DU Massholes: What is Milford or Franklin like? How far from Boston?

[Taverner]

I am considering a job that would relocate me to Milford or Franklin.

I have never heard of these towns up until now - whats it like there?

Cool towns? Near Boston? How about rent? Expensive or no?

[Taverner]

1. No one here knows these places?

:kick:

[KamaAina]

2. Would you settle for an ex-Conn.?

just made that one up :-)

Both towns are, as a Masshole would say, "out by 495", that is, at the fringe of the Boston area. That puts them about 30 miles (straight line) outside "the Hub". There is a commuter rail line running from Franklin into Boston, including weekends, which will be well worth remembering the first time you try to park, or drive for that matter, in Boston.

Almost anyplace in Mass. is basically Blue, which doesn't explain four repuke governors in a row :eyes:

Coolness would be found closer in to Boston (almost anywhere there's a college), but so would higher rents. (Aren't you in the Bay Area? I'd think rents anyplace else except Manhatan would seem reasonable.)

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Blue-Jay]

4. !

:popcorn:

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. wanna wash the...

:popcorn: down with some :beer:?

[Taverner]

5. Boston was the only city that protested integration in schools in the 70s

Even the South had calmed down by then.

Something to keep in mind. Some of the Irish in South Boston can be some of the most racist people in the world.

[Katina]

6. it's not just them

it struck me that every social/ethnic group was that way from the beacon hill to the southies.

[Xithras]

8. Must not pollute the Irish gene pool!

My full Irish grandfather (from Maine) didn't speak to my full Irish mother for YEARS because she married my half-Scot/half-German father. It wasn't until I was about four that he finally saw me and relented...he always said that the "Irish genes won" because I could walk any street in Ireland and pass as a local (until I opened my mouth anyway). He never did get along with my dad though.

[bicentennial_baby]

7. well thank you

very kind of you to cast such aspersions on our fair state... :eyes:

[Katina]

10. hey, he asked a question

I gave my opinion...isn't that what this is all about?

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bicentennial_baby]

12. he shoots....

he scores!! :bounce:

[Gormy Cuss]

13. And you know this how, in addition to one game at Fenway?

Ever live there? Ever been away from the neighborhoods overrun by drunken college kids?
Just trying to gauge how informed your opinion is.

[Katina]

14. I have a siblings there

so I've been to Boston & the surrounding "burbs" quite often over the past 30 years. In addition, I also went to Boston (Prudential center on Boylston) on business for years .
look, I'm not trying to start trouble. the guy asked for opinions on Boston and suburban Boston, I gave mine. WTF is the problem? I don't care for Boston or MA. Big fricking deal.

[Gormy Cuss]

15. You gave a harsh opinion with no back up. I asked you questions about that

That's WTF is the problem. You're new here. Dropping stink bombs without back up is going to get replies.

[Katina]

16. ok

I guess I should have given my whole resume first to total strangers before I'm allowed to comment? :argh:
I've been reading this board for weeks. It looked inviting but I've seen some pretty harsh things said and no one gets all out of joint over it. Are you all this welcoming to "newbies" here?

[Taverner]

17. Some people do get upset when regions are insulted

For some reason.

I know your intentions were good - and I thank you for your advice :)

I've started a few shitstorms myself when I make a passing comment about the South or Texas. Having said that, I still think the Cowboys, the Rangers, the Astros and the Longhorns suck :P

But yeah, stay away from regional comments and you'll be fine

Feel free to insult their Republican governor - or ours for that matter.

ON EDIT: Almost forgot - Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Gormy Cuss]

18. Welcome to DU.

You can have a negative opinion -- you must express it within the bounds of the site rules. And yes, especially when you're new, you need to explain yourself when you make a broad statement in favor or against something.

[Katina]

19. will do

but I honestly didn't think what I said was so awful or broke any rules...I also can't believe it was deleted...but it's your playground.

[freethought]

20. I'll give you my two cents, given that I grew up in that area

Milford or Franklin eh! I grew up in Medway, MA. Medway shares a border with Milford and Franklin.
Just let me say this, I haven't lived in MA for about four years. I have been living in Maine since 2002.
Proximity to Boston is about 1 1/2 hours drive time, perhaps longer depending on traffic. I would probably say longer given that both towns have undergone housing booms in recent years and I am sure traffic congestion has not improved. Franklin has, or had--since I haven't been there in a while--a train station that provided rail transport into Boston. I would doubt they closed it but one never knows. Both Milford and Franklin are on I-495. I-495 North will take you to Maine or New Hampshire. Go south and 495 is straight shot to Cape Cod with beaches, ocean, and related stuff. I also think that the Tweeter Center, an outdoor musical complex is not far of off 495. I liked it better when it was called "Great Woods". Jimmy Buffet usually does 1 or 2 shows there every year.

Are they cool? Well, I would just say that they both places where people live and are fairly decent. Both have the various amenities that life requires. Franklin is home to Dean College, a small liberal arts school. I have been through both towns in the last two years and both seemed to have undergone a pretty considerable amount of gentrification. What used to be the "wrong side of the tracks" in both towns has undergone some improvement.

Rent wise you would likely look at something cheaper that you would pay in Boston, but don't expect that much cheaper. You're talking about the Northeast and the greater Boston area among the highest cost of living in the country so keep your expectations realistic. I have two sisters that live in the Boston area. One lives in Waltham, MA and the other in Framingham, MA. Both pay over $1000.00/month rent. You might be able to find something cheaper but it could be small or in a rough area.

Hope that answers some of your questions.