I feel that too - it's hard to really settle in because of that worry!

When I was your age, the Boston Ski and Sports club was a really great way to get to know other people while doing something you enjoyed. Just looked their website, and it seems to be much the same as i remember. Wide range of ages, good mix of genders, welcoming and cooperative vibe. Not super-competitive, with exceptions to that called out clearly. If you ski (and if you have ever learned to ski, it comes back like riding a bike), their ski trips are awesome and cost less than going on your own while including a coach bus ride. Daytrips and also long weekend trips.

This is coming from someone doesn't enjoy a lot of social activity and needs a lot of alone time. The welcoming and accepting vibe was what made this work for me, and I connected with a handful of people with whom friendships blossomed outside of the sporting activities. Married one of them, actually.

Oh that is so helpful (and a relief). I couldn’t figure in my head where the difference lies between what insurance helps with; what the dealership does; and what I’m on the hook for.

Grateful for your insight.

some of your interests sound like theyd be perfect for getting involved with a mutual aid project. check out the cambridge community fridge network!

if you are leasing a car, you probably have comprehensive insurance. it would cover repairs if its not totaled. you pay your deductible.

leased cars usually get work done at the dealership, and they would often give you a dealership loaner car. insurance may make you use a rental company if its a long repair time.

First off OP, glad you’re okay and that everyone else is okay.

Second - No one was hurt, your insurance should be able to deal with it. As the other folks said - make sure to get the police case number and expect calls from your insurance company. You are not obligated to talk to the other persons insurance company. It’s highly recommended that you don’t, that case is settle between the insurance companies.

I understand that this is an extremely stressful time and you feel sorry for your actions. However in the future, please be extremely careful about what you say after an accident because it will be used against you by the other persons insurance company.

Oooh... that's really interesting. Thank you! I'll take a look. Sounds like a nice community.

Yeah, I think finding a regular group of folks to hang out with would be great. If I can do that while also being outdoors or physically active in some way, that's even better. Open to all the suggestions you made above :)

Great suggestion. Will check those out!

My (known) interests include photography, woodworking, nature walks, biking, board games, gardening. Probably forgetting some, but that's what comes to mind :)

Oh wow. That seems super interesting. I admit that 6:30AM fitness isn't what I first think of, but I do need to find ways to stay active! Thanks for this one.

Haha. Yes, I figured I wouldn't be alone in that. I did attempt to move away once or twice, but always ended up back here. It's a fine place to live :)

You’re too kind! This is so helpful, thank you so much!

I laughed when you wrote, "For most of my time here, I was always expecting to move away again, so it was never a priority."

I had the same attitude when I moved to Somerville from CT, after completing grad school. That was in 1987. I'm still in Somerville and settled in! 😀

The years fly by really quickly.

I'm thankful that no one appears to be hurt. So;

1. call your insurance co immediately. Like right now. They will advise you on what to do. Expect them to send out an adjuster to look at the car, so have the name of the tow yard handy. Depending on your policy, you may have coverage for a rental vehicle.

2. get a copy of the police report. When I was in an accident in Cambridge, they (the police) actually charged me a copy fee. I was told that the police show up at accidents as a curtesy.

3. expect to be found at-fault.

4. if there are other older damages to the car, don't try to fold them into this claim. I'm not a lawyer, but that smell like fraud to me. If the car ends up in the body shop, they can usually do minor repairs along with the major work.

5. you'll feel better tomorrow.

If you are into fitness and can tolerate exercise at 6:30 AM, the November Project is probably the most welcoming community I've been a part of. It's a 2 for 1 of fitness and community, can't beat that...unless you prefer being in bed in the morning.

If they're not sure what they'd like, maybe check out what's going on at community centers like The Foundry or The Democracy Center to see if there's anything that seems interesting.

Yeah this is a pretty key question. OP, do you want people to hang out with? Or a group to be active with (running, climbing, whatever)? Or a volunteer group, or a board game group, or any/all of the above?

Check please

OP is of the police are guilty until proven innocent mentality

Make sense, I appreciate it 🙏

Byw, if you rear end someone you are automatically considered at fault.

My local grocer is now pricing the worst quality dozen at 6.99 😭 FOR EGGS!!!

I totaled my prius going 15 mph on the pike. It's not always about speed.

Appreciate the feedback, and yes, someone could have been very badly hurt by me following so close. A terrifying and humbling teaching moment for sure 😔

My whole body hurts this evening and I can’t imagine what it’s like for the poor people in front of me.

(Turkeys in the road made the 2 cars around the bend stop abruptly. And I crashed into the car in front of me. A huge mistake looking at the phone map. Someone could’ve gotten so much more badly hurt.)