Submitted by Consistent-Tooth-390 t3_z867ag in massachusetts
I was just in Massachusetts for thanksgiving with family. I am originally from mass, so it was great visiting home. It felt perfect. Now I am back in Florida where I live now (7years) and I literally feel SICK today and yesterday and I’m pretty sure it is literally homesickness. Wow. I need to get back home. Currently 17 so now I’m considering just making it a goal to raise my family in mass.
I have to start thinking about how I can make a living for myself in mass now…
You left when you were a kid and all your nostalgia is here, but yes, Florida is a hell hole
Right lol
The trick is to come back regularly, I recently moved to Los Angeles and am back every month or so for this or that thing 😅. Granted I wfh so it's easy to come anytime I want. Check out flights to Worcester! I don't know where in FL you are, but there's some airline (I think Jetblue?) that has dirt cheap nonstops between Worcester and FLL
Ah good to know, thanks. Sounds good.
Construction jobs are pretty readily available right now, could at least get you going until you figure it out.
Not a bad idea, I appreciate it
There’s a reason why they call it the ‘Banana Republic of America’.
Mass is a good place to be if you know how to code or work in healthcare.
You're 17 so the world is your oyster.
Lol my family who I visited works in healthcare
If you go construction go union… I wouldn’t survive in this state without my union wage I honestly don’t know how most people people make it by with kids
Ah gotcha. I understand. I most likely will be moving to ny first for work then go to mass for college after a year or 2 if that makes more sense. We will see lol
I fully understand this. I was born and raised in Ct. Spent most of my weekends in Boston or Salem. I have lived in Texas for the past 7 years. Went home this past September and man, it really hit me how much I miss. I love New England, always will and am now chomping at the bit to move home.
It gets to you for sure. Life is too short for any bullshit. Your heart and soul is what matters so much.
Yea, what really hits, found out I am going to be a Grand Uncle. I told my wife, there is no way in hell we are going to miss that childs life....
The thing is… I’m not locked in with any sort of resume or credibility. I do school online and wasn’t planning to be college bound. It’s unknown but it’s really important I create a necessary future for myself and build a proper one for the next gen under me
Bro Florida is for fuckin dorks
Family is so very important. It’s everything. If you have an opportunity to be with your heart and soul, your family in a place that encapsulates family and the beauty of life… fuck anything else. If you are absolutely fulfilled and you understand how and all, you have something special. I’m talking to you, but also talking to me. I understand this concept well because I feel this way too.
Ya I’ve been done with my fuckin dork phase of life. Shouldn’t waste anymore.
Union trades. They make good money & have good benefits
I understand. We will see what I land on
Thank you
I left home (Mass/RI border) for six years. Or should I say I’ve been gone for six years. It has been great to see the rest of the country in this time. I definitely left a piece of me everywhere I went and I miss the wonderful places I’ve called home since then, but now I want to go back to my birth state. My true roots. I’m nearing a position to be able to afford it, moving up in my career, but it will be difficult to do financially. But it’ll happen someday.
I've lived in Massachusetts my whole life. I'm currently visiting a friend in Florida, and a part of me can't wait to get back home. It's warm here and the weather is amazing, and while id love to spend more time enjoying it. I want to be home.
When I was visiting a different friend in a snooty NJ town, I absolutely loved it there and didn't want to go home, I loved the area.
But yeah, I love the part of Florida I'm in as a vacation spot, but I don't think I could ever live here, even if it was ideal.
Sorry you feel that way. Dunk yourself in the ocean and you will feel better. Flahhhhrida sucks but you can make it work. It’s November and I’m frozen
What advice do you have from this life experience?
Ya… That’s how it is.
Thank you ahhaah.
What are you curious about?
well…yeah. You left god’s country. To go to Santisland. What did you expect
It’s not about the politics, it’s about being my home state, where my heart is, where I would want to raise my children, where the air feels nicer, where I feel a better resemblance with those around me
Haha thought you might like me saying how cold I am.
