Working in W.Mass - do I live in Mass or CT? (Boston: for sale by owner)

[krgmah]

Hi,
Due to a job opportunity I am looking to relocate from Boston to the East Longmeadow, Longmeadow area in Western Mass. Because it is so close to the CT border I wonder if towns like Somers, CT (very close to East Longmeadow) would be a better bet. I am not familiar with either area and need to make a decision quickly. I have heard that people who work near the CT/MA border actually choose to live in Mass, due to a better tax deal.
Does anyone have any insight??
Thanks in advance for any help!

[tonrob]

I work in CT but live in MA not too far from where you are thinking about. Not sure if this improves our tax situation though, we simply chose the house we liked. East Longmeadow has shops, restaurants etc. (although without a real "downtown" feel) whereas Summers lacks these. Longmeadow has almost no shops etc. but consists mainly of older homes and is quite up-market. All the streets have sidewalks so it's a very pleasant town to stroll, cycle or jog around. Longmeadow is closest to the I-91 though so you can get to shops, restaurants and other amenities in Springfield, Enfield and elsewhere more quickly.

Basically it will depend on your budget and having a look around as each of the three twons you mention has a very different feel (although I would say all three are considered safe and generally quiet places to live).

[lprovo]

Your choice may depend on several factors. Beyond home prices in each area, consider income tax rates, local property taxes, sales tax, etc.

Massachusetts has recently moved to a competitive auto insurance state and all residents are required to have health insurance. Check with your employer regarding benefits if you live outside the state in which you work. If your family has health conditions, or if you are considering pregnancy, be sure to check out benefits in both states. Massachusetts is very benefit rich compared to CT. Find a good local insurance broker that is familiar with the new changes in both auto and health.

Sign up to receive Property Alerts through an MLS feed and through regional for sale by owner services. Get a feel for a potential community by visiting it and evaluating its livability. If you have school aged children, many Massachusetts cities and towns participate in school choice.