Western Massachusetts: Why are you Thankful to live here?

Hmmmmmm. While I enjoy the proximity to other places, I'd rate that reason much lower than number two, since it implies Western Mass is only a way-station to other destinations.

I love being right here for so many reasons, I had to move my answer over to my own blog.

Highlights are:

The Connecticut River

Wonderful People

The Seasons

Mini-Mountains (aka hills)

The Berkshires

MassMoCA

Hidden Gems EVERYWHERE

The Outdoors

Adorable Downtowns

Fresh Beer

Proximity to VT, NH, ME, RI, CT, NY, Canada, PA, MD, DC, NJ

The Best People including those I love

That's just some of Why I love Western Mass!

I tried my best not to read the other reasons, as I'm sure there will be some overlap. :)

The scenery is Western MA can't be beat! I have a 40-45 minute commute to the office each morning and I drive along Rt 9 by the Quabbin Resevoir every day. Many days I'm seeing deer, beavers, wild turkey, you name it!

We're not "Boston". People in Western MA actually are nice to each other.

Western MA is close to just about everything! Within a 2 hour drive, we have Boston and it's art, theatre and related items. South we have casinos, aquariums and the like. Head north and you have even more mountains, wildlife and coastline.

We do have those things called "winter", but I guess there's not much that can be done about that.

Add friends and family to the mix, and there aren't many places that I'd rather be.

Thankful that I live here in Western Ma. - Yes!

Now as to the why.

These are not in any ranking just general thoughts as they jump into my head.

Diversity - of people, scenery, weather, food & culture.

Close to - arts, mountains, beaches & ocean, an international airport with easy parking & if needed big cities(which I usually avoid).

We ski a lot & we lived in Steaboat, Colorado so you would think why come back here to Western Ma. Well we did like Steamboat during the season but, then came spring & the pull of the ocean started. You can't be on the Cape in P'town or North Truro in 4hours from Colorado. It was a mad dash in a 66 Cheby van towing a 46Willys straight to Race Point in P'town. Even the dog was jumping in the waves & that was April. So we stayed where we call home - WEASTERN MA.

We still bounce around up to Maine, NH, VT. Down to CT. Over to NY. Down to Bradley to hop over the pond to do some spring skiing & sight seeing. Then back to the hills of Western MA where it just feels comfortable.

As I'm writing this the church in town across the river just chimed 5 bells in the quiet of this November evening.

Gotta go check the stove & feed the dog, oh yeah I put the plow on the old truck today ready for those winter snows Jason.

I love the change of seasons, especially fall and winter. I love the vast number of great cultural and artistic events to choose from, even though we are rural and semi-rural here.

I love the easy safe lifestyle, being surrounded by breathtaking beauty every day. I never ever ever take my environment for granted.

And most of all, it touches and nourishes me to the bottom of my soul to have my food grown and raised within a few minutes of my house. I have never had that before and it connects me to this place like nothing else ever has.

I hope to make a long and prosperous life here in Western Mass. Thanks for asking, Lesley!

So glad to read all these amazing responses!