Where to live in MA?

Eastern Massachusetts has a high cost of living, but the western part of the state is more affordable. Still, it's nothing like the south or midwest - it's all relative.

The Pioneer Valley has a good mix of people, employment, cultural amenities, etc. The colleges/universities and proximity to cities (Springfield, MA & Hartford, CT) make the employment outlook solid. It's 90 miles to Boston, close to VT, NH, the Berkshires, and about 2.5 hrs to Cape Cod.

So check out Amherst and Northampton, if the above sounds cool.

Good luck!

I live in Boston now and just as Capejaz posted Eastern Mass is very expensive. However, some of the best hospitals in the state as well as the country are located in Boston. You always have an option of living in surrounding towns of Boston like Quincy, Milton, or Somerville etc. where you still get the city without all of the high cost.

As for job options in Ma. there are a ton!! I'm not sure if you are strictly looking for a hospital setting but I knew a woman who lived in Rhode Island and commuted everyday to Boston to work. So its really a personal matter as far as where to work but just know the opportunities are here. Lastly, Massachusetts has a great public transportation system that goes just about everywhere in the state so keep that in mind!

Good luck with everything!! :wink2:

The current issue of Boston magazine has articles on housing costs as well as "The Best Streets to Live On." Worth checking out for greater Boston.

Unfortunately, public transportation is limited in Massachusetts, but there are plenty of private bus services.

boston is definitely expensive - decent condos start around $220-250,000 but the hospitals are great and the public transportation is quite good including the trains and buses . . . western mass and ct are also great to live in and more affordable but from what i can tell, the houses are not THAT much cheaper than you're currently paying . . .

If you are looking for a modest house in the $350k range then the Merrimack Valley area (Lowell, Tewksbury, Billerica, Dracut, etc) is around that. Albeit, the $350 is on the low end but its a good area for commuting. It's close to NH (tax free shopping), but still not a bad commute into Boston if you wanted to work in the city.

Sistermike,

The Worcester area has several large teaching facilities as well as a few smaller acute care hospitals. the city is smaller than Boston, yet retains some of the ammenities you might be looking for in a community.

Housing is cheaper there than in eastern Massachusetts. Worcester is in south central Massachusetts between Boston and the Springfield area.

Good luck,

Paula

Another option that many people take is the very northern (Andover Methuen Dracut ) area or southern NH (Nashua Salem Plaistow) areas; housing prices are lower but definitely not cheap. There are many local hospitals with good reputations, and there is train/bus service to Boston.

Hi SisterMike

Western Mass has lots of great oppertunities for those who don't want the Boston Metropolis. Springfield Mass is home to Baystate Medical Center, which is the largest employer for Western Ma, as well as Magnet Status. It also has partner hospitals including Franklin Medical Center, and Mary Lane Hospital. There is also Mercy and Holyoke Medical Center's located within the Pioneer Valley. As for other jobs, MassMutual is a big time insurance company with lots of oppertunities. There are great colleges, UMASS, AIC, Elms, Springfield College, just to name a few, as well as community colleges.

Amherst and Northampton are great places with awesome resturants, culture, and breath taking views. As for the house market, I am not completely sure, but I know that for 350K, you could buy a very nice home, in a great location. Good luck with your search!!

Central MA (leominster), 45 minutes and hour commute to Boston and 30 minutes to worcester. Homes are affordable.

I live in Fall River which is in Southeastern MA, aka "Southcoast area". There are two main cities in this area which are Fall River and New Bedford. There are also several smaller rural towns in the area, most of which are very nice (Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Dartmouth, etc.). The area is very close to the ocean and beaches. I believe that the price of houses are among the least expensive in the state. I am about 50 minutes south of Boston and Providence, RI is about 20 minutes to the west of me so it is not too far to reach the amenities of the either city. There are some community hospitals in the area such as Charlton Memorial, St. Anne's Hospital, and St. Luke's Hospital. There are also quite a few large teaching hospitals in Providence if Boston is too long of a commute for you. Just figured I'd give my area of the state some props since nobody else has yet.

I live in Fall River which is in Southeastern MA, aka "Southcoast area". There are two main cities in this area which are Fall River and New Bedford. There are also several smaller rural towns in the area, most of which are very nice (Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Dartmouth, etc.). The area is very close to the ocean and beaches. I believe that the price of houses are among the least expensive in the state. I am about 50 minutes south of Boston and Providence, RI is about 20 minutes to the west of me so it is not too far to reach the amenities of the either city. There are some community hospitals in the area such as Charlton Memorial, St. Anne's Hospital, and St. Luke's Hospital. There are also quite a few large teaching hospitals in Providence if Boston is too long of a commute for you. Just figured I'd give my area of the state some props since nobody else has yet.

I also forgot to mention that Cape Cod is not too far from here either. Also, there are some very nice areas of Rhode Island that are very close, such as Newport and Portsmouth.

Hey

Worcester is an OK place to live - kinda boring but the housing market is AWSOME right now. Tons of places for sale & foreclosure - definately a buyers market. The good thing about Worcester is that it is a teaching city. There are 12 colleges here and many advanced nursing degree programs. I work @ Umass Memorial. Starting pay for a new grad is $27 (i think) and there is a great BS to NP program here. Worcester county covers central Mass. Anything east of worcester the price goes up very quickly (Worcester is 30-50 min from Boston) Anything west of Worcester the price drops quicky - it gets rural fast.

Good Luck!