SperlingViews - Billerica, Massachusetts

I'm really not complaining about living here. My husband and I are retired and I think the cost of living is higher here than many other places. We are trying to agree on a place to spend our retirement years. Ideally it would be a place where the climate is pleasant most of the time. Is that called "Shangrilah"?? This is a time when the entire country is having financial problems so I don't know if there is anywhere that is the ideal spot. I have two daughters in WA state, a son in MN and another son in Switzerland. My choice would be to live near my daughters. I'm checking to see how the cost of living compares to here....[read more...]

Having lived in 3rd world countries in South America I can tell you that the entire area is headed in the same direction. Congestion is increasing, traffic is getting worse (by the month), the roads are deteriorating, small businesses are going under and the all important quality of life is definitely on the downslide. What were once small, quiet, suburban towns 10-15 years ago, are rapidly being transformed into "mico-cities" thanks to the legal (and illegal) immigration policies of our American-Israeli government. They say one of the ways to tell whether or not a country is 1st, 2nd or 3rd world is to watch the driving. First world countries usually have smarter, more courteous and SLOWER drivers whereas 3rd world countries are faster and more aggressive. Well, Massachusetts has always had arrogant drivers (and people), but over the past several years many like myself have noticed that the *pace* at which people are driving has quickened exponentially. It's not uncommon to see lines of cars traveling 55-60 mph on backroads in 35mph speed zones. Back in the 80's and early to mid 90's this was a pretty rare occurrence, today it's commonplace.[read more...]

Having lived in 3rd world countries in South America I can tell you that the entire area is headed in the same direction. Congestion is increasing, traffic is getting worse (by the month), the roads are deteriorating, small businesses are going under and the all important quality of life is definitely on the downslide. What were once small, quiet, suburban towns 10-15 years ago, are rapidly being transformed into "mico-cities" thanks to the legal (and illegal) immigration policies of our American-Israeli government. They say one of the ways to tell whether or not a country is 1st, 2nd or 3rd world is to watch the driving. First world countries usually have smarter, more courteous and SLOWER drivers whereas 3rd world countries are faster and more aggressive. Well, Massachusetts has always had arrogant drivers (and people), but over the past several years many like myself have noticed that the *pace* at which people are driving has quickened exponentially. It's not uncommon to see lines of cars traveling 55-60 mph on backroads in 35mph speed zones. Back in the 80's and early to mid 90's this was a pretty rare occurrence, today it's commonplace.[read more...]

Having lived in 3rd world countries in South America I can tell you that the entire area is headed in the same direction. Congestion is increasing, traffic is getting worse (by the month), the roads are deteriorating, small businesses are going under and the all important quality of life is definitely on the downslide. What were once small, quiet, suburban towns 10-15 years ago, are rapidly being transformed into "mico-cities" thanks to the legal (and illegal) immigration policies of our American-Israeli government. They say one of the ways to tell whether or not a country is 1st, 2nd or 3rd world is to watch the driving. First world countries usually have smarter, more courteous and SLOWER drivers whereas 3rd world countries are faster and more aggressive. Well, Massachusetts has always had arrogant drivers (and people), but over the past several years many like myself have noticed that the *pace* at which people are driving has quickened exponentially. It's not uncommon to see lines of cars traveling 55-60 mph on backroads in 35mph speed zones. Back in the 80's and early to mid 90's this was a pretty rare occurrence, today it's commonplace.[read more...]

Having lived in 3rd world countries down in South America I can honestly say that the entire area is headed in the same direction. Congestion is increasing, traffic is getting worse (by the month), the roads are deteriorating, small businesses are going under and the all important quality of life is definitely on the downslide. What were once small, quiet, suburban towns 10-15 years ago, are rapidly being transformed into "mico-cities" thanks to the legal (and illegal) immigration policies of our American-Israeli government. They say one of the ways to tell whether or not a country is 1st, 2nd or 3rd world is the driving. First world countries usually have smarter, more courteous and SLOWER drivers whereas 3rd world countries are faster and more aggressive. Well, Massachusetts has always had arrogant drivers, but over the past several years many like myself have noticed that the *pace* of driving has quickened exponentially...almost to the point of insanity. It's not uncommon to see streams of cars traveling 55-60 mph on backroads in a 35mph speed zones. Back in the 80's and early 90's this was a pretty rare occurrence, today it's commonplace.[read more...]

Having lived in 3rd world countries down in South America I can honestly say that the entire area is headed in the same direction. Overall congestion is increasing, traffic is getting worse by the month, the roads are deteriorating, small businesses are going under and the all important quality of life is definitely on the downslide. What were once small, quiet suburban towns 10-15 years ago are rapidly being transformed into "mico-cities" thanks to the legal (and illegal) immigration policies of our American-Israeli government. They say one of the ways to tell whether or not a country is 1st, 2nd or 3rd world is to watch the driving. First world countries usually have smarter, more courteous and SLOWER drivers whereas 3rd world countries are faster and more aggressive. Well, Massachusetts has always had arrogant drivers, but over the past several years many like myself have noticed that the *pace* of driving has quickened exponentially...almost to the point of insanity. It's not uncommon to see streams of cars traveling 55-60 mph on a "backroad" in a 35mph speed zone. Back in the 80's and early 90's this was a pretty rare occurrence, today it's almost commonplace.[read more...]