RateItAll: The Opinion Network

I have never been to Massachusetts before. Yet, what lures me is how much history this one state has had- and its contributions to the development of the United States. I assume it is a wonderful state with scenic coastlines, beautiful sunrises and historic buildings. But if I ever get the chance to visit it, I would first like to go to Fenway Park and visit the Big Green Monster, or go check out the Bull & Finch Pub in old-town Boston (and maybe- just maybe- seeing Norm Peterson being greeted by tavern goers, or Cliff Clavin giving me a historical lesson on the most mundane of facts about Boston or any subject).

I've always wanted to go to Massachusetts to see the historical sites, and Boston specifically to go to Fenway Park. I was dating a woman a few years ago that lived there for awhile and she told me if I ever went to see my sites but not to talk to anybody because everyone there is an a**hole. I have no reason to doubt her, but after reading the review from Massachusettshater it reminds me that there are a**holes everywhere.

I hate Massachusetts more than anything. Although I'm only 16 and probably shouldn't be on here, I had to share my opinion. Going to school here is NOT great, and I have no idea how they are rated such top quality. As soon as I graduate from high-school, I'm going straight to south

P.S. I think Massachusetts should change it's nickname from the Bay State to the GAY State!

Geezz... Massachusettshater, I've seen angry but come on. America is the land of the free and home of the brave and Massachusetts is land of the Liberal and home of the Gay but that's okay. We have the other 49 states. At least in Texas you can still go deep in the heart. Cheer up!

The most obnoxious place you'll ever see. These people are horrible. I mean that. So cold and conceited. If I had my way, MA would drift off into the Atlantic and sink forever beneath the waves. Oh, and actually, person under me, Mass. does not love black people. In fact, Boston is the most racist city north of the Mason-Dixon line (black people aren't even allowed in Fenway). They pretend to be so liberal and open-minded when in reality, they are very stubborn and bull-headed and hate non-Irish people and Yankees fans.

Massachusetts is a niggerloving faggoty assed state. Fuck that nigger governor and fuck the gay state!!! WHITE POWER!!!

