Mass stagnancy and limbo (Lowell: high crime, houses, unemployment)

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by DreamworksSKG

yeah and new hampshire still doesnt have a commuter rail from Boston-Concord.

how do we expect to pay for projects and such?

Last I checked, a commuter rail line from Boston to Concord isn't an essential government service. However, if there is a need for it, how about those people who use it pay for its operation through fares after the state assists with capital funds? If there is no money to assist with capital costs, then how about people use I-93 or Rte 3?

[brightdoglover]

If you're talking about Concord, MA, the commuter line runs there to Bostno. If you mean Concord, NH, I doubt there's enough traffic to warrant a train line.
If I remember, the OP said he/she is using state benefits now (temporarly disabled?) so I'm curious about his/her complaint about taxes, etc.
Yes, buying a house is expensive. Renting isn't exactly a bargain, but can certainly be done with some kind of half-decent job. Working minimum wage or so has never been a way to live well, here or anywhere else that I know of.
I'm not exactly touting MA as some kind of haven, it certainly has its flaws. But the overall tax load isn't the highest in New England/Atlantic Coast at all.

[DreamworksSKG]

I believe that the government shouldnt run every aspect of our lives, but also that there are some reasons we need at least some government

I am in the middle of the road

that said we need to clean up the government in this state and stop the wasteful spending
only spend it on the most important intitiatives like parks, environment, city projects, and creating jobs

[DreamworksSKG]

A boston-nashua-manchester-Concord line would really help ease traffic. ridership typically increases after a rail line is put in and I'm sure people who are fed up with the traffic commuting down 3 and 93 would take it into Boston. - I think it would help areas like lowell and lawrence as well

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by DreamworksSKG

A boston-nashua-manchester-Concord line would really help ease traffic. ridership typically increases after a rail line is put in and I'm sure people who are fed up with the traffic commuting down 3 and 93 would take it into Boston. - I think it would help areas like lowell and lawrence as well

Sure it would, but it's not essential, and if the money isn't there, then it can't be done. Families all over the country have to make the same kinds of choices and postpone or cancel vacations or other non-essential items. Government in Mass needs to start living by that same thought process. There are lots of worthy projects and social goals, but not enough money to fund them all.

The money belongs to the citizens who earn it, and it should only be taken by government to provide essential services such as roads, schools, police, fire, etc. States like NH have it correct.

[baystater]

While I agree Mass is not the easiest place settle down and makes roots. I myself really want to return home to mass for good. Actually I am home for the 3rd and the 4th and I'm going to have a good time (rain or shine). There's nothing like coming to Marshfield, ma. (My hometown) and watching unscripted/unplanned firework show put on by the local people. Yeah sometime it gets a little crazy. But in the end it's a good time. And I'd rather be no where else for this holiday.
You know everytime I'm up here, I realize, I'm really belong here. This place is my home. Granted I wouldn't mind spending a portion of my year in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan either. But my main spot is here on the south shore of Mass. I know the people and the culture. Alot of my friends and my family are here as well. Money, or a state less taxed can't make up for that in my mind. I'll take the taxes, the weather, the politics that sometimes that I disagree with, and any other hardships just to stay in the place I feel is my home.

[meltinjohn]

Originally Posted by baystater

While I agree Mass is not the easiest place settle down and makes roots. I myself really want to return home to mass for good. Actually I am home for the 3rd and the 4th and I'm going to have a good time (rain or shine). There's nothing like coming to Marshfield, ma. (My hometown) and watching unscripted/unplanned firework show put on by the local people. Yeah sometime it gets a little crazy. But in the end it's a good time. And I'd rather be no where else for this holiday.
You know everytime I'm up here, I realize, I'm really belong here. This place is my home. Granted I wouldn't mind spending a portion of my year in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan either. But my main spot is here on the south shore of Mass. I know the people and the culture. Alot of my friends and my family are here as well. Money, or a state less taxed can't make up for that in my mind. I'll take the taxes, the weather, the politics that sometimes that I disagree with, and any other hardships just to stay in the place I feel is my home.

