Worcester (Boston, Springfield, Shrewsbury: rent, work, colleges)

[EugeneBKLYN]

What can you guys tell me about the city of Worcester?
Worcester is the only place outside NYC where I have relatives.
My relatives (Russians who immigrated to the city late 70s-early 90s) are all pretty much old, but I have had a fascination with the city. I've never actually been there, but what intrigues me about it is the climate. I love cold snowy weather, and I hate hot summers. I hear summers in Worcester are very pleasant, and the winters are abundant with snow...

So what could you guys tell me? Anything would be great

[scarletfire]

Hi Eugene, Someone who loves New England winters? Wow, I don't hear that very often! It does get pretty hot here in the summer - we usually have a week or so that's unbearable humidity if you don't have AC. Not like Florida humidity but too hot for enjoying the outdoors during that time.

Worcester is a fairly small city but reasonably priced compared to Boston and Metrowest. There are some very pretty areas and fun things to do depending on your taste: ecotarium, Worcester Art Museum, jazz concerts, plus just an hour from Boston and easy commuter rail access to check out all the historic sites, beautiful museums (MFA, Isabella Stuart Gardner, etc), great shopping, restaurants, etc.

[smarty]

Worcester, City of the Seven Hills. Because it sits on hills, the weather is a little cooler during the summer and a little colder during the winter. It is also hard to drive during the winter snow storms because of the hills.

Check out wikipedia for Worcester for average temperature by month.

[pinusconus]

I work in Worcester and live in a town in the suburbs. Worcester is depressing most of the year. Cold and grey in the winter, hazy, hot and humid in summer. The spring is pretty when the rain stops. Fall is the best season. There is not much in the downtown area except for the centrum. Retail stores have moved outside the city but a renewal project called City Scape is in the works. I think there are ten colleges in Worcester and a couple hundred Dunkin Donuts.

[EugeneBKLYN]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm used to heat. I know a little something about it. I think hot for you and hot for me are two different hots.
You see, last summer, the night time, I repeat, NIGHT TIME temperature cooled down to a chilly 83F, and the power went out in my entire neighborhood. Do you know what its like to have to sleep in 83 degree sticky heat, with no air conditioning?
Not to mention the endless 90-95 degree days, and the occasional day which hits 100.
Now I know Worcester doesn't get that hot.
And I checked the average cloud cover for both new york and worcester, and they're both pretty much the same.
I love vast variations in temperature over a period of days. Its exciting.
I spent a month on the west coast where the temps didn't flactuate all month. It was like 65 and sunny every single day. I wanted to blow my brains out, it was so boring.


Someone here mentioned that theres nothing to do in Worcester? I find that hard to believe seeing as how the city has 175,000 people living in the city limits, I'm sure there are lots of things to do. It can't be that empty.

[cooter]

I'm sure there are lots of things to do

FYI - Number one recreational activity in Worcester is complaining about Worcester.

[winnie]

Well I grew up about 50 miles north of you and I also spent time (3+ years) in the Pioneer Valley about 30 miles west of Worcester.

The summers seem to be a bit more moderate and the winters are indeed a bit more snowy. We only had a few days up there that were really unbearable. If you are looking for an area that is just a tad cooler than NY, I think MA will suit you well. If you cannot afford Worcester you may consider Sturbridge, West Brookfield areas (unless you must live in a city) and also some of the towns surrounding Springfield. Might be a little cheaper there if that is an issue. The area around the Quabbin is quite pretty and the weather is nice.

For that matter, anything north of Ulster county NY and Hartford CT sound like it should suit you fine weather wise.

[jad77]

Well, I've lived outside of Worcester my whole life and while it is a small city, it's technically the second largest city in MA after Boston. There are some great small pubs and restaurants in the city, along with the usual chains, such as TGIFridays and Applebees and pool halls like Jillian's. However, along Shrewsbury Street (which has really gotten a facelift recently) there are some awesome italian restaurants. One of my favorite pubs is the Irish Times. The first floor has live bands while upstairs there's a DJ and pool tables. It's really a nice place. There are a lot of hills in Worcester and the winters can be treacherous...I recommend 4 wheel drive. But I've never had it and managed to survive! The DCU Center which is our arena has some pretty big names for concerts and it's sooo convenient to just go into Worcester and not deal with Boston. There are clubs, bars, restaurants, etc. While fall is usually the prettiest season, it's also usually the shortest. It seems we've been having long winters, no spring, mediocre summers, and very little fall. The winters just keep getting longer...

[Massquatch]

Going to Worcester? Like beer? You gotta hit Brew City. First time I walked in there I almost wet myself. Hundreds of different types of microbrews, bottles and on tap.