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bcb1200 t1_jd7wloa wrote

Mass has a lot to offer. But don’t expect folks to be “friendly” like they are in the Midwest or the south.

Massholes tend to keep to themselves. I’ve heard transplants complain it can sometimes be difficult to meet new people / new friends after moving here.

As in “why are you talking to me, new person, I didn’t grow up and go to high school with you.”

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Ok_Translator_7026 t1_jd8cwnb wrote

I’m from NW Georgia originally. That super friendly southern thing is bullshit. It’s more about an image and I can’t tell you how many times i witnessed the friendly conversation in a store only for one of them to start talking shit about the other after they walked off.

We left GA for similar reason OP. We moved to a nice quite part of Chicopee. Almost 2 years now and we love this state. Every place has its issues sure. And people here don’t go out of their way to talk to you unless you know each other . But almost every interaction we have had people have been friendly. Driving is a bit different in the city. People are aggressive as hell but no difference than driving in Atlanta.

We lived in the MTG district so you can only imagine the political environment there. Things do cost a bit more but they pay is so much better than we made for the same jobs down south. I am a photographer and I was charging the same price I did In GA and people though I was crazy here. (I still haven’t raised them because I make enough at that price )

Good luck with your move ! And good luck learning how to pronounce the towns and cities up here. I still look like an idiot trying 😆😆😆

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InspectorFun1699 OP t1_jdcyq62 wrote

Gosh yes! Working in the school system you see so much "Oh hi Mary" and the second she is out of earshot "Did you SEE what SHE was WEARING???" I'd rather have someone just tell me that my shirt is ugly or better yet, not care at all.

MTG area - oh god I can't imagine. I'm in Greg Murphy-land who really has the same exact views but is slightly less of a fame-hog. Barf.

Did it take you awhile to adjust to the higher COL even when paired with higher pay? We're a little worried about the transition time as our dollar will not go as far but I already work 3 jobs so adding more work isn't an option at the moment

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Ok_Translator_7026 t1_jdd67in wrote

Housing is more costly of course and taxes are a bit more.

Philadelphia whipped crème cheese for 8oz here In Chicopee /Springfield is 5.59 The same thing in Marietta GA (which is a similar size city to Springfield is 4.79. I priced a few tools at Home Depot and they were the same price.

The food cost difference is similar at fast food and restaurants as well. So it can add up but it’s not bank breaking considering the pay increase.

minimum wage in GA is still 7.25$ when we moved my wife who works in the medical field got a serious pay increase for doing the same job. We have not noticed the increase in cost of living due to that. We have always been careful with how we spend our money . Kids are expensive as hell so we have had to manage money well to raise ours.

You can google stop and shop and put in our area code (01013) and price compare to whatever store you shop at at home and see how much difference you grocery bill will be every week. That will help you have an idea of the increase in food cost .

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InspectorFun1699 OP t1_jdqimgv wrote

That’s a great tool. Thank you so much for sharing. Big COL adjustment to prepare for!

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bcb1200 t1_jd8i17w wrote

Agreeing with other folks who replied to my comment.

To be clear, Mass folk aren’t unfriendly or rude. Just private. And it’s totally a cultural thing.

As a general rule, old school New Englanders are raised to really not talk about 1) money and 2) our feelings.

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InspectorFun1699 OP t1_jdcznzm wrote

That's great to know. I appreciate the social and cultural insights. Midwest doesn't really discuss feelings either. We only discuss money to humble brag about some thing we got on super sale at a department store. "Thanks it was on CLEARANCE!"

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InspectorFun1699 OP t1_jd7wtwj wrote

That’s good to know! My sister lived in VT for some years so I had heard of Massholes but didn’t know if that was a real thing or hyperbole haha

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WinsingtonIII t1_jd838g9 wrote

I think the whole "asshole" part of Massholes is overblown. It mostly refers to the aggressive driving (which is definitely a real thing).

But otherwise I think what the other user is more referring to is the fact that New Englanders are reserved compared to the rest of the US (this isn't just a MA thing, it applies in most parts of New England). We don't really feel comfortable having small talk with strangers and we may treat a stranger coming up to us and trying to strike up conversation without a specific reason with some suspicion. This can be uncomfortable for people from other parts of the US where small talk is the norm, but for many New Englanders, having a stranger get into a long conversation with us makes us a bit uncomfortable, it's a cultural difference. My experience is that many Northern European countries are similar in this regard.

But it's not like everyone is going to swear and scream at you just because you said "hi." It can take a while to get to know people around here, but the people are generally perfectly kind and helpful if you have a specific reason to engage them in conversation. For instance, asking for directions, people will certainly help you. They may look at you weird if you just walk up to them and go "how's it going?" with no specific reason to talk to them.

Once you get to know New Englanders, they tend to be loyal friends, it just takes a while to get them to open up.

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ay-o-river t1_jd873s6 wrote

I’ll never forget being in a cvs in Richmond VA and a guy IN THE OTHER AISLE said hello to me and got offended that I didn’t immediately say hello back

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InspectorFun1699 OP t1_jdczeux wrote

This would absolutely happen where I live! and we'll hold the door open for ya when you're half a mile away and wait patiently for you to pass through even though it probably stresses you the F out

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InspectorFun1699 OP t1_jdczagm wrote

I appreciate your insight! Coming from Chicago and having lived in N Europe for a spell, I was used to keeping to myself, then had the huge NC culture shock of "we must interact with everyone always and they will offer their opinions and pity on every aspect of my life even in an elevator" I'm used to it now and it's fine and I'm probably one of them! But good to know there will be another cultural/social transition ahead. As a natural introvert, should be a comfortable change! I honestly love love love experiencing new places so hopefully this will be ok too

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Unique-Public-8594 t1_jdhalzr wrote

Honestly, I think the reserved and unfriendly stereotype is exaggerated. I think you will have plenty of friends and great neighbors. It just takes one organizer to have weekly pizza and wine block parties. It only takes one organizer to go out after work. There are plenty of ways to find a gym buddy.

Some people distrust nonlocals but I’d say that’s only 5-10%.

Some people have filled their friend roster but I’d say that’s only 5-10%.

Truth is, lots of people are lonely and will welcome your friendship.

Meeting people through your children is extra easy.

If someone snubs you, you probably don’t want them as a friend any way.

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