I just got a job offer for a company just outside of springfield , MA (westfield to be precise). I live in southern ct and have all my life except for college. Id be lying if i said the thought of moving doesn't bother me. Does anyone live up there or know whats it like? Im in my mid twenties and know nothing of the area and have zero contacts there.
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Oct. 6, 2011 11:22 p.m. revhard New Reader
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Oct. 6, 2011 11:26 p.m. Woody SuperDork
I know that this place is awesome.
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Oct. 6, 2011 11:31 p.m. Mazdax605 Dork
It is vastly different than eastern MA. Very rural in most parts but Springfield isn't very rural. The further west you go the more like Vermont/NH/Maine it gets. By that I mean more hilly,and picturesque. It is a very nice area of the state from my perspective when I visit from southeastern MA. Very snowy,but truly has a more New England feel than the area I am in. Cost of living will be less than Eastern MA,and Southern CT for sure. People seem to be more friendly out west for whatever reason,but in the city areas that may not be true. Springfiled can be a tough place at times in certain neighborhoods,but that is true of any city.
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Oct. 7, 2011 6:41 a.m. 1988RedT2 Dork
My wife and I spent a week in and around Lee, MA. That's a good bit west of Springfield. It's quite rural, very Berkshire-y. Went to Stockbridge and visited the Norman Rockwell museum. Played James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" a lot.
Springfield looks to be a decent-sized city. If the opportunity is good, go for it!
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Oct. 7, 2011 7:04 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork
I used to live there back in the 70's. Went and visited a few years ago, barely anything had changed. That alone should tell you a lot.
Very conservative region. In many ways, very isolated, by deliberate choice. Research fluoride in the drinking water to see what I mean.
Geography is beautiful. You've never seen fall colors before, regardless of where you live now.
You will learn about the 5th season, it's called mud. There are compensations, this is when the maple sap flows.
Winters are harsh. I've seen 6 foot snowstorms there. They deal with it just fine. Others panic. You will learn about the wisdom of bicycle flags on little cars, and buy real snow tires.
Taxes are kinda high, but they are in many places. Your guns are evil, if you have them, in Mass. Though western mass folk probably regard them as fine.
If you're not catholic, you don't fit in. People will be mildly confused if your name doesn't end in "ski" or such.
Enjoy the kielbasa festival. And Chicopee Provisions still has great meats.
Indian motorcycle museum there in Springfield almost makes it worth the move all by itself.
Would I seek to move back there? No. But I wouldn't refuse to go their either.
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Oct. 7, 2011 7:16 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
Every time I see a new law that makes my skin crawl, it is MA putting it on the books. If you work NW enough to live in VT... that might be better.
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Oct. 7, 2011 9:51 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork
I bought my 318ti in Pittsfield.. that is all I have to add about Western Mass.
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Oct. 7, 2011 9:57 a.m. iceracer SuperDork
West of Springfield is more rural, beautifull country. Seasonal things to do. Lime Rock to the south and NHIS to the north are not that far. Short tracks are around. If you are into cultural things, there is lots of that too.
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Oct. 7, 2011 1:13 p.m. revhard New Reader
Thanks for all the input so far guys! Im considering living in the northampton area. I figure with a college there , there would be more things for me to do. It seems very liberal there. Every room share on Craigslist asks that you be LBGT friendly. Ive never heard of using a bicycle flag on a car but i can see the benefit. And ive heard the gospel on snow tires and i bought a new set last winter.
Not only am I not catholic, im Asian. Will i stick out like a sore thumb?
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Oct. 7, 2011 1:31 p.m. turboswede SuperDork
Mass is mass, right?
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Oct. 7, 2011 1:41 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
turboswede wrote:
Mass is mass, right?
I think of it as the weight of something in a vacuum or possibly the tumor that makes the voices that tell me what to do.
