My Trip to Worcester... (Boston, Springfield: house, neighborhoods, buying)

[bolehboleh]

I had the day off from work yesterday so I thought I'd venture out of my little world here in Cambridge and visit Central Mass for the day. My trip was a chance to see some places in the state that I've visited before, but haven't been to lately. I grew up in Eastern Mass and usually Worcester was just something I'd see out the car window as I used 290 to get to the Pike.

I had my bike so I got to see some of the neighborhoods close up. I came in through North Worcester (I'd actually taken the train to Fitchburg and then biked down to Worcester)...not much of a fan of the northern part of the city. It's not because it was run down, it's more because it reminds me a lot of what I don't like in many American cities; Too much sprawl and too many fast food chains.

However, the closer I got to downtown, the nicer things got. Once I got to Main Street, needless to say, I was both impressed and a little hopeful for the future of this city. What I saw was a reasonably dense downtown, bars, a good number of people on the street and the DCU Center...all of this within walking distance to the very beautiful, and underutilized, Union Station. I also saw the start of the construction of what looks to be a really nice addition to the city, CitySquare. My hopes for Worcester is that CitySquare will expand by a few blocks some of the vibrancy and foot traffic that exists over on Main Street. Maybe it can spur other "smart growth" around the train station.

With the train to Boston and easy access to the suburbs with 190 and 290, I see a positive future for the city of Worcester. I also see the possibility of adding another 50-100,000 people to the city, improvements in public transportation and a much greater influence in New England, all with in the next 30-40 years.

[DawnMTL]

Thanks for saying that. We just moved to the west side of Worcester, right off Salisbury Street, a week ago. When my husband got offered this new job in Worcester, I was worried because, like you said, what you see from the highway is all that you know... until you venture in.

I spent the first 40 years of my life in Montreal, the last 6 in West Hartford, CT (that was a tough adjustment -- it's VERY quiet and suburban there), and this move to Worcester concerned me for a number of reasons.

It's nice to hear such positive information! Most of what I read, be it here on CD or elsewhere on the Interwebzzzz, was less than glowing. This old broad may not live to see your 30-40 year plan come to fruition, but I'd be happy to see the work towards it.

Thanks again for what you wrote.

[gosling357]

I have heard that Worcester is very hilly! I love that in a city...we will be visiting with some friends in October since that is a place we are considering moving. It also seems much less expensive than (of course) the Boston area and also Northampton. Springfield is cheap too, but...not sure if we want to do that. Worcester seems perfect.

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by gosling357

I have heard that Worcester is very hilly!

So funny that you should say that!!!

As I mentioned, I'm from Montreal -- a hilly city that's built around a mountain (Mount Royal = Montreal).

We moved onto a street in Worcester that actually has the word "hill" in its name. You'd think, being a Montreal girl, that this would have registered in my brain that, come winter, on icy sidewalks, I'd break my leg again (I did it last winter, on FLAT GROUND), walking my dog. So here I am, trying to teach my dog that pooing in the back yard is a GREAT IDEA! He's not buying it for a second. But there are hot dog pieces in it for him, so maybe he'll catch on.

Point is: Yes, Worcester is hilly. At least my area is. Enjoy!

[gosling357]

Huh, didn't think about the whole, "dangerous icy hill" thing...all the more reason to visit a place in the winter, eh?

[bolehboleh]

I'm not saying the place is perfect, it does need a lot of work. However, I AM hopeful for the future of the city.

[gosling357]

No place is perfect!

[bolehboleh]

I agree. I guess I'm just a "homer" who roots for cities in my home state to do well. Every time I read about or see a project in a Mass city that will help to improve the overall quality of life, increase density in the city centers or improve vibrancy, I become somewhat excited. I love the idea of traveling to "gateway" cities all over the state and seeing vibrant and interesting downtowns. I hope that Worcester will be a destination of mine in the near future. Aside from rooting for Worcester, I also enjoy watching the progress in Lowell, New Bedford, Rever, Somerville and Haverhill. Along with the more traditional downtowns of our smaller, historical and more affluent cities and with the addition of casinos in the state, Massachusetts will become a true vacation destination.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by DandJ

Thanks for saying that. We just moved to the west side of Worcester, right off Salisbury Street, a week ago. When my husband got offered this new job in Worcester, I was worried because, like you said, what you see from the highway is all that you know... until you venture in.

I spent the first 40 years of my life in Montreal, the last 6 in West Hartford, CT (that was a tough adjustment -- it's VERY quiet and suburban there), and this move to Worcester concerned me for a number of reasons.

It's nice to hear such positive information! Most of what I read, be it here on CD or elsewhere on the Interwebzzzz, was less than glowing. This old broad may not live to see your 30-40 year plan come to fruition, but I'd be happy to see the work towards it.

Thanks again for what you wrote.

Glad to hear you had a good move. How's Artie? West Hartford , I always thought, was nice, but I never saw much of it. I also liked Worcester, I have a friend that went to whoopie tech.

[purr]

I'm considering buying a place house on Kingsbury St. Does anyone knows about this street or neighborhood to give me some advice? Thanks,