I was just there last week, it was nice
That's a very good question! And a good one to ask to everyone you possibly can. I think if I could boil it down to one thing, I would say, do not hold beliefs that are self-limiting, at least until you've given something your very best effort. When I was 19, I thought that because I hadn't done very well in high school, I would become a nursing home or psychiatric institution kitchen aide, which makes very little money and doesn't involve many "complex" skills. Luckily, I've dodged the many self-limiting beliefs I held and I am now running a historical museum in New York City, which has honestly been an amazing dream job. My path has been winding, with some setbacks here and there, and plenty of hard work, including work on myself.
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So, going back to your goal of moving back to MA, don't lose sight of it. Keep it in your heart and mind like your personal North Star, and be willing to work for it. Believe that you are capable of evolution and growth, and you will surprise yourself. Check in every now and then to admire your progress and raise a glass to your accomplishments. Let me know if you want more thoughts!
Wow, great to hear. I am at a place now where I do highschool online and am not so great, I also work about 32-35 hours a week in fast food which is not so great for my mindset on life. I have high standards for myself but often get dug up on thinking that I am not in a position that is right for these things, although I know I will do all I care about to it’s greatest extent and as soon as I see the return of that work being backwards I will pivot. I could always use more advice. I want to be in nyc myself and that would be without a college degree. How can I maximize my success on growing in what is important to me? How can I get that “right place right time” luck in my life. How can I gain freedom for myself so I am flexible and free to grow in more than just a few aspects?
And btw, you don’t have to answer anything step by step, im just saying these are the questions I write down without thinking at all
That's totally fine! I think that these are really good questions again, and quite a bit more difficult to answer; I grew up on the RI/MA border, as I said, and so what was available to me is different than what is for you. I think it all begins with money. Hate to say it but it's true. Make sure you are reaching your financial goals; I've spent some time on r/personalfinance and that sub is extremely helpful; there is even a space where your recommended financial goals are broken out by age. Then, do some soul-searching. Figure out what kind of income-making you'll tolerate while pursuing your goal of being back in Massachusetts. If you are hoping to live in the Boston area, it's very expensive. You won't love being home as much if you're struggling month to month, so start to think about your interests, what you're good at, and look around at possible career options. I love to hear that you are working hard at your current job; more on that later.
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Two words of advice on career options: do not look at salaries listed on websites. Including college websites. Ask current professionals! I bet you that Reddit has a ton of subs dedicated to different career groups. Secondly, don't get hooked on a super specific job title and go to college for that one thing. For example, I went into geology for college. Not doing geology now! My partner went into psychology in college. Now he's a business manager! But both of us gained what they call "hard skills" in college that helps us in our positions now.
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So once you have begun to envision what you could do in the future (and it should be a very, very wide target), think of how you will make steps today to reach it. You mentioned you are working now--that's great. What are you doing at your job today that will prepare you for, say, a managerial role in your 20's and 30's? When I was in high school, your age, I was working in a kitchen. A coworker told me that he "doesn't give a shit" about this job because "it's the lowest rung job" and he'd do better work at a higher-up position. This isn't true! Everyone starts somewhere. Make yourself indispensable on your team. Take out the garbage more efficiently than anyone else. Have the best customer service at your workplace. Pretend that you are like, a CEO of your own company, and you're there to lead by example. Of course, keep humble. But this will get you so far in both job skills and mindset. Also, job references are important. As for your question about being in the right place at the right time, I will say, most of the opportunities have felt "right place right time" have been due to a great work ethic, good attitude and knowing when to say "yes" to a growth opportunity. This, my friend, is a fertile garden.
After high school, my specific path was community college. I went to CCRI and I commuted from home. I am a big advocate for the liberal arts education, especially if you're unsure of what you want to do. And a huge advocate for the cost efficiency for the associate's degree gained at a community college. You can turn that into a bachelor's degree in two more years. But there are so many more options: trade school, apprenticeships, professional experience. If you still haven't found something compelling, try a semester of community college though. Use the school resources as if you're paying a million bucks to be there! Guidance counselors, professors, career fairs, etc. Also, YouTube videos.
Community college cost is one thing, but if you'll be going for a 4-year degree, don't fall into a ton of debt for it. Student loans are no joke. What seemed like a "small price to pay for a lifetime investment" still haunts me financially, so be very conservative with your choice in education financing.
