In search of: Friendliest town in MA??? (Boston, Newton: new house, buy)

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by wpotsie

Look, I moved to San Antonio from Central MA last year. Since I moved here I have enjoyed the low cost of real estate, warm weather, found a great job, and most of all found some real friends after filertering out quite a few after I learned of their real character. I enjoy my life here and have no regrets. However, there seems to be a bit more racism down here than expected. I'm in the seventh largest city in the U.S. and I cannot believe the hatred toward Black people predominately from Mexican-Americans and white people. No one has any right saying Bostin is a racist city. There aren't many colleges down here at all so culture and education are seriously lacking. The Mexican culture is very docile, too.I've had a hard time making friends because many people down here do not have a backbone and they seem shocked when I call them on it. So, even though many people might appear to be friendly down in TX, we're all the same inside. You might have less friends in MA, but your real friends have your back when you need them. They're less afraid to stand up for themselves and much more direct. That's what I miss most about people in the northeast. So, don't be c oncerned on which town is the friendliest. They're all the same!

WPotsie
I lived in San Antonio for 15 years and totally agree with your assessment. Texans are known to smile in your face, and talk S#*T behind your back...it's the southern way. I will also say that I loved living there due to the laid-back lifestyle, great food, friendly people, etc. Education level is off, you're right, and that's a hindrance to the community in my opinion. God, how I miss those margaritas! Please go out and guzzle a few in my honor! Happy New Year, LL

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Right on! New Englanders are great people, but we will call you on your stuff. Some people can't stand that! They are highly offended!

That actually sounds good to me. It's good to keep it real, right? I think we're going to love it there. Most of the New Englanders that I have spoken to regarding this move (and on this site!) have been great...

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by smarty

I would look at towns like Newton (Chestnut Hill), Wellesley, Sudbury, Weston, Needham, even Dover (if you do not mind being too rural),... etc as many wives there do not work. Many ladies in similar situations. You gals can go to Neiman Marcus and Newbury Street to shop or play tennis in local clubs.

Shoot.... Now I wish I'm a woman....lol.

Smarty,
I have no complaints! Lovin' every minute of it...
LL

[smarty]

Originally Posted by puffle

Smarty,
You have an "unusual" sense of humor. Has anyone ever told you that?

Puffle,

Yes. They tell me I'm wacky!!

I always dream about being a stay at home dad... You know...Watch the soaps, have lunch with friends, a tennis game before the kids come home... You know the good life Lorilou is talking about? lol....

[pma]

Lorilou,

You've got quite a conversation started here - see, we New Englanders are always willing to talk! Let me add my two cents. I have lived in Mass. my whole life - started in Berkshire County, now in Worcester County and looking to move to Plymouth County.

It seems your first filter is the fact that your husband will be commuting to Boston (so rule out the Berkshires!) Worcester County to Boston is a hike although I know several people who have done it for years - they take the train, car pool etc. etc. Shrewsbury is a little too overgrown, I think, hardly a spot without a copy-cat colonial on it - although they just built a beautiful high school which has a great orchestra/chorus.

I am thinking of Plymouth County because I have numerous friends and family there. My friends live in Hingham, Norwell, Scituate and Plymouth. Of all the friends the one in Scituate tells stories like the ones you want to hear . . . they meet at the bus stop in their pj's and then get together for coffee type of women. The friend in Hingham sighs as she feels she has to have her nails done before she goes anywhere! Scituate High School, I'm told, also has a phenomenal music department (the chorus does things like open for Josh Groban). And let's not forget your husband - he can take the ferry from the Scituate/Hingham area or take the new T connection in Scituate which is just about done. The drive I hear is pretty nasty - go with the commuter system.

Good luck -

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by pma

Lorilou,

You've got quite a conversation started here - see, we New Englanders are always willing to talk! Let me add my two cents. I have lived in Mass. my whole life - started in Berkshire County, now in Worcester County and looking to move to Plymouth County.

It seems your first filter is the fact that your husband will be commuting to Boston (so rule out the Berkshires!) Worcester County to Boston is a hike although I know several people who have done it for years - they take the train, car pool etc. etc. Shrewsbury is a little too overgrown, I think, hardly a spot without a copy-cat colonial on it - although they just built a beautiful high school which has a great orchestra/chorus.

I am thinking of Plymouth County because I have numerous friends and family there. My friends live in Hingham, Norwell, Scituate and Plymouth. Of all the friends the one in Scituate tells stories like the ones you want to hear . . . they meet at the bus stop in their pj's and then get together for coffee type of women. The friend in Hingham sighs as she feels she has to have her nails done before she goes anywhere! Scituate High School, I'm told, also has a phenomenal music department (the chorus does things like open for Josh Groban). And let's not forget your husband - he can take the ferry from the Scituate/Hingham area or take the new T connection in Scituate which is just about done. The drive I hear is pretty nasty - go with the commuter system.

