Western Massachusetts receives its fair share of hate and criticism from people living in other parts of the state. Many deem the region irrelevant, and Easterners claim it “doesn’t exist.” I think this is a bit undeserved, as it’s the birthplace of basketball and volleyball and home to some beautiful mountains and landscapes. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough to earn this region’s credibility, and I’m still filled with shame every time I have to tell someone I’m from Western Mass. All jokes aside, it is a little embarrassing.
Think back to when you were applying to colleges. What big factors were you considering when weighing your options? You likely considered the location of a school and its proximity to home. I was one of the many prospective students that went into the application process swearing I was going to end up going to school far, far away. I even googled institutions in England. UMass was one of the only two schools I applied to in New England and by far the closest to home — a 40 minute drive away. The school that was deemed by many as “too close to home” ended up being the perfect place for me. Of course I had to face the obvious side effect — I was going to stay in Western Mass.
It wasn’t until college that I started to realize the disadvantages of living in this region of the state, the biggest one being the far distance from any beaches or cities. How life-changing would it have been to be able to wake up and drive even 20 minutes to the beach? Try two hours. The rural hill towns that surrounded me growing up were never exciting. Northampton was always the most attractive destination nearby. Some friends of mine had never even stepped foot in Boston until high school.
As much as I complain, I truly can’t deny the Pioneer Valley’s small-town charm. My friends who chose to come here from places like Los Angeles or New York City are taken aback by Amherst’s quiet, picturesque landscapes. They’ve compared it to a real-life Stars Hollow. After exploring the town’s quaint coffee shops and bookstores, it’s impossible to disagree. Amherst’s almost complete lack of chain stores makes it the perfect storybook college town.
As for the surrounding towns, Northampton will always be one of a kind and despite the flack it gets, the Holyoke mall is and always has been my comfort place and therapeutic Sunday solo activity. I’ve found a new appreciation for my hometown after spending fall break exploring its charming locally-owned shops and having the best diner food with my family.
While I still can’t wait to explore the world beyond the 413 area code, the grass will always be greener it never hurts to appreciate where you are. So, a little justice for Western Mass, please?
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