New Residents: Now that you've moved to Mass, do you have any regrets? (Boston: best cities, foreclosed)

[south-bound]

VlyRoadKid said:

"Seriously, if Democrats & Liberals annoy you so much, then move! Your username indicates you are headed to the South, where, as we know, there is TONS of diversity...NOT! They don't call those "Red States" and Bush Country for nothing! As you say about Dems, most of them in the South are FAR more conservative...enough to just register as Republicans. You should be happy there.

Personally, I'm proud to be a Liberal Democrat, with its tradition of social activism and helping others, as opposed to just amassing wealth or hiding one's head in the sand, like the other party--that's how we got in the economic mess we're in now! "

Uhh, where is this nastiness coming from? All I did was disagree with the fact that MA is politically balanced. I never said anything negative about Democrats in my post!

People like you are the reason Baystaters have a bad reputation elsewhere in the country. Hopefully, no one takes you as an example of what the typical MA resident is like.

[thenewNewEnglander]

Originally Posted by globaltraveller

We're originally from Pennsylvania and relocated to Massachusetts (Hanover, just outside of Boston) 3 years ago from Texas (Houston) where we lived for 10 years. My family and I love the quality of life here. The schools are excellent, we live in a beautifully restored cape with lots of character and a good-size yard for the kids to play in. We also like the fact that Boston is so close and there are endless things to do, not to mention great restaurants, arts and cultural attractions. As others mentioned, people in New England tend to be a bit reserved, nonetheless, we have made many good friends as have our children.

For those who criticize the political climate in Massachusetts for being dominated by liberal Democrats, it's not as liberal as we had thought. Libertarian, yes, but I wouldn't necessarily say liberal . Coming from Texas, a state dominated by the Republican Party which has been highjacked by evangelicals, we found the change of perspective rather interesting, if not refreshing. We're Republicans

We have absolutely no regrets

Thank you Global and welcome to New England!

I'm personally glad to see more opinion being thrown into our melting pot!

Though I am more of what I would call a Social Libertarian- I believe in classic American Freedoms being strongly upheld, smallest government feasible, yet a relative safety net and standard of living in America- I'm glad to hear about Republicans moving to Massachusetts. We need more conversation, healthy discourse, and ideas to help enrich our Commonwealth and help us advance even further.

Stick to your beliefs! And hopefully accept, which you sure seem to, the varied opinions and people around you.

Thanks again neighbor!

[thenewNewEnglander]

Originally Posted by bnvconstruction

i use to live in brockton 10 yrs ago or so and moved to oklahoma and i tell ya what i went back to brockton last yr and that PLACE IS A DUMP WOULDNT MOVE THERE...

So you're ok with letting Brockton languish in its difficulties? That's pretty sad. Turn your back on your home?

[AandD]

OH! I get to post a reply here now!

No regrets. Absolutely none.
The school system ROCKS.
It really IS a "different type of cold".
It's really NOT the wilds of Alaska!
There ARE nice, friendly people to make up for the grouchy crab-asses New England is known for.
My kids LOVE LOVE the snow.
MY JOB IS THA BOMB.

The downsides:
I'd never find my way to the store towns over without my gps. If I COULD find my way there, I'd sure as hell never find my way back. DO NOT move here without a TomTom!
There are large numbers of people who act offended that they have to DO THEIR JOBS. I went to the school the Monday I got here to register my son, and the secretary said: "oh, I don't register kids on Mondays." WTH? How do you NOT register a kid who shows up to the public school in your city?? She seemed like a truly miserable, unhappy person.
Schools start at 9am. That's not very 'working family' friendly.
Prices are staggering here. I have no idea how people in service or retail industries make it. Truly.

I can see us staying here, happily, thru the kids primary education. I do miss the warm weather in Texas, and would prolly like to retire south where there is a longer gardening season and warmer winters for my old aching joints. But for now, we love MA.

[Coolhand68]

I grew up in NYC, enlisted in the Air Force and got stationed in upstate NY (Rome) for a few years which I hated, then I transferred to the central California Coast for almost 8 years before coming here to Mass. I live in the Lexington/Bedford area which is a very desirable place to live IMHO. Great schools, safe neighborhoods, plenty of dining and shopping nearby. I'm also closer to home, NYC is just a four hour drive. That said, the only things I regret about coming here are also some of the things I sought before arriving here 5 years ago. When I was in California I missed the four seasons...fall foliage, snow in winter, spring and the beaches in summer. Central California coastal waters are very cold, so going to the beach wasn't really an option if you wanted to go in the water. Now I'm sick of winter and the 3 out fo the last autumn seasons weren't that great. I've only gone to the cape two or three days each summer because it's so far. The beaches north of the Cape (Revere, Salisbury etc are not very nice).

