From Boston to Worcester: what is Worcester like? (Cambridge, Shrewsbury: apartment, rent)

[new2mass]

Hi all. I've been living in the Boston area for about six years now -- the first three years in Cambridge (okay, but too expensive) and the last three years in Dorchester (okay, but want more activity).

I like the energy and activity of urban living but also love the access to parks and green space that Boston offers. I also prefer to be in a diverse neighborhood. I currently live in the Lower Mills section of Dorchester where I pay a reasonable rent for a large-ish 2 bedroom apartment. I spend most of my social time in JP, the South End, or in Cambridge (where I work). I also have some friends in Roslindale and visit over that way occasionally. I have a car but I always take the T to work and only drive occasionally for social things. And I'm planning on starting a family in the next year or so. So you have an idea of my lifestyle and the kinds of neighborhoods I like.

I'm thinking of applying for a job at Holy Cross in Worcester. I have a few questions:

1. What is Worcester like? Are there any neighborhoods there similar to the ones I mentioned above? Is it safe? Diverse? Family friendly? Affordable? Is there public transportation or do people mostly drive?

2. Should I move to Worcester or is commuting daily from Dorchester a reasonable (i.e., not maddening) option?

3. Are there towns between Boston and Worcester that might be a good option for me?

Thanks!

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by new2mass

Hi all. I've been living in the Boston area for about six years now -- the first three years in Cambridge (okay, but too expensive) and the last three years in Dorchester (okay, but want more activity).

I like the energy and activity of urban living but also love the access to parks and green space that Boston offers. I also prefer to be in a diverse neighborhood. I currently live in the Lower Mills section of Dorchester where I pay a reasonable rent for a large-ish 2 bedroom apartment. I spend most of my social time in JP, the South End, or in Cambridge (where I work). I also have some friends in Roslindale and visit over that way occasionally. I have a car but I always take the T to work and only drive occasionally for social things. And I'm planning on starting a family in the next year or so. So you have an idea of my lifestyle and the kinds of neighborhoods I like.

I'm thinking of applying for a job at Holy Cross in Worcester. I have a few questions:

1. What is Worcester like? Are there any neighborhoods there similar to the ones I mentioned above? Is it safe? Diverse? Family friendly? Affordable? Is there public transportation or do people mostly drive?

2. Should I move to Worcester or is commuting daily from Dorchester a reasonable (i.e., not maddening) option?

3. Are there towns between Boston and Worcester that might be a good option for me?

Thanks!

1) Worcester is mainly blue collar, with the nicest areas being in the northern and western parts of the city. There is some diversity sprinkled across the nicer areas of the cities, but it's a very suburban environment, which is family friendly (most public schools in Worcester are not desirable though). Shrewsbury Street (east side) is the area which offers safety with diversity, but is not an ideal place for a fmaily, yet. There's no public transportation other than the bus line.

2) People make the commute from the Worcester area to Boston every day. I would not recommend it though.

3) Other than the diversity factor, there are some very family friendly towns with great schools between Worcester and Boston which fit your description. I don't mean to be harsh, but in MA, "family friendly" , "safe", "affordable" and "diverse" really do not go hand in hand.If you have a family, you want to be in SHrewsbury, Westboro, Ashland, Hopkinton, etc. because of the schools. These towns are not diverse, and houses typically go for $400K plus. Numbers don't lie.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by thenewtexan

but in MA, "family friendly" , "safe", "affordable" and "diverse" really do not go hand in hand.

It's not just MA because you have qualities which are diametrically opposed to each other. Diversity tends to mean urban, mixed income, and a significant percentage of 2nd generation immigrants (which combined are not conducive to good schools and, therefore, "family friendliness").

[emilybh]

I used to live in Worcester decades ago as a kid and where we used to live off of Salisbury Street, across from Notre Dame Academy was VERY nice. I went to an excellent private school called Bancroft over by Indian Lake and really liked it there.

Of course this was decades ago and I'm sure things have changed. I know the school is a lot bigger and fancier than it was when I was there.

Worcester has a very good art museum I recall, (even by my mother's picky standards). She was devastated when my father got a great job running a company near Worcester and we had to move from Wellesley to Worcester. I know Worcester has a lot more now in the way of restaurants than it did then.
Back then there were some great ethnic food places; great pizza places; really special bakeries (I'm thinking of the Crown Bakery). There was lots of great GREEK food. We all loved "Cottage Donuts" too. Probably the best pizza, donuts, Spanakopita I've ever had in my life were experienced in Worcester -- along with the really special Swedish delicacies from the Crown Bakery. Only confections I've eaten in Europe may have rivaled those.

Oh I forgot Asian. I bet there were some great Asian places too.

Now I'm into organic non-gmo foods and farmers' markets. I have no idea how Worcester might be as far as that goes. If it passed muster in that respect I might still be able to be happy there.

Also, even at age 13 I remember taking the bus downtown by myself with a friend to go shopping at the new Worcester Center Galleria and Denholm's and not being afraid to ride the bus. Though again, that was ages ago.

[Bob Lanata]

I look at Worcester as being a smaller version of Boston. Neat city and I get to go there once a month for work. I have noticed that it has improved alot over the years.

on another note, I find myself at "Coney Island Hot Dog" often having dogs n beans. I forget the name of the street that it is on, but a great cheap eats

[jfitt]

Originally Posted by Bob Lanata

I look at Worcester as being a smaller version of Boston. Neat city and I get to go there once a month for work. I have noticed that it has improved alot over the years.

on another note, I find myself at "Coney Island Hot Dog" often having dogs n beans. I forget the name of the street that it is on, but a great cheap eats

Coney Island is on Southbridge St. Dogs and beans? I lived in Worcester many decades, ate at CI monthly, and never saw a bean! Are you talking about the meat sauce?

[KenInMA]

Originally Posted by jfitt

Coney Island is on Southbridge St. Dogs and beans? I lived in Worcester many decades, ate at CI monthly, and never saw a bean! Are you talking about the meat sauce?

No, they have baked beans now. I was there last weekend.

[Bob Lanata]

jfitt, they got beans in a pot they make themselves and you can see the cooking pot from the counter. They do a good bean. I often take a few bowls to go and reheat. WICKED GOOD