In late March 2008 I stayed in Burlington, a suburb of Boston, and visited Clark University in Worcester and Brandeis University in Waltham, in addition to driving through the Downtown area of Boston, and around the Fenway Park area, as well as driving through Cambridge, Lexington, Waltham, Winchester, Brookline, Watertown, and more upper-class suburbs. To me many of the upper-class suburbs resembled wealthy Midwest neighboorhoods, which are full of country clubs, and mostly Republican. Coming from St. Louis, much of the suburban archetecture was unwelcoming, since many of the ultra-conservatives who are wealthy seem very arrogant towards lower classes and liberals as well as diversity, and to those who do not represent their values. I'm not trying to offend anyone, and yes I know plenty of great people living in wealthy "New England" architecture suburbs, who are progressive, and even some conservatives who are great people. This is just unwelcoming, on a personal note. To me, it is just sort of depressing to be in big estates surrounded by a bunch of trees to the rest of the community, and it seems like so many of them are unhappy people, not all. I just think some people just obsess over their own wealth and get arrogant and miserable. Yet, there are good people, and I admire you all who are wealthy and use your oppurtunity to give back to the community. However, it is ironic, that such suburbs of Boston, tend to go more liberal, so im not sure what the case is there. I should not be making generalizations, but I see people on here saying they want to move into such wealthier suburbs eventually. I don't think I will, its just dosen't look pleasing to me. However, Cambridge looked like a college suburb, like Evanston, Illinois. Brookline seems to be a nice multicultural suburb, which really attracted me. Worcester is often overlooked, it definately has some crime and undesirable areas, but it also has beautiful apartment buildings that look like big houses around Clark University, as well as good diversity for a small town, bringing more cultures close to its residents and visitors, as well as potentially better resteraunts than other cities around its size. Boston itself seems to have many attractive areas, and nice homes and buildings. However, next time I go and visit Boston itself, I would use public transportation and not drive. The drivers are just terrible in the city of Boston, and tended to improve gradually outward of the city, but still horrendous, while Worcester seems fine. I saw alot of double parking, and there was no place to park to get out and see stuff, from what I remember. The cell phone law they have in NY and NJ would help the problem, since the drivers are the most agressive and naive drivers I have seen. As a passenger, I was glad to arrive at the hotel safely. And also, the roads are made for horses. Well, that's true, Boston is an old city and horses and carraiges originally roamed the crooked streets, which I saw all throughout the Boston metro. If you want to get somewhere in downtown, you will likely end up going around in many circles, driving for several minutes on a road that ends up where you started, and still not arrive at your destination, after several times of circling downtown. Even the highway system is flawed. To get from Brookline to Burlington it takes about ten miles and an hour to take the main roads, and over twenty miles and thirty minutes to take the highway. There is alot of traffic in the Boston metro, especially during rush hour, and the nearly standstill traffic on the highway makes us get off and detour ont the main roads. And going through Cambridge on our way to the hotel in Burlington from Brookline, the T bus nearly swerved into us, making driving feel like someone is pointing a gun at us. Yes we could of gotten wounded or killed. I seriously thought about calling up the public transportation office. Well, the buses were big and tall, and it definitely looked safe to ride the bus, but not to drive right next to it. I'm often slightly suspicious of the police on the road always trying to ticket drivers, but I rarely saw police cars around in the Boston suburbs, I did see them in Boston, but no one was pulled over. I began to see the need for the cops start eyeing the drivers, since they are horrendous. I do not recall seeing much else in the state. There were great local chain resteraunts by the hotel, Fresh City and Not Your Average Joe's. It seems that the food in Boston is great, and saw many Italian resteraunts on North End, where there is no "legal" parking, just plenty of double parkers there. Heard about great seafood at Back Bay. I hope to visit Massachusetts again someday, hopefully see more of the city of Boston, and see Cape Cod and the western area of the state. I would just take public transportation as much as possible in the Boston area especially in the city.

Easily one of the top ten states in the US. The ranting 1-star ratings below do not reflect the character of the state, which combines natural beauty and historical interest to a degree which only a handful of other US states even come close. MA also has a highly educated and literate population which has resisted the proletarianization of its culture, manners and landscape far more successfully than anywhere in the US, with the exception of Vermont.

The animosity that Massachusetts arouses is due chiefly to one factor: how its treats its non-unionized working class population. Basically, the state's elite have decided that the state's economic future lies in education, health care and finance. In order to clear the state of low-productivity workers, Massachussets has made life as miserable as possible for them via taxes, fees and regulations (BTW, this is not the work of 'Liberal' MA politicians, but rather Boston-based coroporate interests and old-school Republican Mitt Romney). If you are a professional, a student, a tourist or have a well-paid union/skilled-trades job, and don't mind cold weather, Massachussets is a wonderful place to live or visit. If you are looking to make a living at entry-level work, you would be far better off moving to a right-to-fire/right-to-work state with low taxes and Wal-Marts (Texas, South Carolina, Florida). Even if the Sunbelt economy comes crashing down-as it eventually will-at least you won't have to worry about paying the heating bill.

Please shut the door behind you, and stop posting pointless 1-star ratings.

this place has to be one of the most broing on earth.

Horrible! I was once so proud of my birthplace. I moved back here and can hardly believe the changes, NONE of them are good either. This place sucks the soul out of you slowly but surely. I cannot wait to get the hell out of this stinking place.

FUCK MASSACHUSETTS...again!

I left that wretched hell hole 7 months ago now for California; let me tell you I'll NEVER look back.

California may be more expensive (and it is), but I'm PERFECTLY happy to pay the price to live in a place where everyone isn't completely miserable. I mean, I moved out here and thought "Wow, people actually smile here! Much as I used to remember people doing as a child." Yeah, that's right, people don't swear at you in traffic, the government isn't out to screw you, the state doesn't shake every last dime out of your pockets, and oh, the weather is actually worthy of being called "weather". California definitely has douchebags, don't get me wrong, but at least you can ignore them here since they don't make up 99% of the population.

