welcome! I’m on the North Shore in MA. The state varies a lot by where you go - I really really miss living in Cambridge and Somerville but we were priced out as buyers needing a family home. Up here the main difference between NC and my area is the people are not friendly. Like, at all. Also, winter is 100 months long. If you buy a place outside of Boston make sure you do a practice commute before signing anything. 18 miles from Boston=1 hour on the road or road/train combo.