I'm not fond of cold weather, but I'm surprised that so many find Boston to be THAT cold for such a large portion of the year. I did some checking, and according to city-data.com, the average daytime high for Boston in April is 56, May is 66.9, for November is 51. Granted, our weather is unpredictable, and we certainly get days that are unseasonably cold (or hot). However, it isn't exactly freezing here 6-7 months of the year.

SusanMac

we moved from the UK to the 'burbs 30 miles outside Boston and haven't regretted it although there are days when the cold is brutal.

Try going to the Mall when it's freezing outside :-) they need lockers for you to leave your ski jackets in! When you get inside it's positively tropical and you walk around in a sweater, then again try a restaurant in the summer when it's 90 outside and you need a sweater :-)

I love the distinct seasons - sometimes the Spring (this year) is almost non-existent or it snows on Thanksgiving, 2002 if I remember correctly! One thing you have to remember is that whilst it might have 2ft of snow on the ground, it will usually be sunny when the snowstorm has passed - carry your sunglasses year round.

There is so much to do and see here. NY is only a 4hr drive and Montreal is 5ish. Just think of the exploring you can do. Also skiing within easy reach of home, nice for a day trip.

Try this website, we used it when we were relocating:

http://www.newenglandmoves.com/movie...ownMovies.html

It shows you quick movies of the towns - I checked our town and while it does linger on the 'cute' areas it also shows 'Downtown'.

Good luck!

Alya. Thanks for the website-I will check it out. I know there will be many new things to get used to, but it will be exciting!

I think you should really consider moving to Portland. Hubby can change careers.

;)

Pandaschu-aren't you clever going anonymous like that. Well we were considering using an up and coming accountant out of Portland so it would be easier to live there.....
being neighbors would be fun, but then we wouldn't have an exuse for girls getaways-well ok we would find a reason anyway!;-)

I am a Boston Native who relocated out to SF for about 2 years. I am back in Boston because I was homesick for all my friends....

If I could get past the homesickness I think I would choose SF. Bostonians tend to be a bit clicky, everyone pretty much has the same friends since birth. I know people who have moved here and they have difficulty making friends.

In CA there are lots of people who aren't from there - I found it easy to make new friends.

In CA it was great to get up and go for the weekend for pretty cheap air fare - Tahoo, Yosemite, San Diego, Monteray, Vegas, Wine Country, etc., etc.

From Boston there's not as many choices and it's more expensive to fly. The only place where the mountains meet the ocean in 6 hours away in Acadia....It's rare to just fly to NC, SC, DC or FL for the weekend.

I think food is comprable, rent is a bit cheaper in Boston and of course the 4 seasons are wonderful (until about mid-February).

In California I was more active - there was no such thing as a warm summer night but it was always nice enough to rollerblade, run or hike. Skiing was a few hours away (and better than NH/VT). The beaches are nicer.

I do love them both - it's a tough choice but my vote is SF....

Another thing to consider: Kal lives too close to San Francisco :-O

i have lived in MA all my life, within 35 minutes south of Boston. Have traveled to SF as well as visited family in other parts of CA. I don't think you can generalize on types of people here vs San Francisco. The more I travel, the more comfort I find in the fact that all people are essentially the same. This perception is so dependent on the vibe you give off, and how open and responsive you are to the people around you. Just my philosophy - I would never let my perception/anticipation of what the people will be in a place make the decision for me.

With that said, if you like variety, in both the weather as well as geography and activities, please move to New England. Mountains, winter sports, beautiful seashore, arts, proximity to other world-class cities like NYC. Every day has it's own unique feel. Must be experienced to truly appreciate it.

WHY ARE YOU REVIVING A THREAD FROM 2005??

deja vu all over again (i'm guessing they have already moved, or they haven't
;-)

Perhaps they moved to Boston and got snowed in...or snowed under!

I've lived in both Boston and San Francisco, and applaud your choice of cities! Both are great options. Boston's beautiful, tons to do, feels very European, and is very close to Europe, in terms of flights out. You know the Bay Area well, obviously. Try something new! There's a lot more in your hubby's industry in the BOS area, and the winter isn't so bad... in fact, it can be really fun.

What I miss in the SF Area (although I can get all of these if I drive a few hours): brilliant fall foliage, snow, leafy forests. What I don't miss: east coast's mosquitoes.

Go for the new and different - Boston! It's so great to have a chance to live in a new place. I relocated from Boston to S. Cal, spent 20-ish years in each, and now am itching for something different. Seize the opportunity!