NY to Springfield (Boston, Chicopee, Holyoke: apartments, renting, houses) - City-Data Forum

julissa718 · 04-08-2010, 03:24 AM

HI I am moving from N.Y to springfield with my family in Aug, I am highly concern about some comments ive been getting from people who travel often to the western side of MA. According to them Chicopee and specially Springfield are very racist. I wouldnt know because ive never traveled tothe western side, but my husband was just transfered from the marines over to chicopee and i have no option other than to go with him. We are hispanic and my little girlwho is 5 is have westindian and hispanic. Is this true or were they just overtalking. I really would like to hear what some of theypeople from these towns have to say. I am thinking about buying our first home but we really want to do it in a welcoming comunity, a place were we wouldnt be stared down every time we walk in a place just because we are spanish/black. Once again i dont know how tru this is so i dont want anyone to get offended by this.

western mass and love it · 04-08-2010, 05:29 AM

I don't know what you were told,but Springfield and the surrounding area has a very large Hispanic community. In my opinion the area is very ethnically diverse and welcoming of all creeds and color.Although like anywhere in this country you will run into ignorant S.O.B's but that is just part of life.

julissa718 · 04-08-2010, 09:31 AM

thankz that makes me feel somewhat at ez..I will be traveling out there last wekend of april..hopefully ill like it

loserhere · 04-09-2010, 11:12 AM

Yep those people are mistaken... I use to live in Springfield and it has a huge Spanish and Black population, just go to Wal-mart and see (lol- just kiddin)

I'm PuertoRican so I can say, the one thing I like most was the diversity. Everything is also very convenient to get too, shops and malls and grocery stores are pretty much all off one road.

Chicopee is a surrounding town, much nicer to live, and more quiet but its a little less diverse, since its mainly more houses. Springfield has more apartments (housing) and homes; some parts are nice and some not so nice.

That part of the state has less jobs and so I think makes it more poor than other areas in the State.

Those are my thoughts and just want to say Thanks to you and your Husband for all his service to our Country.

lmkcin · 04-09-2010, 08:00 PM

Springfield has to be one of the most diverse communities in the region. There is of course a large Hispanic and African population, but also a large eastern European and Asian community as well. You'll find great Springfield has a lot to offer.

As for racism, that will be seen anywhere, highly unfortunate. There is a live and let live attitude here in western Mass. It also has a large gay community, so most people here are fairly tolerant people. If you live in Chicopee as a military family, you will be in great company. It's a community that loves its military base and the families on it. It's definitely a point of pride for Western Mass.

For neighborhoods to look at it, check out Chicopee Falls Village and Chicopee Center. They are between the Chicopee river and the Springfield border, great residential areas, I have a lot of family there. In Springfield look at East Forest Park/Forest Park or Sixteen Acres. You could also check out West Springfield or Ludlow (I've heard, Ludlow to be a little racist to non-Portuguese people-which has a huge population there).

Thank you for your family's service and welcome to Western Mass.

ChrisA70 · 04-11-2010, 05:17 AM

All of western MA is like that, you will have NO problems there, no matter what town you go to. Chicopee, Holyoke, S'field, etc. Large hispanic population... Fear not, you will see it is a great end of the state...

Leilani Vasquez · 04-13-2010, 07:29 AM

Julissa, I am half Puerto Rican/half Italian. My kids are half West Indian as well. You certainly won't have issues with diversity here.

I've had issues meeting people though. I've been here a year and still don't really know anyone. My draw back was issues with the school system at first.

gouldmanj · 04-13-2010, 11:02 AM

We moved from Boston to Western MA this past summer. We purchased a home in Sept. I wish we would have waited and rented first. Now we are "stuck" in a community and I wish we had more flex ability to move if we would like. Schools are the issue for us.

ruready1st · 04-16-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gouldmanj

We moved from Boston to Western MA this past summer. We purchased a home in Sept. I wish we would have waited and rented first. Now we are "stuck" in a community and I wish we had more flex ability to move if we would like. Schools are the issue for us.

For this reason, I would suggest renting before settling into an area. Where you live can be very dependent on where you will want to attend church, school, work etc... Since the public transportation in the area is useless the commute time to and from work is a consideration too.

Munyia LeBlanc · 04-18-2010, 06:14 AM

Holyoke, MA is minutes to Springfield and has a wonderful Hispanic population along with many "newbies" including myself who have moved from various States. We have many New Yorkers who have found the place. Holyoke is an upcoming area with lovely homes at reasonable prices. I have a 4 bedroom split level home that I may be selling to move to a ranch style. And, I want to stay in Holyoke. It's minutes to Springfield, Northampton, Easthampton and Amherst.

Quote:

Originally Posted by julissa718

HI I am moving from N.Y to springfield with my family in Aug, I am highly concern about some comments ive been getting from people who travel often to the western side of MA. According to them Chicopee and specially Springfield are very racist. I wouldnt know because ive never traveled tothe western side, but my husband was just transfered from the marines over to chicopee and i have no option other than to go with him. We are hispanic and my little girlwho is 5 is have westindian and hispanic. Is this true or were they just overtalking. I really would like to hear what some of theypeople from these towns have to say. I am thinking about buying our first home but we really want to do it in a welcoming comunity, a place were we wouldnt be stared down every time we walk in a place just because we are spanish/black. Once again i dont know how tru this is so i dont want anyone to get offended by this.