Hull, MA?

[Jojo F.]

Our house search continues and we found a nice little house in Hull and was interested in knowing about the area before we make the treck out there.

Do you like/hate it? Elaborate

TIA!!!

[Jojo F.]

acory- I know you used to live in Hull, right? Did you like it? BTW- how is the move going?

[rupiezum]

I've lived in the area for most of my life, and had several friends who lived in Hull. (My dad and aunt grew up there, in fact!) How far into Hull is this house? Will you be homeschooling or using the public schools? Is ayone commuting for work, and if so, to where?

There's a lot to like about Hull, but there are some drawbacks as well... happy to help answer any questions that I can...

[acory23]

I still live in Hull. The move is going well... Im waaaay exhausted and tired of unpacking. (Did I mention that we also moved to a new office the same weekend?)

I love Hull. Its pretty, Its charming for the most part. Its quiet. Its by the ocean which, after living here I could never live away from water again! Its never too hot or humid because you have the cooling ocean breeze and the storms are amazing. It smells like salty ocean air (which, unfortunately after living there long enough, you dont smell it anymore.) We are actually hoping that when we are ready to buy, we can buy in Hull. The elementary school is finally finished (they basically rebuilt it from the ground up. I never saw it before the remodel but it is GORGEOUS now.)
I DO NOT like the summer drivers and the rude summer people, the rundown, neglected houses, and the weird crazy locals (anyone from here knows what I am talking about!!) I dont like the remote aspect of it. To get to a supermarket or really much of anything you have to drive to Hingham or Cohasset. I mean we have Riddles and Nantasket Pharmacy... for what thats worth. They are poorly stocked and Riddles has red carpet and low ceilings, the aisles are close together, its kind of like being in a kitchen pantry. Nantasket Pharmacy smells like old people's closets (moth balls and stale air) Its more expensive than CVS or Rite Aid, and they rarely ever have exactly what you need. As far as entertainment, not much. Other than the beach and a few parks. My family is pretty creative and easy to please so that is generally enough for us. (We also have Netflix and a nice big patio for recreation so that helps) Oh, and if you move to Hull and you are looking for decent take out food... stay away from any Chinese place here. Get Feng Shui in Cohasset or Ocean Kai in Hingham. Pizza Box is ok, Upper Crust in Hingham Center is the bomb (although pricey)

im rambling... any questions, I would be more than happy to answer. (to the best of my ability, that is, Ive only been here for like 2 years and am still learning, myself) Where in the Hull will you be? *snicker* I love the cheesy play on words that everyone uses (go to Hull, a Hull of a day)

BTW, Ricky's on Nantasket Ave (the shady looking joint next to the arcade) has THE BEST fried clams I have ever had!

[Jojo F.]

Shoot, I don't know how far into Hull the house is, I'm thinking pretty far.

We will be homeschooling UNLESS the schools there are stellar. How is the HSing community? If any...

DH will be commuting for work and school in Boston.

My MIL could change jobs just as long as there is a WALMART nearby and my FIL would find a different job.

Ummm, I think that's it. Thanks so much!!

Oh, I wanted to add that I pick up raw milk and like to get grass fed beef, TRUE free range chicken/eggs, fresh organic produce- is this possible in Hull? Will I have to drive for hours to get this stuff?

[acory23]

There is a Whole Foods in Hingham (Derby Street Shoppes) you have to go to Hingham or Cohasset to get to anything like that. (10 - 15 minutes, not a big ordeal)

The nearest WalMart is in Quincy. There is one in Hanover and one in Weymouth.

Dont know about the homeschooling. Hull elementary isnt charter school calibre but so far I have had a GREAT experience. DD has trouble with reading and they have given a lot of extra attention. They are great with communication with parents. They allow drop in visits, teachers are easily accessable for conferences or even just for questions. I ADORED DS's kindergarten teacher last year. I was sad that he had to move on (as was she... she cried, and shes nto a crier) but his teacher this year seems great. DS is GT and they have done a stellar job accomodating and encouraging that as well. He actually began working on first grade level material half way through kindergarten because his teacher saw that he was advanced and the keep him down at the level he was on would have been a waste of time and counter productive.

I would recommend it. Im sure there are parents who's opinions would differ but that is the case in every school

[UrbanEarthMom]

I hate to be a downer, but to be honest there was a story recently in the Boston Globe that Hull has been identified as a possible "cancer cluster".

