OT- Boston?

[Stitches glitch]

Hi, my name is Heather and my very best friend and roommate is gay and met the nicest guy in the world and has decided to get married. Well, we all know the issues in our govt with gay marraiges, so after doing some research he has decided to move to Boston so that he and his husband can live together as a married couple and benefit from all the things that straight people don't even think a second time about, like shared health insurance. We discussed all of us relocating, because we are more of a family together then all of our "real" families have ever been, and I have decided that I love him so much more than any "place" so my son and I are going to move up there with them. I have never lived on the east coast, I was born and raised in Denver CO and moved out here to Phoenix about 4 years ago (for warmer weather and a much better economy). I have tried to look online and see pictures of the city, and have looked at the prices of rental homes , but would like to hear from anyone who knows about or has lived there. I work for the state govt, so I know that I will be able to find a job anywhere I go, but how are the schools, cost of living, and just everything in general up there?? I am afraid to move my son to where there is alot of gangs or drugs, because he is just turning a teenager and I know how impressionable teenagers are. (And how cold does it get, because cold to me is like 70 degree's!!) We were originally planning on moving to Orlando (obvious reasons! ) but are hoping that within the next few years laws will change and then we will be able to live anywhere in the country and enjoy the same things that everyone else takes for granted. Until then, we wait. in advance for any help you can give!

 

[lindsmom]

Hi Heather - I live on Cape Cod and would be happy to help you if I can. I don't think you'd be looking for Boston downtown, as I know I wouldn't want to raise my child there. Don't get me wrong, it's a really beautiful city (I think), but I'm a yard / picket fence kind of person. You also want an area that is open minded, although that varies by the block and can change when people move in and out, just like anywhere.

But I don't want to ramble. PM me, and I'll give you my email, if I can answer any questions I'd be happy to.

 

[OrlandoMike]

We have a regular member here from the Boston area also....

Hello Boston? You there?

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi Heather,
I can't really help you with Boston per se, we live an hour and a half north inthe Lakes Region of New Hampshire (where all the Mass. people seem to vacation ). I felt compelled to post anyway because we have some in common. I was raised in Boulder, Co (not born there, but DH was). Our first home outsode of Colorado when we got married was Phoenix (too hot for me).

Hmm, it is cold here in the winter--especially right now. But, DH and I have never felt more at home anywhere (and we have also lived in Laramie, Wyoming; Lafayette, Indianna; and a suburb of Detroit) than we do on the East Coast (we have been here three years and hope to never leave). One hting we find funny: people here keep telling us how unfroendly they all are So, as newbies the waitress would be tellign us how it is hard to move to the east cpast becuase people just aren't as friendly here--as she hands us her phone nu,ber to call if we need to know where to find something Or the neighbor will tell us the same thing when we come home in our first NorEaster to find him plowing our drive and refusing to take any $$ for it (big, long drive), etc. Yes, both of these -and so many more-really happened

So, welcome (when you get here) to the Northeast.

 

[Stacieb]

Hi Heather
I'm from ma about 40 minutes from Boston.. You will love Mass, maybe not the temp in the winter. I wouldn't live in the city, cost is higher and schools are not that great.. But you can move about 1/2 hour out of the city and you'll be fine. Have access to the train system to get to work in the city. Parking and traffic can be hectic.

pm if you'd like more info..I can even send you some local newspapers and stuff..

 

[Stitches glitch]

Thanks for all of your help so far! I do love a new adventure and I really like how much history there is up there! Plus, I was looking on line at the city website and they have so many cool things to do that are super cheap, like those swan boats and ice skating! Never been ice skating before, and will probably end up with a broken leg or falling through the ice but I'm up to try anything once! And my friends and I are excited to go to this restraunt called Mantra and this club called Felt (?). They both look very nice. And I can't wait to go to NY for the first time, I want to see the Lion King, Beauty and the beast and the little mermaid on broadway. I found a job posting today for a job in Worcester- we're not planning on moving until December because we need time to prepare- but now that I think about it- that is going to be in the dead of winter... I'll have to talk to everyone about that little idea! I'm not sure about if we are going to be moving to the city or not- I know my best friend likes the look of the buildings because he says they look like they are out of a Dr Suess book. Hey, just out of curiosity NHdisneylover, when you lived here in PHX, did you ever notice that it seems like no one that lives here is actually FROM here?? I know that is off topic but I just find it a bit odd! One thing that I have heard about the east coast is not that people aren't friendly, but that they are very fast paced and when you go into a resteraunt to know exactly what you want to order right then and there because they don't like waiting. This worries me a bit because I am kinda indecisive and I also like to stroll around, not run like I'm in a marathon! Another thing I wanted to ask, and this is probably going to make me sound so stupid but the beaches, are they like in California where people go surfing and swimming, or is it too cold even in the summer? I guess I just picture it so incredibly cold even in the summer because it's so far up north. I have visited Detroit before (for a day)- but I didn't really like it very much. That is as close as I have gotten to Mass. One thing I can say for certain is that anyplace we go has got to have a better school system than Arizona!!! I work with teens and you would be floored at the number of kids here that do not know how to read or write higher than a 2nd grade level, yet somehow they have passed up to the 10th and 11th grades ... but that is a whole other subject. A funny note- my son is so looking forward to this move, he is already practicing his "boston" accent (he sounds a little jamaican to me) I think he has a hidden motive though- he wants to be close to NY because he wants to be an actor when he grows up! Thank everybody for helping out! I welcome anymore suggestions or help anybody has!

