What is Greenfield like? (Springfield, Amherst: housing, rent, travel)

[arel]

Can anyone give me information about Greenfield, MA? I only saw the part near the entrance to I-91. I got off the highway to escape the rough cross-wind that was blowing me out of my lane. I found a good Chinese restaurant in a strip mall near the highway.

An acquaintance in Brattleboro, VT suggested I consider working in Greenfield if I move to Brattleboro, as it is only 20 minutes away.

I am a clinical social worker by profession.

Thanks.

[Roadismyhome]

You really should have headed into Greenfield a little bit more - just another mile or so on MA-2 and you would have been in the center of town, which has a nice older feel to it.

This city has a strong Irish background. It is also very conveniently located if you plan on spending any time in the Berkshire hills, or travelling into Vermont or upstate New York.

Like many cities in the area, it is struggling to redefine itself - it definitely isn't having such an image crisis as Springfield is, but then again it's not as large of a city. It is a nice place to visit - I cannot give info on living there as I do not - but I haven't gotten the uncomfortable vibe that I get in some more unsafe locations.

[skytrekker]

Nice town of about 18000
with a clearly defined Main Street and center. Nice older buildings, homes. Pleasant place to live. Low low crime, nice people.

[Noodle]

Greenfield is o.k., but I like Montague better. Or Turners Falls, or Northfield, or Bernadston. I guess I like them all!!

[arel]

Thanks for the replies to my post.

Montague is lovely. I've been there.

Several years ago, I was driving around Montague with a friend from Amherst I had been visiting. We passed a farm stand, but it seemed vacant. On the way back, we stopped at the same stand. At first, it still seemed vacant. But then I noticed that there was food for sale on the table and a kitty of sorts for the money. Payment was obviously on the honor system.

I was floored. I still haven't gotten over it. Where I live, in Brooklyn, NY, the money would have been stolen, the food would have been stolen and probably the table itself would have been stolen.

I had been visiting to explore the area in consideration of a possible move.

I pass Bernardston on I-91 on the way to Vermont. But I haven't (yet) stopped there.

There is so much to explore in the area from the Berkshires through the Pioneer Valley to Vermont.

I adore the area.

Interestingly, I've noticed that the I-91 corridor of Massachusetts has a different "feel" from that of southern Vermont.

[Noodle]

Originally Posted by arel

Interestingly, I've noticed that the I-91 corridor of Massachusetts has a different "feel" from that of southern Vermont.

I think the difference is the topography. That section of 91 in MA is flat and the road is straight. Once into VT, now yer in the hills. That and I think the difference in the way the two sections of road are maintained and the markings is what's different. An VT is definitely more rural. Although the bulldozers are making their way in.
Incidentally, it is my belief that the Berkshires are about to explode with development. There is a lot of land for sale and it's being bought up by the speculators and sub dividers and will someday be McMansions for as far as you can see.

[arel]

I think I remember the I-91 corridor of Massachusetts as having a feel of abundance and culture. Vermont feels more individualistic, less structured, more rugged. Definitely more rural. I can't say for sure, as the last two times I went up, it was dark or getting dark in northern Massachusetts.

I love driving up in the daytime and seeing the landscape open up as I go further and further north.

Sorry about the proposed development in the Berkshires. I remember once going to Tanglewood and thinking it felt like Heaven, with the visual beauty and the sound of choral music in rehearsal. I'd hate to see that environment lost to developers.

[jusbeinlance8908]

greenfield is NOT a very good place. i live here currently, there are much much better towns around the area, greenfield is a growing city with now a population of about 22,000 with very ethnic neighbor hoods and schools, crime rate goes up every year too, actually living here u see alot of it but it doesnt compare to springfield or holyoke because its not as large, if population was as big im sure greenfield crime would be much higher

[Jeremy01506]

My wife lived in Greenfield when we were dating a few years ago. Greenfield does have it's share of crime, as does any city or town that approaches 20,000 people, but it also has a nice feel of small-town New England while still having some of the big city benefits (restaurants, stores, public transportation, etc). We're considering moving back there in 3-4 years, depending on our current situation, partly because of the affordability and partly because of the charm of Greenfield.

If you get a chance in your next visit, you should make it a point to check out The People's Pub, Greenfield's very own brewpub! Unless you don't like beer, then maybe you shouldn't....

[Chet-O]

Letters to the editor in the Recorder, from people new to Greenfield, claim they love the small town feeling and are happy there. Some other people, who have lived there a while, claim they do not like it. I think it depends on your socio-economic level, and what part of town you live. The higher the level, the more satisfied. There are no Walmarts, K-marts, etc. in Greenfield, needed by lower income people without transportation, but that my change in the not-to-distant future.
There are new housing projects in various parts of town, including some new duplexes and single-family homes.
In your occupation, you should find employment opportunities in Greenfield. as well as in Brattleboro. I don't live in Brattleboro, but it seems a more interesting place to live, than in Greenfield My wife taught in Greenfield for over 30 years. Many families send their children to schools in other towns, utilizing "school choice", if that is an important consideration for you.