When I heard that they passed that ridiculous health care law right after I left...I laughed...and when they had that cutesie little sting operation on single parents...I laughed.

Because I'll never live there ever again in my life...

hahahaha well put regarding Massachusetts and it's cold, narcissistic ways. some of the most closed-minded "open-minded" people in the country reside there.

I plan on leaving this garbage state for the rest of my life very shortly...I want nothing to do with the unhappy miserable tools that live all over the state...I have lived here for 18 years and moved out to go to school in NH for 2 years and unfortuantely ended up back here. I left once and I can do it again...and this time it will be permanent. To those who think of moving here...Don't...your life will be much better in a non fascist part of the country.

Massholes number amongst the most hateful, sadistic and
ignorant people on the planet.

As a former inmate of that prison of lost and demented
souls, I love to joke with my friends from EARTH that
Massachusetts just burned the last witch a month ago.

My only regret about the demise of the Soviet Union is
that they no longer have the capacity to incinerate
you as collateral damage when destroying the evil
pollutant destructive technology the government
appropriately chose to locate in thre.

Harsh words for a harsh people. If they could only look at themselves, and consider coming into conformity with
irreversible advances in human civilisation.

Then please find appropriate therapy for that
embarrassing speech impediment.

But better yet just eat shit and die, that entire
miserable, dark and pathetic people.

Lovin the sunshine out west!!!!

R

I've lived in Massachusetts for 20 years, and unfortunately i see no sign of leaving any time soon. Massachusetts is probably the worst state in the country. The government is horribly corrupt, and idiots like Ted Kennedy have a lot of pull. We just elected an idiot of a governor (Devil Patrick) who's only claims to fame in Massachusetts are, purchasing a new car, new curtains for his office, raising the salary of state house employees, and oh yeah... he just absolutely needed to get his wife a personal assistant. No, hes not rich, he just uses the tax payers money. I hate massachusetts, everything is corrupt, and we have an insanely large police union, which prevents anything productive from happening regarding the police. I wish I could leave... but I can't as of now..... massachusetts SUCKS! (The Patriots are amazing though)

Mass sucks, the government sucks as well, they put woman on the bench in child support cases, how do you get a fair shake, I had wage garnishment so I paid support of 200 per week and brought home 150 per week, I could not live on that I was lucky I found a girlfriend god bless her soul, and way I get laid off and go directly to ythe child support office for a modification to prevent from falling past due, months and months go by, I am denied, and I am past due, I get a job a month and a half later paying me 6 dollars less and working 20 hours less per week , In the meantime searching for full time work , I did this from feb to oct my bring home was 200 every two weeks as they took the other 200 every two weeks, I still fell past due, Now it's oct my lady gets a job in SC so we move I file for a telephonic mod months and months go by I am searching for work here, I am still falling past due 7000 dollars plus the outlandish fee's 400 plus per month in fee's thats why the amount jumped so high, andway they call for the hearing and The lady judge says she will not put down the amount and says I have to come to mass for a trial and if I do not show they will drop the case, I tell her my license is no good so I can't drive and where am I gonna get money for a flight besides the fact that if I get a job I wouldn't want to take off within my probationary period, besides the fact that I have bills to pay including support so 300 to 600 on a ticket is not a reasonable request, I don't get tax credit's or free money from the government even though the money being paid in support is my money, money I have worked to make to pay support, I called everyone to report this and noone could tell me who the judge has to answer to as if they everything with no regard for what they do, I am treated worse than real criminals, and I have a good history of paying to a baby mother who goes out and has more kids with someone else, she gets to sit back enjoy the kids and collect free tax payments and child support, nice life huh, and they wounder why men have shorter life spans than do woman, today is a different day than way back woman are making more money and can get jobs, why are we trying to put more free tax dollars in their pocket, what about ment, and why can't the tax thing be shared, alternate she get's it one year I get it the next, I can use the money to seeing that I am paying so much in support each month and cant pay my bills, my credit is ruined, I couldn't take trips if I wanted to that require passports because I owe support I mean it's ridiculous what more do they want from a father thats going through a hard time, they put us in jail, they cancel our licenses, what are we supposed to do? now you all now you can't rent in mass for 800 per month if that was all I was making before I lost my job and went to making 400 per month less the child support how was I living, then you have these knucklehead woman out there who think this is ok and that the system is not doing enough, there aren't a lot of millionsares out there I think they assume all baby dads have millions they are hiding from them. Well thats my story in a nut shell and I hope someone can do something to help me, I definitely don't want to be looking at jail time over something out of my control, I mean I am actively looking for work but I also don't want to take a burger king job if it means me not having much money after they take there money, even though I will do it if I have to, but the judge was completely out of line and should be disbarred for being a shovanist and trying to flex her muscle because she is a judge she is not better than you or I, and she as well as all people must show respect to be respected. rmccellon@yahoo.com

