Are you planning to relocate outside of Boston, MA to Metro West area?
Hope you found some food for thought in part one, and maybe even started choosing a town or neighborhood. Here's next post in my series:
PART II : Everybody moves with you!
When you move, it's not only your family, your furniture and belongings. It's also all the businesses you are using: Dentist, physician, hairdresser, massage therapist, house cleaner, baby sitter, dog walker, plumber and electrician...
It's quite a list, and you have to give this some thought.
Now, it will not influence much your decision to move per se, or most likely won't have much impact over your choice of a neighborhood or town to live in, but it's a big part of your life. It's one of the reasons you feel settled in, your day to day life goes smooth, so you don't pay attention to this list - until you move. 
Make a list of all services and businesses you are using. Then make assessments. Who are you staying with? Who is indispensable for your health and well being?
It might be your favorite physician, or a dentist office where you are undergoing treatment and don't want or can't switch at the moment.
If you have service people helping you, ask them if they are willing to travel to your new home, and if there will be any change in what they charge. Your favorite house cleaner might cover Metro West area, but your electrician might not. And even if he does, he might be living in Quincy while you move to Ashland. If there's ever a problem that needs immediate attention, he will be too far away. You will need someone local on board.
There might be service providers that you don't mind changing. Start asking for references.
In fact, just in case, start asking for references or researching yelp reviews for ANYBODY whose service you might need. Look for close geographical areas. Or for areas where you could combine several errands. Wellesley Center and Newton Center for example offer a variety of hair salons, boutiques and specialty stores.
Think about time it will take to travel. Here's an example: my favorite hair stylist is in Boston, on Newbury street. It was wonderful, because I could always take last minute appointment and be there in 20 minutes door to door, plus go to the bank, pick up some of my favorite chocolate at Teuscher, and have a sandwich and coffee at Scoozi. Even in bad weather - I would ride the T or take a cab. Now since I live in Natick, all of this is possible only when planned well in advance (my stylist is booked for a month usually)
I found an alternative solution - salon in Wellesley, and South Natick. Also want to try one or two in Newton Centre.
Good and inexpensive way to try new things is BuyWithMe site. You've probably seen ads here and there. If you did not subscribe yet - try it! It's free, and offers you a variety of coupons to explore Boston and other towns. Just choose Boston as main town, and then deals in Cambridge, Newton, Wellesley, Needham etc will be emailed to you. Quite a lot of restaurants offer their coupons through BuyWithMe - great help when you just moved and don't feel like cooking! And an excellent way to explore the neighborhood.
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