holyoke (Springfield, Lowell, Franklin: real estate, apartment complexes, crime)

[brikag]

We would like some information on Holyoke. We have read many posts on Holyoke, and we're really startled of what we have read. Is it really that bad? We understand that the city is revitalizing the canal area. We are thinking of rezoning a commercial area for residential. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[pjscdn]

Unfortunately, Holyoke is arguably one of the worst cities in MA. It's an old mill town that's never really had an economic revival, and there's one unlikely anytime soon. The tax base is low, so do not expect an abundance of services from the city. The schools are consistently one of the lowest performing in the state, something to consider if you plan to raise a family there. The population has been predominately Hispanic for many years, mostly Puerto Rican immigrants, who live primarily in the downtown area in the numerous apartment complexes.

If you do choose to give it a try, you will find very affordable real estate. You can even find a few bargains in the 'heights' area, which has some very nice homes at bargain prices. If you have kids, the parochial schools would be an option.

[missionhill]

Not sure the tax base is so bad--there's a big commercial sector along I-91 that includes Holyoke Mall, office buildings, and other ratables. It strikes me as an exaggeration to say most of the pop is Hispanic although you can check the stats right here on City Data. Most of the population downtown is Hispanic but that's just part of the city. There is work under way to revitalize some of the mill buildings along the third level canal; I saw one ambitious project a few years ago. Nothing as catalytic as the Mass MOCA project in North Adams but an impressive effort nonetheless. Public schools in Holyoke weren't very good when I was in them, back when the city was heavily Irish and French Canadian, so nothing new there. It's true that the city has been in decline since the 1930s and hasn't really turned around. The downtown area is especially sad if you knew it back when. Still, Holyoke's mills are spectacular 19th century buildings and one day or another they'll be put to new uses. The whole Holyoke-Springfield area needs a new economic base, since manufacturing is really gone, but hard to see what it will be.

[LSatie]

It is pretty bad, from what I saw. I'd sooner live in some of the "better" parts of Springfield or even Ludlow, IMO.

[willdufauve]

I would think there's more Irish than Puerto Ricans in Holyoke. There's even still a big St Pat's day parade and Irish pubs. There's also recent Somalian immigrants, etc.I enjoy the mix of cultures in small cities and I don't rush to write them off out of personal bias.

[TheWereRabbit]

Someday Holyoke might become an up-and-coming city but thats a long way off. If you have kids I would strongly recommend private school or catholic school as someone earlier mentioned, since it has one of the worst school systems in the state. Holyoke is among the poorest and most dangerous towns in Massachusetts. Hopefully Holyoke will eventually turn around it's old mill-town atmosphere into something sort of hip like Lowell is in the process of doing but as I said, that is a long way off.

[willdufauve]

Not to minimize the crime and poverty problems, they exist, but the low property costs can also mean opportunity for the right business.

My spouse teaches at Holyoke Community College and loves the students, so many of them are bright, engaging, politically & socially astute, desire to get education and do well in life.

Where we live in redneck Franklin County doesn't measure up to the higher educational standards in the schools and general level of intelligence that we see in people in Holyoke/Springfield. And, there's crime...murders, hard drugs, family violence....in rural Greenfield/Fkln Cnty too. Keep an open mind.

[michael49]

Originally Posted by TheWereRabbit

Someday Holyoke might become an up-and-coming city but thats a long way off. If you have kids I would strongly recommend private school or catholic school as someone earlier mentioned, since it has one of the worst school systems in the state. Holyoke is among the poorest and most dangerous towns in Massachusetts. Hopefully Holyoke will eventually turn around it's old mill-town atmosphere into something sort of hip like Lowell is in the process of doing but as I said, that is a long way off.

My advice is avoid Holyoke. There is an effort being made to improve things there, but it's a long way off from a nice place to live. If you want to be in that area, try looking 5-10 minutes north in South Hadley near Mt Holyoke College or South of Holyoke in Longmeadow.

[EDAPuzzles]

Holyoke is not a bad place. As long as you mind your own business no one will bother you. South Hadley is a good community if you want your kids to get into expensive drugs. Having attended holyoke public high school myself, there are alot of bright students there who are not recognized because of all the annoying little spanish kids on the 6 year plan. And what happens is the good kids become friends with the good kids and the annoying stupid kids leave them alone. West Holyoke has very nice houses and a lot of land available to establish.

[Rose Red]

Originally Posted by pjscdn

Unfortunately, Holyoke is arguably one of the worst cities in MA. It's an old mill town that's never really had an economic revival, and there's one unlikely anytime soon. The tax base is low, so do not expect an abundance of services from the city. The schools are consistently one of the lowest performing in the state, something to consider if you plan to raise a family there. The population has been predominately Hispanic for many years, mostly Puerto Rican immigrants, who live primarily in the downtown area in the numerous apartment complexes.

If you do choose to give it a try, you will find very affordable real estate. You can even find a few bargains in the 'heights' area, which has some very nice homes at bargain prices. If you have kids, the parochial schools would be an option.

Just an F.Y.I. Puerto Ricans aren't immigrants. They didn't immigrate to the United States so they are pretty much Americans. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States.