Been in Massachusetts my whole life. Specifically Boston area. As such, I have a very Boston-centric perspective.
I grew up surrounded by Tufts University, Harvard University, and MIT. I rode my bike through all of them regularly. Even though my folks didn’t graduate college, I was always aware of the trappings of university life and how education permeated the surrounding areas. So many businesses and homes dependent on the existence of these institutions. And they’re just the tip of the iceberg in this area. Oodles of great places of education.
I would say that we are a diverse, mostly progressive State, but groups of similar people often stay to themselves. We also often have a (moderate) Republican Governor, for balance (I suppose).
I always thought the food was fabulous with amazing offerings in all areas except probably Mexican food.
Geographically, we’re a short trip to beaches, mountains, and rural areas. Boston is a big city, but very walkable and less congested than say, New York.
I love our collection of Museums and have been going to many of them since I was a kid.
The other side of life here is more street based. A lot of wise guys and thugs where I grew up. My grandfather was a bookie whose flower shop was a gambling front. He got wrapped up in the mob and things didn’t go well. Lots of alcohol and drugs floating about and in the 70s and 80s, the combat zone was a real and scary neighborhood. Not to mention Roxbury, Mission Hill, and more.
Also, as progressive as the State can be, it relied heavily on segregation and lots of institutional racism. The Italians stay in the North End, the Irish in Southie, the Asians in Chinatown, and the Blacks in Roxbury. Know your place and we’ll all get along. I think it’s better now, more integrated. Our new mayor is an Asian woman, so that’s great.
I think it’s a fabulous State with lots of great opportunities and resources but you pay for them, as it’s stupid expensive to live here.
