Urban Retirement
Ahh....Where?
12 Cities in 12 Months - Living the Life of a Local
|
Why Gloucester?
Like in Tucson, I have very good friends who live near here. I wanted to have my "experience", so I chose a
town close by but not their town (Rockport). I also wanted to be near Boston so I could take the train in
and do a few "big city" things. I'm really glad I decided to live out here at the beach rather than right in
Boston. It has been a terribly hot July and I have thoroughly enjoyed my location. Gloucester is a working
town of fishermen. It's charming with good restaurants but not terribly touristy. I loved it!!
Walkability & Biking (3)
Gloucester is not a great biking city because there are very few bike paths and the roads are narrow
and windy. Fortunately, it was easy to get to the beach and there was one pretty safe long loop for
exercise. Walking, on the other hand, was very easy. Downtown was accessible as well as Rock Neck
(the artist colony) and Niles and Good Harbor beachs.
My Temporary Digs
My Gloucester house was perfect! It was located in East Gloucester overlooking the harbor where the
breeze is constant and helped squelch the burning heat. It's owned by Linda Amero, a great jazz singer,
who performs every Fri night in town. The house has been recently redone and it is a beautiful beach
cottage with wainscoting, lots of windows, 2 bedrooms, ceiling fans and a great kitchen. I couldn't have
asked for anything better. Summerwind Cottage
Transportation (5)
It's easy to get almost anywhere from Logan Airport in Boston. Thankfully, you can get a round trip
flight for about $200 to Tampa on Jet Blue. That will be great for Addison visiting me. Around Cape
Ann, there is the CATA bus. It does have a bike rack on the front so in case you go too far on your
bike, you can get back home (guess how I know that!). The other transport is the commuter rail that
goes to Boston north station and clear to Rockport. You can even take a little run to Manchester by
the Sea that is a really cute town.
Weather, Culture, Food & Amenities (5)
Of course, I was here in the summer so, like New Orleans in the winter....it's GREAT weather! Lots of
sunny beach days to enjoy. And, as far as activities, that was definitely the primary one. I did my
exercise by running in waist deep water along Good Harbor Beach. I satisfied my need to "find the
thimble" by walking Niles Beach looking for little orange snail shells and pottery pieces. And I had
friends living in Rockport who could take me out lobster fishing or just through a great party to eat
them. Food, in addition to the lobsters, was plentiful at the restaurant choices in Gloucester. Then
who could NOT love the food in Boston!!
Real Estate (3)
The real estate prices in the Gloucester/Rockport area really vary because of the proximity to the
ocean. Those with views and oceanfront are in the millions and those without are pretty darned
reasonable. The problem with the proximity to the ocean is, of course, hurricanes, flood insurance
and the tremendous cost of upkeep. Now Boston is a different story...completely out of my reach for
anything close in where the action is. Do love the history here and the style of houses reflects the
beginnings of America.
The People (4)
The Gloucester people were great. There is a wide variety from artists to fishermen to millionaires.
Mostly it's a working town and the people reflect that culture and ethic. Lots of Italians and
Portuguese so I felt quite at home. My friends asked me if I had formed a different impression of the
NorthEasterners after living here (I guess I had indicated that they were a little bit pretentious and
judgemental.). My answer is "yes". As I found in each of the cities where I lived this year, you just
need to take a little time to get to know them and see that their hearts are good. Besides, my
mother says that what people say behind your back is none of your business!!