Moving to Boston - what should I look for?

iflyforfun

iflyforfun

Pre-takeoff checklist
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iflyforfun
I'm at least considering a move to the north side of Boston. I'm from the Midwest where it is common to pay $175/month for a hanger. It seems everything in Boston is expensive. Just looking at the sectional, it seems that the following airports would be an option (in order of convenience from my expected location):
* Beverly - BVY
* Lawrence - LWM
* Hanscomb - BED

Beverly and Lawrence seem to be equally spaced from where I think I'll be, but who knows. Can anyone tell me about these airports, the flying community, etc? What does a hanger cost? Are there ridiculous waiting lists or are hangers readily available? What is the reputation of these airports - community of pilots or just some pavement to fly from? Any vibrant EAA Chapters? How about excellent flying clubs ... I've considered selling and flying with a solid club if that would be possible. Anything else?

Lastly, anywhere else I should look in the North of Boston area? I'll be relocating the family and my job will require 50%-75% travel, so a bit of an extended commute wouldn't be killer when I'm in the office if I could find an ideal place to live. The wife even suggested a fly-in community, but I'd be surprised if that is doable in the Boston area (would like to keep the house to <$400k, preferably in the $300k range).

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
 
I lived in Boxboro, MA for roughly 6 months last year. First off, do NOT go to Boxboro. It's a rotten place to live.

The area you're talking about (north of Boston) quickly turns into New Hampshire. And that is a great place to be. Less traffic, lower prices, although you need to check on the tax structure to see how that will work for you. No question, though, I'd look into New Hampshire over Massachusetts.

As far as airports are concerned - while I was there, I based my plane out of KMHT. I wouldn't rule it out as an option. It has great instrument approaches, and the tower/ground/clearance people are top notch. Wiggins Airways (the FBO) is a wonderful group of people. It's actually very easy to fly in and out of. I've rarely had delay vectors, usually it's clearance, taxi, takeoff in very short order. No idea what the hangars cost. I was paying $65/month for an outdoor tie down. Maintenance is probably also a bit higher, but I never had maintenance for them to do. What I also like about KMHT is that I always had pretty clear and straightforward clearances heading in and out of there. It's far enough away from KBOS that it's pretty well out in its own world. Regardless of what direction I've come from, it's been pretty simple.

KBED I've gone into once and liked it just fine - the ILS seemed to work there. However don't be surprised if you get a tailwind going down it. Apparently the ILS heading westbound interferes with traffic going into KBOS, and so they make you do the one going eastbound. And so I found myself with a 40 kt tailwind and a 190 kt GS going down the pike. Not a big deal, just something to think about.

Good luck, enjoy your move!
 
You should look for...
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.
.
.
.
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Cars, coming RIGHT AT YOU, from EVERYWHERE.

Seriously, Boston drivers are legendary. Nowhere near as bad as some overseas places, but among the scariest in the US.
 
Wait for Bob Noel to post. I think his plane is still based at Hanscom (KBED). He'll let you know how wonderful dealing with Massport is.
 
1. Bullet proof vest.
2. More life insurance.
3. Colt 1911 45 Auto.
4. Good car alarm.
5. Locking lug nuts.
 
TMetzinger said:
Seriously, Boston drivers are legendary. Nowhere near as bad as some overseas places, but among the scariest in the US.
Click to expand...

The only place I've ever been hit by a cager. After rear ending me, the woman was pi$$ed at me for being in the way. Thank goodness for the mean violent reputation enjoyed by bikers. Quieted her down pretty good, even coming from diminutive no-violent little me. Helps to be loud.

Sorry, can't help about the move stuff. Good luck.
 
steingar said:
The only place I've ever been hit by a cager. After rear ending me, the woman was pi$$ed at me for being in the way. Thank goodness for the mean violent reputation enjoyed by bikers. Quieted her down pretty good, even coming from diminutive no-violent little me. Helps to be loud.
Click to expand...

