I see plenty of modest cars and homes (like the one we'd probably end up in) as I drive around. Yes, there are mansions, but I don't think that should be the basis for anyone's decision not to live some place. I have friends who live in places like Milton, Newton, and Dedham, where there are also big mansions there too. Those friends, also have modest homes, and don't mention a "keeping up with the Joneses" feeling there. So what's the background? Did someone have a specific experience while living there? I'm looking for real examples and not just "what someone has heard." Please share your insights as much as possible, as I'm really trying to understand where some of these comments come from and what the environment is like.

[CaseyB]

It's all relative. I'm sure there are plenty of "snobbier" towns in eastern Massachusetts. Longmeadow may stand out because of it's location. If you haven't yet, maybe try to spend an afternoon there visiting stores and restaurants, try to engage some of the locals in conversation? Obviously, there's nothing wrong with having nice cars and a nice house but you never know - something else could be going on.

[in_newengland]

Yes, it's relative. If you would be comfortable in one of the wealthy metrowest suburbs of Boston, you'd be fine in Longmeadow. It's just the snob factor and the peer pressure on kids to have what all their friends have. Materialistic existence.

[GeoffD]

Jeez. Median household income in Longmeadow is only $111K. That's #30 in the state.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

It's just the snob factor and the peer pressure on kids to have what all their friends have. Materialistic existence.

There's an awful lot of envy in those words.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Jeez. Median household income in Longmeadow is only $111K. That's #30 in the state.

It may be #30 but compared to other towns in that area, it's evidently one of the wealthier ones...? That's the vibe I get whenever it's mentioned.

[FCMA]

Yes it is quite wealthy for being outside the metro Boston affluence party.
Only town in western Mass with a median household income over $100k.
We all trashy poor scumrats out here!

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

There's an awful lot of envy in those words.

It may sound that way but no, there is not envy. I am envious of people who grew up in more average towns. In Longmeadow it was pressure all the time and if you like that sort of thing, go for it. I also have zero envy for my cousin in Wellesley, although she always envied me, growing up in Longmeadow.

Not everyone values money and prestige over friendliness and fun. For me it was a relief when my parents bought a home in East Longmeadow. The kids were down to earth and friendly--they couldn't care less about what kind of car anyone drove or what type of house they lived in. The girls didn't go to NYC with their mothers to select their fall wardrobe for back to school. I'm not into materialism, I'm not showy, and not particularly competitive. Someone like me is better off in the outskirts of some place like Northampton where it's more artsy and laid back. In Longmeadow, you had to conform and dress and act a certain way to fit in--fine if you want to but I'm not like that.

[mdovell]

By parks you pretty much mean springfields parks..same with the golf courses as they run them.

But I agree for western Mass it is high end. The only other place might be Williamstown but that's isolated.

[aquaqueen]

Thanks all for the replies.

CaseyB you offered a great idea.

In_newengland appreciate your first-hand experience. I suppose that's what I wanted to clarify because sometimes I do think opinions can be built up just by outside perceptions of an area. But you say yours are from personal experience. Though I can't understand having to conform to dress a certain way. I don't see how people can be forced to be anything other than who they are. And from the looks of the houses it would appear that there are a lot more modest homes than mansions, but I could be wrong about the town.

My husband and I would like to think of ourselves as a bit more metropolitan, especially given our life experience and travel. And I do believe no matter where we end up, for my kids, we plan to give them a life that is not just about the town they live in. What I mean is exposing them to events in Springfield, family in CT, NY, Boston, and also relatives in Canada, South America, and Europe. My family is not wealthy, but we do value extended family, get-togethers, and travel. I'm not sure many people grow up that way and instead stay in their little town bubble.

We'll see.