Worcester--surrounding towns (Boston, Southbridge, Webster: 2014, day care, how much)

[Rhapsodie2014]

I know that there is a lot of info already. I have a budget of how much I can spend on a house, I am coming back to MA from Calif. I want to possibly live in small town, but would like nice town center, walking parks etc.
We have recently got a ton of info from Worcester Chamber of Comm......I have lived in several communities around Boston but am not familiar with Worcester area,,,,,other than being told it has it's bad sections.........
Please recommend: Auburn, Spencer, Brookfield (N,W,East), Dudley,,,other towns West or South of Worcester...........
I just happened to look at Southbridge,,,,then I read all the negatives about this town on this site..., because I cannot spend more than $250,000 on a house....
I realize that all communities EAST (the Boston side of Worcester) are quite a bit more expensive...........just navigating Cuz I lived on the north shore....
Children are out of school, son wants to go to college in MA,,,,,but I know that a bad school system is an indicator to the community.
So,,,,the issue, affordable home,,,,,but nice community,,,,,
Someone said on this board couple of months ago....West Brookfield was quintessential New England town.....guess that sounds good.
Strangely, as I have gone on google maps and followed the arrows down the streets of some of these communities.....they all looked quite nice and clean to me....
Thanks for the info.........I am just wanting to get back to New England,,,,cannot stand Calif....to each his own I guess,,,,

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by Rhapsodie2014

I know that there is a lot of info already. I have a budget of how much I can spend on a house, I am coming back to MA from Calif. I want to possibly live in small town, but would like nice town center, walking parks etc.
We have recently got a ton of info from Worcester Chamber of Comm......I have lived in several communities around Boston but am not familiar with Worcester area,,,,,other than being told it has it's bad sections.........
Please recommend: Auburn, Spencer, Brookfield (N,W,East), Dudley,,,other towns West or South of Worcester...........
I just happened to look at Southbridge,,,,then I read all the negatives about this town on this site..., because I cannot spend more than $250,000 on a house....
I realize that all communities EAST (the Boston side of Worcester) are quite a bit more expensive...........just navigating Cuz I lived on the north shore....
Children are out of school, son wants to go to college in MA,,,,,but I know that a bad school system is an indicator to the community.
So,,,,the issue, affordable home,,,,,but nice community,,,,,
Someone said on this board couple of months ago....West Brookfield was quintessential New England town.....guess that sounds good.
Strangely, as I have gone on google maps and followed the arrows down the streets of some of these communities.....they all looked quite nice and clean to me....
Thanks for the info.........I am just wanting to get back to New England,,,,cannot stand Calif....to each his own I guess,,,,

Based on yout budget, you would be best to go west of Worcester. If you have lived in CA, the traffic on Route 9 won't be a big deal for you. You're right. W Brookfield will be a great choice. It's just isolated enough, but it's still close to Sturbridge. N Brookfield is actually the largest of the Brookfields, but it's not on the Rt 9 corrider.

[kmann-sherborn]

Would Sturbridge be too far for you? It's a lovely community.

[theironsea]

I recently moved to Auburn and I like it alot. It's quiet but there's also shopping, and, of course, Ronnie's (seafood place, yum!) I live in a beautiful neighborhood with trees in my backyard and spent less than $250K. It's also nice to have easy access to many major routes (20, 290, the Pike). My neighbors have all been very friendly. About 50 minutes to be parked in Boston, about 10 to get to Hanover Theatre in Worcester, less than an hour to Providence, 2 hours from Portland, ME. Really can't complain at all!

[LeavingMassachusetts]

I second Auburn. Oxford is nice too. The Brookfields are nice but it a pain to get there. Auburn and Oxford are right along 290 and the Pike so Worcester and Boston are very easily accessible. Sturbridge is too pricey but Charlton is nice also.

Stay away from Southbridge and Webster (and some little parts of Dudley).

[Rhapsodie2014]

Thank you for your replies,,,,I will be bringing a 82 yr old (my Mom) to live with me,,,,,I think for the elder facilities better to be closer to Worcester...my only regrets is that we did not come back there sooner.

[shrewsburyresident]

look at auburn or millbury...spencer/ brookfields....are in the sticks. ( sorry if you live there). you want to be somewhat close to worcester hospitals.

[Jeremy01506]

You might also consider East Brookfield, which is only 3 towns west of Worcester (about a 25 minute drive to downtown). It is only 10 minutes to Sturbridge, 20 minutes to Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, and much more affordable than Auburn or Millbury (sorry if you live there). Spencer is one town closer to Worcester and slightly cheaper, but the quality of life around the downtown area is not so good (and also where the more affordable places are).

[kmann-sherborn]

Are you looking for elder day care or more in-depth care? If you're just looking for the former, there's a lovely place in Marlboro. It's in a nice spacious home instead of a "facility". I met the owner there not long ago & was surprised how nice it was. It's called Pleasantries Adult Day Center.

[maxwg]

If you are looking for a smaller house (that's probably what you'd get in the $250k range) in a quiet town only minutes to Worcester, check out Sterling! Most houses have at least 1/2 acre lots (due to septic), it is a cute, quiet town with easy highway access to 190, 290, Rte.2...