Boston.com readers are largely completely satisfied, aside from the sad ones

Readers Say

“Some individuals are not completely satisfied until everybody else is as depressing as they’re.”

So it seems that, no less than in keeping with Boston.com readers, the current WalletHub survey obtained it proper: Individuals listed below are fairly completely satisfied. However the people who find themselves sad … Boy, have they got causes.

“My property taxes elevated 63% this yr, growing my month-to-month mortgage fee by $1,200/month; site visitors is worse than ever; the price of dwelling is the best it has been in my lifetime right here; my complete neighborhood smells like weed, and rats run round within the daytime now,” lamented Invoice from Brighton, who rated himself as “pretty sad.” “I plan on renting my residence and transferring to New Hampshire.” 

That mentioned, Invoice is within the minority: A full 54% of respondents mentioned they had been completely satisfied right here, with 13% classifying themselves within the “over the moon” class. Nevertheless it appears becoming that many of the completely satisfied individuals rated themselves as simply “fairly completely satisfied,” which looks like a really Massachusetts factor to think about your self. (We are inclined to mistrust people who find themselves too optimistic about something.)

Jack M. from Lynn summed up the professionals: “Entry to high faculties and hospitals, seashores, mountains, small cities, and even farmland. Boston presents all the facilities present in a significant metropolis: nice eating places and nightlife, quite a lot of museums, and a thriving leisure scene that features quite a few music venues and championship sports activities franchises. You actually can’t ask for way more, apart from higher climate.”

However housing prices are maintaining individuals right here from reaching final happiness, it appears. “I really like the tutorial system afforded to my youngsters dwelling in Mass, the healthcare is superb clearly, however the price of dwelling is OUT OF CONTROL,” wrote Anto from Natick, apparently echoing the ideas of many. “Residence possession is more and more unaffordable on this state and rents are ridiculous!” 

As for the 26% who categorized themselves as “pretty sad” or “depressing,” they’re undoubtedly half-glass-empty varieties. “The ridiculous taxes, horrible street circumstances, grey, darkish winters for months, wet springs, too many liberals, horrible site visitors worsened by masshole drivers equals a lot of causes to go away, which is what I’m within the technique of doing!” wrote one reader who solely recognized themselves as “BYE” from “Liberalville.”

However usually, readers’ emotions in regards to the joys of dwelling in Massachusetts could have been finest summed up by MaryAnn from Haverhill. “I really like that we’re a primarily blue state that appears out for individuals. No, Massachusetts isn’t excellent. Nevertheless it’s fairly darn nice,” she wrote. 

“What I’ve seen is that the individuals who complain about Massachusetts are typically depressing individuals and can at all times handle to seek out one thing to complain about,” MaryAnn continued. “I’ve found life is simpler and happier whenever you give attention to gratitude for what you’ve gotten, moderately than specializing in what you don’t have. Not everybody has figured that out.”

Beneath, some highlights from Boston.com readers in every of the happiness classes. 

Responses have been edited for size and readability. 

Over the moon:

“I grew up in Cambridge, Mass. That is my residence and I’m so completely satisfied to be a Bostonian. I’m proud to have that Bostonian accent. No one will hold me away from Massachusetts.” — Kathy, Cambridge

“Boston is a phenomenal metropolis! It’s so clear and effectively manicured. Walks within the public backyard at all times raise my spirits. All the pieces I would like is inside strolling distance. I really feel secure right here. Each season is gorgeous. Persons are pleasant. Outdated-world allure. There are not any downsides! Very livable, walkable, vibrant. Younger individuals are at all times round because of the excessive variety of universities. Don’t wish to stay anyplace else!” — Christi, Again Bay

“Massachusetts is tops in most issues, which makes me completely satisfied. And I’m made even happier that I don’t stay in one of many crimson [states] on the map.” — Peter, Cape Cod

Moderately completely satisfied:

“Healthcare, schooling, stable social security internet. If we might do away with the NIMBYs killing inexpensive housing — or any housing — development I’d be over the moon!” — “Roadrunner,” “Noth Shoa“