That sounds right. Tim is correct (and so is Dean).

New York drivers are crazy, but not trying to kill you. Boston drivers are, in fact, trying to kill you.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
That sounds right. Tim is correct (and so is Dean).

New York drivers are crazy, but not trying to kill you. Boston drivers are, in fact, trying to kill you.
Click to expand...

I lived in China for a while ... made Mexico City look like Mayberry. The Chinese don't try to kill you, they don't even see you and don't care.

I don't plan on living in Boston proper, just don't know what to do about the plane.
 
Dean said:
1. Bullet proof vest.
2. More life insurance.
3. Colt 1911 45 Auto.
4. Good car alarm.
5. Locking lug nuts.
Click to expand...



Ha. Good luck with the .45. Massachusetts gun laws prohibit LEGAL ownership of many firearms, and outlaw LEGAL carry outside your home for most subjects. Of course the criminals possess and carry any firearm they want.


Be ready for sticker shock on everything and a snobby, northeast, Yankee, nanny state attitude that often crosses over to the rude. :D
 
Anthony said:
Ha. Good luck with the .45. Massachusetts gun laws prohibit LEGAL ownership of many firearms, and outlaw LEGAL carry outside your home for most subjects. Of course the criminals possess and carry any firearm they want.D
Click to expand...

If something is against the law in Massachusetts, how can it be simultaneously legal in Massachusetts?
 
steingar said:
If something is against the law in Massachusetts, how can it be simultaneously legal in Massachusetts?
Click to expand...


Don't know what you are really asking. If its a semantics question, I think you know what I mean. If its about criminals carrying firearms, they do that ILLEGALLY.

Not going SZ here, but the gentleman that is moving to Boston from the midwest should do so with his eye wide open. If he's into the shooting sports as well as aviation, he should check the MA gun laws as some or many of his firearms may be illegal there. MA has banned many common pistols and rifles used for self defense and target shooting in other states. Also, if he expects to legally carry in MA, he will not be able. This is not a political statement, but a statement of reality and existing laws.
 
Anthony said:
Ha. Good luck with the .45. Massachusetts gun laws prohibit LEGAL ownership of many firearms, and outlaw LEGAL carry outside your home for most subjects. Of course the criminals possess and carry any firearm they want.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, that's all at the discretion of the local police chief.

I submitted an application in February. Under "Reason for application" I gave a detailed explanation as to why I wanted it, including a blurb about having the ability to defend myself if the need ever arose. The officer taking the application crossed it out and write "ALP" (All Lawful Purposes)
 
iflyforfun said:
I'm at least considering a move to the north side of Boston. I'm from the Midwest where it is common to pay $175/month for a hanger. It seems everything in Boston is expensive. Just looking at the sectional, it seems that the following airports would be an option (in order of convenience from my expected location):
* Beverly - BVY
* Lawrence - LWM
* Hanscomb - BED

Beverly and Lawrence seem to be equally spaced from where I think I'll be, but who knows. Can anyone tell me about these airports, the flying community, etc? What does a hanger cost? Are there ridiculous waiting lists or are hangers readily available? What is the reputation of these airports - community of pilots or just some pavement to fly from? Any vibrant EAA Chapters? How about excellent flying clubs ... I've considered selling and flying with a solid club if that would be possible. Anything else?

Lastly, anywhere else I should look in the North of Boston area? I'll be relocating the family and my job will require 50%-75% travel, so a bit of an extended commute wouldn't be killer when I'm in the office if I could find an ideal place to live. The wife even suggested a fly-in community, but I'd be surprised if that is doable in the Boston area (would like to keep the house to <$400k, preferably in the $300k range).

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...


I learned to fly at KLWM. I never used KBVY. I'm currently based at KBED in the USAF Aeroclub large heated hangar (it's only six miles from where I live and about 0 miles from work).

