People are leaving Massachusetts in droves. Who are they?

[MrDee12345]

I used to follow the news back home in Billerica and it was often maddening.

A developer would come who would want to build medium density apartments and condos, but they'd get shot down because they were "too close to the road" or "there were too many units" or "they'd ruin the character of the town" or "It's destroying the nature in our town" etc.

But then another developer comes in, buy up acres of land to put up 15 McMansions and the locals would respond with "Well, it's their land. They can do what they want" blah blah blah.

People seem to forget that if you build higher density housing, you're actually preserving land.

Ugh.

As I've probably stated before, I'd love to move back to the Boston area one day. I still LOVE Boston.

But my wife and I could never afford a small house within 30 miles of the city. Lowell or Haverhill are possible, but I'm sure those houses are going quickly as well.

Central, Western and the South Coast have some affordable housing. I guess we could make it work if you wanted to live in a Springfield suburb and commute to either Hartford or Springfield.

[MrDee12345]

Originally Posted by Shizim

That sounds awful. Sign me up for no thanks. I moved to a town with no public transportation for a reason. I want low density.

And that's fine.

But the cities are where the jobs are, so you have to find a way to get as many people in a small space so everyone can get to their jobs.

if you want to live in a small town in Western or Northern New England, be my guest. Just don't expect the type of employment you'd get in or near the big cities.

[Williepaws]

Originally Posted by Shizim

That sounds awful. Sign me up for no thanks. I moved to a town with no public transportation for a reason. I want low density.

thats the way my area use to be. Guess what, its not like that anymore. apartment buildings planned, destruction of open space, more traffic, more kids in schools, water and sewer wont be able to handle the bldgs, etc but they, the town and the state dont care. its all about money. follow the money. Ive had 3 friends that have moved out of Ma this year. They were tired of the taxes both state and local, tired of everything that comes with overdevelopment. Another friend will be leaving in a few months. these are all upper middle class.

[msRB311]

Exactly, everything is all about profit, not just in MA but in the US. It isn't just MA that is having housing issues...ours are just more pricier than most other states. It's sad that a home has basically become a luxury investment in many cases.

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by MrDee12345

And that's fine.

But the cities are where the jobs are, so you have to find a way to get as many people in a small space so everyone can get to their jobs.

if you want to live in a small town in Western or Northern New England, be my guest. Just don't expect the type of employment you'd get in or near the big cities.

This is when being self employed and/or having multiple income streams becomes especially critical. Even if you don't live in a small town per se...having multiple income streams is still beneficial. If you are WFH...get another side WFH gig so you are essentially working two jobs in the same amount of time. It's a way you could potentially increase your income by 30-50% or more! The key to this is of course having the flexibility and autonomy of WFH gig and not being micromanaged in one role so you can take on the side gig

[msRB311]

I don't think anyone would say there's much space left in the greater boston area....other than the SSP parking lot I geuss. Should apartment buildings be built upon the blue hills? Everywhere I look it seems like something is getting turned into condos.

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by msRB311

I don't think anyone would say there's much space left in the greater boston area....other than the SSP parking lot I geuss. Should apartment buildings be built upon the blue hills? Everywhere I look it seems like something is getting turned into condos.

Yuck..pack 'em in like sardines.

[BOS2IAD]

Originally Posted by BruinsGirl

People often downsize into townhouses or one level condo. With the way condo fees are going up it make sense to stay in houses.

As people age, it gets harder to take care of a house and a yard. Plus, sometimes older people can't handle going up and down stairs.

For example, I have a cousin (who doesn't live in MA) who, along with her husband, lived in a house in the 'burbs that was well located. They were near public transportation plus stores and restaurants. Then they got it in their head that they wanted to live on a farmette. They sold the house and bought a farmette that had 10 acres of land and a McMansion on it. Once they moved in, they got a couple of horses. Both of them now had long commutes to work plus no more public transportation. They were in their late 50s when they did this.

Recently, after living there for 6 years, with both of them in their 60s, they sold the farmette and sent the horses to a good home. Now they are living in a 2 bedroom condo where they can walk to restaurants and shopping plus have public transportation in the area.

So...many realize that as they get older, it becomes much harder to do the upkeep on a home. So, yes, many seniors either buy condos or rent apartments with some of those renters living in 55+ developments.

[Champ le monstre du lac]

One important factor I haven't seen discussed is hydrology. If towns and cities are going to be gunning hard for large scale development, solutions have to be made for large scale water resources and wastewater treatment. Rivers like the Ipswich River are already heavily compromised and nearly tapped out with several municipalities extracting water from it. Questions need to be answered like how much added water capacity can the MWRA and reservoirs like the Quabin supply. Then there are several semi rural towns like Boxford, West Newbury, Plympton, and Carver that are pretty much all well and septic that would need to be converted with new water and sewer lines.

I'm in the middle ground camp as there are indeed large vacant or underutilized land plots in well developed suburbs as Irfox pointed out that have more transportation sources and infrastructure that can accommodate more growth.

Also consider the Gateway Cities and their potential for more infill and redevelopment. If only the MBTA could get its act together, and really if American public transportation in general could get a serious upgrade going further into the 21st century and be more innovative with proposals such as high speed commuter rail and express trains from places like New Bedford, Fall River, Lowell, & Fitchburg getting commuters into Boston in well less than an hour without multiple stops en route. That would make development prospects in those cities a whole lot more appealing. But the status quo would immediately label such prospects as pipe dreams. And then here we are.

[masssachoicetts]

Originally Posted by BruinsGirl

Housing that state wants to built is affordable housing and we know who will live there.

Yall Bostonians weird. You rather have empty parking lots or dilapidated strip malls that bring in more crime, lets be real, then having a nice apartment complex or condo building with 3 or 4 storefronts. Tf