I'm just saying, you gotta find a tolerable way to make a decent living and have fun. Shoot for at least 50k annual income to get back to Massachusetts. You could rough it, move back here sooner with roommates with a service industry job, but make sure at this age, you are considering your financial situation in the long-term. I make money now, and it is really cool.
Lots of jobs around east longmeadow/Springfield area.
Wow, you really went above and beyond here. Thank you beyond words! The way you explain how to work is how I do it always because I know what I’m working for! I can tell you, my dream is to be a buisness director in the arts. I just need to see what is a sort of path I can do to get me to this level. My birthday is in January and if I wanted to, by mid February I could be a manager in training at my place but I really don’t like it at all, I’d rather just be a waiter someplace else. Currently I have almost $30k saved and I don’t have my by summer goal yet. I was planning to move to nyc and utilize some connections to get myself into a working position at the bottom of the chain. The thing is, for now, I am just doing restaurants because it is all that is really available to me until I turn 18 in January, after that I have a bit more options but I wouldn’t mind just doing restaurant until summer.
What industry?
Currently I’m just stuck in that sort of, things aren’t really moving and I’m not making any interesting connections to accelerate myself. Plus, I’m not in any sort of position that fills my heart and soul, you know?
You really helped me alleviate a lot of stress here
I hear we have a shortage of HVAC techs. They are getting older, retiring, and there isn't a big group of young techs coming up. If that interests you.
Hmm sounds interesting, thank you!!!
Education is always a good thing. Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts) is excellent and most of the classes are still online. So you could start even before moving back.
Oh wow, I will check on that. Thank you!!
I work at Stanley Black and Decker (Lenox Tools) and we have a bunch of openings. It looks like there's a lot on indeed for this area as well.
What are the jobs ?
Same here, former masshole in Texas since ‘16 and we went up 2 weeks ago. Making a plan to move to nh
As a Floridian born and raised and a recently transplanted masshole, I 100% understand this. Could not get away from Florida fast enough, it is not the place it was 20-25 years ago when I was a kid.
Everything from engineering to hourly factory.
Like you, I’m from MA and my family moved to Florida (Orlando) when I was young (6 y/o, in 1987). We’d come back to visit family once or twice a year, and I never wanted to go home. I spent all of my teenage years dreaming of getting to Boston and aimed high to get into college here. Even if you aren’t college-bound, there are so many great trade schools here for everything from cosmetology to carpentry.
Over the years, I’ve left a few times, but I’ve always come back. My husband and I finally bought a house in the MetroWest area in July.
Point is, if MA is home for you, set a goal to get back here. It might require hard work and planning, but it is absolutely possible for you. Part of the joy of being young is taking risks and trying new things. Having moved all over the country (I’ve lived in TX, CA, FL and MA over the past 25 years), I’ve learned that you can always go home if it doesn’t work out. And for me, that’s MA. ♥️
I reached the point during our trip to FL the week before last that I don't want to go back. EVER. Even to visit. I had fun while at the parks, but not enough.
This is so valuable to me. Thank you so much for opening up and sharing that with me. Is it harder to move to mass than most other places you feel?
Oh wow. Thank you for sharing, I’ll check it out.
Lol. I have two sisters that left MA for Florida.
Both are back now :)
Seems like that is how it goes for Mass natives
yes :)
They are both happier now
I’m from the west coast but lived all of my teen years in MA. Moved back to the west coast after college and missed MA every single day. I’d come back to visit friends and I’d just get this yearning to live in MA again, like it was where I was meant to be. Moved back to MA two and a half years ago and don’t regret it even on the coldest days! MA is my home and I don’t see myself ever moving away again. I love it here. Hope you get to come back again soon.
Agahshdhdh I feel this in my heart. Thank you so much ❤️
Do you realize that there’s a big film community in Massachusetts and we work a lot. You don’t need to go to New York for film opportunities. Cost of living is a lot lower here, and a lot of jobs available.
I 100% recommend going to College if you can. Look at UMass North Dartmouth, or any of the state schools.
