Split between cities -- a good middle ground? (Boston, Worcester: neighborhood, school)

[Eagles04]

I was recently accepted to grad school at UMass Amherst. My boyfriend's job is in Boston. We currently live in Boston (Brighton Center) and absolutely love it, but are looking to move somewhere with a more equitably miserable commute.

Any ideas? Looked at Worcester this weekend and couldn't find the kind of neighborhood I love. I'm looking for something where, once we're home, we won't have to drive much. A cute neighborhood with a coffee shop, few restaurants, a bar or two, library, corner store, etc. within walking distance. Preferably within a 10 minute drive of the commuter rail. Doesn't have to be in a big city, I'd love to find some of the small town center charm that MA is famous for.

I'm from Upstate NY and he's from the South Shore, so we are clueless about the area.

Help?

[brightdoglover]

I'm drawing a blank, sorry, and I live between Boston and Worcester on Rt. 2.

[missionhill]

Try the walk-score website. Just enter the town name you think you might try, and it gives you a good idea of the things you can walk to from the center, also an overall "walk score." Westborough center, for ex, has a walk score of 74--pretty good--and is on the commuter railroad to Boston. Once you've gotten the stats on a few alternatives you can visit and see what you think.

good luck!

[westernmass101]

Originally Posted by Eagles04

I was recently accepted to grad school at UMass Amherst. My boyfriend's job is in Boston. We currently live in Boston (Brighton Center) and absolutely love it, but are looking to move somewhere with a more equitably miserable commute.

Any ideas? Looked at Worcester this weekend and couldn't find the kind of neighborhood I love. I'm looking for something where, once we're home, we won't have to drive much. A cute neighborhood with a coffee shop, few restaurants, a bar or two, library, corner store, etc. within walking distance. Preferably within a 10 minute drive of the commuter rail. Doesn't have to be in a big city, I'd love to find some of the small town center charm that MA is famous for.

I'm from Upstate NY and he's from the South Shore, so we are clueless about the area.

Help?

Well, I am attending UMass at Amherst as a freshman in the fall. If you don't want to drive to much look at Amherst they have a great downtown with book stores, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.... and they are all located on route to UMass (literally right down the road). If you don't mind driving a little I would say go for Northampton. The downtown is great, non-stop 24/7 city, yet small town charm.

The more metropolitan area would be the Metro West area which is Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield). However, they do lack that small town charm. Chicopee is more of a residential community, but it's very safe and even though it's not a major destination in tourist magazines the area is really nice. Springfield is more of a urban area in terms of buildings- tall buildings. Holyoke is an old industrial city, most of the downtown is the city, but it's in need of revitalization. In the suburbs you have the Holyoke Mall and also the Mt. Tom neighborhood overlooks the downtown (one of those picture perfect cities like). Near Mt. Tom you have immediate access to downtown Northampton.