Laid Back South Shore? (Boston, Plymouth: fit in, school district, living in) - Massachusetts (MA) - City-Data Forum

Jellybelly03 · 03-12-2015, 05:40 AM

We are considering a move to the South Shore from Boston because we're looking for a little more land/someplace we can raise small livestock (definitely chickens, maybe goats?). We have basically zero familiarity with the South Shore, but have focused on it because their commuter rails stop at JFK/UMass.

But what worries me (yes, I understand the irony coming from a Boston Public Schools parent) are the schools. We have three sons (only one is old enough for school right now) and I'm really worried about them fitting in. My oldest, the only one who is old enough to speculate about right now, is not all that athletic and, if he follows in his parents' footsteps, will be a sort of nerdy liberal. My very small high school was extremely conservative and I stuck out like a sore thumb. I would love to avoid that for my sons.

So far, I've seen that the South Shore has among the most conservative voting records in Massachusetts, and that Marshfield/Duxbury have some kind of fierce football rivalry. If people don't fit that mold, are there any places where we would fit in? Any place on the coast? What about slightly inland? Bonus if there is any sort of diversity...

We drove through Scituate last weekend and thought the "downtown" was lovely, but it's so hard to really get to know a town just in an afternoon.

I would really love any insight! Thank you so much!

Jellybelly03 · 03-12-2015, 05:45 AM

Oh, and one more point on the schools: I would love for them to not be hyper-competitive. A "good" school district is great, but I'd prefer someplace ranked lower if it meant less competition, so long as there are adequate opportunities to succeed. (I.e., if the high school has no AP classes or arts program, that's a problem. But if the high school has those things and they just aren't as "good" as those in neighboring towns, that's fine. Does that make any sense?)

Thanks again!

gf2020 · 03-12-2015, 06:04 AM

You didn't mention a budget, but I would look at the towns of the Silver Lake Regional School District: Halifax, Kingston, Plympton. Not sure about their political leanings but these towns are definitely more laid back than Cohasset, Deluxebury, Norwell and others.

Jellybelly03 · 03-12-2015, 06:12 AM

Oh right, budget. We would like to spend less than $500k.

Thanks for your insight!

MassNative2891 · 03-12-2015, 07:45 AM

As someone else noted, Kingston and Plympton wouldn't be the worst choice for your criteria. How do you feel about somewhere in Plymouth? It's a fairly large town and it's not stuffy.

Jellybelly03 · 03-12-2015, 07:57 AM

I don't know much (anything) about Plymouth. I know this probabl sounds crazy, but I do have some concerns about living in the same town as a nuclear power plant. Misguided???

MassNative2891 · 03-12-2015, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellybelly03

I don't know much (anything) about Plymouth. I know this probabl sounds crazy, but I do have some concerns about living in the same town as a nuclear power plant. Misguided???

Not misguided at all. It would definitely be on my "con" list!!!

timberline742 · 03-12-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellybelly03

I don't know much (anything) about Plymouth. I know this probabl sounds crazy, but I do have some concerns about living in the same town as a nuclear power plant. Misguided???

Yes, IMO.

On the outrageously rare chance that something did happen, living in that town, vs the next town, won't make much of any difference.

Jellybelly03 · 03-12-2015, 10:52 AM

Fair enough. I guess I would like to be outside the 10 mile evacuation radius, tho... (As I said, I know this is sort of crazy.)

mdovell · 03-12-2015, 11:06 AM

Yes the south shore leans to the right but I don't think that's exactly reflected with the schools. Having said that communities can be quite supportive. Marshfield made a new high school where quite a number of strings were pulled with donations. Supposedly one parent works for NECN and donated the tv studio!

I grew up in the south shore and recently moved. I can tell you that where I left there are going to be some cuts to the school. I would blame that also on the fact that no one is writing grants for the town and we already put on three school roofs.

The commuter rail works but please keep in mind it is not nearly as constant as the redline. Usually you get one trip an hour. It took quite a bit to expand weekend service although the recent snowfall certainly delayed things.

A fair amount of towns in the area have their own boards on facebook. It can be a bit intense sometimes but cooperative at the same time.