Thoughts on possible relocation to Gardner, MA (Boston, Worcester: house, neighborhoods)

[balesofhay1212]

My fiancee and I are looking into a possible relocation from TX to MA sometime next year. We have visited several times in the past and both feel this would be in our favor for our family. We have researched the area in Gardner have read both good and bad. Is this area safe for a family? We do have a 13 year old son.

[495neighbor]

This is an economically depressed area. You really need to think twice about relocating there.

[FCMA]

Gardner is what you make of it. It is exurban, meaning it falls just outside the orbit of a major metro, yet is still influenced by it barely. Lots of people commute long distances from the Gardner area to Worcester, the 495 belt or even Boston, and enjoy cheap housing anyways, but pill popping neighbors who have no economic prospects locally. It has a proud rusty heritage and a cute downtown that needs some TLC. It is overall a safer bet than nearby Fitchburg and Leominster, which are largely festering slums. Its local economy was traditionally supported by furniture but now all the furniture materials are made in China, then sent to Gardner for assembly and display in the outlets. Other major employers are few, mostly sundry service jobs, a small hospital, and a community college. The eastern side of downtown is generally nicer neighborhoods than west and north, and the outskirts cede from suburban into rural quickly. It's not that bad a place but it's pretty dull, hence the oxycodone popping and teen pregnancy but that's every postindustrial dump in the country for ya. Politically moderate area, and you'll find bloodhungry guntoters as well as your typical MA commie vegans hiding away in the area. Central MA is the Texas of Massachusetts after all - how else do you explain the string of Republican governors in the bluest of states? Right - towns like Templeton and others surrounding Gardner! Easy access to the boonies for fishing, hiking, and hunting and such. It's a safe town compared to other old mill towns in MA, but still not quite wholesome. Have you considered the small towns around Gardner? Places like Ashburnham, Westminster, Hubbardston, or Phillipston? Rural/bedroom communities with nice land for relatively cheap in the grand scheme of Massaholechusetts! Just stay away from Winchendon - theres a reason its known as Winchentucky. Better schools than Gardner if that's a concern considering your teenage son! I like that Gardner is pragmatic - for example while all the spoiled NIMBY freaks in suburban MA shoot down renewable energy while America gets fracked and strip mines into oblivion (but its not in MY Hingham backyard so who cares?), Gardner is one of the few places that didn't seem to throw a hissy fit when wind turbines went up in town, at Mt Wachusett Community College. Massaholes like to support green energy in theory, and pretend to be all green and liberal and whatnot but won't walk the walk in most places. Gardner's pragmatic attitude allowed that project and so far the world hasn't ended and no reports of flicker-induced seizures or whatever the NIMBY drones like to fabricate when opposing alternatives - good for Gardner! Pragmatic blue collar folks outgreening the Cambridges and Amhersts of the Commonwealth.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by FCMA

Gardner is what you make of it. It is exurban, meaning it falls just outside the orbit of a major metro, yet is still influenced by it barely. Lots of people commute long distances from the Gardner area to Worcester, the 495 belt or even Boston, and enjoy cheap housing anyways, but pill popping neighbors who have no economic prospects locally. It has a proud rusty heritage and a cute downtown that needs some TLC. It is overall a safer bet than nearby Fitchburg and Leominster, which are largely festering slums. Its local economy was traditionally supported by furniture but now all the furniture materials are made in China, then sent to Gardner for assembly and display in the outlets. Other major employers are few, mostly sundry service jobs, a small hospital, and a community college. The eastern side of downtown is generally nicer neighborhoods than west and north, and the outskirts cede from suburban into rural quickly. It's not that bad a place but it's pretty dull, hence the oxycodone popping and teen pregnancy but that's every postindustrial dump in the country for ya. Politically moderate area, and you'll find bloodhungry guntoters as well as your typical MA commie vegans hiding away in the area. Central MA is the Texas of Massachusetts after all - how else do you explain the string of Republican governors in the bluest of states? Right - towns like Templeton and others surrounding Gardner! Easy access to the boonies for fishing, hiking, and hunting and such. It's a safe town compared to other old mill towns in MA, but still not quite wholesome. Have you considered the small towns around Gardner? Places like Ashburnham, Westminster, Hubbardston, or Phillipston? Rural/bedroom communities with nice land for relatively cheap in the grand scheme of Massaholechusetts! Just stay away from Winchendon - theres a reason its known as Winchentucky. Better schools than Gardner if that's a concern considering your teenage son! I like that Gardner is pragmatic - for example while all the spoiled NIMBY freaks in suburban MA shoot down renewable energy while America gets fracked and strip mines into oblivion (but its not in MY Hingham backyard so who cares?), Gardner is one of the few places that didn't seem to throw a hissy fit when wind turbines went up in town, at Mt Wachusett Community College. Massaholes like to support green energy in theory, and pretend to be all green and liberal and whatnot but won't walk the walk in most places. Gardner's pragmatic attitude allowed that project and so far the world hasn't ended and no reports of flicker-induced seizures or whatever the NIMBY drones like to fabricate when opposing alternatives - good for Gardner! Pragmatic blue collar folks outgreening the Cambridges and Amhersts of the Commonwealth.

Super rep, good description.

[pennyone]

FCMA....Rep!

[in_newengland]

Whoever FCMA is, he is always amazing. Can't rep him again though.

[FCMA]

Haha thanks {takes a bow}. I lived in Gardner for a spell. It was definitely nice to move on, but it's not the worst place either. Some very nice neighborhoods, overall a mix of socioeconomic classes. A bit isolated from any sort of cultural centers. The whole place feels a little creaky and dated, like say, an old chair (no play on Chair City I swear) at your crusty old cigar smoking grandpa's house with its seat about worn through and about to fall out. I swear some stores and definitely my drivers ed school in the mid-90s even smell more than slightly of mothballs. Not much in Gardner's infrastructure is modern. Another consideration - most of the town is over 1000' elevation so if you're driving back from points east during a mild winter rain at say the Concord rotary, expect six+ inches of snow back in G-Vegas. Them winters are nasty up there! Decent restaurant-brewpub at Gardner Ale House, but otherwise mostly rather shabby fast-food/greasy pizza/Chinese dining options (new Thai place by the Stop N Shop is also good) if you're the type likes to go out to eat!

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by FCMA

It is overall a safer bet than nearby Fitchburg and Leominster, which are largely festering slums.

I agree with everything but this. Leominster is FAR from being a festering slum, Fitchburg yes. I would say Gardner is in between the two, with Leominster being nicer and Fitchburg being worse.

You seem to have a beef with Leominster. I can think of probably 50 worse towns in MA.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I agree with everything but this. Leominster is FAR from being a festering slum, Fitchburg yes. I would say Gardner is in between the two, with Leominster being nicer and Fitchburg being worse.

You seem to have a beef with Leominster. I can think of probably 50 worse towns in MA.

I don't understand the Leominster bashing either. However, I'm not familiar with the schools.

Definitely stay away from Fitchburg.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I agree with everything but this. Leominster is FAR from being a festering slum, Fitchburg yes. I would say Gardner is in between the two, with Leominster being nicer and Fitchburg being worse.

You seem to have a beef with Leominster. I can think of probably 50 worse towns in MA.

I agree with this. I know a couple of people out in Ashburnham and they describe Leominster as being on par with Lunenburg. It's all subjective, I guess.