I guess Worcester isn't so bad after all? (Boston, Cambridge: lofts, credit)

[New Englander]

The West Side of Worcester has some amazing homes. The area from Salisbury Street to Tatnuck, has an amazing mix of homes with diverse styles ranging from colonials, modern to tudors.

If the work commute to Boston was not grueling, I would rather live in a beautiful (and comparatively affordable) Tudor on the West side and commute to work.

Worcester is a city like any, with nice and rough neighborhoods. I hope the downtown comes back, as the Woo has great potential.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by New Englander

The West Side of Worcester has some amazing homes. The area from Salisbury Street to Tatnuck, has an amazing mix of homes with diverse styles ranging from colonials, modern to tudors.

If the work commute to Boston was not grueling, I would rather live in a beautiful (and comparatively affordable) Tudor on the West side and commute to work.

Worcester is a city like any, with nice and rough neighborhoods. I hope the downtown comes back, as the Woo has great potential.

It's made slow and seemingly sustainable improvement. Not sure it's passed the fulcrum quite yet, but its been receiving more capital investment from both public and private sources and it's existing higher ed and healthcare institutions maintain a good professional core.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

It's made slow and seemingly sustainable improvement. Not sure it's passed the fulcrum quite yet, but its been receiving more capital investment from both public and private sources and it's existing higher ed and healthcare institutions maintain a good professional core.

That's great. Worcester has a great mix of higher ed and healthcare institutions, so the starting base is solid. It's a very well located city with access to Boston, Springfield, Hartford, and Northern RI. I really do hope that the public/private investment coalesces to create a vibrant city.

[bostonguy1960]

I'm very impressed and envious.

I know, I know, I have no class, culture or taste.

No offense, but it sure beats the crap one finds in parts of Southie, Somerville, Cambridge, Quincy, Everett...even parts of Newton or almost anywhere in or around Boston.

But take my views lightly, as I struggle to rent a small apartment, can't even manage to buy a modest condo...anywhere in eastern Massachusetts

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by New Englander

That's great. Worcester has a great mix of higher ed and healthcare institutions, so the starting base is solid. It's a very well located city with access to Boston, Springfield, Hartford, and Northern RI. I really do hope that the public/private investment coalesces to create a vibrant city.

Yeah, its just that... it's not their yet. I would have loved to be able to buy into it. It would have saved me an hour each day commuting, but despite my trying, I couldn't. If I were 20 something and buying, maybe I could, hoping it would get there in 20 years. But in my 40s, well, I just couldn't do it. I've been hearing Worcester is coming along since growing up in the 80s, and its better, but still just not there.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Yeah, its just that... it's not their yet. I would have loved to be able to buy into it. It would have saved me an hour each day commuting, but despite my trying, I couldn't. If I were 20 something and buying, maybe I could, hoping it would get there in 20 years. But in my 40s, well, I just couldn't do it. I've been hearing Worcester is coming along since growing up in the 80s, and its better, but still just not there.

Thing is, it didn't start to make meaningful progress until the mid '90's. Like many cities, the '01 and '08 recessions stifled growth; however, post 2008 Worcester has significantly improved as a lot of the RE transitioned hands from the 'scuzzy' old guard to the 'savvy' new guard. For the past 20 years a number of 'investors' squatted on RE letting it rot and stifling growth, but tax pressures forced their hand and they sold to developers who are looking to better utilize the land/building. This private shift, combined with existing institutions like WPI redeveloping massive swaths of former industrial sites has really shifted momentum.

Where it goes, time shall tell.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by raveabouttoast

Is it just me, or is that house incredibly tacky?

I like the pool and the back deck(s), but otherwise... no thanks.

For people who want to be Old Money but don't actually have any understanding of the cultural backgrounds of Old Money but want to use all their New Money to fake it and hopefully nobody will notice.

Too much to criticize in that house! So I'm choosing to just look at is as a joke.

[GeePee]

I also think it looks like a Queens, NY tacky mansion. Yuk. not my cup of tea at all.

[KellyCrash]

Owners are both doctors from Hungary & are moving out of the area.

Worcester is a hidden gem. This area of Worcester is why I have always liked it, but the bad parts can't be overlooked either.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Yeah, its just that... it's not their yet. I would have loved to be able to buy into it. It would have saved me an hour each day commuting, but despite my trying, I couldn't. If I were 20 something and buying, maybe I could, hoping it would get there in 20 years. But in my 40s, well, I just couldn't do it. I've been hearing Worcester is coming along since growing up in the 80s, and its better, but still just not there.

I hear you. Access to well paying jobs is key.

In addition, Worcester get's such a bad rap in terms of reputation. Outdated perceptions of many still impact the City. Worcester is leaps and bounds ahead of places like Hartford CT, Manchester NH and arguably competitive with Providence RI. I really wish Worcester not Boston had been the capital of MA. It is located in middle of the state, the economic activity would be a boon for Central MA, and it would be a strong, junior economic partner to Boston. I know that these are pipe dreams and there is no way that the capital will shift away from Beacon Hill.