Worcester, Massachusetts. The City of the Seven Hills!
Worcester, Massachusetts. The City of the Seven Hills!
Article by Derek Overby
The Worcester legend is that the town sits atop seven hills, although, in actuality it sits atop many more than that. The city’s streets are often steep, much like that of San Francisco. Okay, maybe not as extreme … but they’re still hilly … and dangerous to drive on when it’s icy. Worcester is located just 44 miles west of Boston, or 55 minutes in good traffic. It is the 2nd largest city in the State of Massachusetts with an estimated population of over 175,000. The Worcester County seat is located here. You’ll find beautiful old neighborhoods, affordable real estate, great schools and a relatively low crime rate. Forbes just named Worcester the 9th most livable city in the nation.
The town, however, is famous for its diners, underground music scene and it’s … well, uh … attitude. That’s wuh-ster to you. Got it? Good. Dollah-fifty.
You’ll also find a great mix of ethnicity in Worcester. Irish, Jewish, Italian, Polish and other ethnic groups are represented here. Many of these families migrated to the area in the early 1800s. Known for its innovations in commerce, education, industry and social thought, Worcester, along with its neighbor Blackstone Valley, boast the claim as the birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution.
An early industrialist formed a process for producing steel wire for barbed-wire fencing. One inventor developed textile loom mills that helped drive the Industrial Revolution. In 1847, a female inventor created and manufactured the first American Valentine’s Day cards. In 1856, an area physician fashioned the first machine to fold envelopes. Other entrepreneurs and inventors came and contributed, helping mold the city into much of what it stands for today.
A novel form of housing, the three-decker, was introduced in the 19th century. The three-decker afforded enough separate living space for the homeowner and two renters, and still does today. You can buy a roomy three-decker in Worcester for what you would pay for “closet space” in Boston, and have your renters pay your mortgage!
There is so much to do in Worcester. Wander over to the east side and visit restaurant row on Shrewsbury Street for great eateries. Swing by the north side of town and stop for a stroll through Elm Park, the oldest park in the nation, which brags that it was the first public park in the nation. You’ll also find lots of historic places in this area.
Check out the Ecotarium, American Antiquarian Society, Higgins Armory Museum, Music Worcester, Musicians of the Old Post Road, the Foothills Theatre Company, Worcester Art Museum, Opera Worcester or the Worcester History Museum.
While you’re out there running around, you’ll also want to shop for some affordable real estate. You’ll find reasonable prices here in this New England town. The aforementioned triple-decker can be found for as low as ,450. For a Cape Cod style single-family dwelling, you’ll pay only 7,900. Winter Hill and Salisbury Street are probably the wealthiest and most well kept areas in the city. Old mansions and elegant homes line the streets of these sections. You can find condos for as low as 9,999 and single-family homes in excess of million.
Yep, there’s something everyone can afford. If you want the comfort and culture without the cost, you’ll find it … right here in Worcester!
About the Author
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