Calling all who wish to move to MA!!! (Boston, Cambridge: crime rates, house)

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by indigorose

I have heard that one of the reasons that rent costs are so high is because landlords add what they think the heating will cost to the total. So if the rent at a place I am considering is considerably low for the area I will definitely make sure about the heat being included. I didnt think that the thermostat might be controled by someone else so I will definitely remember to look for that as well. Thank you for the info.

I once had a landlord in Norwood Mass, that lived on the 1st floor, the heat was included with the rent, but I did not have my own thermostat. They were nice to me, until I said could I please have some heat, it is very cold and the heat only comes on about every 45 minutes for about 5 miniutes. They were very cruel about it, and when the roof started leaking they gave me a bucket. I eventually banged on the pipes,to get some heat, and they said that is one way to get us to give you heat. I gave them my notice and left, said nothing to them, did not pay the last months rent, since that was my deposit. There are some nasty people in this world and you have to be careful when renting. Yes never rent in Mass where you do not have your own thermonstat if your rent includes the heat.

[1979]

The biggest problem with posts like these, is you don't know where the poster is from? It is much easier for comparison sake....

[1979]

Originally Posted by KathrynK

My partner and I would also like to move to MA. We were thinking around the Brockton area but want to make sure this is a good area for a gay family with a 4 year old. We would prefer a smaller city that is close to Boston. Any suggestions?

Why Brockton?? Brockton is a mostly depressed area (somewhat high crime), it does have some nice areas but it would not be in any of my top choices to move to. Are you specifically looking to live in a Massachusetts city that is inexpensive?? Worcester is also somewhat depressed but is a better choice than Brockton, it's also the second most populated city in Mass (...but is a matter of opinion).

I don't know where your from, but if your choosing Mass because of the progressive laws (and attitudes) toward gay people I would choose Fall River. Fall River is a peaceful city by the ocean with a large Portuguese population (...read: low crime). It is hilly in some areas too which means you could end up with an ocean view. It is also close to Rhode Island which has a larger, and in some ways upbeat gay population. You would be approximately 20 minutes from Providence which has MANY gay clubs if that's your cup of tea. New Bedford, also a city of around 100K people is about 20 minutes in the other direction. South from Fall River is Newport which is also very nice, and ocean is everywhere. Also, ocean areas usually have a milder winter here. Taunton is further north, and is rather nice, it also has a gay club (mostly lesbian) if that's of interest.

[Travelin2012]

Originally Posted by puffle

Not as much as Ca.

Yes...this is absolutely true. Many people come to MA from midwest etc....let me tell you CA is more expensive than MA. Unfortunately CA is now one of the foreclosure capitals, but MA is trailing close behind.
I look at RE all the time in various areas in MA, and can tell you overall that CA towers over MA. I am hoping to sell home and possible rental property here in CA and move back to MA and buy lovely home.

[Travelin2012]

Originally Posted by 1979

The biggest problem with posts like these, is you don't know where the poster is from? It is much easier for comparison sake....

This is true,,,wanted to talk about moving BACK, not moving to. My questions are not going to be the same as someone who is just moving there.

[Travelin2012]

Originally Posted by indigorose

This idea was thrown out there about starting a "support group" for those that wish to move to MA. I thought it was such a great idea so decided to start this thread. I am one of many who wish to move to MA for many reasons. I would like to hear from those fellow souls with the same desire. What part of MA do you wish to move to? What are your reasons (a love of the scenery, job move, family, etc.)? Do you have a timeline for your move?
I will start with my story. I wish to move to Salem. I have always wanted to visit the area because of the history and figure that since i am now free to move wherever I wish I will move there. I also hear that there is a pretty good public transportation system there so I will most likely get rid of my car once i get there to save some money. I do have sort of a timeline but it all entails on when I can get the money saved up. With the job market the way it is, I never know when that can be. So far that is the only thing on my checklist besides minor packing that is left to do.
Those who have already made the move are welcome to post as well. Feel free to let us know what to expect. What part did you move to? How hard was it to adjust to a different area for you? Just share your story if you think it would help those who wish to move there.

HI Indigorose...I think that "group" was my idea....travelin2012??? We blogged back and forth couple of times....I forgot, are you from MA??