There are some people in the world that understand Massachusetts and you and me and some others in the comments here just truly understand that exactly and I feel so beautifully connected within the world knowing this family is so strong and so real and so so beautiful. Sending hugs to you and all Mass natives
Hmm wow… that would be completely ideal in many ways. Do you know some about UMass north Dartmouth? Id really be so thankful to get myself involved in things, getting the ball rolling for a life I am so thankful to live
You don’t need to go to film school to work on film. I would see if you can find some thing in the summertime to PA on, but definitely work on a degree. You can certainly take film classes as electives but I’m totally recommend a degree. UMass North Dartmouth has got a big art school so if you’re interested in design it might be a good place to go. That might open you up for a career in costume designer production design.
I am partial to North Dartmouth, Cuz that’s where I went to school. But there’s plenty of schools in Massachusetts. I think you can apply to a number of state schools using one application. Or at least that’s the way it was when I applied.
Massachusetts is awesome. I wouldn’t wanna live anywhere else.
EDIT: I just got done doing a job in New York and some reason people in New York think that there’s no work anywhere else in the country. That’s just wrong. We are busy all the time in Massachusetts. They’re also busy In Atlanta, in New Orleans, in new Mexico, New York is a tough place. It’s expensive and it’s exhausting. And there’s no reason to go there for a career in film.
I want to be director in arts, no matter what it is I would just love to manage the operation! I see UMass north dart has a graduation rate of 56%… jeez owch. How?! Also, I would definitely check it out and consider. I had thought business degree with something arts or whatever… i don’t know. Also I had thought if maybe I just go step by step I could avoid college
Price for tuition is DOUBLE for out of state… oof
Do you have family in Massachusetts? Possibly you can establish residency here if you move in with family. Check into it. We could work out.
I do but none of them even own anymore 🤦🏼♀️
I’m just saying Dartmouth because they have a really great art program. There’s art history, textile design, fine art, and possibly they even have a film program at this point. I’m not really sure. It’s been a long time since I graduated lol.
They also have a pretty decent business school so you could do both. I graduated with a BS in biology and a minor in art history.
The family i have in Mass who owns property are related as close friends not blood relation
Sounds great! I did Digital Video Honors gor 2 years, a film course. I also completed AP Art History but failed the exam. Oops.
Ah nice. I would major buisness for sure and minor something for arts. Maybe other way around
I kind of think that the way people consume media these days, there are a lot more opportunities to work in film than there ever were before. Now that the number of streaming services are making their own Contant, you can work for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Apple, as well as all the major studios. Lots of people and making movies these days. Not a bad field to go into and because we’re unionize the wages are pretty decent.
I get it. I love film but haven’t considered it as much as I should be.
I should def take a step back and reconsider going into the film industry and applying for that as another thing I could do.
I think you have the right idea to Major in both business and the arts. I don’t think you can go wrong.
There is difficulty in choosing which thing to attack first, I just know I don’t love tech so much currwntly since I’m so weak at understanding it
I really appreciate the support.
They are both super intertwined
The only thing to consider is definitely the price of entry. Also considering I am out of state…
Find some thing that you’re good at and that you also like. After getting a degree in biology I ended up working in the Arts which is kind of a strange career trajectory for me but I am more arts oriented and it just worked out that way. There are a lot of paths you can take, And who knows, you may end up somewhere completely different but if you love Massachusetts, come on back. We got lots of good stuff up here. And if you’re happy, it makes it easier to work hard and focus on your future.
100% your so right.
If you end up up here, definitely reach out. I work in film and if you just want to bum around a set, and be a PA some summer as a summer job I could help you find a project, or at least help you connect with people.
Oh wow that sounds great. I really am feeling it strongly in my heart to pursue. I had actually wanted to be a filmmaker since my earliest memories of dreaming, this is something I definitely need to work on. It’s so hard with the competition, it really silences your believing in yourself sometimes. I’d love to connect if possible. Do you have an Instagram or something? Is there an email or anything to lock it in?
I love warm weather and sunshine but having it non stop sounds kinda sickening
I don’t mind warm weather but the humidity really gets to you somedays
Also it is really nice to take a break from warm and feel the cold air with a sweatshirt on
Trade school, man. The entire state needs electricians, plumbers, pipe fitters.
