What You Like and Don't Like About Your Town (Boston: appointed, neighborhoods)

[Eric H.]

I'd like to start a thread on what you like and don't like about your community. It is often difficult for someone moving to a community to know what's it's really like living there until they have made the move. I thought, "Why not start a mini-guide, here on this thread, to give a '101' on your town?" After all, you are the taxpayers, the hard-working people that have formed opinions of your town -- based on how they are run by our appointed and elected officials, how close the neighborhoods are, the safety, the effectiveness of the schools, and proper residential, commercial industrial and recreational development, to name a few.

In an attempt here to inform people considering a move to your town how the "locals" like you really feel, I thought it would be a great idea to share your thoughts -- good and bad -- about the town you live. Too often, we receive only the "half story," or the glossy "marketing" of a town rather than a fair view at the pros and cons. So, what do you like about your community? What don't you like about your community? Be fair, objective, and place yourself in the shoes of someone else interested in moving to your community. If you had to do it all over again, would you move to your community? What are some of the things you would tell that person?

[scarletfire]

Good idea!

Sherborn:

What I like about my town: I love the quiet, the great hiking trails, the lovely little pond, the winding wooded roads.

I don't like: The fact that it takes me 15 minutes to get to Rt 495, and that there's no sidewalks along Rt 16 that would make it easy to walk or bike downtown. Some people might not like the lack of much of a downtown. Sherborn doesn't have much downtown beyond an inn, a spa, an ice cream place, and a few other spots. It doesn't have one of those cute strolling town centers with shops and cafes like Wellesley or Concord.

[lorilou]

I'll join in.

Franklin:

I like: picnics on the common, local farmers markets, strolling downtown, 3 Restaurant (very good, great for date nights), beer & Sox at Cole's Tavern, steak tips at Union Grill, the beach at Beaver Pond, taking a walk to the library and then taking in the views & culture of Dean College, meeting girlfriends at Panera for coffee & scones, buying a loaf of homemade bread at Nonnie Rose's bakery for Weds. night's lasagne, ordering a hot Mayflower Special (roast turkey, dressing, & cranberries on a hot split roll...Heaven!) at Isabella's Deli and eating it outside...waving to all your friends as they drive past, trip to local beekeeper for fresh golden honey, fishing at the pond off Washington St., and my civic-minded neighbors/town council who volunteer countless hours to improve this town's prospects and outlook.

dislike:
the rundown high school that needs demolition, the traffic fiasco of King St. & 495 (which is finally being addressed, thank God), and....wow, that's all that comes to mind. Guess I'm living exactly where I should be!

[puffle]

West Concord, Ma.

Love: The history, charming downtown areas, convenience of two train stations, quiet, woods, ponds, architecture, the feel and spirit and pride people have of this town.
Dislike: Lack of good restaurants and more convenient quickie eateries (especially for kids)

[PaulPierce34]

MEDFORD

i love the hot brazilian girls, the MBTA buses, the subway, the closeness to boston, the meadow glenn mall everything

i don't like the police

[curlystraight]

Originally Posted by Eric H.

I'd like to start a thread on what you like and don't like about your community. It is often difficult for someone moving to a community to know what's it's really like living there until they have made the move. I thought, "Why not start a mini-guide, here on this thread, to give a '101' on your town?" After all, you are the taxpayers, the hard-working people that have formed opinions of your town -- based on how they are run by our appointed and elected officials, how close the neighborhoods are, the safety, the effectiveness of the schools, and proper residential, commercial industrial and recreational development, to name a few.

In an attempt here to inform people considering a move to your town how the "locals" like you really feel, I thought it would be a great idea to share your thoughts -- good and bad -- about the town you live. Too often, we receive only the "half story," or the glossy "marketing" of a town rather than a fair view at the pros and cons. So, what do you like about your community? What don't you like about your community? Be fair, objective, and place yourself in the shoes of someone else interested in moving to your community. If you had to do it all over again, would you move to your community? What are some of the things you would tell that person?

Love this idea! Looking forward to reading more responses. Hopefully it will give us some insight of where we should move. Great question!

[haberstroh]

Walpole:

dislike: prison, downtown needs to be revived, lack of stores
like: all the families with kids and their commitment, open spaces, natural beauty, lack of stores

[happywifey]

Weymouth

Likes: Down to earth people. No "keeping up with the Jones'" feelings. Great parks, playgrounds and family resources. Ease to get to Boston. Low property tax. TUFTS LIBRARY! All of our neighbors are tradesmen - so we get hook ups.

Dislikes: Bad reputation of schools (my husband survived Boston Public Schools - so Weymouth seems like "Saved By the Bell" in comparison). I think the more hoity-toity towns consider Weymouth "trashy" - but I am trashy so it works for me. Most teenage boys I see walking around look like wannabe gangstas. I think all teenage boys make me cringe though - even preppy teenage boys in polos and khakis on a golf course. Yuck.

We seriously considered Dedham, Woburn and Weymouth when we decided to purchase (We couldn't afford West Roxbury). I'm happy with our decision (and probably would have been happy in Dedham or Woburn as well).

[Travelin2012]

Originally Posted by curlystraight

Love this idea! Looking forward to reading more responses. Hopefully it will give us some insight of where we should move. Great question!

Ditto here....I am going to move back in about 4 years, do not want to move to former town(s),,,too much sadness for me....a new town but in general area because then it will feel like coming home..

[Kazz]

Lawrence:

Likes: Good location,low rent,hot Latinas.

Dislikes: Everything else. This town is an armpit. (an unwashed one)