I lived in Massachusetts for six years and left five years ago. To this day, when I think of the majority of people I encountered there, I get a knot in my stomach. I went to several ridiculous 'parties' where people didn't even make eye contact, let alone have a conversation. SO RUDE, dull and cretin-like!! I've lived in many places, and even New York, which gets a bad rap for rudeness, is tenfold better than Boston. If you are not from the Northeast and are thinking of moving here, I forewarn you....don't do it, you'll be miserable!

Massachusetts is the rough equivalent of finding a turd in the middle of your carpet... you don't want it and admiring it's dryness doesn't change that it is, in fact, a turd.
I have lived in this place for my entire life (more than 30 years) and I can't think of one good thing about it. The majority of the people I meet are rude, dull, thoughtless and without redemption. I can safely say that they are soo vile that they would not serve as decent fertilizer.
The cost of living is unreasonable, as is the rate of taxation and the required insurances. The average, working man (see:GUYS WHO BUILT THIS FUCKING COUNTRY!!!) can't afford to live in this place. To make matters worse, the state has forcefully bent the working man over, so that the insurance company can get both hands up his ass.
To be completely blunt, this state deserves to lose every clever, able bodied soul in it. Leave the boorish sox fans, the yuppy cretins and the other swine that litter this tainted soil to rot. Let's go to a REAL state, where the government doesn't put their foot on our necks. Perhaps, a place where human dignity matters would be nice.

This has been my adopted state for about 18 months now. If my family lived near the state, I would be perfectly content never living anywhere else, as long as I got the occasional vacation. In general, Boston is a good place to live and work, and I don't understand all the complaints about driving or T: if you think they're so bad, try New York for the driving or Philly for the public transportation.

Boston has some great attractions, especially of the historical variety, such as museums and theaters, and a number of getaway spots are within close range. Even the major reason the state sometimes stinks is just the flipside of its appeal: the history of the place. The history is great if you're going to a bar, where you'll observe a scene you can't find in other cities; it's not so great if you're talking about politics, where power is entrenched in ways difficult for a West Coaster like me to understand. If as an outsider you point to some dissatisfaction or suggest an idea for change, you'll hear the refrain, "You don't know the history" or "You're not from around here, are you" or just "F^$k off!" The defensive provincialism around here, often based in social class or ethnicity, can be annoying to the outsider like me, since the people I tend to like in a given place are often not from there. New York City or San Francisco are light-years ahead of Boston in cosmopolitanism. But if you can just ignore the stubborn hometown pride or the drunk sports fanatics, you'll meet some of the most intelligent and interesting people you can find anywhere. Definitely among the best states in the U.S.

Ive lived in MA for four years and they were the most stressful four years of my life. Not only does this state have some of the rudest drivers I have ever encountered, but the road system probably hasnt changed here since 1923. Ive never seen so many one way streets squished together in one location and roads that look like a fucking war zone. As for the people what a weird fucking mixture drunkass college kids, Newton yuppies, segregated Dorchester and Roxbury, old hippies, a few republicans, and a bunch of obnoxious baseball fans. I used to like baseball until I moved here. And dont get me started on the mother fuckin T. Fuck the T. What a moronic version of public transport. The fucking T is more dangerous than the driving here. Again with the primitive road system.

