Gardner, MA??? (Boston, Worcester, Springfield: car insurance, crime rate, home)

[risa1230]

Hi, I've recently applied for a position at a community college in Gardner, MA. Does anyone know anything about this area? From what I could find out its about an 1 1/2 outside of boston and 45 min from Worcester. Whats the city like? Is it diverse? Is it possible to commute from Worcester to Gardner? I'm from CA so I know next to nothing about MA! Thanks for you help! =)

[mal7014]

Never speed in Gardener. That's all I know.

[smarty]

I do not know much except it is called.
"Chair City," "Furniture Capital of New England"

They have big furniture outlets.

I had a friend who lived there years ago. I think she said it is an average town. Here's the school profile.
[link]http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/home.asp?mode=so&view=all&mcasyear=&ot=5&o=663&so= 669-6 [url]

It may be cheaper and safer to live in Gardner than Worcester.

[risa1230]

Is Worcester not safe? I was just thinking that I'd rather live in a big city and commute to Gardner. Is that a good idea? I don't really know that much about the area. Thanks!

[smarty]

Originally Posted by risa1230

Is Worcester not safe? I was just thinking that I'd rather live in a big city and commute to Gardner. Is that a good idea? I don't really know that much about the area. Thanks!

A Big city usually have good and bad parts of town. Due to density, it usually has more crime also. Car insurance for this reason is more expensive in the city. More expensive housing due to supply and demand.

On the other hand, stores in city usually open later than small towns. There are more fun things to do like clubs, restaurants, sports games, museum, ... etc.

I do not know what lifestyle you prefer. It is up to you if it is a good idea.

I also suggest you google the city Worcester and Gardner. This way you have some more idea of what they offer.

[robinhoodnik]

I'm not sure that Worcester qualifies as a "big" city. It is certainly a city though. I've been there quite a few times on work related issues, and what I saw wasn't all that bad.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by risa1230

Hi, I've recently applied for a position at a community college in Gardner, MA. Does anyone know anything about this area? From what I could find out its about an 1 1/2 outside of boston and 45 min from Worcester. Whats the city like? Is it diverse? Is it possible to commute from Worcester to Gardner? I'm from CA so I know next to nothing about MA! Thanks for you help! =)

I got my Australian terrier puppy from Gardner. It seemed like a nice town. The breeder had a nice home with alot of land. It was around 1 and 1/2 hours from Cape Cod.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by robinhoodnik

I'm not sure that Worcester qualifies as a "big" city. It is certainly a city though. I've been there quite a few times on work related issues, and what I saw wasn't all that bad.

The Boston Globe yester had a forumn with regards to Allston being a bad place, buy someone who wrote a book. The topic was which other towns qualify to be on the list. Brockton, Worcester, Lawrence, Roxbury Savin Hill etc.

I think if you do a search on google with allston, or go on the boston globe web site you can read the opinions of people.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by maggiekate

The Boston Globe yester had a forumn with regards to Allston being a bad place, buy someone who wrote a book. The topic was which other towns qualify to be on the list. Brockton, Worcester, Lawrence, Roxbury Savin Hill etc.

I think if you do a search on google with allston, or go on the boston globe web site you can read the opinions of people.

If you are a college student, you'll love ALLSTON. There are plenty of beer, clubs and cheap restaurants. It probably is not the best for families bring up young kids.

Worcester is similar. The area near WPI and Clark U. is actually very nice compare to some other parts of town. They have cleaned up quite a bit in recent years. Unfortunately, there is not enough $$$ to support the growth. U. Mass. Medical center is another area that has improve dramatically.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by robinhoodnik

I'm not sure that Worcester qualifies as a "big" city. It is certainly a city though. I've been there quite a few times on work related issues, and what I saw wasn't all that bad.

Worcester is the second largest city in New England, after Boston. The crime rate is pretty bad but not as bad as Springfield.