38yo guy wants to move to Newburyport HELP (Boston, Peabody: home, college)

[restoguy]

Ok - so I am relocating to the Boston area for work and hope to finish my masters - I want to be close to the action but far enough away from it to enjoy some peace - my retail job is in Peabody, and I hope to start doing more photography than retail. After 15 years in the desert I want to start new somewhere with 4 seasons and with the ocean near by.

I have heard wonderful things about Newburyport and wondered if anyone can give me an insiders look. I will be a free lance photographer and a retail worker - is Newburyport a good place? Is there other areas I should consider heavily?

In Phoenix I pay $450 a month for 3-4months of electric/ac bill for a 2500sqft home - I am guessing my heating cost there will be similar to my cooling cost here is that right? Is it a good place for a guy?

Thank you for all your help - never having been to Boston and trying to do this blindly is tough - your input will really be helpful -

[1979]

Newburyport is a beautiful place with a touristy, scenic downtown with ocean views. I used to travel there frequently about 10 years ago. Being gay will not be a problem there, the city also had an out lesbian mayor. I suspect your heating bill will be higher than your electric/ac bill was in AZ, but that shouldn't be a problem. Your commute to Peabody will be about 45 minutes; Boston a solid hour. NH is only one town away, and Maine is close as well which is great if you're a shopper because it has miles of outlets, it also has Ogunquit. If your aim is to find another 2500 sq ft home that could be pricey. You should really visit, and experience Boston as well.

---For me living in AZ sounds like heaven, no snow, sunny all the time,...but everyone's different.

[VlyRoadKid]

Aside from the issue of being gay, I lived in Newburyport in the late 70's (I was pretty young) and aside from being near the beach in summer...it was DEAD! Also, the winters are horrible--very raw! *shudder*!!!

I don't think it matters what your orientation is--there wasn't any action. I recently looked it up to see if there were more clubs, etc. Barely. I'd follow the person above's advice and check out Boston! You could also go inland and try a college town like Fitchburg, but they're only slightly more amusing. Have you ever thought of living in W. Mass...say, Northampton and tele-commuting??? You'd like it there---LOTS to do, beautiful scenery and very open.

[bkidd]

I'm also gay work in retail managment and want to move to ma if like to chat and compare info that we find let me know. It would be nice to know someone when I move. What kind of retail are you in?