And dont get me started on Romneys health care reform law. What a load of shit that is. Fucking required health insurance with a lovely little tax penality if you dont comply and pay up. Another fine example of government parenting telling you whats best for you. I dont support people running up a hospital bill and refusing to pay up, but I certainly think that penalty for being poor is bull shit. We have car insurance, rent, student loands, and other shit to pay for. We work 9 to 5 and some of us arent given the heatlth, dental, and 401K like you rich yuppie Massholes in your BMWs. And no, Im not jealous of you at all. In fact, Im quite content with my life and I am ecstatic to leave this dump of a state.

Tell that puking student on the street, that dickface slumlord landlord, the arrogant well to do, and that smug neo- hippy theyre a bunch of fucking cliche assholes.

I will not miss this piece of shit. Jobs here are a joke too. And yes, Im doing you all a favor by leaving so dont complain about this post. be happy that Im out of your shit state and being successful in another without people who really fucking suck. See how miserable this state has made me.

FUCK MASSACHUSETTS.

I just left that hell-hole pile of shit three months ago for California; I'll never look back.

If you want to get ripped off and get screwed by the government on a daily basis, wow is this your place. The comments below are right on target, at least the negative ones.

There's a really good reason everyone in that state is miserable--IT SUCKS.

Pretty overrated. Cape Cod wasn't that great. The Patriots SUCK.

I agree with all those posting negative comments. Massachusetts really has no more redeeming qualities. The entire area that is Worcester and all points east is the asshole nexus of the universe. The government is beyond corrupt, the cost of living is unbelieveably high, and there's far too many arrogant elitists. The climate is not exactly ideal, but it's the least of the state's shortcomings in my mind. The average eastern/central MA town is in no way picturesque. Those who say they are have obviously never left MA or RI. Cape Cod is the most over-rated tourist attraction from Maine to Florida. It's full of strip malls, condos, and cookie-cutter housing developments for the wealthy. Western MA is beautiful, but it seems to now be the playground of rude, yuppie vacationers from eastern MA and NY. California may have a higher cost of living and similar politics, but it offers a lot more than this small, decrepid state. It's unfortunate because it really was the heart and soul of freedom during the early stages of this country. Now we have Deval. My advice: leave and don't look back.

Wow, is Mass getting a bum rap here. Too much politics infecting everybody's brain. The Cape is one of the most beautiful spits of land in the country, and Boston is one of the world's great cities. Not to mention some of the greatest sporting tradition as well. There's a decent tech scene, and a bunch of world class universities (Harvard, MIT, Williams, Amherst, Tufts, etc.).

You guys should try laying off the politics for a little while - you're sounding pretty whiny and bitter. And if it's really that bad, quit whining and move to Mississippi or Kansas where the politics might suit you better.

Born here, raised here, hopefully, won't die here.

Update: Not so fast Kimosabe! The proposal still has to pass the legislature and the racing tracks are pushing hard for sluts, oops slots. Now granted, the only possible way that the proposal won't pass is if the esteemed convicts, oops congress, can't secure a bribe, oops guarantee, that the monies stolen, oops generated, from the gambling degenerates, oops casual betters, will be abused, oops used, to help the rich pols build their second, third and fourth homes, oops common folk and rebuild the infrastructure. Thank you for your greed, oops support, in this matter...

Great news Mass is getting casinos! Our Liberal Governor tells us we will get the property tax we deserve....um...ya...and I have some ocean front proprty in Iowa for sale..

Avoid this state - or leave like so many are already doing.

Expensive, overtaxed, rude people...Avoid...

Expensive, overtaxed, rude people...Avoid...

Id rather live in Cuba...

Stay away from this crap hole:

Massachusetts Auto Insurance (Not So) Fun Facts
Massachusetts has the highest accident rate in the nation!

Massachusetts has the fourth highest auto insurance rate in the nation!

