Sturbridge or Southbridge? (Webster, Auburn, Oxford: real estate, apartment, rent)

[Karamay]

Hi...My husband and I are planning to move to Sturbridge area and have looked Sturbridge Meadows Apartment...I am concerned about the Electric/heat cost there. Is there anyone who can share some experiences?

Another apartment we looked is Laura Ridge in Southbridge...cheaper but older building I felt. Any suggestion?

Thank you much!

[countryman]

Hello Karamay, Just a quick note to let you know i saw your post,& i think your choice of Sturbridge would be better,I work out in Sturbridge area,nice community! Southbridge in fairness,has a few nice parts,but so much yuckier than Sturbridge,Southbridge has a lot of depressive areas,especially downtown & stuff.As far as the heating situation goes, have you considered some of these places here that offer the rent with the heat included? A lot of these complexes right now are doing just that up here!i wouldn't worry too much about that in any case,I think I would opt for the newer place opposed to the older one ,just an opinion, but chances are if the building is newer the systems probably work better & more efficient heating etc;Hope this helps some.

[wpotsie]

Moderator cut: personal
First of all, I lived in Dudley for seven years and I have no idea what "countryman" is talking about when he says he doesn't like most of the people there. IF you plan on having children, it's a community you should seriously consider because the schools are far better in Dudley than in Sturbridge or Southbridge. There are so many good people in all of the towns that have been mentioned. Don't be concerned with that.

To answer your question,though, I would seriously look in Dudley. Sturbridge is in a better location, though, closer to I84, I90, etc. The apt complex in Southbridge you mentioned is in a safe area. Good luck!

[countryman]

Moderator cut: personal/off topic I've known many people that have lived in Dudley & that still live there as I write this.Dudley Southbridge area both as we well know to tell the truth have a lot of depressive type areas 3 deckers riddled with let's say to be polite here "of not much class".Being poor is one thing , to be of no class is entirely of another,but Karamay,don't take mine or anyone's word for it,Take a trip into Downtown Dudley,Drive through the downtown areas of Southbridge & the like & form your own opinion,& ask your self if you would like to live there.You can do better,in my opinion, remember just my opinion,I'm not here to start an argument just base an opinion like everyone else! If it matters at all, I am most sorry for using the word "yucky". Forgive my mistake if it so be that! I've been to these areas many times in my life, I just think of all of the one's mentioned, Sturbridge is a nicer area.But then again, just my opinion.You owe it to yourself 7 your family to drive through these areas & make your own opinion.good luck

[wpotsie]

OK, Karamay, it's like this. It all depends what you are looking for. Dudley has better schools than ALL of the towns mentioned. Tantasqua (Sturbridge) does have a big beautiful new high school, but Shepherd Hill (Dudley-Charlton) is nationally reknown and has better test scores. There isn't really much to "Downtown Dudley". I think countryman is actually confusing Dudley and Webster by the as he is decribing it. It is not a "depressed" area but is actually an up and coming town...lots of new real estate, etc (3,000 + sq foot houses). You might want to check out Charlton, too. Dudley also has one of the lowest tax rates in the state..someting else to consider. Again, no disrespect to anyone. I just want to make sure you get correct information. There really is not many three deckers in Dudley at all. Those characteristics are much more common in Webster and Southbridge. If location to major highways is important to you, Sturbridge might be a better choice. If your looking to save a little, Brookfield or Brimfield might not be bad choices, either. They also are part of the same regional school district with Sturbridge.

[countryman]

Brookfield is one of the most expensive communites to live in ,one of the consistently highest property tax rates around.Yes, Dudley has a favorable tax rate.Spencer does also.Brimfield isn't cheap for taxes either.Dudley is an up& coming area? What does Dudley have besides Nichol's college if you go there,& close proximity to CT? There building large homes all over these communities, take a ride up the st.In Sturbridge by the Shaw's you'll see several large homes they haven't even sold yet, with more foundations in & ready to go.My friend was the Superintendant of Shepard-Hill High,& a former residents of Dudley.(they left because of the community) They were the Superintendant & his wife was a teacher for 30+ yrs. Dudley has a lot of nice outlying areas, Dresser Hill area from Charlton into Dudley is very nice! Charlton is a very nice town too, in my opinion.

[Karamay]

Thank you all for all the valuable comments. I guess I am a little confused but will do more researches. Near freeway is a plus and a good community for "future" kid is also our big consideration. Again...really appreciate your help here.

[zackmatt]

As a former realtor in the area I recommend Dudley for a choice for relocating. Southbridge has become very undesirable as a community and is overdue for property tax raises for new school upgrades which will be required soon. If you want to be close to The Mass Pike Sturbridge is great, others are Charlton, Auburn and another up-in-coming is Holland where the market hasn't hit so hard yet will will soon. If you want closer to Rt-84 then, Auburn, Dudley and maybe even Oxford. Good luck on your search!

[scottinmass]

Zack, I think you meant 395 not 84.. *4 is close to sturbridge and southbridge

[zackmatt]

Originally Posted by scottinmass

Zack, I think you meant 395 not 84.. *4 is close to sturbridge and southbridge

OOPS...brain fart! 395/290 is closer to those other towns. Thanks!