Now five years later I miss the temperate climate of California...75 and sunny on the coast, no humidity. I miss the good Mexican food, nicely paved roads, newer and cleaner homes and streets, fishing at the piers, watching sunsets over the ocean, and not having to scrape ice off my windshield in single digit temps. Since I've been here I've been in two car accidents and I've had damage done to my car on a few occasions just sitting in supermarket parking lots. Never had that problem before. These are the things that make me regret my choices, however, I have to remind myself of the upside to living here. Great schools, no gang culture like out west, great Italian food (pizza sucks in Cali), closer to home, major sports teams and complexes nearby, and my proximity to a major city (Boston) which is excellent for walking around.

Overall I can't say I regret being here because wherever you go there will be pros and cons, you just have to weigh them against one another and prioritize your list of reasons when deciding where to live. A big part of me is ready to leave, but if I won't have any regrets for being here, Mass is a good place to raise a family and plant roots. Trust me, there are many places in this country that are much worse, and not that many that are better.

[Bimmer5]

Originally Posted by xCalifornian

I regret that I didn't fully investigate the area before I moved to Western Massachusetts, especially the economy. I see no future for this area in terms of jobs and thus I have no plans to buy a house here. It's clearly an area in decline. People here are oblivious to the fact that there was a housing bubble here. It's just now bursting. I wouldn't be surprised if prices fall 30-40% here over the next few years.

While I was excited when I first moved here, the negatives soon started cropping up. It rains way too much here. Rents are higher than I expected and are overpriced relative to incomes. I understand why a lot of people here have roommates. There is a great disparity between the rich, middle class and poor here. Shopping stinks. There is no customer service here. The drivers are too much in a hurry. I hate the way the area is laid out, with a myriad of narrow crowded winding roads connecting everything together. I could complain more, but I'll stop there.

If you are that unhappy living in MA then there are 47 other states you can drive to! I am pretty well traveled and find MA to be the best when all things are considered. I just dont care for the cold, but you cant have it all... My point? Unless you are incarcerated you could always go back to your broke state and try for that acting gig again... Arnold sure could use the tax revenue... Or did Cali get sold to Mexico yet?

[Bimmer5]

Originally Posted by Coolhand68

I grew up in NYC, enlisted in the Air Force and got stationed in upstate NY (Rome) for a few years which I hated, then I transferred to the central California Coast for almost 8 years before coming here to Mass. I live in the Lexington/Bedford area which is a very desirable place to live IMHO. Great schools, safe neighborhoods, plenty of dining and shopping nearby. I'm also closer to home, NYC is just a four hour drive. That said, the only things I regret about coming here are also some of the things I sought before arriving here 5 years ago. When I was in California I missed the four seasons...fall foliage, snow in winter, spring and the beaches in summer. Central California coastal waters are very cold, so going to the beach wasn't really an option if you wanted to go in the water. Now I'm sick of winter and the 3 out fo the last autumn seasons weren't that great. I've only gone to the cape two or three days each summer because it's so far. The beaches north of the Cape (Revere, Salisbury etc are not very nice).

Now five years later I miss the temperate climate of California...75 and sunny on the coast, no humidity. I miss the good Mexican food, nicely paved roads, newer and cleaner homes and streets, fishing at the piers, watching sunsets over the ocean, and not having to scrape ice off my windshield in single digit temps. Since I've been here I've been in two car accidents and I've had damage done to my car on a few occasions just sitting in supermarket parking lots. Never had that problem before. These are the things that make me regret my choices, however, I have to remind myself of the upside to living here. Great schools, no gang culture like out west, great Italian food (pizza sucks in Cali), closer to home, major sports teams and complexes nearby, and my proximity to a major city (Boston) which is excellent for walking around.

Overall I can't say I regret being here because wherever you go there will be pros and cons, you just have to weigh them against one another and prioritize your list of reasons when deciding where to live. A big part of me is ready to leave, but if I won't have any regrets for being here, Mass is a good place to raise a family and plant roots. Trust me, there are many places in this country that are much worse, and not that many that are better.

