info on Springfield, MA (Boston, Holyoke: environment, work, housing)

[ontheroad]

Hoopcity, while I understand your frustration, Springfield is a difficult town to suggest let alone promote to folks.

Like some others I worked there, and lived elsewhere. I worked with and in the poorest sections of the City and with local government. While I did feel somewhat supported by the then Mayor, and the Commissioner of Health, it took all my juice to get through the poverty, drug abuse and the increasing number of people infected with HIV on a day to day basis.

I wish cities like Springfield all across our country could be revitalized, but with no central urban plan, and no regional planning departments, it is unlikely that any serious revitalization will take place in my lifetime. Springfield is not alone, but even when I compare it, favourably or unfavourably with other cities, it ranks poorly.

Happy holidays (to all).

[Roadismyhome]

The Connecticut River valley was once a bustling manufacturing hub. Once. Most of the good-paying jobs have moved east of here (though if you read any of the state papers, they'll say that all our talented people are leaving). This is not much different than most other places in the country.

Like some others have said, your best bet would be to check out the surrounding town. East Longmeadow is nice but also quite expensive.

There is a lot of crime in Springfield proper, and the city is definitely depressed. It makes me sad to see because given a little bit of work, it could be a very nice riverside community. There is a lot of history in this area but it seems as though it is hidden behind the present-day veil of worry.

Now, just a short ways away is Northampton, a vibrant college community with a lot to do. Good places to eat, close to the natural beauty of the state. I know others have said it is expensive, and it is, but realistically there isn't an area of the state in a decent location that could be considered a steal of a deal.

I wish you luck in your search for a new home!

[metaljaybird]

Springfield is fine, like any city, it depends on the neighborhood. I grew up in Enfield and felt that the only bad part was the north end.

The statements about poverty and lower education were extremely exaggerated! The Springfield/Hartford area is called the Knowledge Corrider because of the many higher education institutions in the area.

Plenty of hiking, and small New England towns to explore in that area. I live in NJ now, but I still love to visit Western Mass.

Longmeadow is a great bedroom community of Springfield. Lots of tree lined streets, but lacks a vibrant downtown.

[BRUIN0824]

Originally Posted by nmgecko

I am living in a hot!!! area and am interested in moving to the east coast.
I am looking at Mass because of it's liberal views. Does anyone know about Springfield? I am a high school teacher and have a son in elementary school. I also would like to know about the school districts. Please let me know if there are any other towns that are less expensive I should check out.

DO NOT MOVE TO SPRINGFIELD TRUST ME IT IS DANGEROUS AND NOT GOOD FOR KIDS OR TEACHERS

[MissTwisties]

I agree, DO NOT move to Springfield!! The school system is atrocious, the city is packed with violent people, it's dirty, etc. you can read my reply and others comments in this thread too... --> Nice around Springfield?

Avoid Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee at all costs, for your place to live. You can always work there, but do yourself and your son a favor, and choose any other city/town/village outside. Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, Northampton, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Easthampton, Amherst, Ludlow, etc. are all much much nicer places. If you don't mind travelling a little, you can also try those beautiful smaller towns such as Huntington, Russell, Granville, Tolland, Ware, Belchertown, etc. it's the country living, not too far from the city.

[flu189]

Lots of candid responses on the status of Springfield. My son has work commitments that require him to travel there and it is not a great place to be. The original poster identifies themself as fond of liberal views and as a teacher. I can say that Vermont is loaded with that classification because teachers pretty much get what they ask for as the state is prone to issue a blank check when it comes to education. Also, liberals are free to openly express their views on society, bash the president, denounce the armed forces, all while living in a place that is clean, very scenic, and with low crime. Essentially, reap the benefits without suffering the consequenses of failed social programs. Beware, despite the liberal utopia the deep pockets of Vermonters are becoming threadbare and there will have to be some changes in the future. By the way, rural western Mass is very nice and I enjoy exploring the region.

[Noodle]

Originally Posted by flu189

Lots of candid responses on the status of Springfield. My son has work commitments that require him to travel there and it is not a great place to be. The original poster identifies themself as fond of liberal views and as a teacher. I can say that Vermont is loaded with that classification because teachers pretty much get what they ask for as the state is prone to issue a blank check when it comes to education. Also, liberals are free to openly express their views on society, bash the president, denounce the armed forces, all while living in a place that is clean, very scenic, and with low crime. Essentially, reap the benefits without suffering the consequenses of failed social programs. Beware, despite the liberal utopia the deep pockets of Vermonters are becoming threadbare and there will have to be some changes in the future. By the way, rural western Mass is very nice and I enjoy exploring the region.

