Lesbians w 2 small boys confused on which MA city to relocate to.

[TomDot]

It's funny you should ask. I bought my house from a lesbian couple with two little girls.
We are in South Dorchester. I really think that the only thing you really have to worry about is what other children will say to your kids. But then again redheads don't go over real well with kids either.

[professorsenator]

Most of the upper middle class 'burbs of Boston would be pretty welcoming, but they're expensive. A lot of the older, blue-collar communities are cheaper but a lot less welcoming. I agree that Northampton would be a potentially ideal place for the OP.

Someone mentioned Providence, RI and that might be a good place, too. The east side of Providence (not to be confused with the City of East Providence, RI) is very gay friendly. Schools, however, aren't great.

[angela828]

wow sorry for the ignorance you had to deal wit in OR..

anyway i would go with arlington , mass if i was you. very safe town..

[Exit14]

I wanted to ask ---- are you choosing Massachusetts because you will have the right to marry your partner here?

Unlike straight couples --- you will need to prove you are a resident of the state before you can apply for your marriage license --thank you to former Governor Romney who tried everything to prevent us from having the right to marry! Pray that guy never becomes our president! You will need a Massachusetts drivers license to prove you are a resident.

I was very lucky to have lived in MA my whole life! My partner and I were shocked when Massachusetts became the 1st state in the US to allow us the right to marriage. We thought it would be someplace like California 1st......but it goes to show you, you just never know.

It's awful that you have to pack up and leave your home because of simple mided biggots. It's so sad the whole world can't just accept people as they are and go on with their own lives. I don't try to make people change their religion or color of their skin, etc. to be just like me - so why others feel it's their duty to change certain people is beyond me!

You will be happy if you come to Massachusetts & if you chose to do so -marry your partner. You will then be a legally married couple. You can share the same last name if you choose to do so. You will have the right to make decisions for each other when the other can't - such as if/when your spouse is in the hospital. You will be able to file state taxes together (not federal for some reason the govenment doesn't want more income from taxing us as a married couple) The benefits aren't 100% like they are for straight married couples - but the benefits far outweigh having none at all!

The surrounding New England area is very nice too - but you will not be able to marry your partner ------ yet.

I'm sure if you stick to the MA suburbs you will find affordable housing and good schools. Someone else said something about the possibility of your kids being picked on in school - that could be true - bullies are everywhere. Sit down with the guidance councelor at the school and discuss your concerns with them. At least then they can talk to your kids about dealing with bullies as well as be on the lookout for potential problems with your kids fitting into their new school.

Take care.

[Irena.M]

Originally Posted by Larach

Ok, so here is the deal. We have two boys 8 and 7, and oh yeah a 5 month old pup. We are loading our clothes into our truck, and heading for an accepting culturally diverse community. We currently live in Or. in which we are in constant state of shame among other things. We have researched to find MA would be the best to fit "our" family. Now after hours of reading we are lost on which city. We are not rich coming with 150k annual income or 50k to put down on a house like most people post on here. I have a degree in social work and plan to continue in that field. My sexy wife has a degree and business here in dog training, but wants to go back to school for grooming. We are literally selling EVERYTHING and heading east in search of peace for our family after years of harassment. Any suggestions on a small lesbian, family friendly, affordable town, that would have dog grooming school, and last but not least a group home for teens near by. That is where my current income is derived from and I would like to continue as previously stated. Thank you.
Here is a list of what has been recommended
Provience town
Arlington
Sherborn
Littleton
Maynard
Manchester

[SIZE=2]I think that most of the Massachusetts is very friendly to all people. Very sorry about your bad experience.
Your choosing a place to live does depend on your needs like your job, what you can afford and what your preferences are. In my opinion suburbs are better for smaller kids only because there is more nature, farm stands, bike riding, etc. going on. Also most homes have that standard 2 kids and a dog formula going on so dog grooming business might take off. Probably portable grooming business would do good to all the overbooked people here.
Closer to Boston is more convenient and city like, less parking, overcrowding, you have to get to the park to ride a bike etc. But convenience and diversity is irreplaceable.
You can start off by renting somewhere in between city and a burb to get a feel for all the communities around you, and than it will be easier to move for you. Home ownership is smart , but, do not buy yet because you do not know much about our state.
[/SIZE]

[Irena.M]

almoust forgot
WELCOME TO MASS.
Would be interested in the wedding pictures (once you make that step).