I feel very similar to you believe it or not. Mass is my home, but I also feel I have another location that is truly calling me since I got a taste of reality there and felt I really belonged (Portland OR), so I'll shoot for that as the end result, but could be in MA for the next 5 yrs.
I would say on a scale of places where I feel I belong, its Portland Oregon #1 and Mass/NH as the easy 2nd. Its a hard call because the New England area has a lot going for it on the whole, but Portland is just in my heart. I feel I need to follow through with that when I get the money saved.
As far as MA, getting into Boston itself is a major pain, but I think Watertown, Woburn, Somerville, and a few other cities (not Boston) can provide quality living. I am currently in Billerica, but I know for damn sure that I couldnt stand to be there any longer than 2 yrs lol. Billerica is nice but its not the city or near the city so it gets boring and the creativity level is at an all time low.

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by DreamworksSKG

I believe that the government shouldnt run every aspect of our lives, ...

It's just about too late for that. If the "cap and trade" bill becomes law, you won't believe how many ways the government will affect every aspect of your life. Add 'government health' and we will never escape.

[brightdoglover]

I moved to the Boston area in 1974 at age 20, with no real plan except to become a state resident and maybe return to college and go to Amherst.
I've left the area three times (Maine, New Mexico, Peace Corps fiasco) and plopped back here three times. I do feel that it's become my default sense of home. I do feel a constant pull to the Mountain West, but am wary because of the many vacations I've had there, and know that vacation isn't the same as daily life. I've built my little dream house here 30 mi. northwest of the city, and that really does feel like home. (My home of origin, south Jersey, doesn't feel like home at all. When my father and aunt down there are gone- both being 84- I doubt I'll ever see it again).
What I've learned from moving to places I'm not from, daily life is basically who you see and what job you have- not the stuff of vacation or views. When I think of the West, I think of no humidity IN SUMMER and horseback riding, which is expensive. I have learned I'd never move there to work, if I could even find work. I was in Durango and saw ONE job that had my name on it, and realized, when I picture a place where my heart seems to be, it doesn't involve working. I'd like to see how life is right here when not working (or picking up the occasional shift for walkin' around money, not getting on the highway five nights a week as I am now).
I am very interested in how people think of and decide on "home."

[Atlantica]

Originally Posted by meltinjohn

I will start this post by saying that Massachusetts is stagnant for many reasons.
One reason is the fact that it is a nice state and has a bit more a close knit feel in certain communities but you just cant see a future here for yourself unless you plan to stay on benefits from the government. I find if your a responsible american in MA, your ****ed.
Its like this limbo like for instance. I moved back to MA a month ago. Billerica to be exact.
I am glad Im back to MA since South FL was hell, but at the same time, I cant really feel like I can build a future in MA due to the taxes since I want to be a responsible american, and the inflated home prices + The T has gone up and the fact that the winters might be iffy, but we'll see when that time comes, however I feel my calling is to move to the pacific northwest.
As far as taxes tho, your always gonna have em no matter where you are, but my main thing with taxes is, I want to support the things I am paying tax for. I am not a current taxpayer but down the line when I am, I am considering this.
NH is usually an escape point for those who feel they have little hope to make it in MA, but that also could be out for me due to the fact the winters are bad or even worse in say Manchester where I would normally consider, and theres even a farther ride to the T. Not really many options in that regard ntm, I feel this whole free state thing is hype since NH clearly does have restrictions and high tax in other areas.

My final summation, MA is nice, it has many real nice towns, but COL so high and public transportation is to the point it puts a damper on things.
Thoughts?

You want a great town, lower taxes and a nice house for short money. You'd also like to pay less for goods and services. Sounds fantastic to me too. Unfortunately, sometimes you just have to amend what you want and scale your expectations back to what you need. There are many houses on the market right now available to first time buyers. You make a choice- do I want a nicer house or a nicer location. If you choose the former, do your research- what currently less than desirable towns have the most potential. Where can you get the most bang for your buck? If you choose the latter, settle for less house or something that can be remodelled over time to suit your tastes. There are many properties out there that with a little sweat equity, your time and hard work will pay dividends in the long run.

Take heart, been there, done that and you can find all that you are looking for- it just takes patience, hard work and perseverance.