Southbridge is definitely not anywhere close to as bad as people make it out to be. I think it gets such a shitty reputation because of the town’s large Puerto Rican population which I’m sure doesn’t sit well with the white townies who have been there for generations. There’s not a lot of crime there, but like a lot of towns in Central Mass west of Worcester (Ware, Spencer, Webster, Athol etc), there’s no industry in Southbridge and poverty is a very prevalent there as a result. The schools are also horrible and if you have kids I’d ill advise moving there. Otherwise, if you’re just trying to find an apartment for cheap, it’s not that bad. Everything you need including highway access via 84 and the Mass Pike is pretty close by.

4Chan

Idk, graffiti (when it’s not toy shit) tends to make a lot of places look colorful and less bland, but that’s just me

What town in Hampden County? I’m assuming more eastward to Worcester (Brimfield, Holland, Palmer maybe?) since you’re posting here. I grew up in that area and can probably look into the utility rates there if need be.

Most of Worcester is generally safe even in its most troubled areas. But if I had to pick the three most “dangerous” neighborhoods in the city, it would be Main South, Vernon Hill, and Great Brook Valley (I wouldn’t worry about GBV since it’s a government housing project that you have to REALLY go out of your way to get to). If I had to pick an “Honorable Mention”, that would be Bell Hill and the lower Lincoln Street area.

Yes, Worcester has crime. There are shootings, there are gangs, and there is a LOT of poverty, but the crime rate here isn’t so out of control that even the poorest areas of the city are completely unlivable. As long as you keep to yourself and don’t go out of your way to find trouble and have a basic sense of street smarts you’ll probably be fine.

Sorry, was a little TWO hungry for crab ragoons. I’ll try to have more patience next time 🙃