Moving to Baystate medical center Springfield MA (Chicopee, Westfield: amusement park, condos)

[drmehul]

Dear Forum members,
I would like information on the safe places near Baystate Medical Center MA. My wife is going to work at baystate and I have read a lot about springfield and do not plan for her to live there.
Are there any places sourrounding that area that are safe ? Mostly we plan to purchase a condo or a townhome in the nearby area. I did some research on the internet and cannot find new communities developing in the nearby areas . Need to be within 10-15 mins driving distance from baystate too.
any information will help

Thanks.

[gregs]

I currently live in Florida. However, prior to living here, I resided in Massachusetts for 42 years. If I were to return to the Springfield area, I would consider, Longmeadow and Wilbraham high on my list. The towns are scenic and would seem to offer a good life style. If you have children, Longmeadow probably has the best schools. I would also consider Enfield, Connecticut which is the first town south of the Massachusetts line, just off Interstate 91. All of these towns/cities are within 20-30 minutes of Baystate in Springfield.

[ninjaroo]

Congrats on landing there I hear its a great hospital.
I would stay out of Springfield and holyoke.
I have friends that grew up in Agawam decent smaller town with a Six Flags Amusement Park so traffic can get bad.
Westfield is decent as well.
We really enjoy Northampton which is a college town and very old new england.

You really aren't gonna find "new developments" In Mass.

And Living out there in Western Mass you will more identify with Conneticut and New York than masscusetts proper.

[Viralmd]

Northampton is WAY too far, if you want to be max 30 minutes from Springfield. Again, Longmeadow is good, also think about South Hadley.

[drmehul]

Thank you all for your response.
I was doing some research on the internet and cam across few new communities in the Chicopee area. I havent read anything about it in the forum but sounds like it is at the border of springfield. Is this something i can consider? How about west springfield also?
thanks

[BMcCarroll]

As a 30-year resident of Springfield, I would urge you not to be dissuaded from considering options in the city because of prejudiced and distorted views coming from suburbanites. I know people who have recently moved to the city from California, Louisiana, Vermont, and eastern Massachusetts, in part because of our great homes at great prices.

Just an example, the new director of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site was told by coworkers and others that there were no good places in Springfield. Yet, he found and bought a beautiful 1905 9-room Colonial Revival house in our Forest Park Heights Historic District for $205K

Springfield is 33 square miles, and there are many good areas. For example, directly across from Baystate is Atwater Park, a middle class neighborhood of Colonials, Tudors, and mid 20th century houses. Lawyers, city administrators, and even our congressman live there.

For condos, look in Sixteen Acres (Nassau Drive) or Forest Park (Georgetown or Porter Lake Drive). There’s even the nifty converted Classical High School at the edge of Downtown. Most condos sell for under $200K.

I would be happy to talk with you more or even to show you around. FYI, I am not a realtor, just someone who KNOWS Springfield and values it.

[prudence]

Just up the hill from BayState, great and safe neighborhood, and literally a short and pleasant walk to work:

MLS# 70522738
$224,900
7 Silver Street
Springfield, MA (Liberty Heights/Atwater Park)
Corner Lot
Garage, Fireplace
2,912 Square Feet
4 beds, 1.5 baths

[ontheroad]

I traveled from Williamsburg (MA) to Springfield, a few exits south of the Bay State, and if I recall accurately, it took me 35 minutes.

The entire area is beautiful, both south and north of Springfield. And as several Springfielders insist you can find good property and neighbourhoods in the City itself. (I suppose I just liked Hampshire County so much I was willing to commute, and for the record: I am not a suburbanite--I went from NYC to Providence (RI) to Williamsburg)

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Northampton is WAY too far, if you want to be max 30 minutes from Springfield. Again, Longmeadow is good, also think about South Hadley.

[Noodle]

I work in Springfield every day, and I can tell you, I would not live there. Agawam, West Springfield, South Hadley, Ludlow would be good choices. A little more expensive to live in Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, or Enfield. Good luck.

[prudence]

I'd go with Springfield itself. Why pay way more for one of the overrated suburbs (which aren't nearly as nice of suburbs of other cities - west springfield? agawam? longmeadow? I'll pass.) when you can get a much nicer and larger home in the city and far closer to work. As others have already outlined, you just want to pick the right spot (as you would do in any city/town). The Atwater neighborhood right near Bay State is really nice.