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Old 09-27-2008, 09:45 PM
 
40 posts, read 160,071 times
Reputation: 17

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Quote:
Originally Posted by indigorose View Post
travelin2012, it might have been your idea. When I posted originally I couldn't remember who suggested it because I have talked to so many people about MA, so that is why I worded it as an idea was thrown out there about the subject. As I said, I just thought it was a great idea when I read about it. I couldn't find a thread with that purpose so I decided to get it startd. No I am not from MA. I am originally from FL, but have lived in GA, TN, MI, IL, OH, and AZ as well. I am currently living in AZ and cannot wait to get out of here. My roommate absolutely loves it here, but for me it is too hot and dusty. I miss being able to see the seasons change, the fresh smell of spring, having cookouts in the park in the summer, and watching the leaves change in the fall. I even miss the snow, especially when it is gently drifting down and the streetlights glint off it to create an image of crystals floating in the air.
I did some research, both on the computer and in my heart, and decided that a move to MA would be right for me. I have always wanted to visit the area because of the history. Now the more I hear the more I feel that it is definitely the move for me. I decided that the city I want to move to most is Salem. It is on the water, which I love. It has a lot of unique shops. It is within a reasonable distance to Boston so if I wanted a big city fix, I could do so without breaking the bank. It also proclaims itself as Halloween Capital and I love Halloween. It has the four seasons I am looking for. I have also checked the general weather and feel that it would be better for my health.
You need to take a trip there.........cannot just move somewhere without getting to know the place first, even if it looks good on paper.
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Old 09-28-2008, 03:55 PM
 
Location: looking for a place to belong
106 posts, read 682,490 times
Reputation: 94
Quote:
Originally Posted by Travelin2012 View Post
You need to take a trip there.........cannot just move somewhere without getting to know the place first, even if it looks good on paper.
Thank you for the advice, but alas, I cannot afford to do this. If I could, I would most definitely take a trip to MA in the very near future. But if I go somewhere now it will have to be to move. Believe me, I have done more than base my decision on what other people have said about the area. I have done statistic reasearch on various subjects ranging from COL to weather to crime rates. I have a pretty good idea of the layout of the city and what the public transportation system is like. I have checked out the job market and what businesses are available in the area. I have also checked its proximity to other cities in case there is something that I need that is not available where I want to move. I have a folder about three inches thick with all the information I have gathered over the last two months.
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Old 09-30-2008, 12:54 PM
 
Location: looking for a place to belong
106 posts, read 682,490 times
Reputation: 94
So let's add one more topic to the thread. What obstacles have your encountered in trying to move to MA. With the economy the way it is today, I foresee that money will be a big issue in the next few years. Would you be willing to stay where you are now (if not in MA) for job security in tough times? Or is the lure of MA to great for you to resist? For me MA is a better option than where I am at now because the job market there is better than here. Here there are basically only casinos that are constantly changing owners. There is no job security there. So for me, despite what is happening in the economy, I still feel that of all the places I have checked, MA is the better choice IMO.
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Old 09-30-2008, 02:53 PM
 
1,004 posts, read 2,704,417 times
Reputation: 669
Quote:
Originally Posted by JennandSha View Post
My partner and I are wanting so very much to move to the cape. I am from Florida... have lived here my whole 28 years of life... This is all I have ever known. We felt very comfortable there as a same sex couple... Does anyone know how it is for same sex couple to live there year round?
It is no different for a same sex couple no matter what season it is (homophobia is not seasonal). You'll find homophobia anywhere, but in general, Mass people are a bit more sophisticated than in other parts of the country and they believe what you do in your bedroom is your business. Many of the people here who have worked hard to overturn the gay marriage laws are not even natives of this state; they come from less progressive areas and are angry. Because of our gay rights/marriage laws many gays from around the country have moved here, and the gay voting block seems to becoming more powerful. Our governor also has a lesbian daughter. The one interesting thing about gays in Boston (specifically the gay men) is that they seem to be the only minority that causes property values to go up rather than down. They don't seem to be hesitant about moving into a potentially dangerous slum and gentrifying the hell out of it. Then once it is gentrified, it turns upscale; this happened in the south end. Now, you have to be rich to live there.

You should brace yourself for the weather. The worsed thing about Mass is the cost of living, and the weather.

Not to sound negative, but typically our springs come late, and they are cold and damp. Summer comes all of a sudden, then you might feel right at home with heat and humidity (Hyannis will have a nice sea breeze though). Fall is usually on time, and leaves rather early. October and November are also cold and very damp. We typically get snow at least once before Dec 21 which is the first day of winter.

Winters are extremely unpredictable here, we can get hit hard as if we're in Canada, or we can have it mild maybe similar to the Carolina's. Either way, you should brace yourself. If you've never driven in snow, then don't decide you won't to live here permanently until you've experienced it.

It is quite typical to have overcast gray skies, with a lot of rain. If you check your almanac you will find that Boston does get more rain than Seattle. Some natives here think we're in a drought if we go more than 7 days with straight sunshine.

