Recommending Springfield neighborhoods to families (Boston, Chicopee: cul-de-sac, apartment, how much)
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Recommending Springfield neighborhoods to families
Long ago, I realized that many people on this forum write-off Springfield, Massachusetts as a "bad place," and instead - when people ask questions about the area - they recommend Hartford-Springfield's suburbs.
In my opinion - having lived in those suburbs (raised in Longmeadow) and cities like Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, and overseas; and having just moved to Springfield from Northampton - that's selling the City of Springfield short.
***To dispel stereotypes: Springfield is a city with some very nice neighborhoods, some of which are wealthy and as crime-free as any suburb. Springfield also has some neighborhoods where bars-on-the-windows are understandable.*** That said, in my experience, there's much more good here than bad - and the city as a whole has a community feel that many cities lack.
There are 17 neighborhoods in Springfield. I would only recommend certain neighborhoods to families -- those are the ones where kids can play under the streetlights at night and you do not have to worry about their safety.
*Sixteen Acres - a suburban neighborhood which is indistinguishable from East Longmeadow. Features some of Springfield's best schools, e.g. SABIS International, Mary Walsh School, etc.
*East Forest Park - unfortunately, much this beautiful area, which surrounds a large lake, was devastated by the June 1, 2011 tornado. Half of it remains as it was - upper-middle class and leafy. Includes Cathedral High School, a well-regarded Catholic high school.
*Forest Park (south of Sumner Avenue features gorgeous Victorian cul-de-sacs and parkways like Magnolia Terrace and Washington Street. Designed by Olmsted (of NYC's Central Park fame) in the late 1800s.
* Atwater Park: where a lot of Springfield's big-wigs live, it is very safe - has a "gated-community" feel - and close to the three hospitals. It was designed by Olmsted's son in the early 1900s. Near the Renaissance School - a great one!
Having gotten to know Springfield, I would recommend different neighborhoods to different types of people. For example, the young bohemian/art scene is focused around the Apremont Triangle and Club Quarter in Downtown. The Central Business District is close by, so right now the area is an eclectic mix of suits and tattoo parlors, lol. I feel a lot of pride in the city so far, largely because it seems to be consciously doing the right things to make itself better.
This is good to know, I WAS curious about Springfield and I didn't understand the bad rap it seems to have gotten. It's nice to hear another viewpoint.
*East Forest Park - unfortunately, much this beautiful area, which surrounds a large lake, was devastated by the June 1, 2011 tornado. Half of it remains as it was - upper-middle class and leafy.
What areas would you recommend a 20 something yr old female grad student to live in if attending school in Springfield? I will be moving here in August but have not had the opportunity to visit yet. I would like to narrow down my options to perhaps my top two choices so the housing search will be easier once I arrive, since I will only have a week to look and decide. Any insight will be extremely helpful! Both an apartment or a house will work for me.
Northampton is definitely a consideration for me but would like some other suggestions as well since it is a bit pricey. I do not mind a commute (no more than 30 mins to Springfield) if a commute that long is even doable during snow and winter. I am from the south so I have never even seen or driven in snow. How much extra time would a 30 minute commute in the summer take during a snowy winter? Also, I would like to live in an area with younger people my age and nearby restaurants, shopping, and nightlife is a must. The more city feel the better. I would also like to get everyone's opinion on what its like living in the Hartford CT area and how bad of a commute it would be to Springfield.
I would greatly appreciate a description of the areas in and around Springfield (Northampton,Easthampton,Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Holyoke, Chicopee, Hartford, West Springfield...and everything else you feel I should know about) to get a better feel of what they are like so I can try to narrow it down and decide which areas are right for me. Listing unsafe and rundown areas to definately avoid will also be extremely helpful! Please help with anything you can!! Thanks!
Long ago, I realized that many people on this forum write-off Springfield, Massachusetts as a "bad place," and instead - when people ask questions about the area - they recommend Hartford-Springfield's suburbs.
In my opinion - having lived in those suburbs (raised in Longmeadow) and cities like Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, and overseas; and having just moved to Springfield from Northampton - that's selling the City of Springfield short.
***To dispel stereotypes: Springfield is a city with some very nice neighborhoods, some of which are wealthy and as crime-free as any suburb. Springfield also has some neighborhoods where bars-on-the-windows are understandable.*** That said, in my experience, there's much more good here than bad - and the city as a whole has a community feel that many cities lack.
There are 17 neighborhoods in Springfield. I would only recommend certain neighborhoods to families -- those are the ones where kids can play under the streetlights at night and you do not have to worry about their safety.
*Sixteen Acres - a suburban neighborhood which is indistinguishable from East Longmeadow. Features some of Springfield's best schools, e.g. SABIS International, Mary Walsh School, etc.
*East Forest Park - unfortunately, much this beautiful area, which surrounds a large lake, was devastated by the June 1, 2011 tornado. Half of it remains as it was - upper-middle class and leafy. Includes Cathedral High School, a well-regarded Catholic high school.
*Forest Park (south of Sumner Avenue features gorgeous Victorian cul-de-sacs and parkways like Magnolia Terrace and Washington Street. Designed by Olmsted (of NYC's Central Park fame) in the late 1800s.
* Atwater Park: where a lot of Springfield's big-wigs live, it is very safe - has a "gated-community" feel - and close to the three hospitals. It was designed by Olmsted's son in the early 1900s. Near the Renaissance School - a great one!
Having gotten to know Springfield, I would recommend different neighborhoods to different types of people. For example, the young bohemian/art scene is focused around the Apremont Triangle and Club Quarter in Downtown. The Central Business District is close by, so right now the area is an eclectic mix of suits and tattoo parlors, lol. I feel a lot of pride in the city so far, largely because it seems to be consciously doing the right things to make itself better.
JuJu83, thanks for the positive post on my hometown. While my family and I moved many years ago for economic reasons (like a job across the country!) I still hold fond memories of growing up in that city. It certainly has its challenges, like most cities, but the good that remains is often overlooked. Its location and close proximity to Hartford, Ct, NY and Boston afforded great exposure to big city life. I now live in the desert, (beautiful in its own way!) but miss some of the things I got to enjoy as a youth in Springfield. Politics aside, there are some beautiful places there! Most important, though, was the spirit of the people. I grew up in a loving and supportive community that gave me the confidence to believe I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to...and fortunately I did.
Despite the "gloom and doom" statements made about the city you can find the good if you look for it.Thanks again for the positive post!
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features gorgeous Victorian cul-de-sacs and parkways like Magnolia Terrace and Washington Street. Designed by Olmsted (of NYC's Central Park fame) in the late 1800s. 
. It's nice to hear another viewpoint
.
Thanks again for the positive post!
