Springfield and surrounding areas (Boston, Holyoke: violent crime, co-op, hotel)

[cblfnd]

I have seen a few specific posts about the area and they were very informational but often too specific to get a feel for the area, Northampton is nice and walkable, Holyoke should be avoided etc, if anyone has any additional general insight to the area I will absolutely read it with interest.

[missionhill]

There are lots of posts and little new to say. Look for posts by tovarisch, mdovell, in_newengland, and GeoffD for substantive commentary, different points of view.

You might want to tell us why you want to know.

[cblfnd]

thank you, will do that first

[mdovell]

Holyoke isn't bad but I mean it depends really want you want. The city center can look like 1985 didn't end. But Northampton street looks pretty nice.

The way I see it I don't think there's good and bad places. It's the people. A triple decker never gave me a hard time. Having said that though if you want trouble you can find trouble.

When you hear of crime anywhere just look at who it is. Nationwide if you factor out drug dealers and users along with gang members you pretty much eliminate violent crime probabilities.

You can PM me if you have specific questions. I'll give five things I like and dislike off the top of my head.

Like
1) There's actual neighborhoods. I know when I'm in McKnight, South End, North End etc. There's a different feel
2) I like that there's a lower cost of living
3) I like that there's much lower traffic
4) I like that the restaurant scene is much better vs Boston (see other post for why)
5) I like that it's pretty easy going north and south and east and wests. Between the highways,airport (bradley), rail and bus routes it isn't hard to get in and out

Dislike
1) High smoking rate. I would argue about 30%
2) People thinking that there is no parking. There's plenty of parking but some demand free on street parking. $30 for a month of parking is less than half a day in Boston
3) Poverty pimps. I won't name names but some have a victim like mentality that frankly doesn't help. It isn't as bad as it was before
4) People with a 1990's mentality with small businesses. The idea that somehow you don't need a website or SEO gets old fast
5) People that are totally disconnected with what is going on. Masslive is the main news source and to be honest no one is hiding anything. Anything you see the city do probably had a meeting that no one attended. They don't report springfield news on ESPN or MTV. It isn't that hard to look things up. It's like the old saying. Some people make things happen, some people deal with what happened and others say "What happened!"

MGM is obviously a huge impact to the area. The thing is in talking to people is that many haven't gone yet because in the fall and winter they just don't go out period. As the spring and summer come along I think we'll see things pick up significantly. By then the riverfront park will be finished. The housing portion is still being debated. I think it can be done but at the same point that project means that everyone has to get everything on time and filed. The new tunnel should be starting construction this year. Walburgers will go up. Maybe a start to the housing at eastfield mall. Demo work for another hotel. The other shift of an impact is the foundation issue. As houses have to be demoed frankly they might have not much of a choice but Hartford or springfield. Hampshire college closing could be another huge impact. If academia doesn't buy it out what else could it be? If they have the funds maybe a charter school..maybe a regional vocational, maybe housing. The size is huge.

[cblfnd]

Thank you so much, this is the type of information I am looking for, highly appreciated. Once I have more specific questions I will reply to this post or send a PM.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Holyoke isn't bad but I mean it depends really want you want. The city center can look like 1985 didn't end. But Northampton street looks pretty nice.

The way I see it I don't think there's good and bad places. It's the people. A triple decker never gave me a hard time. Having said that though if you want trouble you can find trouble.

When you hear of crime anywhere just look at who it is. Nationwide if you factor out drug dealers and users along with gang members you pretty much eliminate violent crime probabilities.

You can PM me if you have specific questions. I'll give five things I like and dislike off the top of my head.

Like
1) There's actual neighborhoods. I know when I'm in McKnight, South End, North End etc. There's a different feel
2) I like that there's a lower cost of living
3) I like that there's much lower traffic
4) I like that the restaurant scene is much better vs Boston (see other post for why)
5) I like that it's pretty easy going north and south and east and wests. Between the highways,airport (bradley), rail and bus routes it isn't hard to get in and out

Dislike
1) High smoking rate. I would argue about 30%
2) People thinking that there is no parking. There's plenty of parking but some demand free on street parking. $30 for a month of parking is less than half a day in Boston
3) Poverty pimps. I won't name names but some have a victim like mentality that frankly doesn't help. It isn't as bad as it was before
4) People with a 1990's mentality with small businesses. The idea that somehow you don't need a website or SEO gets old fast
5) People that are totally disconnected with what is going on. Masslive is the main news source and to be honest no one is hiding anything. Anything you see the city do probably had a meeting that no one attended. They don't report springfield news on ESPN or MTV. It isn't that hard to look things up. It's like the old saying. Some people make things happen, some people deal with what happened and others say "What happened!"

