Relocating to Western Mass.

[ogre]

Originally Posted by kaday

Check out Lenox, Williamstown and South Eastern Pittsfield. These towns are stunningly beautiful and surrounded by mountains. You'll have access to hiking, lakes, downhill, crosscountry skiing, mountain views and some of the best theater in the Northeast.

Other towns that are just as pretty but pricier are Stockbridge, Great Barrington and West Stockbridge. Good luck!

SouthernGent, I'm wondering what areas you have in mind when you say that "western MA" is a place you're considering. The towns Kaday lists here are in the Berkshires, a mountainous area all the way in the westernmost sliver of the state. Most of the towns Winnie listed above are more in west-central MA, where there are some clusters of large hills, but you're not in the mountains yet. The west-central region is very picturesque, but it definitely has a different landscape than you'd find in the Berkshires.

[ogre]

[quote=forestdweller;80938]Hello Southern Gentleman, are you looking for a liberal or conservative community? Rural or small city/large town? Western MA has a variety. I live near Amherst, which is a large town with a liberal, intellectual bent. We've got five colleges, great bookstores, a variety of ethnic restaurants, excellent public schools, and a relatively diverse population. Northampton is nearby, with more restaurants and shopping. I love it here, except that as I get older I don't tolerate the winters as well. We have plenty of below-zero days! [quote, forestdweller]

If this area interests you, and this kind of town, I would recommend Northampton over Amherst. With both Amherst College and the University of MA, a large state university, located right in town, Amherst is completely dominated by the college presence. Northampton has one small college (Smith), which is right on the edge of downtown, where it is in the center of things and adds something to the town's character, but Northampton has more to offer in the way of activities, and a local economy, not completely tied to the college. It's a matter of personal preference, but I'm guessing that this would appeal more to someone looking for a retirement location than would Amherst, which basically exists only because of the colleges in town, and where certain parts of town are noisy areas heavily popupulated by students, and sometimes the downtown streets at night can get pretty crowded with drunken college kids. Northampton serves a more varied population, and is generally a nicer town for someone who is not heavily into the college scene.

[K.Sienna]

I agree with mostly what everyone said. We lived in Agawam for 2 years, I would stay west of Southwick and the central area of Springfield. Anything west of that towards Lee is beautiful. Otis, like someone said has a lake that is nice. That area of Ma is really pretty.

[litlux]

Originally Posted by Southern Gentleman

I think that the western parts of Massachusetts or northeastern parts of New York near the Hudson Valley would be quite attractive. Being not too familiar with the region, I'd appreciate some thoughts or guidance. Thanks

My take on your geographic preferences suggests the Berkshires or Taconics which are both beautiful and generally pretty rural in feel. I give the Berkshires a slightly higher recommendation because of the wealth of cultural activities during most of the year, especially the summer. Whether NY or Massachusetts, the lower costs are lower the further from NYC you venture, though the Hudson valley around Albany can be more pricey.

One of the interesting developments that is occuring is the surpising regeneration in the local farming scene, which seems to coincide with the growing local foods movement. If this sort of thing is of interest, (you know, farmers markets, pastured cows for milk and meat and eggs from free range hens etc.) you may find the quality of your basic foodstuffs will improve. I spent less than $10 in the Stop and Shop today thanks to the availability of locally grown and raised products, and only in the deep winter is a supermarket needed.

You might even consider southern Vermont or northwestern Connecticut in your calculations since the region is pretty unusual in a nice way. I am in North Adams which is close to the Vermont and New York borders, and travel to both states all the time since they are only one town away. Boston is only 2.5 hours away, and I prefer the more colorful Mohawk Trail (Route 2) for the trip since it takes no longer and is far closer and more scenic to drive (from North Adams) than the Mass. Turnpike.

You'll find both lavish expensive estates in the area as well as modest, eimple housing depending on the ciry of town. There are some run down areas too, but I even see them as opportunities for those with very modest budgets but skilled at renovation and restoration. That is me. And I am happy, happy, happy to have made the bold move to this area five years ago.