Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Mass is way more expensive; people are not as friendly. And their bureaucratic rules for things like insurance are monstrous. AllState Insurance should be called ALL-STATE-EXCEPT-FOR-MASSACHUSETTS.
I'm from Massachusetts and I wouldn't live out in the Berkshires for anything. Summer might be okay but I'd rather be near ocean and anyway there isn't much to do out there. Yes, there is Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow but those are not everyday things to do.
In winter I don't think I've ever been out to the Berkshires. brrrrrrrrrr. That is my idea of totally freeeeeeezing cold. Besides the cold, the roads are hilly so they'd be dangerous in the ice and snow. I've driven part way to the Berkshires in winter and it felt like the end of the world, hardly anything there, depressed areas, desolate. Yes, I love my state but leave the Berkshires out of it.
I would pick Williamsburg VA except that it's kind of expensive. I'd pick the coast of New Hampshire (and I did, for a while.) The only thing wrong with living near the NH seacoast was that it gets pitch dark at 4 pm in winter. Otherwise it was wonderful. In the summer living at the beach was beyond wonderful. Rural, farms, yet some upscale towns too.
If you're looking for good medical, the good medical in MA is in the Boston area at the other end of the state and it costs a fortune to live there now. Although you MIGHT find a place up towards NH. Maybe a small town like Amesbury, near the ocean, on the NH border, nice location near things but not that close to Boston, thank goodness. You would have access to Boston Hospitals if needed.
I wouldn't want to live in SC. Ever. Virginia is sort of a happy medium if you can find the right place.
Stop and think about South Carolina, if you are "liberals". SC was where the Civil War started and a great many still wish for a return to the past.
Just my opinion, but I don't think that this would be much of a concern unless someone was moving to a small rural town. We lived there in a mill town in 1977-81 and didn't have any issues. And the state certainly has changed since then with new people moving in from different areas of the country.
We actually considered moving back there for retirement, but wanted somewhere with a bit of cooler weather/more snow.
Retirement is near. I want warm and think Sc would be good....Hubbie wants the Berkshires in Massachusetts. What do you think?
We are liberal but don't announce it, we like everyone and we're friendly. We want decent shopping and supermarkets. Lots of things to do. Good restaurants.
But most important as we get older is medical care and hospitals. Hubbie says medical care is not that good in the south. We both have some health issues.
We also want a lower COL, and even Massachusetts is better than NY, where we live now.
We both have pensions (tho mine is very small) and both will have SS...combined maybe $90- $100K. Some but not great savings (lost most in a failed business).
We only want a tiny house or even a condo or 55+ condo (however we will have 4 or 5 dogs- 1 is old and blind, so we don't know how long he has). The other dogs are young.
All and any ideas are welcome.
BTW- I miss the water (we both grew up on Long Island and now live upstate NY), but Hubbie worries about hurricanes if near the water. Thoughts.......
Hi, Karen!
Well, keep in mind that if you go to the Berkshires, you will still have Nor'Easters, and lately ( the last 2 winters) Massachusetts and the Berkshires have been hit harder than us in upstate NY.
We are choosing the warmer south at least for wintering and if you hae read my posts, you know i have serious medical issues.
Where we are going I have checked to make sure I can get the same specialists I currently have in NY. They seem to have decent ratings , and when the time comes to actually go, I'll all my specialists if they will look into potential counterparts down there, and tell me who would be best from their opinion.
There are also a couple of major cities nearby that i can go to ( nearby is defined here as 1-3hours away).
[One of my drs already stated hes retiring to south Maryland if i wanted to follow, lol].
Also , how about a compromise? North Carolina, inland, would give enough of a winter maybe to keep your hubby happy, but enough of mildness to keep you happy?? Unless maybe he wants skiing??
Where we are going is not immune from hurricanes and us mostly flat, but is inland. We think we'll keep a NY residence on hold for a while just in case we think we need to flee.
Where we are going is CHEAP both on property prices and property taxes! Since 60% of our mortgage payment here is for taxes, it'll certainly be a pleasure to pay them there.
If you want to consider where we are going , and want to know, you canPM me.
Stop and think about South Carolina, if you are "liberals". SC was where the Civil War started and a great many still wish for a return to the past.
Oh for heaven's sake, that's not true. We moved to a small SC town near the mountains and lakes and couldn't be happier. Very nice people, good hospitals and doctors, and yes, I would say our area leans more conservative. There is plenty of things to do, Greenville has a ton of great restaurants, Atlanta or the ocean is a just 2-3 hours away.
Asheville NC is liberal and so are many cities along the coast if that's what you're looking for along with the warmer weather.
Karen, I live in Ma, not far from the Berkshires. I am moving to SC in November to retire. The winters here are long and hard, especially as you age.....not to mention the cost of living.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
