Extremely nervous about moving to Bedford...insight appreciated-- (Boston, Plymouth: house, school)

[packedandready]

So, after the post about people from MA being arrogant and not having time for strangers who may be a bit too friendly, all the excitement has dimmed for me.

I grew up in Tennessee, currently live in southern California. I simply refuse not to open doors for others, etc. I can handle reserved, I can even handle aloof. However, my husband is a Marine and we have been looking forward to spending three years in Mass just traveling around and exploring New England. I am so tempted to ask him to change orders if possible. This is three years of my life that I will never get back--and while California is pretentious and sometimes fake, perfect strangers rarely treat you so poorly that it ruins your day. Is this what I am in for?

I get miffed when a clerk hands me my receipt and says nothing but looks me straight in th eye. Should I expect this and other gestures like it?

As for education, Im pretty set--but I went to a small liberal arts school in the "OC."

Some of you speak that once you make a friend he or she is yours for life, and thats great, but what keeps people still reaching out to others if the other 99% of the population has zero time for another human?

And...tell me how people in Mass feel about military families? Are we mindless tools at the mercy of the government who have no clue or is there respect for the position even if they hate those in command?

give this all to me straight...if I go, I want no surprises.

[packedandready]

so will I be asked questions about my position on the war, etc?
I absolutely embrace diversity--can't wait to see such a beautiful part of the country. I think my saving grace will be living on an air force base and having others who are not "New Englanders" who may be going through the same thing. I get the busy part, but not the rudeness. I was in Hawaii on top of a crater a few weeks ago, and this guy had on a Red Sox sweatshirt, so I approached him..he was extremely nice but told me I was "in for a surprise"

aggh.

[skytrekker]

Dear Packed

If you are located near the Military base you will be fine- those families and personal being from diverse areas across the nation will be friendly.

Being from the south; and now after being in southern California, New England and Massachusetts will be a change. The biggest change will be adapting to a four season climate. If you are located near the Ocean, the weather will be milder- if further inland it will be snowier. In any case it will be cooler then where you have lived in the past. I see you will located NW of Boston near Lexington near the base; very charming area- lots of history and close to Boston. Traffic will be heavy, but nothing compared to OC CA.

The culture in the Boston area is preeminent among American cities- its simply incredible. The history as well is fascinating and is everywhere. Recreation wise, you will never be bored, from great museums and Universities; Sports events; Cape Cod and the Islands, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Visit the town of Plymouth south of Boston- home of Plymouth Rock- and the reproduction of 'Plimoth Plantation' one of the finest reproductions in the nation.

People here are cautious and reserved. Some construe that as being 'rude'. And believe me there are some that are rude- but they see it as being 'honest' and as a 'means' test about your sincerity. I have encountered a few rude people- but frankly they needed to go into therapy and back on their meds and I ignored them. People here can be in your face with brutal honesty- but most are sweet; and use that as a front- 'New England crustiness......' Do not take it personally.

People here are generally very nice, and friendly with that famous 'New England reserve'- but most will bend over backwards for you. Do not come here feeling its going to fail for you- be positive. At one supermarket here in Connecticut I shop ,some of the employees are most friendly- and at another one- yuk! So it varies like anywhere else. We are not like the south or Midwest however- so its best not to expect that.

New England is probably the most anti war part of the country. Nonetheless folks here still support our men and women in uniform- its the policy makers they dislike. This is a very 'blue part' of the country- however despite being very socially liberal and secular, people here look and act far more restrained and 'conservative' then in California.

Politics and religion are always two hot button issues- so its best not to discuss the policy of the war here- since most oppose it in New England.

People here have depth- and friends can last forever. As for the RED SOX- there is a a fanatical following in most of New England, till you go west and south of Hartford- then Yankee country begins to overtake the Boston fans.

Also one last 'cultural factor' you will have to adapt here to is the regional food and cuisine- which may even supersede all the others!

Good luck and welcome!

[airedaly]

I live next to Bedford, in Lexington. Lexington has lots of anti-war people; it is a very liberal town. But, I think people in general respect military folks since the Air Force Base in Bedford employs many residents. I, for one, oppose the war and the administration, but totally support military people. I have a couple of friends who have recently retired and we have lively debates. One of them even agrees with me that the war is wrong.

Also, the complainers and whiners who have posted things about Massachusetts residents' rude behavior are nuts. I have lived here all my life , near Boston and other towns around the state, and i firmly believe that you get the response you deserve. I am very outgoing and friendly, mostly always smile and speak to everyone, and rarely have I seen rude behavior. Sometimes, if you're in the City or on the subway, people can be inconsiderate, but in the 'burbs, everyone is great. There are a number of wonderful restaurants (Dalya's) and great shops in Bedford and downtown concord is a great place to shop and eat. This is the best place to live if you're going to be in Massachusetts. Bedford/Concord/Lexington is very attractive and has great history. If you like gardening or being out of doors, there are plenty of places to appreciate nature or go hiking. Skiing up in NH is close and lots of fun.

Best of luck coming to Bedford. I know you'll be happy here. Maybe I'll bump into you at Whole Foods one day.

[scarletfire]

I can't speak for other New Englanders but one of the MANY reasons some of us find the current administration so abhorrent is its treatment of men and women in uniform. They deserve better. I think most people here treat military personnel with respect and if you are warm and friendly you'll experience that in kind. I have plenty of friends here with different political points of view and we may have heated debates but still are good friends. It's not as if you will be ostracized for being in the military. I suppose if you were prosthetizing to people about right-wing political views, people wouldn't take it too kindly but despite what that our (thankfully FORMER governor) Romney says, we are open minded people here.

[puffle]

I lived in Lexington and the only thing that was hard to get use to was the lack of manners of the teenagers working at the Stop and Shop. Never a hello or thank you. I live in So. Ca. and have for many years and the people that work at the markets are very friendly,courteous and helpful and that I will miss, but if that is the only issue, I can deal.

[scarletfire]

I think around here you'll find people in smaller mom & pop stores usually are friendlier than the "big box" or larger grocery stores. Usually the cashiers at Whole Foods and the little groceries we go to in downtown Hopkinton and Holliston, and the organic markets are quite friendly.

[skytrekker]

Just my opinion on supermarkets in New England;

Very friendly; Price Chopper
Friendly; Shaw's, Big Y
Not friendly; Stop & Shop (bordering on rude sometimes) Seems to concur with an opinion above.

This is my experience in CT- it may of course vary from town to town.

[airedaly]

I agree - Stop and Shop is not friendly. It's a typical big super market.

But, Whole Foods is great and the quality is super with a great variety - also Trader Joes is so friendly (One in Arlington and one in Burlington, very close to bedford) and the prices are excellent. We go there and to the local shops to do most of our shopping these days. In Bedford, there is a little chicken farm that is fantastic - fresh eggs and veggies and flowers. And in Lexington, Wilson farm is the best.

There used to be "welcome wagon" ladies who came to your house when you moved to town, but I think they went out of business. But your new neighbors will clue you in to the great places to shop and eat out.

Here's a local hint; Bedford House of Roast Beef makes the best roast beef sandwich around!

[ChunkyMonkey]

I lived in the Georgia and Florida for over several decades, move to Mass about 8 years ago. I can't truly say I've noticed much difference between the people in the south and the New England. In fact, I seem to actually talk to my neighbors in Mass because there are opportunities to, like shoveling snow in the winter. So, no worries. Ignore the haters.