In search of: Friendliest town in MA??? (Boston, Lynn: schools, quality of life)

[tao777]

Lorilou,
Where the heck do you live because I want to move there!! I've lived in Mass (Concord, Bedford,Wayland and Western Ma) for most of my life and I find that it takes time to earn friendship. I don't mean to say people are unfriendly -you get what you give- but I'd say they are 'reserved'.
I'd love to know your neighborhood...
Schools are terriic here though.

[tao777]

-actually, now that I think about it, I remember traveling to Scottsdale Az and experiencing SHOCK because people actually returned my 'hellos' and smiles. I thought, Wow! I'd started growing a shell...
I guess I'm just used to it now, and I'll still say hi and smile.

[dianaccc]

I think Weston is the friendliest town, if you can afford to <a href="http://www.greatestate.com"> buy a house in Weston that is</a>. Otherwise I think it is Plainville.

[Klutzy]

It looks like the original poster is no longer following the thread, but I want to add a couple of comments. You aren't going to get the "Y'all come back now, heah?" Texas style of friendliness here, nor the "Let's do lunch" kind found in CA. It may take awhile for people to warm up to you, but those that do will be your true friends, always willing ot help and keeping their word when they say they will do something. I value that much more highly than the pseudo-friendliness that is only on the surface, or the "changed my mind, sorrrreee." I think the kids are much more polite, too. I've never been shoved aside or had someone push onto an elevator or through a door before I could exit. They speak proper English and the schools are much better in general than in CA. I didn't have kids when I lived in TX so I can't comment on the schools there. I grew up here and am so glad to be back home!

[Ann8]

Hi,

My husband and I lived in Bedford, MA and found it to be a very nice town. He commuted into Boston every day. There were a few options for driving in if he chooses to drive (Rt 93, Rt 2 or the Mass Pike). Also, there is a great commuter rail in the next town (Concord) where he could park for free and take you right into Boston. The schools always had a great reputation. Very kid friendly town with many things for children. They had a great little swimming area in town. Like you, coming in from out of the area, I was not sure where to live. I ended up with many friends that I will miss dearly. My husband's job took us to Washington, D.C. I would steer clear of the South shore if your husband plans on driving. The commute is bumper-to bumper traffic.

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by HappyHeart

What a conversation! I too am relocating to MA, my husband is from there, and looking for a friendly town. For those relocating, THANKS! This has been informative. We too are looking at the So. Shore. My concern is summer and the overload of people. We are also looking at Harvard, Bolton, Boylston, Groton and more rural areas. Any info out there? My daughter would love to have a horse and we would enjoy the quiet, quite a change from So. Ca.

Hi, we've met several folks from Harvard that love the community there. As one resident put it, "I finally feel as if I have a life..." She said there is a great community feel there, and that she loves the small town atmosphere and camaraderie. Might be worth checking out. We just moved to MA from TX a week ago, and so far, we are loving it (despite the ice storm that waited to greet us...) We selected Franklin as our town...we were looking for friendliness (thus my original posting), as well as STUFF TO DO. Gotta have that with teenagers. So far, my kids have been impressed by the kindness of the kids here. Franklin is a town of regular folks with good hearts. It is not the most gorgeous of New England towns, not like a postcard, but there are nice grocery stores, restaurants, shops, etc...Hope you find exactly what you're looking for. This site is a huge help; it was for me. good luck! LORILOU

[moruph]

Lorinuou,
I and my family used to live in Haverhill,MA.
It was a verynice city.I am talking about three years ago.
It is a suburb and filled with mostly retired folks.So no high crime rate .
People were friendly.There was no husstling and busstling of metro city.
You can leave your door open with peace of mind and very neat city.
I live here in Charlotte,NC now but I like the weather here and the low cost of living.
Charlotte has high crime rate.
Haverhill,MA like anyother cities in new England is very expensive in real estate.
I love living there though.

Moruph Osuolale.

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by MAlover

"Smarty, what you say is true. We live in Houston, which is hands down the best housing market for a major city in the US. You cannot begin to imagine what you can get here for $650K...a dream home in a deluxe area, 5000 s/f, marble floors, pools with cabanas, outdoor kitchen by pool, the list goes on. I am a little depressed, because for what we're going to pay in MA, we could live like kings here. On the other hand, I am looking forward to a change of climate, people, character, and all that goes with it. We might try N. England for a few years and then relocate back to TX. I'm a native Texan, and I will welcome the change for a few years...I need a new perspective, if you know what I mean. We have realized that we are not going to get a house for $525K, unless God himself intervenes...and believe me, I'm in the mood for a miracle! Smarty, I keep coming back to Franklin. Shorter commute, reasonable prices on homes, decent schools, music programs. I've heard it's not lovely, but I've also heard that it's a good town for newcomers, because much of the population comes from all over...easier to fit in, because others are in the same position. Tell me what's not to love about Franklin again? LL"

As a native Texan who has lived in Massachusetts for over 20 years, I wouldn't move back to Texas again for all the money in the world.

