Worcester versus Santa Cruz, CA (Amherst: crime rate, private schools, universities)

[elousv]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Worcester is a post industrial 'larger' New England former mill town /city that is a bit on the gritty side. It has some good areas, and some worn out places best to avoid...

That was the word, gritty! That is how I would describe it and that was err... a while ago. I had fun at Woopie Tech for sure, but in town I had a few altercations. I also can remember 4 feet of snow on the ground and ice where you could not walk at all. Oh and good pizza! I have visited Santa Cruz and it was stunning weather. It was 110 at my house and 70 there. The vibe felt like old CA in the movies. I don't think you can even compare these two places. Way, way different type places.

[brightdoglover]

The only comparison I can think of is the sublime and the ridiculous. Worcester is just not a very nice place, and certainly isn't attractive, even as a city.
Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Frankly, if I had $400K+ for housing and I could only get the mentioned tiny attached house in Santa Cruz, I'd do it.
And I'm not even a person who much likes California at all, but I do recognize that there are many beautiful places there, and Santa Cruz is about the top.
Some people tolerate Worcester, and think that's it's not so bad, or even a bit OK. That's as good as it gets.

[skytrekker]

Yes Santa Cruz is wonderful, great climate- prices for homes May 2008

All homes *$550,000 -19.1% $366 153 -21.9%
Total resale houses $610,000 -16.7% $362** 121 -18.2%
Total condominiums $410,000 -23.3% $371 30 -26.8%
Total new homes $1,111,250 143.2% 2 -71.4%

The median home price for a single family in the Worcester area is currently under 250K- compare that with 610K for Santa Cruz.

Seems like prices are dropping in SC- nonetheless the median home price for a single family home is till 610K- triple of what Worcester is.


For whatever Worcester lacks in Coastal California's sublime climate and beauty- Santa Cruz is basically not affordable- and therefore its over all quality of life is greatly diminished. At least Worcester for all its ills allows home ownership for the average family- Santa Cruz does not.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by elousv

That was the word, gritty! That is how I would describe it and that was err... a while ago. I had fun at Woopie Tech for sure, but in town I had a few altercations. I also can remember 4 feet of snow on the ground and ice where you could not walk at all. Oh and good pizza! I have visited Santa Cruz and it was stunning weather. It was 110 at my house and 70 there. The vibe felt like old CA in the movies. I don't think you can even compare these two places. Way, way different type places.

I would easily compare the two places- Greater Worcester has a higher quality of life.

Why? Better schools, more access to culture, far lower housing prices, better transportation; the only area where Santa Cruz excels at is the climate- the rest of the area reeks of elitism, materialism, and as far as it is being 'Old California' hardly.

California ranks in the lower half for quality of life nationally according to Forbes magazine- Massachusetts ranks in the top 10, California- its school system is a joke , crime is rated in California among the worst states nationally- Massachusetts is rated among the safest states. For all California once was, it certainly now- rates among the lowest of all states- in every component of quality of life- the climate however is superb- beyond that it offers little.

Massachusetts rates as the 2nd smartest state 2007-2008 California ranks 47th. Talk to me about what California offers anyone.

[brightdoglover]

Stats for California as a whole don't necessarily apply to one smallish area like Santa Cruz. I mean, California is bigger and has a larger GDP than most countries.
Even from within Mass., I think Worcester is pretty unpleasant. The countryside nearby is certainly an improvement. If someone wants a relatively cheaper house, there are lots of places all over the country, the state and the East Coast that are a lot better than Worcester.
I'm surprised I'm here boosting California, a place I know only by visits to prime places, mostly around failed romances! I know from reading that the overall state stats are tough. The only downside to Santa Cruz is in fact the housing costs. The only upside to Worcester might be housing costs, at least compared to Santa Cruz. There are cheaper gritty cities.

[elousv]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I would easily compare the two places- Greater Worcester has a higher quality of life.

I stand corrected then. I guess I was looking at it in a different way. The thread caught my eye because I have been to both places.

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Massachusetts ranks in the top 10, California- its school system is a joke

No argument here, I went to school in Massatucky. California has succumbed to the cancer from the south, can only hope it does not destroy New England.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I would easily compare the two places- Greater Worcester has a higher quality of life.

Why? Better schools, more access to culture, far lower housing prices, better transportation; the only area where Santa Cruz excels at is the climate- the rest of the area reeks of elitism, materialism, and as far as it is being 'Old California' hardly.

California ranks in the lower half for quality of life nationally according to Forbes magazine- Massachusetts ranks in the top 10, California- its school system is a joke , crime is rated in California among the worst states nationally- Massachusetts is rated among the safest states. For all California once was, it certainly now- rates among the lowest of all states- in every component of quality of life- the climate however is superb- beyond that it offers little.

Massachusetts rates as the 2nd smartest state 2007-2008 California ranks 47th. Talk to me about what California offers anyone.

I'm just curious, have you actually ever been to Santa Cruz? B/c you opinions are pretty off base and you just seem to rehashing a bunch of BS stereotypes. All those dirty hippies there don't seem too materialistic. Amazing how you talk about how SC reeks of elitism yet look at your post.

SC is right next to one of the most educated and wealthy regions in the country and one of the most cultured cities in America.

Also realize you are trying to compare a state that is 16X larger than MA and you can't generalize it like that. There are plenty of places in CA where the quality of life is just as good if not better than Mass. CA has some crappy parts of some really nice parts. Some really good schools and some really bad ones. We are a big diverse state where you can find pretty much anything you want, unlike MA.

I guess our low quality of life is why we have 36+ million residents. I seriously have lost count of how many MA transplants I've met here in CA, especially San Diego, and I highly doubt you'll find an equal # of CA transplants there.

[FinkieMcGee]

Originally Posted by sav858

I guess our low quality of life is why we have 36+ million residents. I seriously have lost count of how many MA transplants I've met here in CA, especially San Diego, and I highly doubt you'll find an equal # of CA transplants there.

I'm one of those transplants

And I have no idea where those stereotypes are coming from. Santa Cruz is like a beach town centered around a university. There is absolutely no similarity with regards to lifestyle between the two areas.

Given that you're looking for cheap housing why are you looking in Worcester? I'm not sure what your profession is but if you're looking for that there would probably be better overall opportunities in Texas.

And just thirding that those numbers are terrible to work with. California is huge, there is no way to compare the quality of life in the whole state with the quality of life in MA based on how diverse and weird all the different areas in CA are.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I lived in Worcester for years.

I can't think of two places that are MORE different then Worcester and anyplace in California.

I would make a visit before you make the move. Winters in Mass were brutal at least to me.

[skytrekker]

Again

look at the housing prices, and the cultural attributes.
Worcester is not 'pretty' and the climate is harsh- I guess compared to Morro Bay

But look at local services, education- California sure looks pretty, but beyond the 'beauty' comes the beast.

Frankly I cannot think of a more horrible place to live then California- it offers a pleasant climate, beyond that NOTHING.