Now this is a pretty good assessment! I have been to sooooo many states and other countries and they all have their "wow factor" and their "yuck factor" as well. MA is the educational capital of the US, we have 4 of the top 10 hospitals in the country, Boston is bar none, the cleanest major city I have ever seen and the history is unmatched anywhere else. The people, or us "Yankee's" so to speak arent the warmest to strangers, the winters, although mild in comparison to most, do suck and when we drive, we DRIVE. If you can accept the minor negatives of this great state, you are left with just that... A great state!
Peace, and welcome to the neighborhood!

[brightdoglover]

For the poster who is so down on Mass. for being in western Mass., the western part of the state might as well be part of upstate NY. It really has very little to do with the eastern/coastal part, and people there rightfully complain that state government doesn't know they exist. It has been economically tough for a long time, and the summer people (a lot from NYC) increase the disparities.

[missionhill]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

For the poster who is so down on Mass. for being in western Mass., the western part of the state might as well be part of upstate NY. It really has very little to do with the eastern/coastal part, and people there rightfully complain that state government doesn't know they exist. It has been economically tough for a long time, and the summer people (a lot from NYC) increase the disparities.

Whatever people may feel there's no truth to this notion of being forgotten. Especially in the connecticut valley where the Springfield area has always had a measure of clout in the legislature. People in the eastern/coastal part generally do not know much about Springfield and the west, but that doesn't mean the region lacks attention from Beacon Hill. I'd also say that Western Mass is no more upstate NY than Brookline is. The Conn valley and the Berkshires are very much New England; however, people are more oriented to Connecticut, not surprisingly as Hartford and Spfld are less than 25 miles apart and there are longstanding historical and cultural ties up and down the valley. I wouldn't say they're oriented to New York--to the city somewhat, but not much to upstate as compared to Conn, Vt, and N.H. A few W Mass people go to Lake George or Saratoga Springs in the summer but most head down to the Cape or Rhode Is or Hampton Beach, just like the Eastern Mass types. You see red sox caps from Hartford up to Hanover and everywhere in between. The far west has a heavy metro New York summer influence, quite right. And if you know anything about New York you know that any feelings of disenfranchisement and resentment among Western Mass residents toward Boston pale in comparison to the rift between upstate and downstate New York.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by missionhill

Whatever people may feel there's no truth to this notion of being forgotten. Especially in the connecticut valley where the Springfield area has always had a measure of clout in the legislature. People in the eastern/coastal part generally do not know much about Springfield and the west, but that doesn't mean the region lacks attention from Beacon Hill. I'd also say that Western Mass is no more upstate NY than Brookline is. The Conn valley and the Berkshires are very much New England; however, people are more oriented to Connecticut, not surprisingly as Hartford and Spfld are less than 25 miles apart and there are longstanding historical and cultural ties up and down the valley. I wouldn't say they're oriented to New York--to the city somewhat, but not much to upstate as compared to Conn, Vt, and N.H. A few W Mass people go to Lake George or Saratoga Springs in the summer but most head down to the Cape or Rhode Is or Hampton Beach, just like the Eastern Mass types. You see red sox caps from Hartford up to Hanover and everywhere in between. The far west has a heavy metro New York summer influence, quite right. And if you know anything about New York you know that any feelings of disenfranchisement and resentment among Western Mass residents toward Boston pale in comparison to the rift between upstate and downstate New York.

I thought the comment was meant to suggest that the economic situation was similar to that of upstate NY, not that there was an orientation toward it.

As far as NYS goes, the widely held perception upstate is that they pay high taxes to subsidize NYC, but nothing could be further from the truth. The NYC area gets a lot less back from Albany than it pays. However, the state's policy has been excessively focused on NYC. As usual, NYC has placed a large part of its eggs in the finance business basket, and that particular basket was not necessarily the best one to bet on.

I've long felt that it made no sense for housing prices in Boston and NYC to be out of reach, while people are sitting in crushing traffic jams, while whole neighborhoods in Syracuse or Springfield need a boost badly. When our manufacturing base was much stronger all of these places could thrive, but now virtually all of our smaller and mid-sized cities have hit hard times. I'd propose tailoring policy to draw businesses and residents to those areas with incentive schemes. The policy would have to be tailored to getting good jobs and educated people to be willing to go there. I'd love to see places like Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, New Bedford, etc. and the cities of upstate NY thrive again, and I'd love to see less traffic on 128.