Good luck -

pma,
thank you. We initially were attracted to Plymouth county as well. Here's the feedback we rec'd: Hingham is flat out snobby & Duxbury is nouveau riche snobby. Marshfield, we have heard, is very friendly, but looked down on by the surrounding communities (not sure why though, do you?) All 3 communities have orchestra programs; Hingham & Dux are supposedly very good. As far as commuting, many people have said that the commute is evil coming from South shores. We have also heard that living in those communities includes having half the state come join you on the weekends, tripling the traffic during that time. That's something to consider... My biggest concern really centers around my kids, ages 13 & 15. We have not raised them to be snobby; it's really looked down upon where we come from, even if you can back it up. I don't especially want to put them in an environment where this is the norm, and then they feel they have to live up to that to fit in. Let's not pretend: at their age, it's typical to conform. Do you have any opinions on South or Westborough? They have good orchestra programs. BTW, I love the opinions (thus far) from those who have contributed to my search for a life and a home in New England. If a person listens to the media (Red state/Blue state), you might be led to believe that people in this country cannot come together. I have found folks to be very kind and helpful...it's restoring my faith and I'm grateful. Thank you for your help. It's very appreciated. LL

[pma]

Lorilou,

I only know Westboro from driving through it. It has a pretty center of town and has route 9 through it. Route 9 is one very long (i.e. the whole state) commercial strip - which is ugly, ugly but very useful if you need to purchase anything.
So Westboro probably has a little of everything - easily accessible to stores that you'll need and some New England countryside.

I had friends who lived in Southboro (they've since moved to a warmer climate.) They loved it and raised three kids there. Southboro is very beautiful and very posh. I must say that my sense of it has been that you'll not fit in unless you have the latest and greated car on an annual basis. My friends are great people but do have the most expensive toys (parents and kids alike) although on the flip side I found their friends to be very warm and nice. I guess if you're not likely to be intimidated by all the wealth then you'll find it a great place to be. The Southboro high school is regionalized i.e. - it's not all Southboro kids - so your children will not be necessarily going to school with children who are products of indulgent lifestyles. And, as I said, my friends' three children are three of the nicest young adults I know.

Thanks for your thoughts on the South Shore.

Good luck,
PMA

[2KidsforMe]

We live in Southborough and love it. I have found the neighbors to be super friendly. I was invited to join a mom's group, and invited over for playdates before we even unpacked! I don't feel the snob factor here so much, but I did spend the first 30 years of my life in Orange County, so maybe it's relative. I like that we have shopping nearby, good access to major routes, a T station in town, Hopkinton state park nearby, good schools, and a nice community feel. The downside is that the town can be pricey. We reached a bit to buy a newer home here, but we haven't regreted it at all. Good luck lorilou, in whatever you decide, and welcome to MA!

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by 2KidsforMe

We live in Southborough and love it. I have found the neighbors to be super friendly. I was invited to join a mom's group, and invited over for playdates before we even unpacked! I don't feel the snob factor here so much, but I did spend the first 30 years of my life in Orange County, so maybe it's relative. I like that we have shopping nearby, good access to major routes, a T station in town, Hopkinton state park nearby, good schools, and a nice community feel. The downside is that the town can be pricey. We reached a bit to buy a newer home here, but we haven't regreted it at all. Good luck lorilou, in whatever you decide, and welcome to MA!

2Kids, thanks for the information. I believe it was one of your older postings that made me look into SBoro. I will admit, it does seem pricey! Is it a lovely New England town? I have a 13 & 15 year old and I just want to raise them in a great environment. They've been such good kids so far, and I'd hate to lose them this late in the game. Does your husband commute by T, and if so, how long is that commute? Any downsides? Thanks, 2Kids! LL

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by 2KidsforMe

We live in Southborough and love it. I have found the neighbors to be super friendly. I was invited to join a mom's group, and invited over for playdates before we even unpacked! I don't feel the snob factor here so much, but I did spend the first 30 years of my life in Orange County, so maybe it's relative. I like that we have shopping nearby, good access to major routes, a T station in town, Hopkinton state park nearby, good schools, and a nice community feel. The downside is that the town can be pricey. We reached a bit to buy a newer home here, but we haven't regreted it at all. Good luck lorilou, in whatever you decide, and welcome to MA!

2Kids, I had one more question! When we were looking into Duxbury, which some might call snobby, we were basically told that 1.) if you live on the wrong side of the highway, you're trash 2.) if your house costs less than
$700K, you're trash 3.) No $50K+ car, trash....you get the idea. Someone has recently described Southborough in a similar light. What's your take on that? If I buy a house for $525K, will my family be looked down upon? I'm just trying to put this all into perspective. Thanks again, LL