Help! L.A. or South Shore, MA

[Sunbrite]

I lived in L.A. for about 4 years, plus San Francisco for 2 years.

For myself, the choice is clear- I would move to MA. This is based on my feelings about California. I too loved the weather in L.A.

As you know, L.A. is a fun city, with plenty of sun, fun things to do, delicious international cuisine. Compared to other cities in California, it's reasonably affordable- except for housing of course. Two of my friends from school still live there- one whose family is from there, which makes sense, and the other, who basically loves to party.

For me, the choice really is whether you are looking for a community, and have 4 seasons, but less sun, or want to have great weather year around, but like you are already saying, are lonely.

California is a busy, beautiful, energetic place, but many, many folks out there feel really empty inside, and for good reason. So many people move in and out constantly from that state. It's such a large state that there are so many competing interests. I loved the diversity out there, but after a while, the impersonal nature of the place just really got to me. My husband and I will be having kids in a couple of years, and I would never raise them out in L.A. Not saying that others that do are less in any way, just myself personally wouldn't do it.

We currently live on the East Coast, are closer to family now, and I couldn't be happier. That empty cold feeling is no longer with me. I don't have to travel for an entire day to visit family. I feel like I am around more hearfelt, warmer people. It's hard to explain I guess, but I just always felt California was this temporary place that people lived for a short period in their life, it's so transitional out there, you almost feel like it's a huge airport, I'm sorry to say. Would you rather feel warmer just on the outside, or extend that to your family and friends, and have more of a close-knit community feeling?

As for S.A.D, you can always treat that, with among other things, special lights specifically designed for this condition. May sound funny, but I hear these lights are actually very effective.

Alternatively, you can always move to another area closer to your family in MA, but not necessarily in that state.

My husband and I will be moving in a couple of years, and we're fairly sure we want to stay somewhere on the East Coast. We're not terribly fond of the snow or cold weather either, so we're thinking we'll end up somewhere with good public transportation.

Good luck!

[city_data91]

If you're happy in Los Angeles, stay. If you hate the cold, don't even think about moving to Massachusetts. Don't worry about being around family. Do you really want to make yourselves miserable just to be near family? Living near family is not nearly as important as some people say. I live near family and I don't even see them much, especially my mom's side. I would probably see them just as much if I lived on the other end of the country. Live your life for you, not your extended family. You said family members have left Los Angeles. Did they all move to Massachusetts or did they move other places too? If they moved other places, and you think you would like to live there, look into those places. Another option is to compromise. If you want to be relatively close to family, but somewhere warm, try the South (a lot closer to MA than California is)

[DaveV]

Originally Posted by clevedark

I wouldn't move to Hingham or Duxbury but would consider towns like Plymouth, Kingston and Marshfield.

I would echo that, Hingham and Duxbury are way overpriced and quite snooty without reason to be. I would add Pembroke, Halifax and Hanson to your list. And the weather ain't gonna change for you, summers are quite glorious on the South Shore tho.