 

[Safari Queen]

Massachusetts summers are very nice, though short. It warms up in May to 65-75 and is generally much warmer June-Aug -- 80's and 90's. September can also be quite warm, at least at the start. It almost always cools off quite a bit at night, so it's comfortable to sleep. We rarely need AC at night. Fall is gorgeous, with much more color than you'll ever see in AZ. The down side is it's cold in the winter and spring comes late and is usually wet in Mar & Apr. We have beautiful beaches, mountains, lakes, and parks.

There are many top school systems in the suburbs around Boston. We have tremendous cultural resources and a lot of stuff is free. There's lots of theater -- professional and community -- and world class museums. Libraries usually have free passes available.

You should decide what size town you'd like and research some areas. Scools will generally be better farther away from the city. There's plenty of information on line. I've been in MA since 1960 and love it.

 

[Stacieb]

The beaches???? Well if you go to the outer part of the Cape or RI the beaches are warmer 60 degrees mid summer.. Not like California, no surfing..

Alot of the buildings in Ma are older, with lots of Arcutecture[sp?]
Lots of shows in Boston too. Plus they have drama classes in a bunch of schools around here and at the YMCA.My daughter takes drama at school. Your son will love that.

I think you may be in trouble with the cold!!! Today was about 25 degrees, warm compared to this past weekend. You will have to try tubing though!! You will have a blast!

Worcester is about 45 minutes from Boston..

 

[npmommie]

I love the beaches up here, in the heat of summer they are great for swimming, my kids have been swimming in the ocean in May!! and as late as the end of September!
as for surfing, I remember when my hubby was stationed at Pt Judith ( narragansett, Rhode Island) it was a surfing hot spot down near the coast guard station, and the surfers all had wet suits on even in summer.
Boston itself has so much to offer, lots to see and do for sure. but very expensive, and i am not sure about the schools, but I do know several homeschoolers who live in Boston itself. I know some of the best school districts in the state are in the surrounding suburbs.
we are about an hour west of boston. as you go west outside the 495 belt things become more reasonable in price.
oh and the T goes into the city right from downtown worcester.
oh and in the summer you can take a ferry boat right from Boston to Provincetown be there in about 1 1/2 hr ( that drive otherwise would be HOURS)

 

[npmommie]

about the move in December..............
way back when hubby was stationed in Clearwater, he got transferred to Rhode Island and we had to move in December! OMG is was SOOOOOO friggin cold, or at least it seemed it to me coming from living in florida for several years. I had forgotten quickly what winter felt like, but that reminded me quick!!!
LOL, you will get used to it after the initial shock!!

 

[Boston5602]

HEYYYY I live 21 miles south of Boston and drive in/out for work. Massachusetts is a very diverse place, not just in terms of people but locations too. If you PM me with specific questions and or thoughts about a type of area you want to live in or around I'd be more then happy to talk about the ONLY state in the union to legally have marriage equality !



P.S.

HI Mike , I was just down in Epcot drinking ( no , not sleeping ) my way around and I thought of you in England !!!!!! Cheers !

 

[OrlandoMike]

Try anything in Morocco?

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am here and willing to help, straight, but Boston born and Boston bred, come from a long line of Boston cops, I now live on Cape Cod, but right now while my husband is having treatment I am living on the outskirts of the city, maybe 8 min away with no traffic in Dorchester, which is part of Boston just not directly in the city. We have great hospitals and lots of opportunity for jobs, but in the winter, it is cold and we get snow, sometimes lots, sometimes not. Our summers can be humid but you can escape to beaches.....that are not that far away.