[Jojo F.]

Originally Posted by UrbanEarthMom

I hate to be a downer, but to be honest there was a story recently in the Boston Globe that Hull has been identified as a possible "cancer cluster".

Yikes!! Off to google the story.

Well, I couldn't read the whole story because I'm not a "member" but I did find an interesting blog all about that very article/story.

If anyone is interested in reading it here it is- http://blogs.townonline.com/hull_blog/?p=2651
There is a link on the page to look at the cancer stats for yourself.

It made some good points but of course there are still more questions left unanswered.

[alleybcat]

Hi there,

I have never lived in Hull, but my dad grew up there and I have family there. I also go to the beach alot :-)

Is your husband going to drive or take some sort of public transportation to work? Hull is out there and will be quite a commute I think. I live in Braintree, 2 towns from Boston, and it takes me 30 mins or more to get to Hull (the beach at the beginning of town) with NO traffic.

There is a boat that goes from the High School (at the end of town) to Boston, but I don't know how often or how expensive it is.

Is it very cute in Hull though, and the beach is wonderful. I love the smell of the ocean.

[acory23]

I used to commute from Hull to Brookline. YIKES!

I have also worked in Braintree. There are back road shortcuts you can take to shorten the drive but all in all, its not bad. I work in Hingham now (on Derby St.) which is awesome because its like 15 minutes and this area is adorable. I love looking at all of the old houses on my way to work.

[acory23]

Originally Posted by Jojo F.

If anyone is interested in reading it here it is- http://blogs.townonline.com/hull_blog/?p=2651
There is a link on the page to look at the cancer stats for yourself.
.

Thank you for posting this. Interestinly enough, in the information age, the news media likes to sensationalize and cause havoc and chaos. I am not a conspiracy theorist but I do believe that the news media takes advantage of the fact that americans will believe anything if it comes from a journalist.

Having said that. I am not saying there is not cause for concern. Hull does have a high rate of smokers. Smoking is a socioeconomic epidemic that seems to be wider spread amongst the lower middle class (aka blue collar) And because of the beach and the lower income scale, people are more inclined to spend lots of time at the beach... why the hell not? Its GORGEOUS!! And not a lot of peopel really put much stock in skin protection. Its sad but true. Because of the lower socioeconomic standing of Hullonians, a lot of them do not invest in proper nutrition and physical fitness. Be it from not having time to do so because they are working 40+ hours a week or because the only source for groceries in town is Riddles and their selection is limited... its not wonder they are not healthy people. I think these are all just coincidental factors that make up a statistic that news media twists to insite panic.

The town I grew up in, Terre Haute, Indiana, has a high cancer rate. We had two hospitals devoted to cancer treatment. It was because of the massive number of smokers, blue collar workers, and old buildings with asbestos. Not because of environmental factors.

I dont think there is any cause for major concern. Im not saying its not serious but I am also saying that there are many factors to take into consideration. And what about the fact that they have a lower rate of mercury and lead poisioning than most of the metro-Boston area. It freaks me out that the world in general seems to be getting cancer left and right at an alarming rate. Why the heck is it going up so drasitcally with all the advances in modern medicine, agriculture, and technology? Perhaps it is that technology, agriculture, and medicine that is contributing to the increased rate of cancer? Not just in Hull but everywhere.

Just something ot think about.

[Jojo F.]

If we moved out there DH would most likely find a job closer to Hull then Boston BUT would still go to school two nights a week in Boston. Then he would most likely take public transportation- parking in Boston is well, a big old pain in the but to put it nicely

acory- I agree with you and that was pretty much what the blog was saying about the article. Not to mention there is a higher population of elderly people in Hull and lets face it, 65-75 year olds have the highest cancer rate.

We did visit last weekend and we absolutely love the area, so beautiful. If we don't end up in Hull we definitely want to move to the surrounding area. And did I see that there is a Farmers Market on Fridays by Nantasket Beach?

[acory23]

Originally Posted by Jojo F.

And did I see that there is a Farmers Market on Fridays by Nantasket Beach?

There is. I have not yet had an opportunity to check it out. Its on Nan Ave just beyond the hotel on the bay side. I lived on Bay St. for a while and drove by it every friday and never got to stop in. now I live on Atlantic and rarely ever go into town (except the occasional trip to the school, library, and pharmacy)

[Sierra]

Just thought I'd give a wave. My dw grew up in Hull. Her parents, and one of her sisters are still out there. Actually, she has a huge extended family there (acory, I bet you've all crossed some paths).