“Love dwelling right here and close to the ocean (North Shore) and entry to southern Maine and New Hampshire. Though, simple to say in early September. When requested in February and March and it’s darkish at 4 p.m. I’m much less completely satisfied.” — Alice, Newburyport

“The price of dwelling is trigger for a dip in happiness; nevertheless, that’s balanced by all the different elements current within the state.” — Jack M., Lynn

“Massachusetts is nice as a result of it’s comparatively secure (not due to our flesh pressers, however due to regional affluence and the dominance of universities), the ocean and the mountains of New England aren’t far-off, the summers aren’t terribly sizzling like in different components of the nation, the winters are benign (IMO), and it’s attainable, relying on the place you reside, to operate with no automobile and be capable to stroll locations. I rated the Bay State a 4 on the dimensions, presently, as a result of the native job market could be very robust.” — Chris, Newton Nook

As completely satisfied as the subsequent particular person:

“I miss the slower tempo, lakes, and mountains of upstate New York. Plus rather a lot much less site visitors, particularly on Fridays, for the reason that total state of Mass. appears to wish to exit the state then.” — AW

“Climate is sweet half the yr; the pay is healthier than many locations, however it’s costly to stay right here; individuals are typically educated however there’s a good combine. So it’s a real midway rating.” — Doc, Stoughton

“Some individuals are not completely satisfied until everybody else is as depressing as they’re.” — Debbie D., Boston

Pretty sad:

“Roadways are terrible and as an alternative of creating journey simpler, individuals in cost are making it extra congested on the roads by eliminating journey lanes. As well as, traditions are being eliminated via elimination of cultural occasions, mascots are being redone, and the [state] flag is being changed to seem like each different flag on the earth. New England cities are being transformed to seem like each different city in America. It’s as if somebody has systematically got down to destroy every part that was nice in Massachusetts.” — Nameless

“I’m a single, childless particular person dwelling in a reasonably prosperous small city (the place I grew up) and being pushed out by households voting to continually improve property taxes for an already bloated public college system so their youngsters can get ‘the most effective’ schooling. These are the identical individuals who continually cry for honest schooling for all, however their children should at all times have higher than everybody else … What they don’t understand is, the extra they drive out seniors and childless adults, the extra they damage themselves … Until you’ve gotten youngsters, it doesn’t make any monetary sense to stay on this state.” — Erica F., Dunstable

“Horrible climate 10 months a yr, overpriced, overhyped, a whole lot of self-entitled individuals. Dangerous roads, overspending cash on pointless initiatives.” — Nameless

“I lived in Europe for 15 years. I miss Europe. I’m lucky sufficient to go to Europe each winter; nevertheless, my alternative could be to stay in Portugal or Italy without end. Europe is way more relaxed and civilized. Our politics has ruined our nation. Our healthcare system is even politicized. Our state politics is beginning to be taken over by our federal authorities. I’m not snug with that. Massachusetts won’t ever be the identical. Or every other state for that matter.” — Virginia M., Nantucket

“Getting taxed to demise from the second I get up within the morning doesn’t actually give me the nice and cozy fuzzies.” — Nameless

Depressing:

“Excessive taxes, excessive charges, excessive housing prices. A state the place political felons get a month and a day for kickbacks. The place site visitors takes what number of years off our lives? Hmmm … Take me away, Calgon.” — Rita, Boston

“Excessive taxes, impolite individuals since COVID. Entitled non-tax-paying individuals.” — Nameless, Stow

“The Metropolis of Boston has gone means downhill within the 15 years I’ve lived right here. The state is general too costly, taxes too excessive, too congested, the infrastructure is crumbling, horrible climate. Sadly I’ve to be right here for household causes however I can’t wait to maneuver out of state.” — Sophia, Boston

“Blue states suck. The record is bogus.” — Nameless

Boston.com sometimes interacts with readers by conducting casual polls and surveys. These outcomes needs to be learn as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.

Peter Chianca

Common Task Editor

Peter Chianca, Boston.com’s common project editor since 2019, is a longtime information editor, columnist, and music author within the Higher Boston space.