MGM is obviously a huge impact to the area. The thing is in talking to people is that many haven't gone yet because in the fall and winter they just don't go out period. As the spring and summer come along I think we'll see things pick up significantly. By then the riverfront park will be finished. The housing portion is still being debated. I think it can be done but at the same point that project means that everyone has to get everything on time and filed. The new tunnel should be starting construction this year. Walburgers will go up. Maybe a start to the housing at eastfield mall. Demo work for another hotel. The other shift of an impact is the foundation issue. As houses have to be demoed frankly they might have not much of a choice but Hartford or springfield. Hampshire college closing could be another huge impact. If academia doesn't buy it out what else could it be? If they have the funds maybe a charter school..maybe a regional vocational, maybe housing. The size is huge.

What tunnel are you referring to? Born and raised in Springfield but have lived away for more than 20 years. Was there two years ago and no one mentioned a tunnel?

[mdovell]

The Gerena tunnel is the first one. I think most in the north end know of it or use it.

But there's the other tunnel. maybe that's too strong of a word. Underpass is more like it.
https://www.masslive.com/news/index....d_neighbo.html
https://www.masslive.com/news/index...._appro_82.html

Long story short when you have a federal highway and a train cutting a neighborhood they had to have a way around it. Either above or below. Needless to say you need more than one in case they have to work on the other. The Gerena tunnel has its issues but I would argue it's pretty safe. This will lower some of the demands for the Gerena one.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by mdovell

The Gerena tunnel is the first one. I think most in the north end know of it or use it.

But there's the other tunnel. maybe that's too strong of a word. Underpass is more like it.
https://www.masslive.com/news/index....d_neighbo.html
https://www.masslive.com/news/index...._appro_82.html

Long story short when you have a federal highway and a train cutting a neighborhood they had to have a way around it. Either above or below. Needless to say you need more than one in case they have to work on the other. The Gerena tunnel has its issues but I would argue it's pretty safe. This will lower some of the demands for the Gerena one.

Ahhhh, I see! Thanks for the information.

[bizcuit]

Originally Posted by cblfnd

I have seen a few specific posts about the area and they were very informational but often too specific to get a feel for the area, Northampton is nice and walkable, Holyoke should be avoided etc, if anyone has any additional general insight to the area I will absolutely read it with interest.

What are you looking for in a town?

I just moved to the Florence area of Northampton and so far am liking it very much. It's nice to have the village nearby so that I don't have to go to downtown Northampton for everything, but downtown is close enough when I do want to go -- lots of restaurants, cafes, shops, some bars, music venues there.

I joined the local food co-op which, IMO, rivals Whole Foods for quality and selection. There are plenty of local businesses to suit my needs, so far: general contractor, fencing company, window treatments, plowing, trash removal. There is a paint store in the village that carries Benjamin Moore that I know I will be using and others, such as a local upholsterer, lighting store, furniture store. There is a Stop & Shop in town too (have not been there yet).

Route 9 in Hadley is not too far of a drive and will have most of your big box stores and other chain store options. I've been out to there for an appliance store to buy my laundry machines and to Trader Joe's (there is a Whole Foods along the route as well). It's fairly close, but the traffic can get a bit choked in a couple of spots where it goes down to one lane briefly.

The area where I live is also pretty close to downtown Easthampton, which also seems charming and to have a lot of restaurant, cafe, shopping options. So far I've only driven through town though.

It's a longer commute to my job than I am used to, so that has been an adjustment. But this is where I wanted to live, so it's the compromise I made.

Oh and I have natural gas heat (and stove), which may not be noteworthy to some, but there are towns where this is not an option (maybe more so in NH, where I moved from).

[tovarisch]

All true about Florence, where I have lived since 1991. Best of many worlds.