what are North Adams people really like? (Walmart, money)

[ihynes]

I once visited my husband's relatives in North Adams and although it's in a pretty location, Berkshires yada yada (they go on and on about it), I found the locals to be dour, indifferent, overweight smokers. (Speaking of size, though, the trees were breathtaking!! I think they might be the biggest trees I've seen outside of the California redwoods.) Is my impression of the locals far off the mark? Seems like you have to be one of "them" to be acknowledged.

[meltinjohn]

Simpletons.
Really tho, the people in most places are similar only Western MA Id equate to states like OH or PA. Id rather focus on other things than to ask questions like what are the people like. Theres good and bad everywhere.

[litlux]

Well, I am overweight, but don't smoke. And yes, many of the locals do seem to be extremely reserved and not too adventurous. But remember they were the grist that powered the old mills, and most learned not to make waves. So if you are an amphibian, you will find the area pretty parched for intellectual stimulation.

However.

There are lots of bright people in the area, and we are not in the WalMart, McDonalds or running the interminable 50-50 raffles which seems to be the most creative way they can think of to raise money.

Most of us new residents have found other new residents to keep our minds active and get out a lot to many other parts of the Berkshires. It is glorious here, but not if you sit on your duff talking about your relatives and neighbors.

Hell, you can do that in Indiana and Ohio too sans the mountains.