Why Alumni Decided to Stay in the Valley

Many alumni had thought about leaving the area due to economic reasons including cost of living, jobs, and housing. These alumni have chosen to stay, however, due to the quality of life here, and relatively low cost of living as compared to other centers of activity for their professions such as New York and California.  The area also was cited as close to art hub Boston and New York, but situated in the rural country.

“What’s led me to stay has been the acceptance of all kinds of people. I feel like it’s okay to be quirky, arty, whatever people want to be. . .  I also like the outdoor things you can do. . . I do white water [kayaking], I love it, it’s nice to be near the Deerfield river and to go out in the woods and hike.  My favorite Northampton story is that on the same day I saw a concert by a group from South Africa, Johnny Clegg and Savuka, and three bear cubs out in the woods.”    -Norma Roche, Freelance Science Textbook editor, BA in English

“We kind-of can’t leave, because the valley attracts the kind of people that we really love to be around.  There are so many artists, writers, and musicians in the Valley, and that cultural capital is really hard to find. . . It’s really hard to find that kind of chemistry anywhere.” –Lori Shine, Copy Editor at Magazine Publishing Company, MFA in Writing alumna