Worked there for 4 years. It's FINE. For how economically "not great" it is, crime is relatively low, and safety is high. The back part of town is beautiful, quite literally farm land, and has insanely cheap real estate. (Dresser Hill). Depends what you mean "bad". I'd rather go our in Worcester for dinner, but I'd rather walk down main St Southbridge at night any day to compare. Schools though...