Re the housing market in Houston: you are correct: it's possible to "live like kings" on a upper-middle-class income. My relatives still live there and they all own these huge, ridiculous homes, eating up tons of energy, and they all "live like kings." Further, in order to "live like kings," they have to live in Houston: a sprawling, ugly monstrosity with a pretense to culture.

Re the housing market in MA: it's possible for you to find a perfectly lovely home for under $600,000 in a nice town within commuting distance to Boston. The folks here have given you plenty of suggestions about good towns from which to choose. No, it won't be 5,000 sqft and no, you won't likely have an outside pool, but you also won't be wasting resources (who needs a 5,000 sqft house and an outside pool, anyway?), will be living in a nice town in the best state in the U.S., a state which is environmentally aware, liberal-minded, and where, in general, people don't really feel the need to live in such an ostentatious manner. I live in Arlington, a great town, which is a suburb of Boston. For $600,000, you can purchase a 1700-2000 sqft 80-year-old house--no central air--that might need a new kitchen and/or baths on a small plot of land (or not). The trade-off is living in a great town near a great city with good people.

Texas??? Not a chance.

I think you have made a lot of generalizations in your comments, but since you are a native Texan, thus having some experience on the topic, I will certainly respect your opinions, even if I do not share all of them. I just wanted to also clarify that I did not state a preference for a 5000 s/f home, only that you could purchase one, with oppulent ammenities, for the same price as a starter home here in MA. There's just a sort of sticker shock when you move here, don't you see? As far as the swimming pool goes, you should know as well as anyone that having a pool in TX, where temperatures remain in the upper 90's for half the year, is not as much of a luxury as it would seem to be here. Sometimes it's the only way your kids can manage the heat outdoors. I don't believe in judging people by the size of the home they live in: if they want and can afford a large home, then why not? There are some grand old homes here in MA that are quite spacious; it's just that the average joe cannot afford one unless they are extremely wealthy. In TX, you don't have to be extremely wealthy (or a trust fund baby)to live in a large, nice home...so which is better? A place where only the top wage earners can live like kings or a place where a hard-working family can also afford to live in a spacious home as well? It's just a question I'm putting out there...I agree with the notion of large homes requiring a lot of energy, so we've no arguments on that end. As far as your comments regarding the air quality in Houston, I feel as if I must say that oil has to be refined SOMEWHERE, doesn't it? If you are fortunate enough to live away from it, you should count your blessings. I am sure you still fill up your tank every week, just like everyone else does? Why do you feel animosity towards the people or states that refines a product that you use yourself? I have never understood that, to be perfectly honest. It's just an ugly part of modern life: we ALL drive cars, we ALL use the gasoline that is refined in Houston and elsewhere, don't we? It is nice to live here in MA, where the environment is more pristine...I count THAT a luxury, but I'm not going to put down a place that sort of does the dirty work for me, since I am a consumer as well. Anyway, thanks for listening to my opinions as well. Lorilou

[artichoke63]

I've lived in MA for many years. Sorry, but MA people are not friendly. They keep to their own and it's very difficult to break in to a group. Cambridge is generally more open. Western Mass is more open. But you get in the suburbs of Boston, like Dedham and all those surrounding towns and people are downright cold and rude at times. Politics are great however. Very democratic state. But friendly no. I've had people yell at me for me dog taking a **** on grass before my dog even did anything. It was unbelievable. I wouldn't want to move back there, sorry.

[starzfalldown]

First on behalf of all New Englanders let me say thank you and welcome to Massachusetts, New England. You'll find that Massachusetts and Rhode Island are the world's largest villages! We are not rude or crude- we're direct, blunt, and honest speakers. After living in GA for 7 years I understand why you feel the way you do... You have to understand we are a casual people... especially with eachother. We're also very individualistic and independent people. We believe noone will defend you better than you. So always defend yourself, your Proud Texan heritage, and we'll always accept and respect you.... so long as you believe in tolerance yourself. In Massachusetts we tolerate all people.. Because odds are you'll see the type you may not care for.... TODAY. But like everywhere we have our share of ignorance and bigotries. Honestly... many of us dont understand the red states... but I also believe we dont visit eachother often enough to know the truth. You will find friendlyness everywhere in Massachusetts. Dont confuse abrupt speakers with rudeness. We dont believe in using 5 words when 2 will do. People tend to speak quickly. But its in our blood.. We had traffic problems before the automobile was invented. We were all in school 300 years ago, there are many many self employed entrepreneur types here.

I hope you come, have an open mind, fall in love, and never leave.
Best of luck!
Welcome to New England!

by the way... many many responses huh?
the proof is in the pudding!