Anonymous

Yes, I know this isn't a relocation site. But we're probably heading west ASAP (currently in a Boston suburb) and would appreciate any advice or web sites that would help us choose a specific community (Amherst vs Northampton vs Hadley etc.), or find rental housing while we sell the current place. Is there anyplace that's on a bus route but still feels like we're in the country? Please send any e-mails to LondonBound at aol.com Thanks!

k_999_9

I can't answer all your questions, but I do know about an oddity in that area.

Real estate tends to be expensive in Northampton and Amherst (though, coming from Boston, it won't shock you). However, the best housing values tend to be in Belchertown -- just because of the name of the town. Really.

Anonymous

LOL, I'm sure the prices would surprise most people, but I can get twice as much house/land for my money in Amherst as in my fancy Boston suburb, plus I'm probably downsizing. Growing up, I went to school with Belcher descendants, they were quite proud of their name.

OO

I have some not so fond memories of Belchertown. I was a psych major at UMass...and the trip to the state school there was so depressing...kids paraded across the stage while someone described what was wrong with them, what their symptoms were, and possible cause. It was GRIM, all told in front of the kids, who were not totally out of it. It appalled me! Is the school still there? If so, I hope they are way more up to date than they were in those dark days.

OO, class of '65, although it sounds like that trip was from an even more primitive era than that!

Anonymous

HS class of '67 here, I volunteered on weekends at the equivalent Dever "State School" (how's that for a euphemism?) at Taunton. Worked for the Department of Mental Health in the 1970s when they were closing those places, most of those folks are in community-bsaed programs now, and I hear that Belchertown will become an office park.

Anyway, it's beautiful country out there and my son is interested in a community center for unschooling high schoolers in Hadley so we are thinking of relocating closer.

islandpaddler

For lots of insight into the Northampton area, read the Daily Hampshire Gazette online at www.dailyhampshiregazette.com.

Northampton is more eclectic than the other too, a plus in my opinion.

I used to live in Northampton, and I'd take it over Amherst and certainly Hadley. There's a small community called Leeds, which is actually part of Northampton, that gets your out of the Northampton bustle. It's off Route 9. Not sure if a bus goes there, though.

Anonymous

Thanks for the comments, they reinforce my general impressions. I would expect Amherst to have more students, too? I'll check out Leeds.

Believe it or not, most of the Gazette can be accessed only if you have a paid subscriptoi, or pay to access the onlne version. Not just registration, like the New York Times, but actual payment required!