I love Boston and there are so many wonderful places to look to live. The South End of Boston is a wonderful gay mecca with great restaurants, brownstone buildings and easy into the city. Probably a bit expensive to rent, all Boston is, I love Charlestown, where Bunker Hill is, also not cheap to live. As I ride into the city, there is an area of Dorchester called Savin Hill, lots of old Victorians, and I believe many gays have moved into that area and have done work on them, it looks great from the expressway... I also love the Back Bay area, lots of great shopping, and an easy walk into the downtown area if you so choose. Can be expensive as well. I forgot Beacon Hill.. love it there, but now that is tres expensive but a walk in to the downtown area, and you can get to anywhere from there, quick access to the Back Bay area and the South End..

I have to say here, it is not cheap to live in the city.... over on the Allston side of Boston, it might be a bit cheaper but with that comes students for Boston University and it can be a bit dodgey.....you have to have your wits about you when walking around..

Anyway, start looking on Craig's List for rentals and if you have any questions, let me know.. If you are planning on buying something, then I would look with a reputable realtor in the area that you want to be in... If you have any questions, I will try and help..

Marsha

 

[Boston5602]

:-]

 

[Crankyshank]

Hi S.E. MA born and raised here - about 45min from Boston (60min now since I moved across the border). Oh and about 3.5hrs from NYC
I would recommend finding a job first before deciding where in MA you will live. The Boston area is really expensive and traffic is a nightmare. I'm from North Attleboro initially. We've got ice skating locally too and a short train trip to Boston - lots of friends and family commute to Boston from this area because it's cheaper (although that's definitely relative).
With colonial cities, streets are a lot narrower and differently laid out than what you are used to.

 

[swillis]

Hi
I live on the south shore of Mass. It's about 45 minutes south of Boston and about 30 minutes north of Plymouth. I agree with some of the other posters about staying out of the city itself. It does have a lot of charm and character, but also a lot of crime, and gang activity. You have to be real careful about what sections of Boston you live in. The cheaper areas are cheap because they have high crime, or a lot of student renters. The students may not seem bad, but think of parties, drunk kids throwing up on your lawn, and all the craziness that goes with that.

A few cities and towns you might consider:
Quincy or Braintree. These are cities, and both have a very good train system to get you in and out of the city. They also have a lot of the historic qualities that people like about Boston. They have decent schools (not great, but not horrible) and plenty of shopping and culture.

Further south is the area that I live in. Towns like Weymouth, Abington, Rockland, Whitman and Hanson...these all have commuter rails that run through them, so you can get in and out of the city easily. Forget driving in. Our expressway is anything but "express" and you can't beat the ease of the communter rail. Most of these south shore towns have very good school systems. They have rental properties, but they are usually complexes, as opposed to 3 and 4 decker housing units like you find in the cities. The downsides of the suburban areas is the lack of transportation within the town itself. There are no public busses, and kids get around using their bikes or "mom's taxi"

I have an 11 year old son and a 13 year old daughter, so if you want any information about kid stuff feel free to PM me.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Also...just to totally mix you up.. you can head to the North Shore, which I love as well.. We lived there 25 years before moving back to the South Shore...anyhow, some towns to think of there, Medford, Malden, and then these are my favorites and one of them is the town I raised my children in and lived for 25 years....Melrose, Wakefield, Reading... these are all on train lines into Boston. While I am at it....Cambridge is a great place to live, very trendy and interesting...lots of students, considering Harvard is there, Somerville, parts of Somerville are wonderful and all of these are sort of on the North Shore side of Boston and probably an easier commute into Boston if you are planning to drive..oops I almost forgot Arlington.. interesting town as well.

All have T transportation as well. I agree with the others, first the job...and then decide where you would like to live and what commute will work best for you.

Keep us in the loop so we can live it vicariously and offer help if you need it.

 

[wrongagain]

If your not from this area you are going to need this.


boston-online.com/glossary/ab/


and remember when you are driving in massachusetts using your directionals is a sign of weakness.

 

[OrlandoMike]

and remember when you are driving in massachusetts using your directionals is a sign of weakness.

And some people insist there are rules for rotaries! Dont believe them!

 

[Stitches glitch]

and remember when you are driving in massachusetts using your directionals is a sign of weakness.

Thanks!! All of you are so helpful!