suggestions on towns near the coast (Boston, New Bedford: to rent, buying, school)

[TakeAChance411]

Howdy. I'm looking for some suggestions on where to settle in the northeast. Specifically Massachusetts, New Hampshire or Maine. I figure there is less snow in Massachusetts so this is my first stop. Is it true that Massachusetts is completely and 100% liberal thinking? Is there a place where there is a balance, or will I be completely shunned if I'm a person who questions big government and entitlement. I'm not looking to change anyones way of thinking, but would also hope to find people who are secure enough in their belief that they can debate and see the other side of the arguement. I'm visiting family in New Hampshire this week, and while it seems nice enough, it's a little quiet for my taste. Thank you in advance.

[capecodcathy]

Chance: MA is not completely liberal. Nor is it conservative. I think you'll find that we are very tolerant of varying points of view.
Do you have any other requirements? What else are you looking for in a community? Where will you be working? Will you be renting or buying? In either case, what is your price range? Just you? Children? What kind of social life are you hoping for?
NH can be quiet in some places, just like MA.
We just need a little more information. Give us your "wish list" and your "need, can't do without list".
Lots of collective wisdom here.

[TakeAChance411]

thank you cathy. It looks like I might get a job in Nashua or Manchester so I need to be somewhere near there. I would still like to stay no more than an hour from the beach. Are there any places that you could recomend that would fit that location? I would worry about the other stuff later. I'd like to rent first to get settled then maybe buy something later. thanks again.

[capecodcathy]

Chance, NH actually has very little coastline. Think Hampton Beach. But it does have some stunning lakes. If you're looking at Nashua, you may want to think about Newburyport and Amesbury, MA area or somewhere along the Merrimac River. Manchester is further north and may be more convenient to coastal Maine. I've only visited Derry and the surrounding area for kids sporting events, but they seem very nice and inbetween Manchester, Nashua and the Coast.
I only have a few relatives who live in NH, so take this all with a grain of salt. I'm more of a SouthCoast/Cape Cod person. You may get better answers on the New Hampshire thread. Best of Luck!

[lrfox]

Are you set on working in Manch/Nashua?

I think one of the best coastal values in New England is the Southcoast of Massachusetts. Communities like Westport, Dartmouth, Marion, Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, etc. are wonderful and reasonably priced. I would emphasize focusing on Westport, Dartmouth or Fairhaven as they tend to be the best value (Marion and Mattapoisett are pricey). This area is close Providence (quick ride on I-195 and not too far from Boston (about an hour... less from some spots). You also have the historic port of New Bedford which offers good restaurants, bars, and a LOT of history (Home of Moby Dick and Fredrick Douglas). It's also the highest grossing fishing port in the nation so you'll be hard-pressed to find better seafood anywhere. I wouldn't live in NB due to a poor school system and mediocre city services, but it's a nice asset to have nearby.

For you, the best asset of this area is that it's not as progressive as the rest of the state. There is a stong conservative bastion along the Southcoast. Sure, it's in Massachusetts so it's still relatively liberal, but not as much as many other sections of the state.

As far as snow goes, you'll see a LOT less of it on the Southcoast. The water also stays about 10 degrees warmer than the water North of Cape Cod. The Southcoast's beaches face south and benefit from being warmed by the gulf stream (a large ocean current from the South). North of Cape Cod and into Cape Cod bay the water is cooled by the Labrador Current (a cold water current coming from Canada). The result is that Southcoast beaches are much more pleasant in the summer months than those North of Cape Cod (it's difficult to swim at Hampton and points North even in August).

[capecodcathy]

Second what Irfox said, but also consider Wareham. And maybe the SouthCoast of RI.

[capecodcathy]

What kind of work are you looking for, Chance?