We resume our schedule....Where, where, where?
When I first moved to the North Shore, in 1986 I lived in Peabody and for the next 12+ years lived there and then Salem. I got very settled in the locale as I also worked in Peabody
So, when first started thinking about a change, I thought, well back to the Peabody area, for a number of reasons. They follow in no particular order except as they come to mind:
Now, both my girls have settled in Haverhill, which is about 15 minutes from where I am now, a bit north west. And since they have settled there, they visit a lot. And not just per-arranged visits. Often I get a call or a text and next thing I know they are here. And sometimes, they truly surprise and delight me and just drop in.
I've found myself loving these visits and wanting as many of them as they are willing to share. They may not be long or elaborate, just a quick, "hi, can I fax this, love ya, bye". I am loving having them around whenever it fits their busy schedule. I love them so and enjoy them so and am so thrilled that they want to spend time with me. I will take as much of this as I can get for as long as possible.
The clincher was the day I had been home alone all day and just puttering. I was doing, not sure what, and they burst in on and surprised me. It was just too grand! When they left I realized, I want more, I want to live near to them, so there would be as much of this as possible.
And so, I decided on Haverhill. It is a city with all that a city has to offer, not unlike Peabody. In many ways in reminds me of Yonkers, NY where I was born and lived until I was 9. On a river, hilly, lots of old mills, re-vitalized downtown. So, it is a teeny bit like coming home.
And the list of why I should is not dissimilar to the reasons for the Peabody area.
So, when first started thinking about a change, I thought, well back to the Peabody area, for a number of reasons. They follow in no particular order except as they come to mind:
- Some public transportation,
- Good access to Boston: auto, train, boat,
- It's familiar to me,
- Good friends in that area,
- Good senior transportation services,
- GREAT Senior Centers,
- Good options for privately owned senior housing,
- Good shopping, movies, theater, museum,
- Good higher education, life-long learning access,
- My favorite car wash is there,
- My Optician is there,
- My Primary Care Doc is in Beverly,
- My medical providers are at Lahey Peabody,
- Good libraries with lots going on
Now, both my girls have settled in Haverhill, which is about 15 minutes from where I am now, a bit north west. And since they have settled there, they visit a lot. And not just per-arranged visits. Often I get a call or a text and next thing I know they are here. And sometimes, they truly surprise and delight me and just drop in.
I've found myself loving these visits and wanting as many of them as they are willing to share. They may not be long or elaborate, just a quick, "hi, can I fax this, love ya, bye". I am loving having them around whenever it fits their busy schedule. I love them so and enjoy them so and am so thrilled that they want to spend time with me. I will take as much of this as I can get for as long as possible.
The clincher was the day I had been home alone all day and just puttering. I was doing, not sure what, and they burst in on and surprised me. It was just too grand! When they left I realized, I want more, I want to live near to them, so there would be as much of this as possible.
And so, I decided on Haverhill. It is a city with all that a city has to offer, not unlike Peabody. In many ways in reminds me of Yonkers, NY where I was born and lived until I was 9. On a river, hilly, lots of old mills, re-vitalized downtown. So, it is a teeny bit like coming home.
And the list of why I should is not dissimilar to the reasons for the Peabody area.
- Some public transportation,
- A bit further to Boston, but easy auto, train access,
- It's familiar to me,
- Have my girls in that area,
- Have good friends in that area,
- Good senior transportation services,
- Good Senior Center,
- Good options for privately owned senior housing,
- Good shopping and easy access to NH shopping,
- Good higher education, life-long learning access,
- Good library with lots going on,
- Close to my church,
- My current volunteer commitments are there,
- Close to my favorite quilt shops in NH,
- My quilt guild meets there
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