Up-and-Coming Massachusetts Towns and Cities

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by MrNics

Since you already live off Rt 2, have you considered the Fitchburg area: Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg, Lancaster, Shirley, Ayer)? Real estate is reasonable, there's public trans to Boston and plenty to do in regards to outdoor activities, culture and entertainment. You mentioned Haverhill which offers about the same setup as Fitchburg too and is about 20 mins from the beach. I would stay away from Lynn and Worcester. The bad areas certainly outweigh the good there. But Worcester does have some terrific restaurants and access to great shopping. It's also only about 25 min drive from Fitchburg. Lynn does have the beach if you can stand the seaweed problem that has plagued that area the last 20 years. It really is unbearable at low tides. We've lived all over the state following my work and can give you a fair amount of insight if need be.

As a 15 year resident of Leominster with a wife who is a native of Leominster and who lived in Lancaster and Bolton for most of her life, I can agree that it's a great area in a relative sense to most of the other parts of the state. I would recommend to stay away from Fitchburg, and stick with Leominster, Lunenburg, Townsend, Sterling, Westminster, Harvard, Bolton, Lancaster.

Too many people think that anything outside of 495 or not on the cape is just not up to their standards.

[Bexo]

Originally Posted by thenewNewEnglander

I know this one will ruffle some feathers but I'm gonna say it anyway.


But more importantly I think there are some interesting things happening in New Bedford- That Union St area seems to shaping up quite nicely... its early, but cool none the less. I think Lakeville, Easton, Mansfield, Franklin, and other towns in SE Mass have done a great job with revitalization. The Bridgewater area is starting to put in some new Commercial plazas for the first time in who knows how long... maybe some property tax relief will be on the way, or least the budget axe will get a bit of a break... Sharon Commons looks like it will be an interesting project...

Tell your zoning and planning boards to "JUST SAY YES" End the culture of obstruction we have....
Tell them to be helpful and friendly.... and to find a way dammit!

I know people hate traffic but...

TRAFFIC = DOLLARS $$$

It means people are working OR SPENDING!

Why is "your traffic" ok? But not other peoples?

Traffic is a good sign... dont get me wrong, we NEED MASS TRANSIT AND ROAD WIDENING/REPAIR

And for those who say "When I moved here it was the woods and I want it to stay that way"
NEWSFLASH!!! You shoulda bought the woods... you dont OWN the woods. DONT INFRINGE ON SOMEONE ELSE'S RIGHT TO UTILIZE THEIR PROPERTY!!! I mean c'mon... now that you have your house no one else should build one huh?

And for God's sake... enough of the crackpot wackjob environmental "science."

I live on a lake where about 5% of houses use fertilizer. Yet residents get blamed for runoff being the cause of a ridiculous weed problem. Yet the state has ZERO restrictions on the boats entering the body of water from God knows where carrying all kinds of flora on props... and for that matter the emissions being left in the water by all form of watercraft...

I mean is it really that parking lot 2 miles away? Is it really the lawn which I NEVER fertilize that abuts the water?

NO.
It is more likely the unrestricted access of boats to the lake, by people who dont even live near the lake. Which the state sanctions in the form of taxes, fess, and insurance.

ITS CRACKPOT WACKJOB ENVIRONMENTAL SO CALLED SCIENCE that is based on a bunch of assumptions, extrapolations, and outdated statistical data.

Dont get me wrong I believe in maintaining and caring for a healthy environment, but let's be reasonable here... let's look at all the facts and data

Maybe the spotted turtle was just passing through my land.... and doesnt in fact live on it. Or maybe some disgruntled "I bought my house because of the woods" neighbor put the damn thing there...

Personally I want to see the lives of Bay Staters improve, and their personal wealth too.
I want families to be able to live together in large houses... Let people add on, let them build in-law apartments, let them rezone to multiple residencies per lot.

WE NEED TO GET RID OR OUR ARCHAIC ZONING REQUIREMENTS
REDUCE LOT SIZE AND FRONTAGE REQUIREMENTS
AND "WET LAND" IS ONE OF THE WORST LIES OUT THERE
ITS A WAY TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF BUILDABLE LAND AND ARTIFICIALLY INFLATE VALUES AS WELL AS PREVENT SIMPLE CHANGE

You wouldn't happen to be a builder/developer would you?

[lrfox]

New Bedford was the most recent Boston Herald Spotlight City for MA towns poised for a renaissance when the economy turns around. It's nice to see that it's getting attention outside the immediate area. Here's the story:

New Bedford sees whale of a future - BostonHerald.com

[SheckyINShirley]

Don't move there... that place is going in the toilet FAST!

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by SheckyINShirley

Don't move there... that place is going in the toilet FAST!

Shirley?! Really?! I always thought it was a nice town. In fact, I was there two weeks ago visiting family and it was lovely.

[camer]

Originally Posted by Eric H.

Perhaps this is a difficult subject given the tough economy, but what Massachusetts towns and cities do you see progressing with significant proper growth?

Proper growth could mean smart economic development, social and educational improvements, community beautification, etc.

Given that many people on this board are looking to move to Massachusetts communitities "headed in the right direction," perhaps this thread could be of benefit from "locals" like us who have a feel (based on facts and opinions) on the direction our communities are headed.

Definitely Quincy. Nice homes along the water. It's not the same city that I saw 17 years ago. Impressive transformation; positive growth. Still has that small town, friendly feel too! Not familiar with the schools, sorry. Real estate relatively still affordable. goodluck.

[lrfox]

Channel 5's "Chronicle" series featured New Bedford this past Wednesday in a segment titled, "The New New Bedford"... watch it here: Wednesday, May 6: The new New Bedford - Chronicle HD News Story - WCVB Boston

[westernmass101]

Chicopee is one of the more prosperous and thriving communities that has already begun its revitalization since the early 90's. We have a brand new central library, that has become a widely recognized place. Two brand new state of the art high schools. Chicopee High and Chicopee Comp. I know Chicopee Comp. cost about $99 million to build. The tax rate is affordable, and no tax increase is foreseen. We have plenty of financial security in the municipality. The education system is outstanding and was used to represent the State of Massachusetts in the national report card. In terms of MCAS we are among the highest ranking. More students go to college than any other town/city. Our infrastructure is great. Our municipal electric company has already gained a charter in redoing the utility work and managing of the electric distribution to Westover Air Reserve Base (which is mainly in Chicopee, a small percent in Ludlow; nothign is located in Springfield). The base alone pumps millions into the city economy. We have already built two new bridges. Every city street is well lit, the parks are in good condition. Crime rate is VERY LOW. We have every service available. We have the Metropolitan Airport. Three major industrial parks and others scattered throughout the city. Great neighborhoods. Our location is the true cross roads of new england. we invented many known inventions like the match, first commercial/ gasoline powered automobile (again not Springfield). The city is great. Are swat team is more liek a military than any other municipality. There's plenty of economic activity happening, even in a down economy.