[bluewatergirl888]

Originally Posted by Exit14

We are gay women and have been a couple for 16 years - we were both born and raised in Massachusetts. On May 30 2004 - we were legally married!!

Provincetown is VERY expensive! You're looking at close to $750,000 for a 1 bedroom condo. It's a nice place to visit - but not alot of people can afford to live there - not mention it's seasonal so work in the winter will be hard to find.

Also anywhere in or around Boston (617 area code) will be very expensive.

I would say avoid the Plymouth/Carver area like the plague! They are very bigoted in that area. Picture a guy with an old pick-up truck and a shotgun in his back window - that's the Plymouth area. Even eating in a restaurant in Plymouth will get you stared at, pointed at and you'll most likely hear rude comments made, etc.

I would think you'll find any other area in MA to be accepting.
Just use your head --- I think anybody anywhere (including me) would shun neighbors who make a spectacle of themselves - i.e. practically having sex on their front lawn, loud arguing, loud parties at all hours, acting rude, etc.

Keep in mind there will always be bigots spattered around every state but for the most part gays can live happily here.

We live in the suburbs just south of Boston and have never had an issue.

Check some Massachusetts real estate listings to get a better idea of what you're getting into price wise.
for instance an older 2 bedroom house w/1bathroom that probably needs minor work like paint -on a 1/4 acre lot-
will most likely be priced in the $270,000 range.

Also, apartment rents are NOT cheap either. If you can afford it - buy a house and put your money toward something you own.

Check out Stats about all US cities - real estate, relocation info, house prices, home value estimator, recent sales, maps, race, income, photos, education, crime, weather, houses, and more to get a rundown on towns in Massachusetts.

Good luck & please post again when you decide what town you like.

I know tons of lesbians in the Plymouth area and have never heard anyone mention having a problem with acceptance.

[MovingForward]

Ditto what brightdoglover said.

Northampton is super gay-friendly, although not close to Boston.

Arlington is very close to Boston, gay-friendly, and with decent schools.

Jamaica Plain and South Dorchester are gay-friendly, too, but with less decent schools.

Welcome to MA!

[lprovo]

I think that you will find some great communities surrounding the Northampton, MA area. Northampton itself is a very diverse community with a very strong GLBT population. Northampton can be on the pricey side (by Western Mass standards) but surrounding communities are very reasonable. Western Mass real estate is affordable and the area is very accessible to Boston, NY, etc. Northampton is in the heart of the Five College Area which provides a solid economic base. Towns like Easthampton, South Hadley, Deerfield, Westhampton, etc. are good choices as well. We have raised our family here over the last twenty years and have found the area to be a great fit. Good luck in your search.

[Gracespirit]

Easthampton (east of Noho), is a very affordable community and has co-op housing that have many families including lesbian families. The whole area has been settled by people establishing utopian co operative communities. This continues today. The UU church creates an extraordinary community both socially and intellectually. This whole area--Haydenville, Hatfield, etc would probably suit you. I have seen several people do well with pet grooming businesses at their houses. There is a massage school which is also a good profession. The area has half way houses, women's protective services and extensive GLBT services. I don't know many teens, but I expect there are homes for them there. The city of Springfield, not very far south, is a likely place for you to find more work than you could handle. I have lived in this area and in other inclusive towns in Mass. North of Boston might work for you. Some of the community colleges and trade high schools have evening courses in grooming. Hope this helps, you could DM me if you'd like more particulars.
Grace