Good areas in West Springfield??? (Boston, Westfield: apartments, rental, crime)

[salman77]

Hi i'm moving to Mass in december with my wife and since Boston, my preferred city to live in is too expensive for us right now, i've thought about moving somewhere in west springfield where rents are low and crime is not as high as Springfield . I've read alot of negative stuff about Springfield and so i like to avoid going there. A 1 bedroom apt under $700 is my current budget . A friend lives in Amherst but i may get bored there . Can anyone point out some good, safe and possibly affordable areas in West Springfield/Westfield or any other counties in Massachusetts. Finding a non-proffessional job is also a priority for me because i need to work as soon as possible $$$ .
I'd appreciate any information you give me,THANKS.

[JiminCT]

Move to Amherst-Northampton area. If you are bored in Amherst, you go stir-crazy in West Springfield.

[K.Sienna]

I agree with the previous poster, you definitely want to stay north of Springfield in Northampton. Westfield is nice too but not sure about the 700 a month, you never know though with the housing market lately you could get a great rental price. Westfield is pretty. We lived in Agawam for 2 years and I sure wished if we could do the commute we would have lived in Westfield. West Springfield is not for everyone. There are nicer areas but mostly what I have seen are multi-family housing that isn't kept up as they should be. There are nicer neighborhoods but like I said I haven't seen or been in them.

[topher441970]

You can find something in Westfield for $700 or less 1 or 2 bedroom. West Springfield is, YES part of Springfield. There was just a drive by shooting there last week. I would live in Westfield, but no part of Springfield or Holyoke... Now like the last posting says, if Amherst will be boring, Westfield is not exciting. Besides if you lived anywhere here in western Mass, you will find a lot to do.. You should also take a GOOD look(daytime, and night) at the neighborhood before you consider a place in Westfield also... Easthampton is good, Northampton, Hadley, pretty much most anything above Holyoke. Here are links to the papers.

[u]MassLive.com[u]

A list of allpapers. Northamptons website is down at the moment.
Massachusetts Newspapers - Massachusetts Newspaper List

[salman77]

Thanks everyone. I've never been to Massachussets and instead lived in Arizona for few a years. I think i'll be going to Amherst where my friend resides and after a while i'll get to know the state well and decide what i must do and perhaps where the right area is for me.

But for now, where is the next best happening city after Boston?? t h a n k s

[Noodle]

Check out Agawam. Lots of apartments there, and no bad areas that come to mind. Westfield is o.k., but there are some seedy areas. I know. I live there. Or, as some said, Northampton/Easthampton area. Rents may be higher there due to more demand, IMO.

I'd stay out of West Springfield if it were me.

Just sayin'

[salman77]

thank you , I will surely check those ares out right now.

c h e e r s

[Keri040407]

West Springfield is not bad. Just like any other city you have your trouble makers and everything. But all in all West Springfield isn't bad. Stay away from the merrick section and any place that looks ghetto is ghetto. But there are good places. Now I was wondering if everyone knew so much about west springfield if they could tell me anything about the Westwood Court Townhouses on Riverdale st. Ive lived in West Springfield for 5 years and very surprised that I dont know very much about this apartment building. That to me is a sign that is unsure.

[BUTRFLIE]

Downtown Springfield has some new apartment buildings where the rent for 1 bedroom apartments starts as low as $550 per month. I find that shocking because I am from NYC. Enough said. I know downtown Springfield is lacking in cultural activities at the moment, but I am part of a committee that is working on that. I am also a business owner working steadfast to make Springfield a better place to work and live. Watch what people will be saying about Springfield, MA in the next two years. Just watch.