Is Worcester the city to raise kids? (Boston, Framingham: how much, houses)

[Angel814]

I plan to relocate to MA from CA - San Jose. I would like to stay outside west of Boston areas (Worcester - Framingham) where housing price is not too high. I have found that houses in Worcester are cheaper comparing to other cities. However, I know nothing about this city. I have young kids, and I am concerned if this is a good city to raise kids or not. If not, then which city/cities? Thank you so much for advice!

[NG1284]

Worcester has a lot of problems, much like a lot of the old "factory cities" in Central MA. There are some nice, family-friendly areas in Worcester, but there are just as many parts where I would not walk at night. Somebody who's more familiar with the area may be able to help you out identifying which parts are the best, but it's definitely a town I would spend time exploring before making any decisions. There are also a lot of nice smaller towns in that general area. Personally, I grew up around the Fitchburg area which is about 30mins north. Fitchburg itself not a great town, but Leominster/Lunenburg and many of the other smaller towns are good areas to raise kids in.

[thenewtexan]

If you move to WOrcester, move to the Salisbury St corrider, Tatnuck or the Burncoat area. Stay out of Main South, Webster Sq., and the East Side. Be prepared to spend money on private school once they reach middle/high school.

[Angel814]

Thanks for your advice. I don't plan to spend money on private school; therefore, I think I will pick those smaller cities (Shrewsbury or Westborough ...).

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by Angel814

Thanks for your advice. I don't plan to spend money on private school; therefore, I think I will pick those smaller cities (Shrewsbury or Westborough ...).

Any of the surrounding towns would have superior schools, especially the two that you are choosing. West Boylston and Holden/Paxton would also be great choices, though they would be further from a commute to Boston. Grafton woudn't be bad either.

[peace1034]

The Worcester school system is horrible compared to the surrounding towns. I would suggest, Shrewsbury,West Boylston, Holden, and Paxton near Worcester. And Marlboro, Hudson, Berlin and Stowe near Framingham

[jfitt]

The WPS is not as bad as you are all suggesting. A lot of a student's success depends on how much a parent is involved in their child's education. Every year, in addition to Division I, II, and III colleges, WPS graduates go on to Ivy League schools. Doherty High School has a great program and University Park Campus School has made the top 100 high schools in the country. Students in WPS high schools have the option of taking "dual enrollment" courses with partnering local colleges.Yes, the suburbs have great programs, great test scores, very homogeneous populations, and yet, they still have the same societal issues as an urban district, including drugs. Please do a little more homework on the WPS before you make your decision.

[kmann-sherborn]

I agree - Westboro & Shrewsbury would be good options. Best Places to Live: Top 100 - Westborough, Mass. (73) - Money Magazine
I lived in Westboro for years & my folks are still there. There's a lot to like - plenty of great neighborhoods, tons of sports & other activities for the kids, well regarded schools, good train & highway access, lots of shopping (though I wish it wasn't so many chain restaurants & " big box" stores but that's just me). If you have any questions about neighborhoods, feel free to drop me a line.

I could say many similar things about Shrewsbury, though I find more of a range in neighborhoods, from upscale to a little shabby in a few parts. I have a few clients who bought in the north side of town, which is quite lovely. There are tons of parks and like Westboro, many community activities for youngsters.

Where in SJ are you coming from? We lived in Campbell, on the Los Gatos line (would have loved to live in LG at the time!)

[peace1034]

Honestly Worcester Public Schools aren't that great. I went to High School in one of the surrounding towns and when a student would transfer from the WPS they would not do as well. They struggled in many classes, even though at my school they were in the normal Tier 2 classes and at Burncoat/Doherty they were in Honors/Tier 1 classes.

[jfitt]

Peace 1034, you are making very broad statements. If this kids who transferred were struggling, why did they get accepted, and succeed at Harvard, Yale, Princeton? I was a long time employee for the WPS and I can tell you that it is people like you who give the schools a bad reputation.