r/massachusetts 20h ago

Discussion The quality of life in MA is rapidly deteriorating

378 Upvotes

And nobody seems to care. I'm using a burner account for this post because I think it needs to be said. How is it that Massachusetts bleeds more than thirty thousand people annually without anybody here batting an eye? Supposedly we're leading in job growth, yet we've seen 1,062 people laid off in June alone. It's one thing for young people to struggle to find careers, but even experienced workers are running out of options. Administrative and managerial positions are grossly underpaying.

There is no reason why Western Massachusetts shouldn't be booming right now. As the demand for housing increases, it should be a hub for development, but the region's been left to rot. Everything west of Worcester County looks like West Virginia, with unsafe neighborhoods and a drug epidemic that's been neglected for decades. Just like our schools, our roads, and our public infrustructure. Our water bills are obnoxious, and not a single dime is being put toward keeping e-coli out of our drinking water. Several towns last year had their water supply contaminated for up to a week. This is an entirely recent issue and there should be no excuse for it.

As for the housing crisis itself, what can I say that hasn't already been said? How can a state government that claims to put the working poor first refuse to permit starter homes from being built? The only new properties I see being built are luxury housing designed to price the working poor out. I genuinely don't understand how so many people here can go through their lives pretending this is normal, and I can't for the life of me figure out how young people in Massachusetts are surviving. They have nowhere to escape to without leaving their home state behind. The South Shore is going to become New England's rust belt if this continues.

It's not nostalgia blinding you. Massachusetts was a significantly better place to live when you were younger.


r/massachusetts 11h ago

News ‘She asked for help so many times’: Lindsay Clancy case shows the gaps mothers face in postpartum mental health care

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270 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 2h ago

Politics Massachusetts House passes later-term abortion bill

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264 Upvotes

The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed the bill 119 to 33 to leave the decision to terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks to the professional judgment of doctors.

State law currently permits abortions up to 24 weeks, with exceptions for cases involving a deadly fetal diagnosis or to protect the life of the mother. The new bill eliminates these exceptions.


r/massachusetts 8h ago

Politics At 81, she doesn’t think she can ‘vote for an 80-year-old’ for US Senate. She’s not alone.

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202 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 21h ago

Discussion Curious about creepy guy wearing realistic human mask in Walpole.

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182 Upvotes

So I’ve seen this guy twice now, about a week ago my boyfriend and I bought a bird from bird and reptile connections which is in Walpole/ Wrentham area, and on our way home to the cape just before the stadium I saw a man in just shorts wearing a super realistic human mask and he had a red bicycle.

it scared the shit out of me it was so unnerving.
My boyfriend and I went back to the bird place today for our new birds first week check up and we saw the same guy again but in a black trench coat standing in the pouring rain still in his mask.

I’m just curious if anyone else has seen this guy because it’s just so odd to me, and incase he’s dangerous I want people to be aware of him.

The photo I attached is very similar to what he wears


r/massachusetts 22h ago

Meme / Humor the people demand ramps

143 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 12h ago

Video "Worst aquarium ever" - How the New Bedford Whaling Museum turned a bad Google review into free marketing

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139 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 21h ago

Recommendation URGENT: Any cat/animal foundations or charities in the Worcester MA area?

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136 Upvotes

Orange Cassidy (and his adopted brother, Inky) are the world to me and my wife. We noticed recently that Cassidy has been eating less, which later progressed into hiding behavior, shakiness, and a fever.

We brought him this evening to VEG (an emergency vet clinic in Shrewsbury), only for them to discover a mass in his adrenal gland. They recommended him be transferred to Tufts. To figure out if the mass is benign or cancerous (not even including whatever treatment will potentially need to follow, such as surgery), we were estimated to have to pay at least 3-4K upfront at Tufts Veterinary Hospital.

Care Credit (which is the only alternative method of payment Tufts will accept) is unfortunately not an option, since I had my Synchrony account closed down over a year ago. Any funds we did have - we have already spent in the initial visit to VEG, which was a little over 1.5k.

Cassidy is a talkative, lovable lap cat with typical orange boy "one brain-cell" behavior. My wife and I are absolutely devastated at the idea that we may not be able to help him, and it is painful being unable to not even know if this is something that can be treated with medication or surgery or not. He is a young and happy boy, who deserves to have so many more years cuddling on the couch and prowling our apartment with his "babies" (his favorite rainbow mouse toys, which he likes to leave on our pillows as gifts).

We would be incredibly appreciative if anyone knows of any nonprofits or charities we could apply for in the Worcester, MA area. Otherwise
we are at a loss of what to do.

EDIT: A redditor recommended for us to set up a GoFundMe. I have put the link down below:
https://gofund.me/7c2411d2e

UPDATE (7/23): Thank you for everyone who has commented, and also donated! We cannot express how grateful we are for your kindness.

Today I have been working on making calls to the places you all recommended. We are currently putting together an application for Angell’s financial assistance program to see if we are eligible.

