Massachusetts
This MA town was named one of the best places to retire US. Can you guess where it is?
Trying to figure out where to retire in Massachusetts? Forbes Magazine has two suggestions.
Forbes has just released a state-by-state list of the best places to retire in the United States, with a runner-up and a first-place winner for best place to retire in the state.
To make their selections, Forbes looked at factors like home prices, health care, the cultural scene and how likely people are to experience a natural disaster.
Here’s the top pick and runner up.
Northampton rated best MA city to retire to by Forbes
If you’re looking to retire, head to Western Mass.
Northampton’s median home price is $285,000. It also has no state income tax on Social Security earnings and has a high rank on the Milken Institute’s list of best cities for successful aging, according to Forbes.
With a population of 28,000, Northampton has good air quality and a high number of doctors per capita, the website said. It is also somewhat walkable and very much bikeable.
However, Northampton also has a crime rate above the national average. It also has a state estate and inheritance tax.
Thinking about retiring? World Atlas lists these 8 New England towns as ‘perfect’
Pittsfield named second best MA city to retire to by Forbes
The runner-up for best place to retire in Massachusetts is another Western Mass city, Pittsfield.
Pittsfield has a good ratio of primary care physicians, a large culture scene in the summer and a very low FEMA natural hazard, according to Forbes.
Forbes also said Pittsfield’s median home price is $283,000, which is 28% below the national median, and the city is pretty walkable and bikeable with good air quality and a population of 43,000.
However, Forbes says Pittsfield does have its demerits. It has a severe crime rate that is above the national average and a millionaire’s surtax of 4% that includes capital gains from the sale of a house.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.
Massachusetts
School closings and delays for Massachusetts on Friday, March 6
Several school districts in Massachusetts have delayed the start of classes for Friday, March 6 because of a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow.
Take a look below for the full list of school closings and delays.
The list displays all public schools in alphabetical order, followed by private schools and then colleges and universities.
Delays on this page are current as of
Massachusetts
Body part found in Shirley, Massachusetts pond, police suspect foul play
A body part was found in a pond in Shirley, Massachusetts and investigators said foul play is suspected.
It was discovered around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday as a group of people were walking along Veterans Memorial Bridge on Shaker Road.
Police said the group noticed something suspicious in the water of Phoenix Pond. The Middlesex District Attorney confirmed that the item was a body part, but would not elaborate.
Police shut down the road and divers could be seen exploring the pond late Wednesday. Authorities were back at the scene Thursday morning.
No other information is available at this point in the investigation.
Phoenix Pond connects to the Catacoonamug Brook, which flows into the Nashua River. It’s also connected to Lake Shirley.
Shirley, Massachusetts is about 44 miles northwest of Boston and around 13 miles from the New Hampshire border.
Massachusetts
Foul play suspected after human remains found in water in Shirley
Human remains were discovered Wednesday in the water in Shirley, Massachusetts, and authorities suspect foul play.
Police in Shirley said in a social media post at 7:15 p.m. that they responded to “a suspicious object in the water near the Maritime Veterans Memorial Bridge on Shaker Road.” Massachusetts State Police later said the object was believed to be human remains.
The bridge crosses Catacoonamug Brook near Phoenix Pond.
The office of Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said a group of young people was walking in the area around 5:30 p.m. and “reported seeing what appeared to be something consistent with a body part in the water.”
Foul play is suspected, Ryan’s office said.
Authorities will continue investigating overnight into Thursday, and an increased police presence is expected in the area.
No further information was immediately available.
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