Can someone tell me a little about the two areas in terms of 1) weather, 2) demographics and 3) economy? I was wondering if this could be a good move for a single guy with a career.
Holyoke, MA compared to Ames, IA
- Thread starter clonomaniac
- Start date
Just did a quick search...no idea if this helps:
http://www.moving.com/real-estate/compare-cities/results.asp?Zip1=50010&Zip2=01040
http://www.moving.com/real-estate/compare-cities/results.asp?Zip1=50010&Zip2=01040
http://www.holyoke.org/
I know this is grammatically correct given that they are talking about an organization, but I pulled this headline off their website and chuckled a bit:
[h=3]Holyoke Public Schools is Hiring![/h]
I know this is grammatically correct given that they are talking about an organization, but I pulled this headline off their website and chuckled a bit:
[h=3]Holyoke Public Schools is Hiring![/h]
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
My experience has been the exact opposite. Perhaps depends on what part of MA you are in?
I have spent some time there and it's a city that reminds me of Detroit. During the industrial revolution(a lot of paper mills) the city was booming and now it's miles and miles of abandon buildings. Crime is sky high(lack of jobs and gang problem), they empty out a canal often to recover bodies. Below is a picture of the canal and rows of abandon buildings. Do a google street view of Main St and Canal St, that will give you a good indication of what the town looks like. You can't compare Holyoke and Ames, not possible.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
The Boston-Worcester corridor for me. It might have been just the right time, too.
If you don't mind me asking, what job field is taking you out there? If you do go, live in Springfield or Hartford, CT and commute to Holyoke.
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Agree. Lived in western Ma for a few yrs. Unless something has dramatically changed in the past few yrs, there is no comparison. I would be looking to get out of there pronto, if I was a resident. That opinion goes for the state of Ma in total though.
I have spent some time there and it's a city that reminds me of Detroit. During the industrial revolution(a lot of paper mills) the city was booming and now it's miles and miles of abandon buildings. Crime is sky high(lack of jobs and gang problem), they empty out a canal often to recover bodies. Below is a picture of the canal and rows of abandon buildings. Do a google street view of Main St and Canal St, that will give you a good indication of what the town looks like. You can't compare Holyoke and Ames, not possible.
If you are 24 or younger, Ames probably isn't too bad. If you are older, I suggest staying in St Louis.
I lived in Granby, MA (one town north) for 18mo out of school.
If you don't have to most to Western Mass, don't. Period.
(1.) The weather is alright. Nothing really to report about it at all. More-or-less like the Midwest just not nearly as extreme at the ends (not as warm in the summer, not as cool in the winter, but the snow is heavier and wetter). The Connecticut and surrounding mountains and hills are neat and all, but, yeah, nothing particularly alluring there.
(2.) The economy is practically third-world. Lots of abandoned buildings, run-down houses, pretty active drug trade, etc. Way more unemployment and listlessness than Iowa. Springfield is one of the most run-down and unattractive "major" cities in the United States. Get the heck out if you can. This place still hasn't hit the bottom.
(3.) The people aren't the best, either. Bay Staters will honk at you and flip you off *for letting somebody in* in traffic, rather than the opposite. I had a good job that launched me well, so it was worth it but, yeah, in every measurement of quality of life and opportunity, Des Moines/Ames/Omaha/Lincoln/KC slaughters this place.
If you don't have to most to Western Mass, don't. Period.
(1.) The weather is alright. Nothing really to report about it at all. More-or-less like the Midwest just not nearly as extreme at the ends (not as warm in the summer, not as cool in the winter, but the snow is heavier and wetter). The Connecticut and surrounding mountains and hills are neat and all, but, yeah, nothing particularly alluring there.
(2.) The economy is practically third-world. Lots of abandoned buildings, run-down houses, pretty active drug trade, etc. Way more unemployment and listlessness than Iowa. Springfield is one of the most run-down and unattractive "major" cities in the United States. Get the heck out if you can. This place still hasn't hit the bottom.
(3.) The people aren't the best, either. Bay Staters will honk at you and flip you off *for letting somebody in* in traffic, rather than the opposite. I had a good job that launched me well, so it was worth it but, yeah, in every measurement of quality of life and opportunity, Des Moines/Ames/Omaha/Lincoln/KC slaughters this place.
I am pretty familiar with the history as a descendent of original English settlers in that area. In the colonial days, that was basically the western frontier.
From what others are posting and from your original post, it seems you are not likely to be interested in this, but let me know if you are.
Some is a bit trivial, like that Calvin Coolidge got his degree at Amherst and started his career and lived in Northampton. Some of the earliest history, however, isn't so much just local, but an important part of American history.
You may know already, but there are several highly-rated small liberal arts colleges in that area. A banker's daughter from where I grew up attended the all female Smith College in Northhampton. I think Grinnell was founded mostly by people who came to Iowa from Amherst. In no way do I want to spark a discussion on this, but I imagine some are more at the cutting edge of PC. That said, I know Coolidge got a lot out of his college experience at Amherst, based on the recent biography by Amity Shlaes. I also know of one notable professor there today, Hadley Arkes, who would be classified on the right.
The student demographic is probably not quite the same as that in Ames. Exactly how so I don't know and could only guess.
From what others are posting and from your original post, it seems you are not likely to be interested in this, but let me know if you are.
Some is a bit trivial, like that Calvin Coolidge got his degree at Amherst and started his career and lived in Northampton. Some of the earliest history, however, isn't so much just local, but an important part of American history.
You may know already, but there are several highly-rated small liberal arts colleges in that area. A banker's daughter from where I grew up attended the all female Smith College in Northhampton. I think Grinnell was founded mostly by people who came to Iowa from Amherst. In no way do I want to spark a discussion on this, but I imagine some are more at the cutting edge of PC. That said, I know Coolidge got a lot out of his college experience at Amherst, based on the recent biography by Amity Shlaes. I also know of one notable professor there today, Hadley Arkes, who would be classified on the right.
The student demographic is probably not quite the same as that in Ames. Exactly how so I don't know and could only guess.