Commuting Worcester to Framingham (Boston, Somerville: apartments, home, school)

[atreen]

Mid twenties, male moving to boston area soon, I will be working in framingham. Looking around online I have found that east of Framingham housing is too expensive for what these apartments are worth, so I've been looking at worcester and seems like they over a look of really modern and nice looking apartments for ~1500 range, which would maybe give me a studio or not so great 1BR closer to Boston. At this point I'd rather live in a decent place further from boston than a trashy place closer to boston. I am also assuming that Worcester has a decent population of folks in their 20s-30's, and ok social/night life since there are several colleges around? But I know that it probably doesnt compare to Boston at all; I am ok with making that sacrifice.

I was wondering how is traffic for Worcester to Framingham?

Also, I saw a few threads bashing Worcester's infrastructure, but that was a few years back. Has it improved?

[495neighbor]

Worcester is home to six colleges including a major medical school campus. While not exactly a Somerville, you won't exactly be the only young and free folk.

Not such good news however regarding the traffic and commute as you will be heading east the same time as all the Boston commuters.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

Worcester is home to six colleges including a major medical school campus.

I actually counted 9. WPI, Holy Cross, Assumption, Clarke, Worcester State, UMass Medical Shool, Mass College of Pharmacy, QCU, Becker. I might be missing one or two?

I agree the commute won't be pretty if you are working a regular weekday 9 to 5 ish schedule.

[atreen]

Is 730am early enough to miss the rush hour?
I was thinking maybe hit up a gym close to work before heading in each day.

I looked at the map and looks like it's only around 25 miles distance. I'm expecting maybe 40 minute commute average?

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by atreen

Is 730am early enough to miss the rush hour?
I was thinking maybe hit up a gym close to work before heading in each day.

I looked at the map and looks like it's only around 25 miles distance. I'm expecting maybe 40 minute commute average?

You mean if you arrived that early? Leaving Worcester at 730 you will absolutely hit rush hour. Maybe if you left Worcester at 530, arrived in Framingham at 6 then hit the gym for an hour or two...


Get on the road after 6 or 630, you will be dealing with an hour +.

[atreen]

1+hr!? wow I didnt know so many people drive from worcester to boston. I thought maybe people commuting to boston would live closer to Framingham/natick and that traffic would be thinner from worcester to framingham.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by atreen

1+hr!? wow I didnt know so many people drive from worcester to boston.

Yes, tons of people commute from areas west of Framingham to Boston/Rte. 128.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by atreen

1+hr!? wow I didnt know so many people drive from worcester to boston. I thought maybe people commuting to boston would live closer to Framingham/natick and that traffic would be thinner from worcester to framingham.

Lots of people take the train, too.

[atreen]

If I end up living in worcester, would you recommend I take the train?

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by atreen

If I end up living in worcester, would you recommend I take the train?

It's probably not feasible as most employers in Framingham are nowhere near the train station. But if it was near Downtown Framingham, then yes I would seriously consider it.