Moved To New Bedford, Left My Heart In Westport

My roots run deep within the rich soils of Westport, MA and who I am will never change... no matter where I relocate.

Understand that I'm not putting down New Bedford one bit. I am simply stating that you can take the Man out of the Country, but you can't take the Country out of the Man. This town and this city are clearly on opposite ends of the spectrum and each are Beautiful in their own ways, but over the past few months, I've had a tough time adjusting to the change.

There's something about the breeze and the smell of farm as I roll down my windows when driving down Westport's backroads to visit family and friends that truly bring me back.

It's obvious that the transition from a Rural/Suburban area to Urban is completely different and culture shocking to some, but I guess I wasn't ready for the city life.

I enjoy the hustling and bustling of Acushnet Avenue and the multi-cultured community that surrounds my apartment, but sometimes the busy traffic and crowded streets can be a bit stressful. After all, you can't beat driving down a tree-covered road on a summer afternoon where the sunshine that creeps through the branches are soaked up by the shade. Paints a perfect picture of where I grew up and where I'm from.

Life in Westport just seems more laid-back and relaxing. At night, I'm serenaded by peep frogs and crickets instead of beeping horns and loud music blasting from passing cars.

However, I do enjoy the large variety of restaurants and the fresh seafood that is literally within walking distance that New Bedford has to offer. Convenience for everyday necessities such as gasoline and food is definitely closer than MOST areas of Westport and it's been easier to say the least these past few months. Running errands took less time and everything was within a block's distance.

When it comes to Nature, there is nothing comparable to a hike in the woods or floating carefree in a kayak, canoe or paddle board down the Westport River and spilling out into the ocean. It's quiet, its peaceful and it's the most relaxing feeling that I've experienced in my life. Fishing on the Wattuppa or off the Route 88 Bridge near the Back Eddy were prime spots and hunting was superb within the woods between Hixbridge and Old County Rd. You simply can't do this in New Bedford.

I've always been a supporter of small and local businesses and would go to Orr's Farm Stand for fresh vegetables over Market Basket any day. As much as I enjoy Acushnet Creamery and New Bedford's seafood,  I grew up on Wood's Ice Cream and Handy Hill Clam Cakes.

As I grew older, I've found many "watering holes" (bars) in New Bedford that I've loved hanging out at, but you can't compare sitting on wood stools and staring at the top shelf and fuzzy TVs to the outdoors area of Buzzards Bay Brewery where you can enjoy sunshine, a warm breeze and an ice cold local beer.

I've met a lot of people and made a lot of new friends here in the city, but there are times when I forget my roots and my old friends. These are the people I have grown up with and seen the changes within myself. These are the same people I went to Westport Schools with, worked my first job with, drove around with just a permit with, sometimes up to "no-good" with and of course lived the Westport life with.

Some of the best memories of my life were created in Westport. It's where I had my first kiss,  had my first heart break, drove my first truck, drank my first beer, found my best friend(s), caught my first fish, became Mr. Westport in 2005 and so much more.

It's safe to say that everyone gets homesick and as I grow older and wiser, I realize more and more how Beautiful a town Westport is. I now know why my parents raised me here and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world.

This is my kind of town, this is where I came from and although I'm only 15-20 miles away... It's far enough to realize where my Heart lies.