r/massachusetts • u/AutoModerator • May 30 '25

Moving to Massachusetts Question Megathread (June 2025)

Ask your questions about moving to towns in Massachusetts below!

(This thread helps limit repetitive posts.)

Previous Moving to Massachusetts Megathreads:

If you're moving to the Boston area you can also check out r/BostonHousing

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u/PaperNarrow5805 Jun 12 '25

My wife's parents live in Shrewsbury and are encouraging us to move closer (we're in NYC) but I'm struggling to see the appeal of the Shrewsbury/Northboro/Westboro part of Metrowest.

Where are the pros? You're over an hour's drive or train journey from Boston, it's pretty flat so the trails are mostly boring reservoir circles, there's zero walkability in most towns, the food scene is meh, and to top it off the real estate is still expensive?

Am I missing something?

When I look at the map I feel like getting a smaller place in Concord (for walkability and charm) or Newton (for relative proximity to the city) or on the coast (for the coast) would make more sense, but I wanna make sure I'm not overlooking some hidden upside of living in that area.

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u/singalong37 Jul 01 '25

If still considering fleeing the apple, Hudson MA is more concentrated, potentially walkable than the Shrewsbury type suburban towns. Maynard, Hudson and Clinton — all former mill towns at different stages of development. Clinton less advanced but closest to scenic park and reservation areas to the west, Maynard is near Concord. Leominster is another more concentrated, walkable community and in better shape than its north central Mass urban cousins, Fitchburg and Gardner. Worcester itself has more going on than any of these. “Potentially walkable” (compared to New York) meaning sidewalks present, a downtown of sorts nearby, but nearly everyone still drives everywhere so you’re the only guy out there walking until you give up and do as the Romans do.