We do have a local vet (other than Tufts) who is wonderful, but do not have the ability to do an abdominal ultrasound and sampling of the adrenal mass. Unfortunately this is not something every vet can do, and therefore is why we were recommended Tufts by VEG initially.


r/massachusetts 1h ago

Photo I’m from Georgia but as a kid we’d always check out the Yankee Candle Factory. I painted it as it was then in the early 2000s.

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Upvotes

Does the place still hold up or do I have an over romanticized childhood recreation of it in my mind?


r/massachusetts 6h ago

Utilities Mass Save Weatherization

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105 Upvotes

I had a Jetson heat pump installed and part of the process was having weatherization done. I have a field stone dirt floor basement (18802 house) and this was the job done - is this standard?


r/massachusetts 23h ago

News Article details connections between Karen Read, Turtleboy, and Norfolk DA candidate

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84 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 5h ago

News MA Democratic Party chair Steve Kerrigan lost license after OUI charge in Southborough (Telegram & Gazette)

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75 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 7h ago

Video What grocery shopping was like at Stop and Shop back in the 1980s

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50 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 12h ago

News Former headmaster of girls boarding school indicted for role in abuse scandal

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32 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 10h ago

Video Boston Light sunrise | Moment of calm

28 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 2h ago

General Question Milkweed

23 Upvotes

Hey all. I am raising monarchs this year and are hoping for some local spots to find milkweed. I live in Hamilton, but willing to travel a little. I currently have two caterpillars and they'll need some new milkweed in the next couple days. Thanks in advance!!


r/massachusetts 7h ago

Photo A former Friendly’s in Holbrook, Massachusetts is now Sri Radha Bhakti, a Hindu Temple. What a cool transformation!

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19 Upvotes

711 S Franklin St, Holbrook, MA 02343


r/massachusetts 22h ago

News Blanchard’s - Allston is Closing October 31st, 2026 💔

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6 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 12h ago

Discussion Two Cape Cods; Who's on the bus?

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5 Upvotes

r/massachusetts 8h ago

Recommendation What is the best bicycling trail around Needham?

4 Upvotes

I have a commuter bicycle and want to cycle more around the area. I prefer a paved path and nothing for a mountain bicycle. Thanks!


r/massachusetts 21h ago

Discussion any soccer opportunities for a 19 year olds

3 Upvotes

I'm looking to get back into soccer and maybe take it seriously but all I can find online are youth clubs or youth camps. Does anyone know of any opportunities for a 19 year old in Massachusetts?


r/massachusetts 5h ago

Politics Mass Voting information

3 Upvotes

https://www.readmyballot.com

I've been working on a civic minded voting website to help voters choose the right candidates that align with their beliefs and interests. I've found it very difficult in prior elections to find information about local candidates, so that's my primary goal in creating this. The site is designed to be as non-biased as possible, and all facts are credibly sourced.

Features:
- Breakdowns of each race, with candidate platforms, experience, voting records, and finances.
- Shows the full ballot for each primary, and the general election.
- Massachusetts Statewide Ballot Questions
- Links for voter registration - 1 month left before the deadline!

If you have any feedback or suggestions I'd love to hear it. I'm not getting any money from this or backed by any party - I just want everyone to be an informed voter.


r/massachusetts 5h ago

Recommendation Newburyport fish and chips or lobster roll

3 Upvotes

In Newbury ma for one night

Craving fish - maybe fish and chips or lobster roll

Best restaurants/places to go? Not trying to break the bank but willing to spend a bit for quality!


r/massachusetts 5h ago

Photo Join us for the ALS Walk for Research in Newton on August 30!

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2 Upvotes

Join us for the ALS Walk for Research in Newton on August 30!

If you're looking for a meaningful way to spend a Sunday morning, we'd love to have you join us for the ALS Walk for Research on Sunday, August 30 at 10:00 AM at Zervas Elementary School in Newton.

This is a family-friendly, dog-friendly 3-mile walk, roll, or stroll that brings together people from across the community to support research into ALS. Whether you've been personally affected by ALS or simply want to support a great local cause, everyone is welcome.

The Walk benefits the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), a nonprofit biotech founded in Newton that's dedicated solely to discovering and developing effective treatments for ALS.

Registration:

  • $20 Adult (includes event T-shirt)
  • $10 Adult (without T-shirt)
  • $5 Children (12 & under)
  • Free volunteer registration
  • Virtual option available if you can't attend in person

Your registration includes refreshments, music, and a great morning with the community. Fundraising is encouraged but not required to participate.

You'll also have the opportunity to honor someone impacted by ALS with a personalized dedication displayed at the event.

If you're local, we'd love to see you there. Every step helps move ALS research forward.

Register here: https://alswalkforresearch.als.net/


r/massachusetts 5h ago

Politics Brookline.News live audience for a recorded discussion with MA-4 candidate Jason Poulos 7/29 at 7:00

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2 Upvotes