I do not recommend KBED. Dealing with massport is a real PITA. The security plan for KBED is based on the plan for KBOS (yep, some genius thinks that KBED needs the same kind of security as KBOS). Hangar space is very very very expensive and to be on the waiting list costs $100 every two years with no rebates or guarentee that you'll ever get a hangar. Last I knew tie-downs were $125/month and going up and no power at the tie-down (and don't expect to be able to drive out to the plane). Don't get me wrong, the workers at massport are fine, it's the management, the decision makers that are useless. ok, that's enough ranting about massport.

I think KLWM or KBVY would be fine (but I don't think you'll find hangar space for the prices you see in the midwest).


wrt the firearm laws here, I don't quite know. Frankly I wasn't paying close attention to the Class A or Class B requirements. I was only interested in getting the FID card so that I could take possession of my father's rifle.
 
TMetzinger said:
You should look for...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Cars, coming RIGHT AT YOU, from EVERYWHERE.

Seriously, Boston drivers are legendary. Nowhere near as bad as some overseas places, but among the scariest in the US.
Click to expand...
You ain't lying!

Most dangerous part of flying in NE is getting to the airport and then getting home again!
 
I can help you out with the plane issue. I am also from the Midwest, so no need to take it with you. I will give it a good loving home until you move back. No need to thank me, it is the least I can do for a fellow pilot.:D
 
Whatever you do, start going to the Marblehead Lobster Company. Marblehead is an awesome little town with a gorgeous harbor, the people are friendly, and you can eat lobster on the shore for ten bucks.
If I lived on the east coast, I'd be there every other day.
Also, fly into UUU for me. I've always wanted to fly there.
Good luck with the move!
 
Bob Noel said:
oh shush. The Red Sox just haven't figured out that spring training is over.
Click to expand...

Don't worry, its early and the picked up some good talent. I see them atop the AL at some point. Maybe to face the Phils in the WS. :wink2:
 
Bob Noel said:
oh shush. The Red Sox just haven't figured out that spring training is over.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah? Well I went to a Cubs game two days ago and witnessed an infield home run. That's right.
A stadium full of billy goats couldn't help those turkeys.
So it's not like spring training hasn't ended for the Cubs... it's like Little League hasn't ended.
 
From my time there:

KASH (right up Route 3 from Boston) is an EXCELLENT place to base. Excellent, alive community of pilots that hang out.
KMHT is expensive, but a good place to base. No community that I saw.

Anything in Massachusetts is plagued by MassPort these days, I've read, and you would do well to avoid the foolishness.

Note: I started my private training at KASH with Air Direct Airways.
 
Steve Foley said:
They went 0 - 86 in the World Series. 0-6 is nothing for a real Red Sox fan
Click to expand...

With the Red Sox just finishing off the hated Yankees, it's now Pennant Fever time in Red Sox Nation.

:D










(of course, it would be nice to get some pitching...)
 
My first thought upon reading the subject line was "tax breaks." :rofl:

MA is one of those places that you couldn't pay me enough to live there. :vomit:
 
Native Bostonian here (though I learned to fly after I moved from Boston). I think the city has as much charm and excitement as any in the US. The driving is supremely atrocious, though--that I can't deny!
 
If you do go to the city, watch out for dog poop on the street. It's a well known fact that Michael Jackson adapted the Moonwalk from Boston residents who by necessity invented the gait to clean off the bottoms of their shoes.
 
I too would echo Bobs sentiments to stay away from BED. Massport is a real PITA. There also can be lots of waiting on the ground for takeoff clearances etc. I'm based out of LWM and that or BVY would be a good choice. Or OWD if you're further south of the city.

Hangar prices at LWM are in the 400-450 / month range. Tie downs are about 85/ month.
The local EAA chapter (EAA106) is based out of LWM and is pretty active.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
MA is one of those places that you couldn't pay me enough to live there. :vomit:
Click to expand...

Same, but the part I can't figure out is people who live in Mass love it. What's to love?
 