We just moved to MA from WA, and are living in central MA, but we spend a few days in Hull every couple of weeks staying with dw's parents. acory, I've got to ask why you say no Chinese food places in Hull! Yikes! We've hit Hull Jade or whatever that place is several times.

Anyway, I can see really, really loving Hull if I was a small town kind of gal or if in a billion years I could ever imagine affording a home outside Worcester. But alas, even though Hull is more affordable than say Hingham, nowadays it is nonetheless damn expensive (even in the downturned market...I know it used to be the town for the "poor," like my dw's parents when they first lived there), and yeah, it is very small.

But I actually love some of the crazy people by the way...I think a few are related to dw .

That said, it is a gorgeous little town and being on the ocean like that with nice swimable beaches is just heavenly as far as I am concerned. And Riddles isn't so bad. They actually carry as much organic produce as the big Price Chopper in my nieghborhood!! I'm in big ol' Worcester and we don't have a natural foods store here nor even a regular grocery store that sells organic foods unless we drive a good twenty minutes. And even though I hate how the cashiers never seem to know how to take personal checks (??), I forgive them cuz my newphew works there. Riddles is plenty for the smaller week to week trips. You can always head out of town every couple weeks for the bigger shopping trips when you are depending on lower prices and larger selections...or when you want to do all organic or whatever.

[acory23]

Originally Posted by Sierra

acory, I've got to ask why you say no Chinese food places in Hull! Yikes! We've hit Hull Jade or whatever that place is several times.

For some reason, everytime we have Hull Jade I end up sick for the rest of the night and most of the next day. Not to mention, I come from the midwest where imigration brings TONS of Asian people which means that the quality of the food is much higher. Im sure that if you grew up here you wouldnt know the difference... or perhaps I am too picky. Who knows.

And Riddles isn't so bad. They actually carry as much organic produce as the big Price Chopper in my nieghborhood!!

Riddles isnt horrible... its just not my favorite place. Its like walking into a pantry. The red carpet alone is enough to make you feel like the ceiling is closing in on you. Its good for mid week milk, bread, egg, and icecream runs but as far as selection goes, we usually make a trip to Shaws in Cohasset once a week or so and stock up.

Nantasket Pharmacy, however... *shiver* I dread having to go in there. It smells like my grandma's closets. Its poorly laid out, the selection is sparse...

One thing I love about Hull is the library. Their collection isnt as large as the one in Hingham but its adorable and charming. Its in an old Victorian house. Its so peaceful and has great atmosphere.

[Sierra]

Originally Posted by acory23

For some reason, everytime we have Hull Jade I end up sick for the rest of the night and most of the next day.

Huh. I guess I am lucky we've escaped that.

Not to mention, I come from the midwest where imigration brings TONS of Asian people which means that the quality of the food is much higher.

Well, that's a different issue. I didn't grow up here. We moved around a little when I was a young kid (west coast was our longest stint), and then we settled down in CO for the second two-thirds of my childhood. I've never lived east of CO/NM before now (mmm...there is no good Mexican food anywhere on the east *or* west coast). *But* prior to moving here to MA, I lived in Washington state for a number of years. Lots of "Asian" immigrants in the Puget Sound.

Out west we have much, much better Thai food. Here, there isn't real Thai food as far as I am concerned. My big complaint is when a restaurant will serve something they call a "Thai springroll" but it is fried! Of course Thai spring rolls aren't fried!! They are fresh. What passes for a "spring roll" here is a vegetarian egg roll, and half the time it isn't truly vegetarian. That bums me out. An egg roll and a spring roll are sooooo very different and come from two completely different culinary traditions.

As for Chinese food, the people from out here actually prefer their type. I know because dw complained bitterly until moving back here, and my SIL wouldn't eat Chinese food whenever she would visit. I agree with you. It's different. It's very different. But apparently by MA natives, it's definitely considered to be a regional taste preference, not a lack of quality.

I stake no claim in the debate. I'm neutral on the issue, as I can see where both sides are coming from.

Riddles isnt horrible... its just not my favorite place. Its like walking into a pantry. The red carpet alone is enough to make you feel like the ceiling is closing in on you. Its good for mid week milk, bread, egg, and icecream runs but as far as selection goes, we usually make a trip to Shaws in Cohasset once a week or so and stock up.

