Is it possible to escape hunters, ATVs and noise in a rural area? (Boston: high school, place to live)

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by Boston_Burbs

Just a note to the OP, in Northern New England (probably less in MA), public access to private land is a BIG deal. Taking large acreage that was open to hunting for generations and posting it will not go over well, just a FYI. Totally in your rights to do it, but don't get surprised if your neighbors are not stopping by or welcoming you with open arms.

This is also not a left/right issue as you are making it out to be. My town in VT voted 80% for Biden but has been dealing with a large tract of land recently being posted. It's more your upending traditions that have been in place well before you moved to your land/town. Though parts of New England are politically liberal, New England is one of the most traditional places in the country, especially Maine, NH, and VT. Places look like they are from the 1700s for a reason.

From what I understand, in Maine, especially northern and western Maine, that's very common too - for e.g. hunting, fishing, and walking - i.e. "light" and "temporary" uses that leave the land as the guest found it. By etiquette, you're still supposed to ask the landowner for permission, and they are within their rights to deny it when asked, but there's a strong tradition of allowing access. I think there is even something codified in the state law around implied access**.

P.S. **Yep
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/programs-r...m/explore.html

[Boston_Burbs]

Originally Posted by Tupaloop

Would you say that MA is traditional, too, if not to a lesser degree? Is it really the liberal haven that it's made out to be? Or is MA completely its own thing?

New England is not California Liberal. Being loud, showy, and trying to change the status quo will not be celebrated the way it is in other places.

[Tupaloop]

Originally Posted by Lampert

It depends what you mean by that and it depends on where in the state you are talking about.

It is somewhat hard to define since there are so many grey areas anymore. But I suppose for my purposes it would be defined as more of an anti-gun culture all around, stronger regulations (ie noise ordinances), more open and welcoming to the veg'n lifestyle, progressive environmentally (ie zoning laws that allow for alternative green building materials such as rammed earth), etc. Does that help narrow it down better?

I feel like I may be watering a dead rose a little here.

[Tupaloop]

Originally Posted by Boston_Burbs

New England is not California Liberal. Being loud, showy, and trying to change the status quo will not be celebrated the way it is in other places.

Good to know! BTW, I am not looking for CA liberal and not looking to change anything. Just looking for a good fit.

[mdovell]

That's a whole can of worms and depends on what you call liberal. Some issues frankly have become more normalized to a point. With the exceptions of that one on the news no one else in the republican party is against same sex marriage. Issues here tend to be more financial than social. Progressive might try to hike the income tax but I don't think that's going anywhere. Although we did raise sales with a democrat in the governors office.

If someone is rude or cold I don't think they get reelected or get voted in. John Silber pretty much paved the way for republican governors and Coakley lost to Scott Brown. You can't take people for granted you have to earn the vote in office.

People might agree or disagree on issues for different reasons. Say you have someone wanting to raise property taxes by 2% and another at 1%. They aren't fighting each other it's just the presentation. If the place was really anti gun and peaceniks we wouldn't have Raytheon, Smith and Wesson and military bases. I also think of Worcester Housing Authorities A Better Life program that requires working, volunteering or attending higher education to stay there etc

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by NewfieMama

I have known many families who hunt to sustain a family and almost all of them make their own ammunition using materials they feel are most humane. The issue with using a material like aluminum is that it's more likely to injure the animal than to kill it and nobody wants that. Hunters want as clean of a kill as possible.

I know folks who do the same. Reloading is much more cost effective and many will even cast their own lead rounds. I know many who won't even touch commercial ammo

[Boston_Burbs]

Originally Posted by Tupaloop

Good to know! BTW, I am not looking for CA liberal and not looking to change anything. Just looking for a good fit.

True, but you need to acknowledge that rural new england, though politically has a history and culture of hunting/fishing and accessing private land. Alot of these towns have less than 2,000 people and there is NO county government so every law in that town has to be written and approved by volunteer boards. Alot have no building codes which will help you building alternative homes, but they probably wont have many other laws.

And if you as a newcomer go to town meeting or to the selectboard (3-5 elected volunteers that run the town) and ask for a bunch of changes, its probably not going to go over very well.

[Tupaloop]

Originally Posted by Boston_Burbs

True, but you need to acknowledge that rural new england, though politically has a history and culture of hunting/fishing and accessing private land. Alot of these towns have less than 2,000 people and there is NO county government so every law in that town has to be written and approved by volunteer boards. Alot have no building codes which will help you building alternative homes, but they probably wont have many other laws.

And if you as a newcomer go to town meeting or to the selectboard (3-5 elected volunteers that run the town) and ask for a bunch of changes, its probably not going to go over very well.

Noted. Thank you!

[Apple Country]

OP, did you define your budget?

[Tupaloop]

Originally Posted by Apple Country

OP, did you define your budget?

We really don't have a specific budget. With that being said, we are not rich. We have seen quite a few lots between 10-20 acres that are realistic for us. We just don't know what those areas are like yet.

Oh, I do want to mention that we have ZERO intention of buying anything in this inflated housing market! Once we find the right location to move to, we are going to list our house (and make a ton because the market is on fire here) and then we'll be renting for a while until the market hopefully cools off. It's a gamble but that's our strategy. Living in the new location without committing will also help us to be sure we made the right decision.