What is Longmeadow/E Longmeadow like? (Springfield, Chicopee: fit in, apartments, rental)

[dlynn2307]

I am in my 20s and will be attending grad school at Springfield College and need to find a place to live within the next few weeks. I still cant decide which area around Springfield would best fit my needs. I would like to live somewhere with similar things I am used to now, such as a college town, lots of retail chain shopping and malls, lots of chain and local restaurants, and entertainment. I do not want to live in an area where theres only one grocery or retail chain store and have to drive 20 minutes to get to the closest civilization. Safety and cleanliness is also important. I don't mind a short 30 min max. commute to Springfield. I have considered Northampton, but due to a possible job in Hartford, CT I would ideally like something closer to both.

I would specifically like descriptions of West Springfield, Easthampton, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Westfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, and Hartford CT since I have not had the opportunity to visit, am pressed for time, and have no idea what these places are like and if they fit for what I am looking for. Also, if there are any areas that I should absolutely not consider, please feel free to let me know. I am open to all suggestions! Thanks in advance!

[in_newengland]

You're not going to find what you're looking for. WMass isn't big on shopping malls and chain stores, thank goodness. As for a nice town to live in that would be near Springfield and Hartford, probably E. Longmeadow is the best. Longmeadow is closer to rte 91 but it's totally family oriented and pretty snobby and closed to outsiders.

E. Longmeadow is a quiet family town too but it's more relaxed and pleasant.

Westfield is rather run down and is sort of off the beaten path--not too easy to get to Springfield or Hartford. Easthampton is becoming artsy but it's still mainly blue collar and not that comfortable for a college student. Chicopee is, I think, blue collar and sort of run down. Don't even THINK of Holyoke and I mean it. The location would be perfect but don't be tempted. It's drugs and gangs and your apartment will be broken into--people don't even GO there, let alone LIVE there.

You might consider S. Hadley where Mt Holyoke College is located but don't expect shopping mails. It's a college town, not a city. You'd probably fit in better there than anywhere else. I think it's not too hard to get to the Ingleside Mall from there if you have to have a mall. (It's really the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside but don't be tempted by the Holyoke part--do NOT live in Holyoke.)

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

WMass isn't big on shopping malls and chain stores, thank goodness. As for a nice town to live in that would be near Springfield and Hartford, probably E. Longmeadow is the best.

Amen on the chain stores. Your comments are good, but are there any rental apartments for the OP in East Longmeadow? I can't find any except for a senior community called Brownstone Gardens.

[sna77]

Did you really need to create 5 threads asking the same thing?

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by sna77

Did you really need to create 5 threads asking the same thing?

I know. lol

I fell for it on another one of their threads, all asking the same questions. I really shouldn't be adding to it but wanted to say for golden age that Brownstone has a long waiting list and is elderly housing. No, there aren't apartments in E. Longmeadow except maybe something someone might have over their garage. There would be fewer, if any, in Longmeadow except for elderly housing.

Now--LET'S LET THIS THREAD DIE. OP has spammed this forum with the same questions over and over and over.