Do you miss massachusetts? (Boston, Florida: design, car, area)

[missionhill]

All people mean by that--I think--is (inner) Boston's high density (relative to many American cities), the brick and stone architecture; winding, narrow streets; and low, accessible bridges over the Charles River (in contrast to, say, the East River bridges in New York or San Francisco's bridges or the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philly) give the city an old-world resemblance. However, the density is not really very high compared to any of the bigger and most of the smaller cities in Europe; there's a lot more car traffic in central areas, street cars no longer run in the middle of streets, the daily shopping possibilities at the butcher, baker, fishmonger, green grocer, etc., are few; people leave the downtown areas for their suburban homes at night just as they do in Raleigh and anywhere else in America; and so Boston is not really European. And why should it be?

[holden125]

Originally Posted by missionhill

people leave the downtown areas for their suburban homes at night just as they do in Raleigh and anywhere else in America; and so Boston is not really European. And why should it be?

It's not "really European" but, in terms of walkability, age, transit, architecture, established neighborhoods, it's more European than all but (maybe) two or three other cities in the U.S. Sure, some people drive home to the suburbs. But others take the T to the suburbs, or to Mission Hill, or walk home to Beacon Hill, all of which happens in Europe too. Supermarkets aside, there's no comparison between Boston and Raleigh. It's possible to live in Boston car-free and many do. Not so easy in Raleigh.

[pixielisa]

I live now in Arizona, I hate it so much, the cops are corrupt, the people will steal whatever you hold on that day IE: Fanny pack, sandwich, car, bottle of water, it really does not matter. I lived in Fairhaven MA, it was so nice (I moved to take care of my gran in GA) otherwise I would have never left, my Husband (HD Rider) wanted to try the West, as he had this great idea of riding a motorcycle year round. Not going to happen the heat here is a killer, and if you park ANYTHING for more than 7 days it's stolen. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT MOVING HER UNLESS YOU STEAL AND ARE MEXICAN

[mamom1]

I don't necessarily miss Mass. but I do miss the standard of living that mass had compared to where I am now. The quality of life was so much better in mass. The schools were better, the restaurants were better, the whole atmosphere was better. I don't miss the weather one bit though. I'll take hot sunny days anyday over snow and rain and cold. When my husband ETS's we won't move back there though, we'll go somewhere else.

[JJS_1966]

I definitely miss Mass, but I more so miss the place I remember as a kid. It's a tough place to live in, and can be hard to settle down comfortably. With that said, it offers a lot with big city amenities, picturesque rural settings, and mountains in a relatively short driving distance. The winters aren't really that bad (ever been to northern Maine?), and the weather for most of the year is pretty mild. Housing, property taxes, and utilities are very high-priced, but it does offer a lot. Great restaurants, too. It's a shame so many areas up there have gone to hell since they were so steeped in history that hasn't really been preserved. I live in Charleston, SC now which has limited things to do and a really oppressive spring/summer climate. It's also extremely flat. I think northern people are a lot more "legitimate" in character, as they say things to your face rather than pretending to be your best friend only to insult you behind your back. Sorry, that was a long run-on sentence. I miss Mass for a lot of reasons such as friends, family, familiarity, but there are also many things I don't miss about it. The cost of living is much higher than the average wage, which doesn't bode well for young people starting out. It seems like everyone I know there is in some stage of struggle. I guess I miss the way Mass used to be, but would still consider moving back.

[seeriously]

Originally Posted by FrozenAngel

I am sorry but by the middle of January I am wondering why any of us live here!!!!

After fifteen years of being away from Massachusetts, we moved up here last year in the middle of January from Florida and what heaven we found awaiting us! We left behind the flat terrain of Florida for sloping hills with winding roads lined with gnarly ancient trees. A New England winter has it's beauty or why else would they be printing winter scenes on Christmas cards or pumping out fake snow in West Palm Beach at Christmas time?

[snatale1]

Family, Yes. Friends, Yes. MA itself.....hmmmm. Overpriced. Crappy Weather. Borderline Socialist/ Communist Govt.....NOPE!

[mdovell]

Originally Posted by holden125

It's not "really European" but, in terms of walkability, age, transit, architecture, established neighborhoods, it's more European than all but (maybe) two or three other cities in the U.S. Sure, some people drive home to the suburbs. But others take the T to the suburbs, or to Mission Hill, or walk home to Beacon Hill, all of which happens in Europe too. Supermarkets aside, there's no comparison between Boston and Raleigh. It's possible to live in Boston car-free and many do. Not so easy in Raleigh.

But isn't that fairly common in major cities though..especially in the northeast?

I can't see "needing" a car to live in NYC or DC for that matter (ok maybe a bike for DC because the cost of living is more directly in the city).

You have to keep in mind that Mass was two colonies. Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth Bay
Plymouth Colony - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Province of Massachusetts Bay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Even if you take the t to the suburbs chances are you still have to drive because much of the suburbs do not have sidewalks and thus it can be unsafe..especially during the fall and winter.

Getting around can be a pain as intersections do not always say what street it is, there is a lack of public lighting ...don't even get me started about the lack of signage..nothing beats being in a lane that is left or right turn only but they only notify you at the light... traffic isn't much of an issue but things still need to be improved.

[JJS_1966]

If you're not a homeowner, I don't think it's any cheaper here unless you move out to the boonies. Clothing, food, car insurance, and cars are more expensive. The sales tax is higher, and there is tax on EVERYTHING. The rental costs in downtown Charleston rival Boston without a fraction of its amenities. As I recall, Mass doesn't tax food or clothing, and car insurance rates had dropped dramatically after it was deregulated. I'm just saying the grass isn't always greener.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by mdovell

But isn't that fairly common in major cities though..especially in the northeast?

I can't see "needing" a car to live in NYC or DC for that matter (ok maybe a bike for DC because the cost of living is more directly in the city).

Agreed, but there aren't that many major cities in the northeast. Outside the northeast the only US cities I'd consider walkable at all are Chicago and San Francisco, maybe Denver.

Of the northeastern cities, New York has too much height and too regular a grid to really feel European. Philly and Baltimore also have grids, and grit. Chicago, Denver, etc. are too spread out. The streets are wider. In Denver the houses generally are single family detached except in the very heart of downtown.

DC, designed by a European, has low height and Europe-like squares and places with fountains, and majestic buildings, but in my opinion it's still too spread out to feel much like Europe. It also has a grid layout, albeit one intersected by a lot of diagonal avenues.

When you combine older architecture, walkability, history, narrow winding streets, largely low height scale you're left pretty much with Boston. It's not Europe but it may be the most European-feeling city in the U.S.

I lived in DC, largely without a car, and found it hard to do so. Honestly, I found it hard to live there with a car and hard to live there without a car. If you don't have a car, it's too spread out to be truly walkable except a couple of neighborhoods (Georgetown, Dupont, Cap Hill). The subway system's more of a suburban commuter rail; it doesn't go to many DC neighborhoods. I lived nowhere near it and had to take the bus. Given the traffic, the bus took forever to go anywhere. If you do have a car, there's nowhere to park and the traffic's bad.