Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Anyone know anything about Worcester, Mass in the US?

15 replies

wokeupwithasmile · 06/09/2013 18:37

My husband and I are thinking of relocating. We would need to live in Worcester or somewhere close to there in order for both to have decent commutes.
Anyone from there who could answer some questions?

Thank you!

OP posts:
OliviaMMumsnet · 06/09/2013 22:16

Bumping for you
We lived in Rhode Island when I was small and the "fall color" in Mass had a huge impact on my memories of the States.
Good luck in the big move.

runningmad · 07/09/2013 09:21

not the nicest of cities, but not far from Boston

wokeupwithasmile · 07/09/2013 20:39

yes, that's what I'd heard, and for that reason I wanted to talk to someone who could tell me more about it.

OP posts:
Taz1212 · 08/09/2013 09:18

I'm originally from Harvard (nothing to do with the university!) which is about a 20 minute drive from Worcester so can answer questions about the general area!

sassytheFIRST · 08/09/2013 09:27

Bit rough and industrial though v pretty surroundings. Not sure which way you are commuting but if it is roughly west of worc I'd recommend Amherst area as much nicer. (lived there for a while). If it's Boston direction there are nicer suburban communities than worc IMO.

Taz1212 · 08/09/2013 09:39

Hmmm, maybe a bit further? 30 minutes maybe? There are some lovely towns in Worcester County. I'm biased of course, but think Harvard is the best little town ever and has a fantastic school system (seriously, it's one of the best in the country). Bolton is nice too and a bit closer. Both are just off 495 which gives easy access to Worcester. Leafy hilly apple country with lots of outdoor activities in the summer and winter.

wokeupwithasmile · 08/09/2013 16:13

Thank you both! My dp would most likely commute into Boston, whereas I would be towards Amherst, hence the W idea. I did not know about Harvard, so will check it out (now), but what we care about is not too much commute and great schools for ds, otherwise we might as well stay put. I would also like to live somewhere close to big cities/something to do, as only small places in a country I never lived in sounds like a recipe for disaster...

OP posts:
wokeupwithasmile · 08/09/2013 16:33

Actually, just checked out Harvard. Could be sold really. Can I ask two more questions? Would you know where I can find more info regarding schools? Could you also give me an idea about outdoor activities please? Thanks a lot :)

OP posts:
Taz1212 · 08/09/2013 17:53

Ahhh, you're sort of spread across the state then. You'll both have a fair commute even meeting in the middle, I'm afraid, as the two are pretty far apart! Are you working north of Amherst or south? If north, you'll be wanting somewhere on Route 2 (like Harvard!) but if south, you'll want somewhere on the Mass Pike - maybe Westborough would be worth looking at? It's quite nice and has decent schools.

One thing to watch out for when looking at schools is if your children will be in high school at any point, many of the high schools are regional schools covering several towns - e.g. Nashoba Regional High, Wachusett Regional High etc, so you can be in a town with a very good elementary school but which then feeds into a mediocre high school.

Harvard is great! It is fairly expensive for houses but I would personally buy a smaller house there as opposed to a larger one in another town just to get into the school system. There's information on the schools here: www.psharvard.org/ The school is one of the best in the country and has quite a few Ivy and little Ivy acceptances every year. They are very strong in drama, music and sports as well.

The town has a pond and in the summer everyone gathers there- you can take swimming, sailing, canoeing and kayaking lessons. The general store is under new management and holds Friday evening barbecues in the summer. There's lots of fairs and festivals on the Common and high school grounds. There's tons of conservation land for long walks and cross country skiing in the winter. You can do downhill skiing at nearby hills or it's not a long drive to NH (also for tax free shopping, Nashua is not too far away!). It's a small town but it has a GREAT local community! It's apple country so lots of apple picking in the autumn. There's also quite a few horse farms if you're into riding.

Honestly, I can't say enough good things about Harvard! (If you do take a drive through at any point, go past 40 Slough Rd and give my childhood house a wave!)

Taz1212 · 08/09/2013 17:53

www.psharvard.org/. Stupid links!

wokeupwithasmile · 08/09/2013 18:18

Ooooh you are sooo kind! Thanks a lot for all the info, it sounds like paradise! I think I want to move there, and dp has already started looking into houses... :)
I will check out everything you told us. Would you mind if I pm you if I have other questions in the near future?
Thanks a lot again :)

OP posts:
Secretswitch · 08/09/2013 18:26

I lived in Worcester for a long bit when first moving to US. It is an older city. Some nice neighbourhoods and schools. If you were looking for towns just outside Worc, with excellent schools and lovely homes I would check out Sutton, Sturbridge, and Charlton. My exhusband and I lived in Sturbridge and loved it. We were a mile from the Mass Turnpike. I still live nearby but in a much poorer town...

sherbetpips · 08/09/2013 18:34

I was lucky enough to live in Concord and Lexington, further up rt 128, was only a 3/4 hr drive into the city centre though. Mass is an awesome place to live. Holidays on the cape,etc. have fun!!!

Taz1212 · 08/09/2013 18:46

Oh yeah, just PM me! I'm pretty familiar with the towns along Route 2 and the commute into Boston. I'm not that familiar with towns along the Pike but can give loads of general MA advice. I've lived in Scotland since 1990 but half my family still live in Massachusetts and I go back to Central Mass fairly frequently.

wokeupwithasmile · 08/09/2013 18:56

Thanks a lot everyone! I will check out all those places and let you know if I have more questions, which I will, if you do not mind!
:)

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page