Workplace in Fort Devens...Need help with housing (Leominster, Fitchburg: middle-class, apartments)

[anik29]

Hello All,

I have to shift to the Fort Devens area due to a project assignment. I would be there for around 6 months.

Can anyone suggest a good place/area to stay which would be closer to the Fort Devens area?

My priorities are (in order):

1.] Safety
2.] Commute (Don't have a car)
3.] Cost ( Willing to spend upto $800/month on rent)

Also, Is Fitchburg (Main St. specifically) a good option to stay - safety-wise? I have heard pretty bad reviews about Fitchburg.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

[stevo75]

Fitchburg Main Street is not that close (20-25 minutes) minutes in a car. They have been trying to develop Main Street but I still see the bums and strung out folks hanging out. I don't think there are apartments on Devens (an assumption) since the homes are from the military days that are mostly condos and small houses. The apartment style homes were all knocked down. I would think Ayer would be the best bet, especially if you have no car. There might be a bus system to and from!?

Fitchburg is cheap but the reasons are obvious. If Leominster has a transit service to Devens that would be better. Leominster is about a 5 minute car ride off route 2 with lots of shops. Good luck!

[wheelz]

Try Old Town Village Apartments in Ayer, they are located right near the rotary which is right near the gate to Devens. I lived there years ago for about a year, they are very nice and safe. I have a friend who lives right near there and the places still look great.

[brightdoglover]

I fear that public transport out that way is minimal, no matter what. Is there any chance of living in Devens itself?

[Eric H.]

Ayer's not a bad town at all. Yes, the town took a hit when Fort Devens closed in 1995 (there's still a military contingent at Devens), but it always seemed to me that the people of Ayer had a strong resolve to make their community a strong, close-knit place to help overcome any obstacles. Although Ayer faces challenges to potentiate it progress (what middle-class community doesn't?), it's innately a good town, in my opinion. I worked in the Ayer area for about 10 years, and always enjoyed the imperfect but interesting, unique-looking downtown with its small local shops and a few good restaurants like J.P. O'Hanlon's (Irish pub). It sort of reminded me of a New England version of Mayberry RFD -- although with some rough spots included. Having attended some work-related night meetings, the feeling was safe even later in the evening. I always found the overall community to be quite friendly. People I met really seemed to like living in Ayer -- sort of like a secret discovery where you didn't have to pay outrageous costs for a home or rental -- and you are minutes to Devens from the downtown. Ayer is a nice town that really seems to fly under the radar.

[brightdoglover]

Is there public transport from Ayer to Devens?
I live in Littleton and aside from the commuter train (largely business hours) I had to turn myself inside out to hire a car to go to Emerson Hospital for a procedure.
If there's public transport for the OP, Ayer is a fine choice.

[anik29]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

I fear that public transport out that way is minimal, no matter what. Is there any chance of living in Devens itself?

Thanks for all your help.

I would prefer living in Devens, although I wasn't able to find any apartment listings in Devens.

[stevo75]

Originally Posted by anik29

Thanks for all your help.

I would prefer living in Devens, although I wasn't able to find any apartment listings in Devens.

The only way you would get rental in Devens is if someone who owned one of the condos or homes are willing to rent out and if the case I would think expensive (1000 plus). Try the link below, I think that is the local paper.

Home - Nashoba Publishing Online