Unlike other states in the country, Independent Insurance Agencies write 80% of the private passenger auto insurance in the state!

The top three insurance companies in Massachusetts write 50% of the market. The top ten companies write 90% of the market!

The roads are sure a mess here....

Mass is a Liberal dump. People are leaving as are jobs. Run - dont walk away.

So much for property tax relief as we just found out our far left Governor Devalue Patrick will not keep his promise to lower our sky high proprty taxes. This state sucks. My property taxes went up $500 already.

I cannot wait to leave...

We should take all the illegals and put them in the "sanctuary" welfare state of Massachusetts. Then again with so many people fleeing Massachusetts thats whats happening anyway.

You can complain all you want about this state losing educated professionals in huge numbers but keep in mind they are being replaced by immigrants - mostly uneducated according to Census and Tax data. WE at least have diversity ! Who needs educated workers!!If companies want to leave let them! Who needs Fidelity and Staples here !!!

FYI Massachusetts is #4 in car insurance rates - not #1.Still pretty bad however. Avoid this state.

If you are thinking of coming here dont. Our newly elected Comisar err.. Governor has already gone BACK on his promise to help lower our property taxes which are some of the highest of all 50 states. Not only that but according to an article in this mornings Boston Globe despite higher than expected revenues he is STILL looking to RAISE our taxes and spend, spend, spend, on more social programs.
I offer this advice- if you live here do what 286,000 others have done. If you are even THINKING of coming here have your head examined. The smart folks go to college here and then leave.

Massachusetts:where the weather is as cold,unpleasant and turbulent as the people.
As if some of hte highest car insurance wasn't bad enough, the hired cunts in Boston sold our asses to the health insurance industry by requiring us to have it.
This hypocritical whore's nest puts up all the pretense of progressive thought, yankee wisdom and character. They do so and then let business run rough shot all over us, as they trip over themselves to legitimize the victimization of the poplulace with laws. All in all, that makes a place that one can barely get a job, where they can't afford to live far less pleasant to exist in.
The only right way to experience massachusetts is through a fucking view master. Don't come here, don't live here. There are good colleges, better jobs and far better people almost anywhere else. I intend to leave here as soon as I can keep some of my money from the marrow sucking whores that run this dump.

How ironic freedom began here in Mass with a TAX PROTEST and we now have some of the highest taxes and cost of living of all 50 states!

Deval Patrick is a moron. People and companies are fleeing South and he wants to RAISE taxes! My property tax has gone up 3 times in 3 years! Folks - this state sucks with a capital S. As the other folks have pointed out there are basically two kinds of people in Mass - those who are leaving and those who are planning to leave. The FACTS ( Census data) backs this up. Avoid this state! Cuba is not as far left!!

Here is a great page to research why Mass is an overpriced dungheap: hubpolitics.com

You can read about all the goings on of a one party state where Liberal Democrats control the House, Senate, and Governors office. Iif anyone tries to tell you how "wonderful" Mass is ask them why are so many leaving. That usually shuts them up!!

NH is great! I would NEVER move back to Mass!!!

I was just in New England for a 2 week vacation. I visited Boston ( and other parts of Massachusetts) for 4 days. Here are my observations and thoughts:

* Boston is a very interesting city to visit with so many sites to see within easy walking distance.
* DONT drive - take their mass transit as parking is hard to come by and expensive
* The drivers are the rudest and nastiest I have ever seen - period
* The people are overall rude. From the people in the toll booths, waitresses, and even people on the street seem angry about something - not sure what?
* The city was dirty

It seems a good place to visit. I have NO idea how people can live there with the taxes, high costs, and the nutty politicians they have there.

Stop the whining everyone! If you overlook the high property taxes, excise taxes, tolls, %5 sales tax, %5.35 income tax, high utility costs, high rents, outrageous housing costs, high car insurance, rude people, and far left poltics Massachusetts is a GREAT place to live! So please stop with the state bashing!

Why does Mass suck so bad? Two words:

Ted Kennedy

yet ANOTHER reason to avoid this far left hell-hole..