I hear you. I agree, the place does have a physical "closing in" feeling, and the lighting through half the store is awful.

LOL. I wonder if we've ever bumped into one another, even at Shaws. If you ever see a rather short but stocky woman in her early thirties with slightly dark skin, and beautiful dark very curly hair down to her shoulder blades walking with a very light skinned, very short little blonde two year old girl and a very tall "dirty blonde" little three year old boy, especially on Nantasket between Kenberma and that gas station, that's probably dw. I'm the average height, stocky, chin-length dirty blonde hair (bobbed and drab) woman in her late twenties. It's also possible to bump into us at the park by the beach near the public end...the one with the spring-step ground surface.

You probably have seen DiVito real estate signs around town. They are a huge presence in the town. That's my dw's maternal lineage. Her paternal lineage is Portugese, so you would definitely recognize the Portugese last name.

I don't know why I am telling you this except for it just feels like such a small world...especially when it comes to Hull.

Nantasket Pharmacy, however... *shiver* I dread having to go in there. It smells like my grandma's closets. Its poorly laid out, the selection is sparse...

LOL. I've only been there a handful of times, but I can picture that. I haven't minded using it when I've really needed it though.

One thing I love about Hull is the library. Their collection isnt as large as the one in Hingham but its adorable and charming. Its in an old Victorian house. Its so peaceful and has great atmosphere.

Huh. Maybe I'll have dw and the kids check it out sometime. They spend more time in Hull than I do.

[acory23]

I probably have seen you or your DW. Plus DH knows everybody in town (which is funny because he grew up in Natick but spent the later half of his teen years in Hull) He is also a plumber so he has met pretty much everyone in town at one point or another. Then again, everybody in town knows everybody else.

The library is great for rainy or snowy days. It does something to the atmosphere. DH said it reminds him of something out of a Stephen King book though. They have a great interlibrary loan system so it doenst really matter that their collection is small. They also have a great kids room.
Before I moved to MA, I didnt go to the library much. The libraries in my town were all cold and impersonal. I moved to MA and lived in Brookline for a short time and found the library to be a sanctuary. I was bored, lonely and looking for something to do. It was the only thing I could find without getting lost... I couldnt even find the supermarket. Now the library in Hull has become our sanctuary. We dont go as often as we did in the winter but I think that will probably change when the weather gets icky. Its nice to get out of the house, away from TV and toys and sit and read together.

The beach has been our spring/summer/fall sanctuary. We LOVE it. We used to live down on G street on the beach side. We were less than a block away. Now we are down the street from Gunrock Beach. We dont go as often but thats also because we are so busy.

BTW, have you been to Toast? It is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in MA, so far. (mainly because I <3 breakfast food) Not only is the food always wonderful but the atmosphere is phenomenal. Its so comforting and welcoming. And the decor helps take your attention away from the food wait times. But the time you have to wait is so worth it when they bring the food to the table. And they have really good coffee too. Its a little pricey but totally worth it. DH and I often go on "romantic breakfast dates" to Toast instead of dinner dates (because we are both early to bed early to rise people)

[acory23]

OMG! So lastnight I had this CRAZY craving for seafood. I havent had many cravings this pregnancy and I am not usually huge on seafood (especially not fried) but lastnight I couldnt stand it. I wanted fried shrimp, scallops, and clam strips. But Jakes (the place everyone has told me I have to go for seafood) was OUT OF CLAMS, SCALLOPS, and SHRIMP! ????

So I went to Barefoot Bobs. I would have NEVER thought to even consider it because it looks like some hole in the wall, cheesy local spot with a tacky polynesian theme. I also thought that it was just a bar. I was soooo wrong. Last night I had the best fried scallops I have ever had in my life. They were awesome!

I highly recommend you try Barefoot Bobs when you come to Hull. I heard their broiled scallops are to die for.

[rupiezum]

We used to go to Jake's all the time when I was a kid - we'd get takeout and sit on the wall at Nantasket and eat. Yum.

[Jojo F.]

The nachos at Barefoot Bob's are insane!!!!! We saw a HUGE plate of nachos come out to a large party and thought that it must have been a double order. Nope, we were wrong. When the server brought out our nachos I said, "oh, that's what I was afraid of!" It was a mountain of nachos!!