Question to those who know MA well.

[NMMNG]

We've been toying with the idea of moving to MA at some point in the future. I was hoping to get some ideas of LGBT-friendly areas that are suburban or rural and affordable. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. :hi:

[virgogal]

1. Newton----fairly pricey though but adjacent to Boston.

Northampton and Amherst in the western part of the state.

[kenny blankenship]

2. Keep going- you'll be so close to Canada, it makes no sense to stop.

Your rights and lives will never be safe here.

[gaspee]

3. RI Mass border

Is more affordable than metro Boston and you can work in either Prov or Boston - good train line - Seekonk, Attleboro, even over toward the Cape side is nice.

[Mopar151]

4. Warning - personal prejudice ahead

I can't speak to LBGT issues directly - but I have family and friends there, and I keep my eyes open. I would avoid urban centers - you may find small areas of gentility, but most urban/sprawlish areas ain't people friendly, in general. Driving/traffic is pretty bad - Eastern MA /RI drivers are among the worst in the country, and trying to figure out who fixes anything in Metro Boston is byzantine at best.
FWIW, I don't seem to get on well with most of northeastern MA - Lawrence is the automotive fraud capital of the world, and there seems to be an overrepresentation of loudmouth buttheads in the tonier north shore suburbs.
Having spewed forth my ignorance - About anything north & west of Worcester is pretty nice - some of it is world-class beautiful, and like NJ, farm country is a major saving grace.

[gaspee]

5. They don't call 'em Massholes for nuthin!

LOL - the Southern New England people only seem like assholes to people who aren't used to them. I admit, we can be a little harsh and kind of cold - I learned that when I lived in California for 10 years after being born and raised in RI.

The best thing about the people around here is that the mind their own business - and the people are actually nice, once you get to know them. BUt if you don't know them - watch out!

It's kind of hard to explain if you aren't from here.

[Mopar151]

6. I get along fine with folks in your neck of the woods.

Got lots of friends outside Fall River, got some family in Bellingham and some distant in RI. Now, my sister-in-laws old boyfriend from Quincy - HE was a Masshole! Good Gawd, what a maroon.....

[Mopar151]

7. About your point on "dour Yankees"

As one local sage put it "They don't smile just to dry their teeth!" And there is a unique dry & ironic sense of humor that takes a while to get.. One of the better descriptions came from a TNN host televising the first races on the new track at Loudon - "We were nervous about coming up north - everybody was talking about "Cranky Yankees". And your hospitality is different from down south, it's a little quieter and more reserved - But Y'all are right neighborly!"