AdamB said:
I too would echo Bobs sentiments to stay away from BED. Massport is a real PITA. There also can be lots of waiting on the ground for takeoff clearances etc. I'm based out of LWM and that or BVY would be a good choice. Or OWD if you're further south of the city.

Hangar prices at LWM are in the 400-450 / month range. Tie downs are about 85/ month.
The local EAA chapter (EAA106) is based out of LWM and is pretty active.
Click to expand...

I miss Tew-Mac.

Boston drivers are just aggressive. You need to drive defensively. Contrary to what you have read here just keep in mind that everyone has places to go and things to do. You need to realize that the person who just cut you off did not mean it to be personal, you were just occupying space they wanted. If there is a space between you and the car in front, expect someone will try to fill it.

Also note that most roads are narrower than those in the midwest.

As for the airports, KBED is to be avoided.

Expect the housing cost multiple to be slightly less than the hangar cost multiple, but not much less.

Go north young man. Good luck.
 
Arnold said:
As for the airports, KBED is to be avoided.
Click to expand...

KORH (Worcester) is also owned by Massport, and should be avoided if you can ever find it. It's about five miles of city streets after you get off the highway.
 
If you haven't figured it out -- AVOID MASSPORT!!

What are you flying? Minuteman is a nice little airport.

Newburyport is a nice little town. you'll pay for nice, these days, but you can catch the train into town.

Why up north? Just curious. If you want a fly-in community, there is one in Falmouth (Cape Cod).

I love Boston. Hate Bruins fans, Sox fans, Celts fans, Pats fans, but love Boston. Hate the drivers too. And the crazy, former cow-path roads. But i love Boston.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
There's cool stuff to see, but I like the fact that when I'm done seeing it, I can leave.
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced that there's a lot of cool stuff to see. Some historic things, but otherwise you can see much of the same without subjecting yourself to all the negatives.

Of course, I just hate large cities in general. San Francisco is the only class B that I've found any redeeming value to, but California has other issues that keep me away.
 
flyersfan31 said:
If you haven't figured it out -- AVOID MASSPORT!!
...
Why up north? Just curious. If you want a fly-in community, there is one in Falmouth (Cape Cod).
Click to expand...

I guess I should have titled this "moving to North Andover, MA". I will be working in North Andover, I will NOT be in the city. Being from the Midwest, this is Boston to me, but I now see it is a bit misleading (maybe like saying you are moving to Chicago when you will actually be in Evanston??).

I appreciate all the advice and would appreciate a bit more based on the Andover rather than Boston. So far, my take away is that I should look at living / flying out of New Hampshire rather than MA.
 
iflyforfun said:
I guess I should have titled this "moving to North Andover, MA". I will be working in North Andover, ...

I appreciate all the advice and would appreciate a bit more based on the Andover rather than Boston. So far, my take away is that I should look at living / flying out of New Hampshire rather than MA.
Click to expand...

How much of a commute will you tolerate? Note that the NH homes along taxachusetts border aren't necessarily much less expensive than home near Andover...and take into account commuting expenses. Since you'll be working in taxachusetts you'll be paying state income tax. If you live in NH you'll also be paying the NH property taxes, which, if I understand correctly, are higher than in taxachusetts.

also note that you're going to be deep into Red Sox nation, and Bruins country, and Patriots land, and of course the Boston Celtics.:D
 
iflyforfun said:
I guess I should have titled this "moving to North Andover, MA". I will be working in North Andover, I will NOT be in the city. Being from the Midwest, this is Boston to me, but I now see it is a bit misleading (maybe like saying you are moving to Chicago when you will actually be in Evanston??).
Click to expand...

From North Andover, you're almost an hour from Boston during rush hour(s). I go to school in North Andover, but commute from the Worcester area.

Avoid the temptation to live in Lawrence or Lowell. There are reasons the rent is low.

The most important thing you need to know about driving is that when you are at an intersection, and the car coming the opposite direction is turning left (across your path) he WILL go in front of you. He'll be found at fault, you you'll still be out one car.
 
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