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

[lorilou]

Help us, please! We are moving to MA from TX, and we are in search of The Friendliest Town in MA. It's confusing if you listen to people! Some people will tell you that MA is filled with rude, cold people; others will say the opposite. I must say that so far, everyone I have spoken to (long distance) has been very kind and informative. It gives me hope. We are looking at moving in March '07 and we need to figure out where we are headed. My children are in 8th and 9th grade. They are both orchestra students, and we have been surprised at the scarcity of orchestra programs in MA schools. We would like to keep our kids in music, and it also seems like a good way to immediately be a part of a group and make friends. I keep hearing that Marshfield is friendly, but my husband will be a commuter. I've heard nothing nice about that commute on the south shore. Any Marshfieldians want to jump in here? Your insights are most welcome. I've heard that Hingham is gorgeous, but the friendliness sort of correlates to the price tag on your house and car. Again, that might just be jealousy or speculation...I do not know. ANYONE who has any kind of advice or info, please please share with me. It takes a village, you know! thanks, Lori L

[suzy q]

stoneham mass very friendly people and is close to boston and the t

[lorilou]

Thanks, johnycakes...I think. Still, when you have lived in a place where folks are outgoing and welcoming, it's hard to not wish for more of the same. Perhaps you have never experienced this, but it's kind of nice...I even find it to be a "measureable and substantial" commodity in the human experience. I am guessing that your measureable, substantial inferences pertain to money, schools, etc...I'm looking for the whole package, johnycakes! I'm less concerned with the material things, which is fortunately not a problem, than making a pleasant life for my family. Does that make sense? I'd truly like to know. Suzy Q, thanks for the recommendation on Stoneham; I will look into it. LL

[puffle]

Originally Posted by lorilou

Thanks, johnycakes...I think. Still, when you have lived in a place where folks are outgoing and welcoming, it's hard to not wish for more of the same. Perhaps you have never experienced this, but it's kind of nice...I even find it to be a "measureable and substantial" commodity in the human experience. I am guessing that your measureable, substantial inferences pertain to money, schools, etc...I'm looking for the whole package, johnycakes! I'm less concerned with the material things, which is fortunately not a problem, than making a pleasant life for my family. Does that make sense? I'd truly like to know. Suzy Q, thanks for the recommendation on Stoneham; I will look into it. LL

In the same boat, sort of. Have a son going into 9th grade,husband that wants an office in Boston, and a wife that wants the same things you want, but probably on a smaller budget. If you could tell me the time limit your husband is willing to commute and if he is looking at the rail or T instead of driving, I could be of further use. Feel free to answer privately, Lori. We can help each other figure it out. We plan on moving to Ma. in June 07 from Southern California.

[smarty]

I am very confused about the question of friendliness... How do you define friendliness?

Also, if you are friendly, why worry about people that are not friendly. The un-friendly ones will not come talk to you.

I find people willing to share their swimming pool, truck very friendly. Will you have a pool to share? I'll be your friend too!!

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by smarty

I am very confused about the question of friendliness... How do you define friendliness?

Also, if you are friendly, why worry about people that are not friendly. The un-friendly ones will not come talk to you.

I find people willing to share their swimming pool, truck very friendly. Will you have a pool to share? I'll be your friend too!!

Hello smarty,
I find this confusion over friendliness to be fascinating. I suspect that it might mean something different to a variety of people. I guess there is not one definitive definition, but I will be glad to share my own. The friendliness that I am looking for does not relate to one person or a few persons (that's referring to your comment: "...the unfriendly ones will not come talk to you"). I am talking about an overall friendliness that exudes from the community. People who welcome newcomers into town, neighbors who stop by to introduce themselves, smiles from strangers, just general kindness between people. This may sound strange (or even awful) to some people; I'm not sure. I will tell you this: when new people move into our current neighborhood, many of us will bake cookies, take them over, introduce ourselves. I usually give them my name and phone number so they may call me if they have questions, like many people do when they move into a new town. If we have children the same age, I introduce my children. If not, I tell them which other neighbors might have children the same age. It's nice for kids to make a friend before they have to walk into school alone. Every single time I have done this, I can always see a look of relief and happiness in my new neighbors eyes. It's nice, in my opinion. I'm not expecting to find ALL OF THAT, but a little bit of it would be great. I've lived around "warm" people and "cold" people, and the truth is, warm just feels better by comparison. Lastly, I will probably not share my truck with you; swimming pools are open to all, so long as you bring the margaritas! Thanks for helping me out, smarty! LL

[lorilou]

Puffle, we have not decided on the length of travel time, exactly. Of course, shorter would be better, right? We've heard that Shrewsbury is nice, but I think that's 1-1/2 hrs in the morning on the T. I think my husband will definitely take the T; he needs to come in to the South Station. He works for Liberty Mutual. I think he's willing to commute longer in exchange for a great place to live. He will be traveling quite a bit, so we've agreed to find a "happy" place for the family to live while he's off doing his thing. I will not be working, so I'd like to find a community with other ladies in a similar situation. We do not fit into the "blueblood" mold; we're regular people looking for other regular people who like to hang out, have dinner parties, drink margaritas, and play poker until the wee hours. Surely, there have got to be a population of others who enjoy the same thing? Where are you? We are trying to get there....LL

[smarty]

Originally Posted by lorilou

It's nice, in my opinion. I'm not expecting to find ALL OF THAT, but a little bit of it would be great. I've lived around "warm" people and "cold" people, and the truth is, warm just feels better by comparison. Lastly, I will probably not share my truck with you; swimming pools are open to all, so long as you bring the margaritas! Thanks for helping me out, smarty! LL

As you mention, there are cold people and there are warm people. No ONE town has either. It really depends on if you are lucky and if you decide to specifically look for it. Hence, I would not use friendliness to determine the town you live. After you decide on the house, you can walk around and see if the neighborhood is friendly.

My house is about a fifth mile from my neighbor. I see them a few times a year. No one even bother coming to our house to trick or treat as we live so far away. Of course, on the other side of town, there are neighborhood association where people go out and have dinner every week. Kids play on the street. If you want warm neighbor, you may want to have smaller lot size and specific subdivisions. There is No city planning around here because roads are too old... no such thing back then.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by lorilou

Puffle, we have not decided on the length of travel time, exactly. Of course, shorter would be better, right? We've heard that Shrewsbury is nice, but I think that's 1-1/2 hrs in the morning on the T. I think my husband will definitely take the T; he needs to come in to the South Station. He works for Liberty Mutual. I think he's willing to commute longer in exchange for a great place to live. He will be traveling quite a bit, so we've agreed to find a "happy" place for the family to live while he's off doing his thing. I will not be working, so I'd like to find a community with other ladies in a similar situation. We do not fit into the "blueblood" mold; we're regular people looking for other regular people who like to hang out, have dinner parties, drink margaritas, and play poker until the wee hours. Surely, there have got to be a population of others who enjoy the same thing? Where are you? We are trying to get there....LL

Wow...some pretty strong posts out there! We are still in California (Southern) and will be moving to Ma. in the next few months. Personally, I think we will end up either in Newton,Needham or Westwood for the close proximity to the city,stores, schools, etc. I don't want to be out in the boonies since I am not working either and would like to be around some activity. Have you looked into Newton or Wellesley? Would love to get together with you guys when you move...you sound like a fun family. Try not to be scared off by what you hear...Boston is different than California and Texas....a little bit more reserved and cautious with strangers.

[smarty]

Sounded like there will be a MA Newcomers Club soon!!

Again, if you want real friendliness, move away from gated communities/neighborhood (as there are No gated towns). But, then all those people inside the gate are friends... lol