Unnamed Massachusetts Region( Canton, Randolph, Sharon, Norwood, Dedham, etc) (Boston: middle-class, fit in)

[bostonsteve77]

the towns:
Stoughton
Canton
Randolph
Sharon
Norwood
Dedham
and others in area

What "region"( i.e south shore, north shore, Metro-west,etc) would you classify them as?

They seem to have a different vibe/ way of life than the "South Shore" and "Metro-West" regions have, not to mention that these towns are at least 45 minutes away from any "shore", and some are certainly not "west".

When I hear the term "Greater Boston" i immediately think of the more urban,blue-collar north of Boston cities, but at the same time, most of these towns have a much bigger middle-class,urban-ish and diverse presence than you would find on the "south shore" or "metro-west".

Any thoughts?

[brightdoglover]

Plain old south. South of Boston. Not on the shore, so not quite "South Shore." Rather suburban, although some have an original town core, like Canton.
I think some realtors might include them with "South Shore."

[CaseyB]

Neponset Valley.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Neponset Valley.

Randolph and Stoughton I would categorize as the Brockton area. The others well just south of Boston or the Neponset Valley. There are other areas as well that don't really fit into a little box. For example Burlington, Billerica, Woburn are not the North Shore nor the Merrimac Valley or Metrowest or anywhere really. They are just north of Boston. The term Greater Boston I'm not aware it's specifcally Boston and northern suburbs or blue-collar towns. I would include anything within 128 and maybe 15 miles beyond in all directions.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by bostonsteve77

most of these towns have a much bigger middle-class,urban-ish and diverse presence than you would find on the "south shore" or "metro-west".

Any thoughts?

How could any town be more urban and diverse than Quincy? Or Framingham in metro-west?

[redsoxwalking]

That region does have a name: the doldrums!

[bostonsteve77]

Originally Posted by massnative71

How could any town be more urban and diverse than Quincy? Or Framingham in metro-west?

I personally do not consider Quincy to be the "South Shore". While it is on the shore, it is 100% Greater Boston in my mind.

Framingham slipped my mind, you're right. But in general, the diversity in Framingham remains strictly within Framingham and has not spread to the surrounding towns. ( Unless you are considering Worcester part of the metro-west)

I'm just saying in general the Metro-West(with the exception of Framingham, and ****MAYBE**** Natick) and South Shore( with the slight exception of Weymouth and Hull, in terms of "urbanity", NOT DIVERSITY) are overwhelmingly White-Christian, with virtually no minority population.

As opposed to towns such as Stoughton and Canton (along with several others) with quickly growing Black populations, as well as somewhat prominent Jewish populations.

Randolph is certainly more racially diverse than Quincy although I can not be certain in terms of culture, religion, etc.

When I say urban, I also mean gritty.

[bostonsteve77]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Randolph and Stoughton I would categorize as the Brockton area. The others well just south of Boston or the Neponset Valley. There are other areas as well that don't really fit into a little box. For example Burlington, Billerica, Woburn are not the North Shore nor the Merrimac Valley or Metrowest or anywhere really. They are just north of Boston. The term Greater Boston I'm not aware it's specifcally Boston and northern suburbs or blue-collar towns. I would include anything within 128 and maybe 15 miles beyond in all directions.

I perceive Greater Boston as all the towns/cities that actually border Boston, but including the northern cities that may not technically border Boston( The whole Malden, Everett, Chelsea, etc area)
So basically--> Quincy, Milton, Canton ,Dedham and all the way around the horn.

[bostonsteve77]

Originally Posted by redsoxwalking

That region does have a name: the doldrums!

I could be interpreting the term "doldrums" wrong, but I would hardly call these towns, some of which ( Canton and Dedham) directly border Boston, and are along 128 and 95 the "doldrums".