I had new neighbors move in next door from San Diego and it was the winter of 04/05 which was bad. This poor couple was so traumatized, they couldn't get out fast enough. The wife left the husband behind to sell the house ASAP, and he eventually left, leaving behind a good job he originally transferred here for. Also, keep in mind Northampton is nicknamed "lesbianville" it was actually featured on Dateline awhile back, it is in the western part of the state.
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Old 09-30-2008, 03:05 PM
 
1,004 posts, read 2,704,417 times
Reputation: 669
Quote:
Originally Posted by indigorose View Post
travelin2012, it might have been your idea. When I posted originally I couldn't remember who suggested it because I have talked to so many people about MA, so that is why I worded it as an idea was thrown out there about the subject. As I said, I just thought it was a great idea when I read about it. I couldn't find a thread with that purpose so I decided to get it startd. No I am not from MA. I am originally from FL, but have lived in GA, TN, MI, IL, OH, and AZ as well. I am currently living in AZ and cannot wait to get out of here. My roommate absolutely loves it here, but for me it is too hot and dusty. I miss being able to see the seasons change, the fresh smell of spring, having cookouts in the park in the summer, and watching the leaves change in the fall. I even miss the snow, especially when it is gently drifting down and the streetlights glint off it to create an image of crystals floating in the air.
I did some research, both on the computer and in my heart, and decided that a move to MA would be right for me. I have always wanted to visit the area because of the history. Now the more I hear the more I feel that it is definitely the move for me. I decided that the city I want to move to most is Salem. It is on the water, which I love. It has a lot of unique shops. It is within a reasonable distance to Boston so if I wanted a big city fix, I could do so without breaking the bank. It also proclaims itself as Halloween Capital and I love Halloween. It has the four seasons I am looking for. I have also checked the general weather and feel that it would be better for my health.
No seasons? It sounds like paradise to me. To experience New Years Eve wearing shorts and a T-shirt, it would be heaven.

I also like Salem, it has a very strong New England feel to it. It does get visited by witches from all over the world. So realize there are quite a few wickens here. There was even a raven-haired witch who ran for mayor. I can remember my first trip to Salem was on a field trip in the fifth grade, we went to the Salem witch museum which was very interesting. I remember seeing witches, or people dressed like witches walking down the sidewalk.
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Old 09-30-2008, 11:53 PM
 
Location: looking for a place to belong
106 posts, read 682,490 times
Reputation: 94
Oh, AZ has seasons but only two, HOT and WINDY. Instead of snow days, I have heard they have heat days and wind days. Back in May when the school was having their end of the year field day, they had the fire department there to spray the kids with the hoses to keep them cool. The temps at that time was around 120 degrees. Summer hadn't even started yet! And last winter it got down in the high twenties so forget shorts and t-shirt then. I have heard that it can even snow here but I havent seen that. Just a lot of dust being blown around. Instead of a white out we get brown outs.
As far as the witches and wiccans in Salem, I have no problem with them since I am one. But this is not the only reason I wish to move to Salem. I love the old buildings and that they have Tall Ship docked right in the harbor. Its history covers more than just the witch trials. I love history and enjoy being surrounded by it. There is also a lot of cultural events to attend. I also chose Salem because of its relative closeness to Boston. And the fact that it is on a harbor is great. Have you ever been to Salem near Halloween time? I have seen videos of it and it seems like so much fun.
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Old 10-01-2008, 08:17 AM
 
Location: in a house
5,835 posts, read 5,203,428 times
Reputation: 4890
No two reactions to living in the snow and cold are the same. We came from Socal in 2004 and experienced the "winter" of 04/05...so? Again, everyone reacts differently to their experiences in a cold climate for the first time. We loved it...my son was in the snow going up and down our hill with kids everyday. We even had to scrape the car of ice and snow..well, my husband did....and he smiled as I took pictures of it. We hate heat....the heat of Ca. deserts and the same old same old every day. I love that it is not sunny everyday here. I am so happy when I look out the window in the morning and never know what I will find...especially happy when it does rain and snow. Go figure.
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Old 10-03-2008, 09:35 AM
 
541 posts, read 1,995,280 times
Reputation: 440
DH and I would like to move back to around Newburyport, West Newbury, MA or NH. DH is from Haverhill and I moved to MA from NY in 1995 to be with him. We have been in Florida for the past 4 years and while it has some good points, we really miss home. We tried to sell our condo this past year but it is the worst possible time. So now we are shooting for finding good work back north and keeping our condo here. We used to vacation in Florida several times a year anyway Keep you fingers crossed for us! DH is doing contract work for 9 months but is able to leave for a better job so hopefully it will be soon.

I miss the seasons esp. fall and snow in the winter. As long as we can take a vacation when the cold and gray get depressing I am ready to be back! I miss the history, museums, homes, wide open spaces, PAY, JOBS, Boston, culture, people, mountains (hiking and biking), and my sister in Cambridge. Hopefully my parents will follow. DH's parents are in NH.
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Old 10-03-2008, 10:59 AM
 
Location: in a house
5,835 posts, read 5,203,428 times
Reputation: 4890
Hope you get your wish soon luv. Leaves should be peaking here in a week or two.
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Old 10-03-2008, 11:17 AM
 
Location: Orange Count, Ca
11 posts, read 40,417 times
Reputation: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by puffle View Post
Not as much as Ca.
I am from So Cal as well...and nothing (but NY) seems to be more expensive to live in than CA. I can't believe that I can buy a 5 bedroom, 3 bath house with 3,000 sq ft home WITH a basement on 1 acre of land for $300-400k!!! That's amazing! I live in a 4 bed/2 bath 1,800 sq ft home (no basement or attic) on a postage stamp size land (6,800 sq ft) and my house is valued at $775K, even with the down turn of the housing market! Plus the taxes in Cali are higher than MA. I am definitely counting down my days till I am back in MA. I lived in MA for 5 years while I went to WPI and I fell in love with the seasons and the NE area. My family and I just cannot wait to get back out there.
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