I feel you i was born & raised in MA and when I spend too much time there I get sick when I get back to my current state. I'm going home for 3 weeks and I literally can't bear the thought of coming back here after but im doing it.
There's a stomach bug going around in Mass. Thats probably why you're feeling sick
S/o North Shore Community College who was also offering quite a large catalog of online’s last I checked
No way so I'm NOT crazy?! In my house we call it the Florida swamps
THIS!!!! Don’t forget stone masons :)
Yup, Massachusetts, and greater New England, is a pretty great place to live. We have attractions within a 3-hour drive away, that people literally come from around the world for. We have easy access to the White and Green Mountains; the Berkshires; the beautiful beaches of Cape Cod, Rhode Island, and the North Shore; the rocky coastline and wilderness of Maine; six capital cities; over 10,000 lakes and ponds; world-renowned medical, educational, and performing arts institutions; national champion sports teams; historical sites of the original settlers and the American Revolution. We experience four distinct seasons. Our geography is rolling and rocky having been shaped by the glacial Ice Ages. We have lobster rolls, clam shacks, and fantastic ice cream stands. All of this right here in our back yard.
What’s different?
What do you like about Massachusetts better than Florida?
I grew up in Florida but my family is from Massachusetts and I would visit during summer and winter breaks. I always dreamt of moving to MA, mainly because I always wanted seasons. Then growing up and realizing how terrible FL is on a whole…. Been here in MA almost 10years and I’m never going back to FL.
I went home for Thanksgiving as well and am currently attending college in North Carolina. On Monday my girlfriend asked me what was wrong and said I looked kinda sad. I felt fine for the most part, and then I realized that I just missed Massachusetts
I love the nature of Florida, those moss covered trees and the little lizards. But fuck Florida … I would rather be in Mass any day.
Florida will do that to much of the county lol. Especially New England lol.
For sure, thank you
Yup… sucks
Not really my stomach, more a head cold
Haha sounds good
Oh man, you said it all! Wow!
Right?! Ha
Feels like home
Oh wow. What type of advice do you have on making that move?
Yup, I’m with you. I understand.
Seems that way
Elevator Union too. The guys are getting old and the young ones coming in have 5 weeks vacation and great pay.
Yea but the pipe fitter union stonewalls ya. I’m a native masshole that came to texas and got into the pipefitters union here. Called the Boston local to ask about transferring and they told me to fuck off
I lucked out that I just moved in with my parents, who had moved to the Cape while I was in college. I sold everything I owned other than my clothes and personal items, packed up my car a drove here. Nowadays with everything so expensive, I’m not sure how you’d go about it unless you had a job and a place to live lined up.
The daily heat & humidity is brutal working outside down there. Biggest differences down there tho were really the lack of skilled employees, and the low pay.
Right… congrats! How did you sell everything???
Dude - commit to learning a trade and that will be a future where you can afford to live (somewhere) in MA...
Live in Florida now and plan on eventually moving back to MA. I work in education and let me tell you that this state absolutely sucks to be a teacher in. DeSantis is such a shit governor.
The warm weather isn’t enough to want to make a life here, I miss the fall and I’m excited to visit for Christmas
Halloween was 90 degrees here, it sucked.
I got it, I appreciate it very much!
Your pay raise in mass will make up for the move potentially
It will. The salary in Mass is about twice of that in Florida
>bacteria-laden fart bog
This is now my new favorite way to insult a location.
Offer up, Craigslist, and donated whatever was left. Only brought what I could afford to mail and fit in my car. lol I was in my mid 20s at the time and didn’t own much anyway.
Ahh, since I was 12 I have been actively reselling items to make money and as a hobby, therefore I have so much stuff, a lot of it being worth a good value for a niche buyer. It will be hard to unload it all for sure… but if I get a justified amount of money for it I’m in a great position
go_poop_go t1_iya0az3 wrote
I travel to Florida for work, and am pretty much always homesick before the wheels touch down.
Then I actually get sick because that whole state is a bacteria-laden fart bog.
I've flown round-trip same-day on many occasions, just to avoid spending the night. I straight-up do not like it there.