After 21 years, we\u2019ve packed our bags and the rest of our household for a town in the Berkshires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I picked the location even though the weather isn\u2019t as mild, the tax rate is higher, utilities are more expensive, the local newspaper is just okay, the shopping is less convenient and the house and property we\u2019re moving to are not as nice, at least not yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We didn\u2019t move for all reasons that Those In Charge tell you people leave the Cape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In our mid-70\u2019s, we are leaving a comfortable home, established relationships and familiar territory. We are not young people who are migrating for better jobs or more affordable housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather, we left because after 12 years for Hubby and 21 years for me, it still felt that we never had a common understanding with most of the people who live here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was like being misinterpreted because you don\u2019t speak the language or \u201cget\u201d the punchline of in-jokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Admittedly, we don\u2019t share a common background with a substantial number of people who live in Mashpee or for that matter, the Cape. In spite of Barnstable County\u2019s allegedly liberal political leanings, being \u201cnot the same as\u201d was an impediment to acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We hope our new town will be more welcoming of diversity, whether it\u2019s ancestral, religious, political or philosophical. On paper at least, it seems to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will miss the good people we\u2019ve met and the Tribal Leadership\u2019s positive influence on the whole community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After 21 years, we\u2019ve packed our bags and the rest of our household for a town in the Berkshires.I picked the location even though the weather isn\u2019t as mild, the tax rate is higher, utilities are more expensive, the local … Continue reading