[Travelin2012]

Yup,,,me wants to come backkkkkk I know Boston, but the central artery was still above ground when I left.
Memories....thats what it is for me, sentimentality. My children were Bohn there. I miss the culture, my own. Italian/Polish decent.....I am kind of old fashioned and conservative in many ways....have a bit of problems with liberal left. I can tell you that much of MA is not so liberal....depends on where you go,,,,,,,,,like New Hampshire (just kidding).
I am in SoCal, which I detest (as stated on other blogs)....I am middle class, sooooooooooo not looking for rich snobby community, nuf of that here!!!
Lived in Revere (Severe), Winthrop, Slummerville, Malden and W. Newton.....so I know the neighborhoods.

Looking at Saugus, maybe Wakefield or Stoneham,,,,the right part of Salem. Danvers probably better! There is no perfect place. My son will be 18 when I move back and wants to move "HOME"...except we don't have a home there anymore
Miss Boston accents (normal talk), everyone in CA sounds like they are from the south to me!! I caught someone once micking how I talk (made me feel real good).

[indigorose]

travelin2012, it might have been your idea. When I posted originally I couldn't remember who suggested it because I have talked to so many people about MA, so that is why I worded it as an idea was thrown out there about the subject. As I said, I just thought it was a great idea when I read about it. I couldn't find a thread with that purpose so I decided to get it startd. No I am not from MA. I am originally from FL, but have lived in GA, TN, MI, IL, OH, and AZ as well. I am currently living in AZ and cannot wait to get out of here. My roommate absolutely loves it here, but for me it is too hot and dusty. I miss being able to see the seasons change, the fresh smell of spring, having cookouts in the park in the summer, and watching the leaves change in the fall. I even miss the snow, especially when it is gently drifting down and the streetlights glint off it to create an image of crystals floating in the air.
I did some research, both on the computer and in my heart, and decided that a move to MA would be right for me. I have always wanted to visit the area because of the history. Now the more I hear the more I feel that it is definitely the move for me. I decided that the city I want to move to most is Salem. It is on the water, which I love. It has a lot of unique shops. It is within a reasonable distance to Boston so if I wanted a big city fix, I could do so without breaking the bank. It also proclaims itself as Halloween Capital and I love Halloween. It has the four seasons I am looking for. I have also checked the general weather and feel that it would be better for my health.

[puffle]

I hope both you indigorose and travelin are able to move here to Ma. in the very near future. I lived in Socal my entire life, did the beach thing as a teen, trips to S.F. skiing, Palm Springs, but as an adult that all got very old for me and my priorites also changed having a family. Since the sun causes skin cancer, and I don't ski and could care less about driving a large tank with leather, I looked forward to a different way of life, one that values family, tradition, change of seasons, intelligence, loyalty to friends and history....not the history of adobes and priests riding on donkeys spreading "the word" to the poor Mexicans and Indians that first resided in Ca. Or the "history" of Hollywood's days gone by. It justs gets under your skin living here, in a good way, at least for me.

[Travelin2012]

Originally Posted by puffle

I hope both you indigorose and travelin are able to move here to Ma. in the very near future. I lived in Socal my entire life, did the beach thing as a teen, trips to S.F. skiing, Palm Springs, but as an adult that all got very old for me and my priorites also changed having a family. Since the sun causes skin cancer, and I don't ski and could care less about driving a large tank with leather, I looked forward to a different way of life, one that values family, tradition, change of seasons, intelligence, loyalty to friends and history....not the history of adobes and priests riding on donkeys spreading "the word" to the poor Mexicans and Indians that first resided in Ca. Or the "history" of Hollywood's days gone by. It justs gets under your skin living here, in a good way, at least for me.

Amen Puffle.....I am the one that rants and raves about CA, esp SoCal. I am so tired of sun, sun, sun everyday. I am tired of constantly being hot...I mean temperature wise. Another thing, being that you are from SoCal....notice how all the "new homes" and dept. stores are these ugly colors; orange, mustard yellow, lt. brown....I hate it. I actually like the old traditional Spanish archetecture that you find in say Santa Barbara...but the new stuff is so tacky. I envy you...you are in New England and I am here.