MA's Second city (Boston, Worcester, Springfield: job market, university, income)

[HenryAlan]

I think Springfield looms larger than Worcester on the national stage. Worcester suffers from less notoriety and by proximity to Boston. This is not to say that Worcester isn't an interesting and important city, but I don't think it qualifies as the "second city." As for Cambridge, well that has to be a joke.

[ctcoldplay11]

This is hard! But I think I'd have to go with Worcester. Personally, I like Springfield and the Springfield area better, but Worcester's influence is more far-reaching. Kids come to Worcester from all over the USA to attend Holy Cross, WPI, Clark and UMASS Medical. Worcester State is there too, but it's a regional school. Regardless, I think Worcester has a better national profile. Worcester has a really impressive collection of schools for a city its size. Springfield has, what? Springfield; AIC; WNE-U? Not as impressive as a lineup. Worcester just seems to have more going for it. Lots of corporations seem to be locating themselves closer and closer to Worcester, as a cheaper alternative to Boston. Springfield is really overshadowed by the large economic footprint of Hartford, its neighbor to the south. Lots of people in Western Mass work over the border in CT. Not so much the other way around.

While I think Worcester is MA's second city, I love the Springfield area. It has more character, more of an identity. The Worcester area seems more strip mall-y and chain restaurant-y. Eh. Not anywhere I'd exactly want to live.

Just my 2 cents!

[btownboss4]

Wondering if anyone has thoughts after 7 years. I would think Worcester pulled away (or even depending on who you thought as ahead) there has been much more solid growth in Worcester and not just as a commuter town, good jobs are been made in Worcester and the Canal Distruct is becoming a legit non-downtown urban neighborhood that only really exist in Providence and Boston in New England.

[in_newengland]

Worcester. Just based upon the superb acoustics at Mechanics Hall alone, but I think they have much more. They can get to Boston too.

I'm from the Springfield area but Springfield itself is still the pits. Yes it has a symphony hall but the one time I went there, the acoustics were terrible. There isn't much left in Springfield anymore. Of course they have a casino now but that sort of thing doesn't count too much for me. They need real businesses with highly paid employees. They need to get some culture back too.

BTW, although it was mentioned that basketball was invented in Springfield, it was also the home of the Indian motorcycle. It was a great place back in its day and it has the very beautiful and large Forest Park, designed by the famous Frederick Olmstead.

[redplum33]

Worcester. It's a pretty weak 2nd, but it's better than Springfield.

(As noted, Cambridge is Boston....and Providence isn't in MA.)

[FCMA]

It’s a tough choice for me between Methuen and Chicopee.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Spring field. Worcester is too bland, culturally insignificant and too close to Boston.

Doro gfield is economically depressed because much of Massachusetts is economically depressed. It's a good representative althougha bit too close to CT-but it retains its MA flavor.

Lowell might be a good city to compete with Worcrster for third. 5th places would have to be New Bedford IMO.

Providence-I think- holds just as much importance for MA residents as Worcester does...

New Englands most important/standout cities.

1. Boston






2. Providence
3. Hartford

4. Worcester
5. New Haven


6. Lowell

7. Springfield


8. Portland
9. Manchester

10. Stamford
11. Nashua

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by btownboss4

Wondering if anyone has thoughts after 7 years. I would think Worcester pulled away (or even depending on who you thought as ahead) there has been much more solid growth in Worcester and not just as a commuter town, good jobs are been made in Worcester and the Canal Distruct is becoming a legit non-downtown urban neighborhood that only really exist in Providence and Boston in New England.

It has clearly pulled ahead ... way ahead ... of Springfield and, to a lesser degree, Lowell. Lowell was stagnating, but I think 128 might help fuel relevancy moving forward.

The Beverly/Salem juggernaut is a bit interesting and likely continue improving at a rapid pace; however, it doesn't really have the breadth or size of Worcester

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

Providence-I think- holds just as much importance for MA residents as Worcester does...

I'd say more. But this thread is about MA cities.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

New Englands most important/standout cities.

1. Boston






2. Providence
3. Hartford

4. Worcester
5. New Haven


6. Lowell

7. Springfield


8. Portland
9. Manchester

10. Stamford
11. Nashua

Other than the insurance industry, why would you put Hartford so close to Providence? Where does Bridgeport rank in your opinion?

And why say Springfield is #2 in MA and then put it below Worcester and Lowell on this list?