My 5 Decade grading of Massachusetts (Boston, Somerville: health insurance, student loan, buying)

[GeoffD]

It depends on what metrics you use.

Traffic/congestion? F trending to F-. It makes you long for the Great Recession.

Income and wealth stratification? F trending to F-. Metro Boston is a great place to be if you're a 1%er or a 10%er who bought before housing prices became nuts. I don't understand how the median person makes it. Particularly renting.

By any rational standard, Boston has finally emerged as a world class city. 2nd tier but world class. Look at the nonstop flights to Asia. The only other east coast cities that have them are NYC and DC. Harvard & MIT still sit at the very top. Ditto MGH. It's achieved critical mass where corporations are willing to pay the high costs to have access to the talent.

If you look at the rest of the cities in the state, it's a different story. New Bedford, Fall River, Springfield, Holyoke, Brockton, Taunton, Lawrence... They're all in really tough shape. Lowell and Worcester are doing a bit better but are both still troubled.

When the next recession happens, Massachusetts has some big problems that have been masked by the economic boom. Medicaid is a ticking time bomb. Underfunded pension funds is a ticking time bomb. The flat state income tax makes everybody squeal at any hint of a state income tax hike. Ditto sales tax rates. The 50%+ of the state budget that goes to Medicaid/safety net is going to be under tremendous pressure. That just makes things tougher for that list of failed cities where most of the poor people live.

[tovarisch]

Maybe it would be more clear, or more honest, if the OP (or you, GeoffD) admitted that you're only looking at economics. But really, there is so much more to our state than only that.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by tovarisch

Maybe it would be more clear, or more honest, if the OP (or you, GeoffD) admitted that you're only looking at economics. But really, there is so much more to our state than only that.

I was referencing congestion, failed cities, and income stratification. That's quality of life stuff. Inside the 495 belt is great if you're a 5%er. Good luck if you're 25 and average.

[massnative71]

I guess you could say it's a victim of its own success. Where the state has failed at is providing adequate infrastructure and housing. If it got a handle on those two things, the QOL would be greatly improved for most.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

I was referencing congestion, failed cities, and income stratification. That's quality of life stuff. Inside the 495 belt is great if you're a 5%er. Good luck if you're 25 and average.

Oh please, its pretty great for them too.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Oh please, its pretty great for them too.

Sure, if living in your parent's basement (like most 25 year olds I know) is all you seek out of life.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Sure, if living in your parent's basement (like most 25 year olds I know) is all you seek out of life.

Most 20 somethings I knew when I worked with a bunch of them in Boston (last company) lived in JP or Somerville or the North End with 1-3 roommates and had pretty sweet social and work lives.


Didn't know a single one living in a basement, or with parents.


The sky is falling, everyone is broke and in debt, and lives in hell holes is ridiculously overblown here.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Most 20 somethings I knew when I worked with a bunch of them in Boston (last company) lived in JP or Somerville or the North End with 1-3 roommates and had pretty sweet social and work lives.

I always tell the 20-somethings I work with that I live vicariously through them. Always out at concerts/bars/breweries and enjoying a pretty sweet social and work life. They live in Somerville, Allston, Station's Landing, Assembly Row....pretty nice places.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

I always tell the 20-somethings I work with that I live vicariously through them. Always out at concerts/bars/breweries and enjoying a pretty sweet social and work life. They live in Somerville, Allston, Station's Landing, Assembly Row....pretty nice places.

There is often something missing though. Many of them are ill prepared to make the transition from this late-adolescent stage to adulthood. I'm talking about the "average" Joe for the sake of this discussion, which in mid 20s would be 30-60k per year. Of course everyone has their own story, and some (admittedly or not) rely on their parents at least somewhat to support their lifestyle. But you will often see these same kids crash and burn in a few years, back with mommy and daddy once their rent goes up too much or a few roommates decide to move out and they can't find an alternate place...I've seen it happen more times than I can count. In my own peer group; those in their 30s living with parents, broke, in debt, zero retirement savings, etc.; were the same ones who were "living it up" in their 20s. 8 out of 10 times.

[inquisitive2]

Cost of living ridiculous. Generation spending money as quick as they earn it. Good luck. The bottom will fall out eventually. It always does.