Exactly!! Liberal hypocrisy is alive and well in this state. It's amazing how they wrap themselves in the constitution until you say something that they disagree with, then you're a right wing wacko, or you're "spouting hate speech" or "you're insensitive" blah,blah blah. IMO a liberal is a conservative that hasn't been mugged by reality yet. Anyway, there are a lot of clear thinking people in Mass., it's just that their voice is overpowered by the left wing extremism being spoken on the local tv stations and printed in the left wing puppet press. Probably due to there are a lot of colleges located here with their anti-american attitudes.
I think you would find west of the river towns like Huntington, Worthington, or
Westhampton to be real nice places to live, and still be close to any employment in Springfield. Just DON'T move to Springfield.

[tucker913]

Hello looking to move,
Springfield is in the western part of the state. The cost of a home is less but Springfield has a high crime rate. If I am not mistaken the state police were in helping the local police because of financial problems. The schools were under receivership or may still be. The commute to Boston is about an hour and half maybe alittle less. There are some nich surrounding towns: Long Meadow, East Longmeadow, Hadley, South Hadley etc are towns you would prefer to live in. Springfield has a high crime rate and one would not want to get lost in certain parts of the city especially at night.. West Springfield is a better part to live but I am not sure if they are independent of Springfield. The Big E is held yearly in West Springfield. The western part of the state has a number of good colleges: Smith in North Hampton, Mt. Holyoke is South Hadley, Amhurst College&Umass both in Amhurst. Springfield has some college: Western New England, American International, Springfield Collge, I think Our Lady of the Elms is in Springfield or a town close by. Also in Springfield is Basket Hall of Fame and the Dr. Suess Museum. The major medical center is Baystate and Worcester in central MA is about 60 minutes away. Further East is Brimfield, Sturbridge and futher West is Greenfield and Westfield. There is a reserve bass close by but I cannot remember the name of it. I worked their for a number of years as a healthcare professional and commuted from Boston area which was extremely difficult towards the end. Hope this is helpful.
Tucker913

[MXL990]

Springfield is like any other big city, there is some crime. However if you are looking to buy a home, that is one place I would suggest you move if you are on a budget. We bought a home out here in Northampton and have regretted it ever since, especially because for the money we paid for a 2 bedroom here we could have gotten a 3 bedroom with a den in Forest Park.

Just like any big city there are its bad parts and its good parts, as long as you don't mind living near hispanics or blacks and have an open mind you shouldn't find any problems living in one of it's more rural areas (indian orchard, 16 acres, forest park). Stay away from the downtown area if you want a more quiet place.

Watching the news will NOT give you a realistic portrait of Holyoke, Chicopee, or Springfield. I've been in each, in some of the "worst" neighborhoods and never gotten a scratch on me, just have some sense (don't walk around at 3 a.m. or walk around known drug points) and you will be fine.

Living in Northampton I can also tell you the schools here, in amherst, south hadley, etc. have a serious drug problem with kids abusing cocaine and such. Springfield schools aren't bad, but its like any other urban school system.

[wpotsie]

You are nationally recognized as being the 19th most dangersous city in the U.S.!!! Try to get a place near the Longmeadow town line if you are really into Springfield. I'd stay clear of all other areas in town. Good luck!

Originally Posted by hoopcity

Please stop bashing Springfield!!!!!!!! Most of the posters don't know Springfield based on what I've read. No, sorry, commuters and those who are related to someone that lived here once upon a time does not qualify you to make these statements with any accuracy or creditability. As a nearly lifelong resident(Though a Boston native), I'll be the first to acknowledge Springfield more than has her work cut out for her. However, at what point do we stop putting down and start building up? It's no fault of Springfield that it has suffered years of neglect both by it's own ineffective leadership and also neglect from Boston. If you fall for the 30 second soundbites on the evening news that always paints the city as nothing but a haven for poverty and crime,(Which is true in some instances) then you would duck for cover if I told you the sky was falling. But people on here act as though poor people deserve a poor quality of life to go along with their low income as though it were a required package. It's people with attitudes like these(Including past mayors & other city leadership past/present) which have played a major role in bringing the city down. Let's face it, we've seen other cities throughout the country come back. Case in point, Hartford, CT. pop 121,000 est. Just 25 miles South, Hartford is on the fasttrack to recovery with very tangible economic development. Over the past several years the city has demolished nearly all of it sprawling public housing complexes and is building quality, mostly single family affordable housing. Though in fairness to Springfield, we are nationally recognized as having one of the best systems of public housing in the country. However we all know when families have quality housing of their own, this greatly increases the quality of life in many areas. Combine that with accessable education and career opportunities and you have a win win for everyone. Why can't Springfield have that? Are we unworthy because we have too many blacks and latino families living in poverty that don't deserve a chance at a better life? Does not everyone deserve that opportunity? And I'm not talking about a hand out. I'm talking about an opportunity to earn it. So if you want to simply give up, then go ahead. We don't need you anyhow.