Are Berkshires for me? (Boston, Springfield: job, health, houses)

[san_wander]

I am currently living in Southern California and have been offered a job in the Great Barrington area of Western Massachusetts. This is a HUGE decision to make, as I dont know anyone or anything in MA. I am in my early 30s, sort of bohemian-like, and enjoy writing/playing music, unpretentious artistic communities, outdoor things and indepent/open-minded people. My biggest questions about Great Barrington are:

1- Weather (obviously, coming from SoCal it is a change)
2- Sense of community & vibe of the people
3- Social scene for single people with no children
4- Proximity/access to surrounding areas & cities for an outlet when needed
5- Places to perform/see acoustic music, and coffeeshops (I am simple in that way
6- Holistic living/eating opportunities (yoga, affordable vegetarian options)
7- Diversity & Acceptance (race, socio-economic, etc.)

I know life is what you make it, and I have just spent 3 years living in SoCal where it is beautiful, but havent made the real connections that I want in life. If anyone is familiar with this area in MA, I would love your advice......

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by san_wander

I am currently living in Southern California and have been offered a job in the Great Barrington area of Western Massachusetts. This is a HUGE decision to make, as I dont know anyone or anything in MA. I am in my early 30s, sort of bohemian-like, and enjoy writing/playing music, unpretentious artistic communities, outdoor things and indepent/open-minded people. My biggest questions about Great Barrington are:

1- Weather (obviously, coming from SoCal it is a change)
2- Sense of community & vibe of the people
3- Social scene for single people with no children
4- Proximity/access to surrounding areas & cities for an outlet when needed
5- Places to perform/see acoustic music, and coffeeshops (I am simple in that way
6- Holistic living/eating opportunities (yoga, affordable vegetarian options)
7- Diversity & Acceptance (race, socio-economic, etc.)

I know life is what you make it, and I have just spent 3 years living in SoCal where it is beautiful, but havent made the real connections that I want in life. If anyone is familiar with this area in MA, I would love your advice......

No you'll hate it.




Sorry only joking.From what you have written I think you will enjoy it.

[in_newengland]

I won't be much help but I can at least add a little bit to this query

I am not familiar with Gt Barrington itself but I seem to have a negative feeling about the place.

Anyway, the Berkshires are famous for Tanglewood which is the summer home of the Boston Symphony. It's wealthy and yes, there is counter culture out there too.

It's a lively and beautiful place to be in summer but I wouldn't live out in the Berkshires during the winter for ANYTHING. IT IS FREEZING COLD. You are isolated. Lots of people have summer places in the Berkshires and then go SOUTH in winter. If you could just get out of there in the winter I'd say go for it.

[MA_brnNrsd]

I would also suggest visiting there in the winter for probably a couple weeks to get the feel of things and coming from SoCal you may not like the winters. Berkshires is probably the worst part of MA in the winter cause you are in the mountains. I am originally from western Ma and it can get pretty bad in the Berkshires. I have never been to Gt Barrington though so all I can do is inform you on winters. I moved to TN lately and I miss it up there, I miss the snow. But a person just coming into it never been to MA may not have the same opinion I do.

Whatever it is you do I wish you the best of luck...

[rhwebs]

It's an artsy area with Tanglewood. Lenox is nice. It is becoming more upscale. There are nice restaurants and coffee houses in Lenox. The golf courses are nice if you are into that. I've gone there a lot (mostly to play golf). I think I would be bored in Lenox if it were not for golf...If you are a skier you would like it in the winter. Things pick up in the winter. Good luck.

[skytrekker]

With your artistic, non competitive background, the Berkshires should be an easy fit. The towns are beautiful and the arts scene is large. Art galleries, cafes and fine restaurants abound. An hour away in the Pioneer valley the town of Northampton would be a dream come true for you, with its arts community, very liberal political scene, various Cafes with blue grass, jazz and folk. And its Main Street is really nice. Northampton in the winter is very active- so you might 'escape' here.

From my view in eastern Connecticut the only negative I can see is the weather- western Massachusetts in the Berkshire Hills tends to be colder with more snow then the rest of southern New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts & Rhode Island) which is considerably milder in the winter, especially as you go south and east from Great Barrington. Even here the winters while milder will see periods of cold and some snow- though far less then western Mass. The climate will take major adjustment in Great Barrington for a Californian. Winter begins in early December, and will last till early April. An example of the climatic difference is this; Here east of Hartford in Connecticut we will see a rain storm, in the winter while Great Barrington may see a foot of snow.

Cape Cod is 3 + hours away, the Connecticut shoreline 2 hours away and the Rhode Island beaches 2.5 hours away.

Boston is under 2.5 hours to the east- Springfield is less then an hour away, and New York is 2.5+ hours to the south.

[MS1]

[quote=san_wander;4092311]I am currently living in Southern California and have been offered a job in the Great Barrington area of Western Massachusetts. This is a HUGE decision to make, as I dont know anyone or anything in MA. I am in my early 30s, sort of bohemian-like, and enjoy writing/playing music, unpretentious artistic communities, outdoor things and indepent/open-minded people. My biggest questions about Great Barrington are:

1- Weather (obviously, coming from SoCal it is a change): Depending on the season, anywhere from below zero to 100.

2- Sense of community & vibe of the people
3- Social scene for single people with no children
4- Proximity/access to surrounding areas & cities for an outlet when needed
5- Places to perform/see acoustic music, and coffeeshops (I am simple in that way
6- Holistic living/eating opportunities (yoga, affordable vegetarian options)
7- Diversity & Acceptance (race, socio-economic, etc.)

Based on what you have described, Great Barrington is very diverse and artistic. I think you will fit right in, but definitely visit the area if you haven't already.

Regardless of your decision, I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors!

[kaday]

Great Barrington would be a great place for you if you can tolerate long cold winters. Please believe the other posters about the weather! We moved to Lenox in January and when I arrived by car the temperature was 17 degrees below zero. It was a long cold snap that year but we had another one just like it the following year. The first winter we were there I did not see any grass until April. The year we moved was much milder but not the norm for the area. To cope I took up cross country skiiing!!! The winter is long as is the mud season. One year we had frost in June.

The summers are fabulous. Beautiful. We picked berries, swam in lakes, hiked mountains. In our yard we had bears, deer, blue herons, wild turkeys. One summer downside, the mosquitoes (sp?) are terrible.

The arts are great. I was able to participate in many musical theater productions and had a blast. Tanglewood is wonderful. Great Barrington has cute shops, Good restaurants, very walkable (weather permitting of course).

[Ed4]

As for healthy living, food, yoga, etc: the Kripalu Yoga Center is in Lenox. It's really nice, though it can be expensive. There is a health food co-op in Great Barrington, I've been there a couple times, it seems well-stocked. Also check out Bizen restaurant, in addition to the very good sushi they have a macrobiotic menu.

[MS1]

Originally Posted by Ed4

As for healthy living, food, yoga, etc: the Kripalu Yoga Center is in Lenox. It's really nice, though it can be expensive. There is a health food co-op in Great Barrington, I've been there a couple times, it seems well-stocked. Also check out Bizen restaurant, in addition to the very good sushi they have a macrobiotic menu.

Macrobiotic?? What is this, biology class???