She’s not up to a lot of walking yet, but maybe I’ll suggest it anyway, and let her decide. Where can I find out about the craft shows?
I wasn’t up to a lot of walking either for quite some time after my C-Section. I can imagine she’s pretty uncomfortable.
I had a nice long post all typed and a power blip ate it. Here is one schedule.
I’ll have to try and find the others later.
Well the Studmuffin left Mass too so at least the single men don’t have to keep their women locked up…or maybe all the single women are leaving in search of the Studmuffin…
Sorry Tanookie, I’m just being silly.
I feel your pain. I live in an extremely transient town–at least for people my age. A lot of people are just here for a grad degree. Or if they work at the University, they get lured away by other institutions. It seems all we do is say goodbye, and it’s terribly depressing.
I finally joined a woman’s organization to get to know some people who weren’t affiliated with the University. They seem to move less often.
After joining, I started a book club, inviting anyone who was interested. Membership shifted somewhat, but now it’s settled down to be a nice group of women whom I look forward to seeing every month (well, except for one woman, but that’s a story for another thread).
Still, we haven’t found a lot of couples that we get along with–you know, where both of us like both of them. That’s a drag.
Ha!! This thread made my day. I opened it, so hoping it would be about people leaving MA, and it was! 50:1 odds, and I win! Now, where do I collect?
Oh yeah! I moved to Florida from Massachusetts not once, but twice. Sure, that means I had to move back to MA once, but that was for love, so I think I can be excused. This time I bought a house in FL and don’t ever plan to return to MA for longer than a week. If I never see snow again for the rest of my life, it’ll be too soon.
Ahhhh… Tanookie I feel your pain! I lots of ways!
I just spent a weekend with my bestest friends, up from the other end of the state, 6 hours driving time away.
Now, in that case, I admit, they didn’t move, they lived there and I lived here, when we met. But How often do you meet a couple that you’re equally happy which ever of them you end up in converstion or running errands with? Hurts that they live too far away!
I’ve had several experiences of friends leaving the area. Is a major bummer. The joke around me is if you want to have great things happen that move you away from the area, just go to work for Wyatt … and the minute you get things set-up to be a real help … poof opportunities you only dreamed of will open up and away you’ll go … and Wyatt will be back to trying to do it all himself, again. chuckle
I’m feelin’ for ya, particularly now, when even your Feet have moved away!!!
smiles and hugs
W
Look at the bright side, it gives you an excuse to travel.
I’m sorry, tanookie! Our best friends in the world are talking about moving to Colorado. I feel your pain. 
I think you may have answered the question during the roundabout spin this thread took. Massachusetts is just too damned expensive, and if you want to get ahead it’s just easier to move somewhere else.
We moved from Framingham (MA) to Columbia, SC for that reason. Unfortunately, we really didn’t like Columbia, so we moved back. Now we’re in Worcester, where housing is inexpensive but schools are lousy, and I’m stuck trying to figure out whether to move or pay for private school when my munchkin turns 5 in 3 years. Either way, it’s going to involve a large cash payout that I don’t have.
Which is ridiculous, because combined my husband and I make six figures. (Barely, but really, shouldn’t that be enough to afford a decent house in a nice town?) It should, but not in MA.
I really think that’s a big reason to leave. We might look in northern Connecticut, and commute to our jobs in Metrowest.
Or, maybe it’s because they had to visit Haverhill?? 
You can live really well on 6 figures in TX. great house, new car and money to bank. Schools aren’t bad either.
We’re in that boat too with the schools Morgainelf. We moved here for family considerations but when the munchkin turns 5 (in 3 years) we have some serious decisions to make regarding education needs.
Cost of living in MA is insane. I wish we could move somewhere else but I don’t really want to take the kids and hubby away from his family especially now. His father has early onset Alzheimer’s and so the inlaws will really need us in the coming years.
I do bitch a lot about haverhill but aside from the high school needing serious help the town’s not that bad. It is just hickville to me and I’m not used to it. I know that I would not make it anywhere more country than this shudder Small town life is odd to me. I live in a quiet neighborhood 2 blocks from the park and in theory next summer I may meet some moms at the park with their kids. I haven’t had any real time to go to the park since I spent this summer with swollen prego feet and last summer taking Grandma to radiation and chemo and stuff. Someday I will feel like I belong here 
Maybe I’ll finally start up that cake decorating business I always wanted to start?
Thanks, mipiace. Our family is here, so here we will stay. I can’t imagine my little girl growing up away from her grandparents. I lived in Houston for a year and did love it, though!
tanookie, I grew up on the Methuen/Haverhill border, and couldn’t wait to get away. Maybe if you orient yourself more towards Groveland/Newburyport you’ll have better luck finding classes, groups, etc. (After your newbie is born, that is.) Even though Groveland is even more “country” than Haverhill, there may be more affluent families there, and a better family scene. Haverhill is a bit depressed, and there tend to be less resources for things like family programs.
If I lose my job (as rumoured) I may start some infant and toddler music and movement classes up your way. I’ll let you know if I do - no mommy cliques allowed!
We live right over the bridge from Groveland. I have found my way into Newburyport and do like to walk through the shops and let the munchkin play on the slides there.
I took a class at NECO but didn’t care much for the place. I’d like to try merrimac college but they are a bit pricey right now.
Munchkin Music sounds like fun - if you do start those classes let me know. That does suck though that you’re rumored to be out of work soon! This economy sucks
I agree. California is shrinking. My city census shows we went from 17,500 to 15,000 …
Thanks for the link, tanookie, I’m going to pass that along to my wife.
mipiace, you’re not kidding; for that matter, you can live pretty well on 5 figures in Texas! I’ll have to disagree with Morgainelf, though - we were actually glad for the excuse to leave Houston.
Mind you, we do wish we could have brought all of our friends with us, but Houston itself, we don’t miss.
Glad I could help
I’m not sure I would do well in texas… it’s pretty hot down there We had friends in texas that came to visit one winter. They were in full length coats and hats and scarves and gloves and boots and legwarmers… I was in jeans, turtleneck and flannel shirt
Well Houston isn’t the only state in TX as any Texan will tell you, it’s a damned BIG state!! But it is amazingly HOT.
I was having a conversation with a co-worker today who coincidentally moved from Boston 23 years ago and he said he imagined this must be what hell was like. (I might mention this hasn’t even been a particularly hot summer) I personally don’t think it is that bad but then I was raised in Florida which is like Hell with rain.
mipiace, you’re absolutely right. I can’t tell you how many people in New England ask me what “Texas” is like, or think that all of the major cities are together. I have to ask, “What part of Texas?”
But I’m from all over - I’ve lived in El Paso, Houston, and Lubbock (don’t get me started, but at least it was short), and have relatives throughout the rest of the state.
Which, come to think of it, isn’t a bad reason to be in New England.
tanookie, my SO and I are going through a somewhat similar situation. We don’t have lots of couple friends we can hang out with. I was wishing the other day that there was some kind of personals site where we could post to find dinner partners–you know "MWCpl with two boys ages 7 and 10, looking for similar. Into Indian food, frisbee on the beach, and long, intellectual conversations occasionally interrupted by shouts of “get down from there!” and “leave your brother alone.” If I find anything, I’ll let you know.
Ya I have been considering advertising to form a playgroup this spring in the hopes that some of the moms might be friend material