Shirley? (Leominster, Fitchburg, Lunenburg: new house, construction, school district)

[nv14]

Hello everyone! I have zeroed in on a property in Shirley, MA. I have read around the forum a bit and it seems like a decent town, but none of the posts were "directly" related to Shirley.

Can anyone tell me about the area? Any parts of town to avoid? I have driven around a bit and it all looks ok to me, but if someone knows something I don't that would be great.

The property I am looking at is near "Lake Shirley" or Shirley Pond, I forget the exact name. There are some pretty large and new houses near by.

Thanks!

[brightdoglover]

I looked around Shirley while living in Leominster, and really liked the lake area (also can't remember the name). I don't think there are "bad" parts at all, just modest or more modest. I believe there's been some redevlopment on the main street, and I think the commuter rail line is there. I liked Shirley. It had a nice modest, sorta rural town feel, but is acessible to Rt.2 if need be.
From the bit I've seen, I'd recommend it, but then, I love lakes and ponds! Do be aware that it's possible that some housing around the lake is seasonal, and you might feel a bit isolated if there year around. At least, that's how it looked in winter of 2001, when I was out there.
Best wishes on your search. Oh, and Shirley has one great blues/music joint, not really a dive, the Bull Run Restaurant.

[SheckyINShirley]

Their school system is the WORST! If you have kids? GOOD LUCK with getting them a decent education. My kid has dyslexia and they DENIED that there was a problem because they didn't want to have to hire another special education teacher to help. NICE huh?

Their principle is a total jerk..doesn't care! Will smile and nod while you are telling him your worst fears about your child's NOT BEING ABLE TO READ at the age of 9, and then do nothing about it.

The bullying in the school is awful too! My advice? DON'T MOVE THERE

[LeavingMA]

The lake is known as Lake Shirley, although the majority of it is in Lunenburg. There is some lakefront property on Oakes Landing and a fire road. Shirley has grown fairly fast over the past 10 years especially since Fort Devens was basically closed. Lots of new construction...too much actually that many lots are still empty, but that means prices have dropped from what they once were. The closer you get to the center of town and the railroad, the more you run into older Shirley which has some multi-family properties and older buildings. They recently put a Dunkin Donuts there a couple or so years ago.

I don't really have anything to comment on the school system.

[wheelz]

Originally Posted by SheckyINShirley

Their school system is the WORST! If you have kids? GOOD LUCK with getting them a decent education. My kid has dyslexia and they DENIED that there was a problem because they didn't want to have to hire another special education teacher to help. NICE huh?

Their principle is a total jerk..doesn't care! Will smile and nod while you are telling him your worst fears about your child's NOT BEING ABLE TO READ at the age of 9, and then do nothing about it.

The bullying in the school is awful too! My advice? DON'T MOVE THERE

Why don't you look into hiring a private tutor to help your child? I am sure there is some type of service you could use on your own without depending on the public school system. My daughter had a reading problem, I brought her to Fitchburg State College and paid to have her take some classes there right around the same age as your child. It made a world of difference later in life for her. In fact, she even ended up getting into a dual enrollment program and was a full time college student and a senior in high school at the same time. You shouldn't expect everything from the public school systems, they don't always have the necessary resources. Sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands.

[AandD]

Originally Posted by wheelz

Why don't you look into hiring a private tutor to help your child? I am sure there is some type of service you could use on your own without depending on the public school system. My daughter had a reading problem, I brought her to Fitchburg State College and paid to have her take some classes there right around the same age as your child. It made a world of difference later in life for her. In fact, she even ended up getting into a dual enrollment program and was a full time college student and a senior in high school at the same time. You shouldn't expect everything from the public school systems, they don't always have the necessary resources. Sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands.

Not everyone has the time or the financial resources to do what the school district SHOULD be doing. While I agree that schools are strapped financially, DYSLEXIA is a common and understood learning disability that ALL schools have the wherewithal to correct. Quite honestly - it comes down to ACCESS and FAIRNESS issues - and isn't handled correctly by a large number of disctricts across the US. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't work to change that, rather than just accepting it.

[wheelz]

I guess I just am not in the habit of turning toward government and the tax payers to solve my families problems. I'm a big believer in sometimes life isn't fair.