looking for a city between Amherst and Boston.

[brightdoglover]

Fitchburg thats the name i was looking for it's right along route 2


A lot of Fitchburg is *very seedy* and druga-addicted and crime-full. There are some parts where the houses are nice, but the schools and students are very very poor. I'd never live there unless my kid was going to go to private school.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

Fitchburg thats the name i was looking for it's right along route 2


A lot of Fitchburg is *very seedy* and druga-addicted and crime-full. There are some parts where the houses are nice, but the schools and students are very very poor. I'd never live there unless my kid was going to go to private school.

But he currently lives in Lynn, so he's already used to that.

[ajw2424]

I currently live right outside of Sturbridge and often make the commute between both Amherst and Boston. As far as public transportation to Amherst, there really is no good options. Maybe your wife will want to drive that portion and you can work out something with public transportation into Boston?

The drive from Sturbridge to Amherst is almost exactly an hour and the drive from Sturbridge to Boston is almost exactly the same. Another good option might be to drive from Sturbridge in towards Boston and then grab one of the more local trains. That'll cut down on both the cost and travel times.

I've rarely seen any major traffic issues going from the Sturbridge area towards Amherst.

Plus Sturbridge is a big step up from Fitchburg in my eyes.

[Continental]

Something here just doesn't make a lick of sense. beeplove, do you really know how far it is between Amherst and the North End? Sorry, but I think you must be putting us on. It's not that you can't get there from where you are, it's just you will be spending an incredible amount of your life "on the road" and, for what? Cripes, there are LOTS of nursing programs in the Commonwealth and many, if not most, are a heck of a lot closer to Boston! Even Fitchburg has a program. But, Amherst? Have you ever heard of something called "winter" that is often known to have something like snow, sleet and ice? Now, if you happen to know Jane Swift, maybe you can convince the State Police to helicopter you to and fro... Sorry, couldn't resist.
Get real my man!

[beeplove]

Originally Posted by Parsec

But he currently lives in Lynn, so he's already used to that.

My daugher hasn't started elementary school yet

[findingmesomeday]

Here's a radical idea. If you add up what you'd be spending in gas or public transit to Boston and Amherst, your wife could rent a studio apt for probably the same money and hopefully arrange her classes so that she'd only be gone about 3 nights a week.

Next step though would be to get out of Lynn.

[beeplove]

Basically here are my choices, I guess
any city between Lemonster and Amherst or
a city between Worcester and Amherst

I guess, I-90 is better than route 2, either I drive all the way to Boston or to Worcester to take train.

Sounds like Sturbridge or any other city towards Amherest is my next destination. As my dauther would start elementary school from next year, good schood district would also be a factor when I will pick a city.

Would you please name few good school cities between Amherst and Sturbridge?

Thanks everybody for your kind responses.

[Parsec]

Wow, so I guess you're set on this. When I was considering this, I decided against it since it would've been 10 hours at the office and 4 hours commuting - that would've left maybe 1 hour at most w/my daughter each day before her bedtime, and no time w/my wife. Also at today's gas prices, you'd be looking at about $12 in gas for the 100 mile round trip commute plus I think $6.40 for the tolls and about $300/mo for parking in the city, which is over $8000 a year just in commuting expenses, not including all the maintenance for wear and tear on the car. If you decide to go this route, I would definitely recommend taking the commuter rail! Taking commuter rail will only cost about $3000 a year for the pass plus parking.

But back to your question, the only decent school districts I know of in the area are Grafton or Shrewsbury. Central Mass isn't really known for its schools.

[beeplove]

If I choose, Leominster, what are the good school city between Amherst and Leominster?

I see New Salem, Orange, Athol, Gardner in that route on the map?
Are these good school city?

Thanks,