2021 Real Estate Observations (Boston, Provincetown, Truro: cabinets, storage, cabin)

[msRB311]

Like I said, I really dont know anything about Worcester but I assumed it couldn't be that bad given the colleges in the area that it has along with the jobs from umass medical. I do have friends that went to holy cross and assumption who spent weekends there and enjoyed it. This was also early/mid 2000's that my friends were there and I can only imagine it has become better. Currently have friends who have son at Holy Cross and WPI and they arent dying there or coming home on the weekends.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Like I said, I really dont know anything about Worcester but I assumed it couldn't be that bad given the colleges in the area that it has along with the jobs from umass medical. I do have friends that went to holy cross and assumption who spent weekends there and enjoyed it. This was also early/mid 2000's that my friends were there and I can only imagine it has become better. Currently have friends who have son at Holy Cross and WPI and they arent dying there or coming home on the weekends.

I worked in Worcester for a few years and spent quite a bit of time there. It has quite a few ghetto/ratchety areas, but a good balance of good to go along with it. With the way Boston has become, I honestly enjoyed myself more on a typical night in Worcester (and spent much less money as well). Same with Providence or Portland. Like I said earlier a "needier" person probably wouldn't be satisfied, but many would certainly find enough to keep themselves busy there. And on the off occasion where they need more, Boston isn't too far away.

[msRB311]

Oh I know it has ghetto areas. Much of Boston has ghetto areas also still and people still pay an arm and a leg to live there too.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by massnative71

How did we end up discussing Worcester, and who ever said it was desirable? Am I missing something here???



Worcester is probably a better bet. BBMM correctly noted that much of what can be found in Worcester can be replicated in any mid-sized city anywhere else, but remember there are still some people who need to be in Mass. for whatever reason and it's good that there are more reasonable alternatives to Boston. I think that if Fall River/New Bedford and the Springfield area could at least get to Worcester's level, Mass. would overall be a much better place.

Off topic but Worcester is very close to the high wage 495 belt jobs. Springfield, Fall River, and New Bedford are in economic wastelands. The work force skill level in the Springfield metro and on the South Coast is awful compared to 495 at the Pike, Route 9, and I-290. Without healthcare jobs and public sector jobs, Springfield would collapse. The local economy in New Bedford and Fall River isn’t any better.

This is why a basement condo in Westborough rents for $2,000/month. Here in the economic wasteland a mile from New Bedford, that’s $1,200. Even the fancy little population 5,000 to 6,000 coastal towns of Mattapoisett and Marion have a lower education level than Westborough and those are the professional bedroom towns for New Bedford. You can’t get to Worcester’s level without having a higher skilled labor force.

Since this is a real estate thread, that is why real estate prices are lower here. If it’s not a summer home out of town money would buy, the wage scale doesn’t support I-495 prices.

[yesmaybe]

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Winchester...home/177146936
https://www.redfin.com/MA/Winchester...home/178745105

A mill (+ 675/mo fee) for a new (2021) condo in Winchester. It looks nice but that seems a bit much. I'd laugh but they claim they only have 2 units left although Unit 5 has been on the market for awhile.

[WestieWhitie]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Winchester...home/177146936
https://www.redfin.com/MA/Winchester...home/178745105

A mill (+ 675/mo fee) for a new (2021) condo in Winchester. It looks nice but that seems a bit much. I'd laugh but they claim they only have 2 units left although Unit 5 has been on the market for awhile.

Look at that beautiful view you’re getting, worth a million for sure!

[newenglandgal123]

Wow, I'd expect some nicer finishes at that price point. Looks like basic carpet in the bedrooms, some blah tile in the baths and where's the fridge?

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Winchester...home/177146936
https://www.redfin.com/MA/Winchester...home/178745105

A mill (+ 675/mo fee) for a new (2021) condo in Winchester. It looks nice but that seems a bit much. I'd laugh but they claim they only have 2 units left although Unit 5 has been on the market for awhile.

How about $950K for a similarly-sized condo in Westwood:

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Westwood/2...home/178516683

i like Westwood, but I can’t really imagine who would pay just under $1m for that.

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

How about $950K for a similarly-sized condo in Westwood:

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Westwood/2...home/178516683

i like Westwood, but I can’t really imagine who would pay just under $1m for that.

At least this one has more of a wow factor with nicer finishes and some extra details versus the basic blah Winchester unit.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

Wow, I'd expect some nicer finishes at that price point. Looks like basic carpet in the bedrooms, some blah tile in the baths and where's the fridge?

Behind in the finish side of the business, I see it as well. Basic Schalge locks ($35) and Home Depot grade stainless steel knobs and pulls on the cabinets. Plate mirror instead of medicine cabinets and no storage in the vanities. The wood floors are "luxury vinyl plank" as the living room matches the bathrooms. There's a fiberglass tub in the gust bath and the shower door is off the shelf.

Money that was spent well went into the counters, appliances, glass door in the master, and maybe the cabinets and plumbing fixtures.