I was born and raised here, but have lived in the South for a few years off and on, so I have to COMPLETELY agree that cost of living is horrible. As far as the people go and all that, I think it pretty much comes down to this: You have to either be rich or dirt poor to live here. Period. If you're white collar, you can afford to live here comfortably and really appreciate the state for what it is when it comes to the history, beaches, culture, etc. If you're poor and living off welfare and just popping out kids then you can milk the state for all it's worth, pay crap for rent due to Section 8, and get everything handed to you (don't understand why anyone wants to live like that but there is a lot of it here). I think that pretty much sums up why the majority of the people come acrooss as rude. It's not that we're arrogant or think we're better than anyone else. The majority of us are working class individuals who have to STRUGGLE to make rent, pay the taxes, etc. We love it here, because it's home, and no matter how bad a place may seem or become it will always be home, but in the process of trying to make ends meet, dealing with horrible winters, etc. many of us become jaded and bitter. It's who we are! And I have to point out I've lived down South for a while also, love it and plan on moving back for a better quality of life, but it's just different culture. Here you may have introverted "Massholes" but down south you have crazy bible thumping super-christians who are quick to push their opinions down your throat, narrow minded hicks and straight up racists. I've experienced it all. No matter where you are, there are always pros and cons. If you're worried about living a middle class life here, then don't come here because it will make you miserable. With that said however, there really is something special about this state when it comes to the history and just overall feel of it, and something that I believe is truly only unique to southern New England. By the way, America doesn't run on Dunkin, Massachusetts does. That's why the drivers here are crazy...we drink way too much coffee and hate the commute to work.