Moving to Western Massachusetts

[thangam]

Public transportation is one of the things I wanted to know. Where we live now, the system is so poor. Just cant get around anywhere without a car. I really need a place with good bus service. How is the public transportation system in Western MA? Which areas have good service? Also, if I need to find a job, should I look in Greenfield and Springfield or are there ample opportunities in Northampton Amherst area?

[wmass]

Buses probably aren't any better than the worcester system. Northampton-Amherst system is pretty good for a non-urban area, but some routes have reduced/no service when school is out (summer). Routes between Greenfield - Northampton - Springfield are limited, though.

Probably most job prospects would be Springfield area, just because it is a large city. I think you would be happier working/living in the Northampton area, though. There are many colleges that may offer some job prospects (umass, smith, hampshire, amherst, and mt. holyoke (s. hadley) hcc (holyoke) gcc (greenfield)). Greenfield area probably has the fewest job options.

PVTA - Schedules/Routes
FRTA System Map

[thangam]

Thanks everyone for all the info. I went through the PVTA schedules and it seems pretty okay. Northampton looks like a good choice. Now I am looking through the rental apartments. Any suggestions?

[wmass]

While there are some complexes, most are apartments in houses (which I prefer over an apartment complex). You may even be able to find a whole house to rent. Hathaway Farms is a nice apt. complex if you prefer complexes (walkable to Big Y, Wal Mart).

It would be desirable to live downtown, but Apts right downtown can be pretty be pricey (but there are affordable ones too).

I'd check western ma craigslist, renthoho.com, some realtors
UMass has a good apt. search page: UMass Off Campus Housing: Search for Housing
You will find cheaper housing in Easthampton and still be pretty close to Noho (though I don't really like that town)

Northampton is a very bikeable town (many bike paths), so that may be a transporation option too. You might want to take a day and come out here to get a better sense of the town and what areas you like. Fortunately, there are not really any "bad" parts of Northampton.

[thangam]

Thank you so much for all the links and information. Really helpful. One thing my husband wanted to know, during winter how fast do they clear up snow there? They do it pretty fast here.

[western mass and love it]

they usually start the clean up while it is still snowing,the roads are usually fine when the storm ends.

[wmass]

oops, I had a typo: rentnoho.com