State set to hike water, sewer rates
Outcome of talks on budget will determine figure
By Raja Mishra, Globe Staff | June 28, 2007

State officials are poised to increase Boston-area water and sewer rates by 4.4 percent to 5.9 percent.

The state also controls auto insurance which results in the highest cost of all 50 states. Geico wont even bother to come to this Socialist dump!

Massachusetts can be a very difficult place to live but is a great place to call home and I love it.

Good. Then YOU can stay as others flee along with jobs! What a joke! Oh and in 2010 when you lose at minimum one Congressman ( maybe two), electoral votes, and federal finds thanks to the census showing a huge loss we will be laughing at you rude Massholes even more!!

This list has become a pathetic group of whiners. There's more to life than bitching about politics. There is something to pick at with every state, Florida, Texas, & Arizona have a much higher crime rate. New York & California have higher taxes. But really... who cares? I enjoy living here and I like the people too, honest and genuine. So go cry a river somewhere else.



Original reviw:
Massachusetts is an awesome state. No other state can hold a candle to it's richness in history. It's towns and cities are very scenic with great archetecture and nice homes with decent sized yards unlike the rancid cookie cutter development found in other parts of the country.

Cape Anne is beautiful with it's rocky shores, lighthouses, and fishing village character. Cape Cod really does have some of the worlds nicest beaches and much of it is unspoiled with Cape Cod National Seashore. The North Shore of Boston is great with charming towns like Newburyport, Ipswich, and Salem with a number of houses dating back to the 1600's, beautiful green marshland, and wonderful sandy beaches.

Masschusetts has a lot quintesential New England character in all the little towns with the old houses and town commons. The food selection in Mass is wonderful with great seafood, Italian restaurants, Irish Pubs and a lot of Mom and Pop joints with less chain restaurants than most states.

Western Mass is very pretty with rolling green hills and college towns like Northampton that resemble Vermont. Then there are the world famous islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Both have outstanding beaches, quaint little villages and a character not found anywhere else.

Boston is one of America's great cities with loads of history, world class universities like Harvard and MIT, grand architecture with lots of brick and a very European feel. Boston is reeking with atmosphere.


Unfortunately the cost of living in Mass is astronomical on so many levels. Real Estate, healthcare, insurance ranks among the highest in the country. Politics here are beyond corrupt with monumental amounts of wasted tax dollars on projects like the Big Dig. As a result the tolls collected on the roads approaching Boston are very high, on par with New York. Taxes and tolls are high here which is unjustified as the roads throughout the state are in horrible condition. Yes it is true the people in Mass are not very polite or friendly but if you break the ice with them and get a conversation going you'll find these people are very genuine and passionate. Massachusetts can be a very difficult place to live but is a great place to call home and I love it.

Here is the article about how desperate the Liberals are here about losing population - and clout. Its GOOD news that they will lose a rep, electoral votes, and funding. This state is a cesspool - period.

BOSTON The state's ability to count immigrants even those living here illegally will be crucial if Massachusetts hopes to avoid losing another congressional seat after the 2010 U.S. Census.
BOSTON The state's ability to count immigrants even those living here illegally will be crucial if Massachusetts hopes to avoid losing another congressional seat after the 2010 U.S. Census.
State and federal officials are already gearing up for the next census three years from now, hoping to upstage population trends that suggest Massachusetts might lose one of its 10 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives because of its slow growing population.

With the loss of that seat, the state could lose millions in federal funding appropriated to congressional districts.

"This is about counting each and every resident of the commonwealth, period. Our livelihood on so many levels depends on immigrants, and the 2010 Census is going to make that incredibly clear," said Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.

Illegal immigration and efforts to crack down on it have been hot-button issues in Massachusetts recently, particularly during the gubernatorial campaigns.

But Secretary of State William Galvin's office said the goal of the census is simply to count every individual living in Massachusetts.

"We make every effort to get the word out to people and to groups of immigrants what the census is and answer their concerns as to what the census is not," said Galvin's spokesman Brian McNiff.