Millbury or...? (Worcester, Grafton, Sutton: home, transfer, elementary school)

[JPP]

My daughter & family have the option of being transferred to Millbury. They will have two young children in elementary school. I am helping them research whether this would be a positive region for them to move & thrive. Much of what I've read on this forum does not put the area in a favorable light. Worcester sounds dangerous, dreadful & dreary. Their public schools sound second rate as well. Millbury has little specifically written about it & would love to hear from locals. I realize that everyones likes/dislikes are subjective, but will you enlighten me to help them make the decision?

[blehman]

Unfortunately the Worcester area is it's own worst enemy. I wouldn't say stay out, but be careful as to where. As for it being truly dangerous, meh. It's as dangerous as you want it to be.

Millbury is a nice little town with a quaint town center. Good access to the turnpike. As an alternative also consider Grafton, Sutton and even Charleton.

[JPP]

The fact that only one person responded to my question pretty much says it all about this area being questionable as to whether it is "a positive region for them to move & thrive". It also speaks volumes that the only poster is from Wisconsin. Thank you, blehman, for your time. It doesn't seem this area would be as welcoming to "outsiders".

[blehman]

You have unfortunately captured one of the essences of New England. It isn't really particular to smaller towns like Millbury. My family moved to Worcester as a teenager from Illinois. I stayed until 1990 and relocated to Wisconsin. In 1999 with my family we moved back to Massachusetts, specifically Sturbridge. In 2003, at the behest of my wife and daughter, we returned to Wisconsin. One of the underlying reasons was we all missed genuine midwestern hospitality and friendliness.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by blehman

You have unfortunately captured one of the essences of New England. It isn't really particular to smaller towns like Millbury. My family moved to Worcester as a teenager from Illinois. I stayed until 1990 and relocated to Wisconsin. In 1999 with my family we moved back to Massachusetts, specifically Sturbridge. In 2003, at the behest of my wife and daughter, we returned to Wisconsin. One of the underlying reasons was we all missed genuine midwestern hospitality and friendliness.

C'mon now, we're not that unfriendly. I don't know if we have any current posters here that know much about Millbury. I only know it as an exit off the turnpike. There are certainly nice towns within commuting distance, with good schools. It just depends on what you are looking for and what your budget is.

[JPP]

"...we returned to Wisconsin. One of the underlying reasons was we all missed genuine mid-western hospitality and friendliness."

Unless you have lived and experienced the midwest and south, you can't empathize with what friendliness truly is. It's making eye contact with complete strangers and greeting them with a smile & "Hi"; it's talking to people you may have never officially met; it's being kind to folks even when it won't "get you anywhere"; it's taking the time to help someone out; it's talking at length with your neighbors rather than rushing into your house; it's understanding that people make mistakes driving & not honking at them & "more"; add to that the hospitality of inviting someone new into your home, I understand why you & your family wanted to move back to Wisconsin. It's a beautiful state too.

[blehman]

Casey, don't get me wrong. If I ever had to go back Millbury would near the top of the list. As JPP said until you experience the hospitality that we speak of it might not make a lot of sense. My wife was really the barometer for this as Sturbridge was her home town, and even she made a value based assessment that had Milwaukee winning the game.