Population slightly down in MA 2022 (Boston, Sandwich: high school, college, salaries)

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Sure, but starting base pay is closer to $60k in Fall River and Taunton. New Bedford is really low. Detail work is $54/hour, though. You can make it up guarding the hole.

Money isn't everything. Working conditions also come into play, as do potential for upward mobility or specializations. Some may choose lower paying departments if those factors are stronger. I've kind of lost track of what the argument here is. That police officers in MA need subsidies? No, most don't, but some need pay increases. MA does better than many other parts of the nation. But like everyone else, if you have more kids than you can reasonably afford you can land in the poor house rapidly.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by massnative71

But how much detail work is really available to a new officer on their first year? I imagine they would have to be fully trained. Certainly not while they are at the academy.

Probably not much during the first year which involves academy 6+ months followed by field training, then most details are rotated by seniority. The CBA's would govern this. But some areas have had so much detail work they can't cover it all and end up giving it to other agencies.

[Amontillado]

Article in today's Globe, "Northeast continues to lose population".
https://www.boston.com/real-estate/l...p_featurestack

This other article says that a third of the states lost population in 2021, with New York leading the pack at -1.58%.
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/researc...lation-in-2021

But that same article says that over the period 2010-2020, Massachusetts gained people at the fastest rate of any northeastern state. Of course compared to some population magnets, it still didn't amount to much.

[msRB311]

Would be nice is market pricing of homes just went down. Like stop this nonsense and get back to the days of a starter home being in reach of people starting out. Then maybe thered be no need for these affordable housing conversations.

[masssachoicetts]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Would be nice is market pricing of homes just went down. Like stop this nonsense and get back to the days of a starter home being in reach of people starting out. Then maybe thered be no need for these affordable housing conversations.

we cant do that if NIMBYS refuse any and all housing construction.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Would be nice is market pricing of homes just went down. Like stop this nonsense and get back to the days of a starter home being in reach of people starting out. Then maybe thered be no need for these affordable housing conversations.

I hear there's some land available in your neighborhood.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I hear there's some land available in your neighborhood.

There is. Last year two homes were built on it and each sold for 2 million a piece. Down the st there are 3 homes that will each sell for two million. I'll take that over affordable housing. Apparently wealthy people need a place to live too. I would have preferred it just stayed woods.

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by Amontillado

But that same article says that over the period 2010-2020, Massachusetts gained people at the fastest rate of any northeastern state. Of course compared to some population magnets, it still didn't amount to much.

I think the housing situation got a lot worse in the past few years. The early'10s weren't that bad coming out of the financial crash.

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber4

If you are relocating to an area with an exploding population in an entry level position, affordable housing may be the only way the candidate can afford to take the job.

Renting in Boston is brutal long term but it's not that bad if you are planning for a short period. I lived in Boston for a few years with about 30k income a few years ago. If you make 50k is still absolutely doable today. Just not doable for a lifetime.

[Beachcomber4]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

Money isn't everything. Working conditions also come into play, as do potential for upward mobility or specializations. Some may choose lower paying departments if those factors are stronger. I've kind of lost track of what the argument here is. That police officers in MA need subsidies? No, most don't, but some need pay increases. MA does better than many other parts of the nation. But like everyone else, if you have more kids than you can reasonably afford you can land in the poor house rapidly.

This part of the discussion was specific to Barnstable County which has seen an substantial increase in year round population (many relocating from NY and CT) and driving up prices and making it nearly impossible to find housing for the people who keep municipalities and businesses functioning.