Worcester, a five-time recipient of the All-American City Award, is nicknamed as "The City of Seven Hills" and is the county seat of Worcester County in the state of Massachusetts. The city is also referred to as "The Heart of the Commonwealth," as it is situated in the central part of the state. After Boston, Worcester's population of 181,045 makes it the second largest city, not only in the state of Massachusetts, but in the entire New England region.
Worcester is located roughly 40 miles west of Boston, and although the Worcester area was considered to be its own region for years, Boston suburbs have recently begun to encroach on the Worcester area, incorporating the city into the Greater Boston area. Worcester was incorporated as a city in 1848 and features a lot of Victorian-era architecture throughout the city.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Worcester. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Worcester Climate
Worcester has a humid continental climate, typical of most of the New England region and the state of Massachusetts. July is the hottest month in the state, averaging about 71 F ( 22 C) and January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 26 F(3 C). The state has a more temperate climate. The climate is colder across the state and is drier across the western region.
The winter snowfalls are more severe. The annual precipitation averages 44 to 45-inches in Worcester. The central and western part of Massachusetts can be slightly more humid than the coast during the summer, and also may receive a high amount of snowfall. One of the main attractions in Massachusetts however, is the perfect fall weather.
Worcester Geography and Neighborhoods
One of the main features of Worcester is the Blackstone River, which cuts through the city. One of the city's nicknames, "The City of the Seven Hills" actually refers to the piece of old New England folklore that says the city of Worcester sits atop seven different hills. The hills are Airport Hill, Bancroft Hill, Belmont Hill, Grafton Hill, Green Hill, Pakachoag Hill and Vernon Hill. However, there are actually more than seven hills located within the town and the others include Indian Hill, Wigwam Hill and Newton Hill.
The city covers a total area of 38.6 miles, which includes a number of lakes like Lake Quinsigamond, Indian Lake, Bell Pond and Coes Pond, as well as several parks that include Newton Hill, East Park, Morgan Park, Shore Park, Crompton Park and University Park.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in Worcester is higher than the national average, but on par with the region where it's situated. The city's location in the northeast and its proximity to the Greater Boston metropolitan area, one of the most expensive cities in the country to live, is responsible for the higher cost of living in Worcester. The median family income in Worcester is $62,886, slightly higher than the national average.
The median home price for an average home in Worcester is $208,200, which is on par with other similar home prices when compared to competing real estate markets in surrounding areas. Worcester's proximity and easy access to Boston make it easier for residents to find employment in the city and its location is convenient for recreational purposes as well, as visiting the city is only about an hour's drive away. Thus, the average rent prices for an apartment in Worcester ranges anywhere from $1,000 a month for a one-bedroom to over $4,000 per month for a four-bedroom house or condo.
Registering Your Car
It is necessary for you to have Massachusetts insurance in order to obtain motor vehicle registration. You must have the insurance agent stamp on your application for the vehicle to be registered. Once the application has the insurance stamp, you can take it to any Massachusetts RMV office for processing. You will then receive a registration certificate and registrations must be renewed yearly.
If you already have a driver's license from the state you have moved, you must go to the Massachusetts RMV location and get your license transferred to Massachusetts. You must also submit to a mandatory vision test and pay a transfer fee. And in case you do not have a valid license, you must go through the process of applying for a permit and license. If you are under the age of 18, you will be eligible for a junior operator's license.
Worcester Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Worcester, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Massachusetts. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Worcester Schools
The Worcester Public School system contains 33 elementary schools, four middle schools and seven high schools located within the city. The public school system provides education for over 23,000 students in Worcester from kindergarten through 12th grade and also features programs for adult education, alternative schooling and special education, provided through learning centers and magnet schools.
The state of Massachusetts is also home to hundreds of colleges and universities, and Worcester is no exception. There are several institutes of higher education located within the city. Some of these include the Jesuit College of Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University, Clark University, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Becker College, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Assumption College and Quinsigamond Community College.
Worcester Employment
Worcester has a long and illustrious history as an industrial and manufacturing town dating all the way back to the late 19th century and early 20th century with Wyman-Gordon, a leading manufacturer of machine parts and American Wheelock, an automobile manufacturing company that came to Worcester in 1904. Many manufacturing companies are headquartered in Worcester today, including Morgan Construction, Wright Line, Saint-Gobain and Polar Beverages, which operates two different bottling plants in the city.
The local economy and job market is in a period of prosperity and the current unemployment rate is relatively low, at 6.8 percent, while the job growth rate is 9.22 percent. Some of the top employers in the city include the UMass Memorial Health Care system, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the city government, Hanover Insurance and Polar Beverages.
Public Transportation
Worcester is connected to the Greater Boston metropolitan area and the surrounding suburbs by a number of highways. These include - Interstate 290, 495, 90 and also 395. Worcester also represents the end of the line for the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line that is operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and provides residents with service to downtown Boston as well. Worcester's Union Station is the hub for all commuter rail travel in the city and also contains an Amtrak stop on the Lake Shore Limited line that runs from Boston to Chicago.
Within the city, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority operates a bus service. The bus routes travel within the city of Worcester, as well as to surrounding areas. The closest regional airport is Worcester Regional Airport, located within the city and featuring a limited number of commercial flights. Boston Logan International Airport is located approximately 45 miles from Worcester.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Worcester is full of year-round activities and places to visit, and is the home to several annual festivals, including the Worcester Music Festival which is the oldest music festival in the nation. Other festivals, such as start on the Street and Canal Fest showcase local art and culture and take place during the fall. The Worcester County St. Patrick's Day parade is held every year on the holiday and is one of the largest parades of its kind in the state of Massachusetts.
For places to visit in Worcester, you can't go wrong with the Worcester Art Museum, with works from legendary artists like Jackson Pollock and Rembrandt. Other museums include the Higgins Armory Museum and the EcoTarium, which is a science museum. The Worcester Palladium is the site of many concerts throughout the year, as is the DCU Center, which also hosts the Worcester Sharks, a semi-pro hockey team that serves as the developmental team for the NHL's San Jose Sharks.
Moving to Worcester
Whatever your reasons for moving to Worcester, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Worcester is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.