Woerster cost of living/quality of life?

[ccsengineering]

Worcester is most certainly declining. In addition, the entire state of Massachusetts is declining in the following: job opportunities, available housing, environment, and political issues.

I understand that no state will be perfect, however the recent issues that have been faced in a political realm as well as in government agencies that are over-extending their power and area of expertise is increasingly alarming.

The insane amount of public programs that have an enormous hierarchical structure astounds me. We the people have voted for/against many issues yet our direct representatives do not vote in favor of the majority of their constituents. As to which way I may vote is not relevant. What is relevant is that the direct representation is no longer adhered to.

As for the revitalization of Worcester; while it is nice to see areas such as Shrewsbury St. have new restaurants built, one must analyze what is occurring. Upper class restaurants and entertainment establishments are opening every day, but cannot sustain in an area where the middle - lower middle class are the majority. I am in no way degrading anyone or the area. I am stating the facts that must be recognized.

The local government within the area of Worcester is not responding in a positive manner to this and the loss of manufacturing, etc. in the area. Abbott Labs has built a large facility, but a majority of the employees live east of Worcester and would not live in Worcester.

Sadly, these are facts. I grew up in the area and have lived in Worcester. I was a fan of the area until I got married and did a reality check. I began to analyze and study the local politics, taxes, and efforts being made by the local government. I have come to the conclusion (sadly) that this is an area that I do not want to raise a family. The schools are drastically declining while more and more public programs are created to accommodate the children that are negatively affected by the poor schooling. There are local representatives that do their best, but the majority of the area that vote (if they vote) are voting for those that do not either a) recognize this conundrum or b) do not want to acknowledge or do not know what to do.

On a weekend, Worcester has very little occurring. The traffic is horrendous and is getting worse each day. Part of the revitalization plans is to reconstruct the Washington Square area. They are actually changing it back to the way it was or very similar too? The idea is this will draw small business owners to setup shop near the large reconstructed rail station. The problem is there the majority of local consumers are not able to afford the products sold. Therefore, while the efforts and ideas portrayed are ones that are defined with the purpose of making for a better Worcester; they are in fact, another way to spend more money and to create a false positive as to the revitalization and stability of the Worcester area.

When I was younger (35 now, but feel like a kid still), there were bowling alleys and movie theaters, etc. throughout Worcester. Sadly, due to technological advances, the movie theaters are no longer needed. The small shopping areas such as Lincoln Plaza are now full of the large retailers that you see throughout the US. One should note that Walmart is making a very good profit from the Worcester area. This is a strong indicator as to the conditions and economic level of Worcester. Walmart has done very well by establishing its presence in areas where the middle - lower middle class are the majority.

I would like to note that I am not an activist, liberal, nor a conservative. I am just a guy that now has a family that I want to provide the best opportunities for.

[colleenlynn]

What do you think about the Green Hill Park area for renting?

[findingmesomeday]

I'm not familiar with Worcester or it's surroundings. I get there once a year for a DI state competition at WPI. I do like how the city seems set into a hillside, but downtown does seem grim to me.

However, I've heard nothing but OUTSTANDING things about St. John's Prep. Of course, you can live anywhere and send your kids to St. John's but it's nice to know it's just down the road in Shrewsbury if you decide Worcester is for you.

[Jonny94]

Originally Posted by ccsengineering

When I was younger (35 now, but feel like a kid still), there were bowling alleys and movie theaters, etc. throughout Worcester. Sadly, due to technological advances, the movie theaters are no longer needed. The small shopping areas such as Lincoln Plaza are now full of the large retailers that you see throughout the US. One should note that Walmart is making a very good profit from the Worcester area. This is a strong indicator as to the conditions and economic level of Worcester. Walmart has done very well by establishing its presence in areas where the middle - lower middle class are the majority.

You make some good points in your larger post, especially regarding the city politics, but there's still plenty of growth happening in and around the city. The city cinemas are gone, but Showcase North and Blackstone have tons of screens. Worcester isn't Cambridge. It's more Walmart than Nordstrom's. You're not going to have mom-and-pop stores everywhere you look. The new Lincoln Plaza is great, IMO, much better than before. That's my Lowe's! This is a national trend, BTW, not unique to Woo.

Worcester is primarily a blue-collar town, but I think you're going overboard say it's going in the wrong direction and that there's nothing going on on the weekends. You're not looking. Period. The 'burbs sounds like they're more your speed. Worcester isn't suburbia, although there are plenty of nice, quiet neighborhoods.

[Jonny94]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

However, I've heard nothing but OUTSTANDING things about St. John's Prep. Of course, you can live anywhere and send your kids to St. John's but it's nice to know it's just down the road in Shrewsbury if you decide Worcester is for you.

High, not Prep. St. John's Prep is in Danvers; High is in Shrewsbury (and yeah, I'd have to agree that it's outstanding!)

[dmoss79]

Originally Posted by seldomseen

None of the small independent cities in Ma, e.g. (New Bedford, Lowell, Springfield, Lowell, Worcester) are sought after! All of these cities are infested with: crime, drugs, poverty, and prostitution. Don't get me wrong there are a few better sections in the city, but as a whole Worecester is a dump. It just offers affordable housing options for people. And the fact of the matter is, most of the folks that live in these cities, don't want to live there themselves, but are only there because they can't afford to live anywhere else, because of the high-cost of housing/rent in the outlying suburan towns. Worcester definately isn't the best place to raise a family!!!

I could not have wrote it any better. I really think no one actually wants to work or live in Worcester. I have a friend who works at UMASS Medical and she hates just driving to Worcester everyday for her commute. The public schools are awful and many students do not make it and have to go to 'alternative' schools. Do not move to any city in MA except a nice area of Boston. Any other city really is a dump. [don't forget about Fitchburg!]

[dmoss79]

Originally Posted by Micah Girl

Areas of Worcester (Main South for example) are rough, inner city with drug abuse and crime. However, if you live in other parts of the city, they definitely aren't dumpy. That generalization is way too broad. Cities are cities and have their bad parts and good parts. If you have enough money you can choose where to live that is safe and clean and affordable and you don't worry about crime or drugs. I feel very safe in my neighborhood and it's one of the "entry level" middle class neighborhoods in Worcester. There are lots of people here who can't afford to live anywhere else because prices in MA are outrageous. But the people are not unwashed or ignorant. They are decent family people with good jobs, nice yards, nice cars and education.

If you can afford to start your entry level housing at 400K for a fixer-upper, by all means move closer to Boston. Boston is also a real city with big city problems, by the way. And the suburbs are pricey and overinflated.

There are houses outside of Worcester for under 400 and they are not fixer uppers. Do the research on a realtor site and you will see that in a town around Worcester you can get a home in the 200s and even East of Worcester area there are small homes in the same price range. If you go West or North or even South of Worcester it is even less. One can even look at a condo/condex and really get something for less if they dont mind sharing a wall with others and dont want land.