I know it’s not that bad. You really didn’t have to make the point. I was only using it as a comparison. It’s significantly easier for me to get into Worcester.

Something’s are crappy. I haven’t left after 6 years because of the food and bar options

I’ve only been to the Kelly’s they opened at Jordan’s in Natick. It was always good, but always overpriced and never amazing, neither the roast beef or the seafood was memorable for me.

New England Roast Beef is right down the street from here and will still be my goto.

I was born in Worcester and lived there for over 25 years before moving. Its honestly not a hassle getting into boston at all lol

It couldnt be more easy IMO. Its 1 road all the way in and its straight ahead or take the train.

In terms of young professionals - there are a some to be found in the city but usually less than what a major city would offer and also a different type of professional. It certainly isnt bussing with young professionals, there are more but worcester is very much still a college and blue collar town. All depends on what youre looking for but there is a reason people move to boston.

Youre less likely to bumb elbows with prominent lawyers, accountants/finance professionals (not just ibank but also corporate FPA) in worcester than you are in Boston but if youre looking things like these you can still hunt them out. All depends on what caliber youre looking for and what profession. The nightlife between the two places is 100% incomparable.

It's a half hour video, but this guy does a good job of explaining why bringing your own parts, outside of special circumstances, is a bad idea for you and the shop...

https://youtu.be/6DWBkc7mmME

Pretty good summary. I moved here in my late twenties as well under similar circumstances. We have found things to like here and will likely be here for a while. The outdoor spaces nearby are great. The restaurants are fine, unremarkable but there's something for everyone and a few hidden gems. Still, there's a lot we don't like, and counter the post above, we're not from a yuppie white suburb. We came from a city in a different part of the country and it's been extremely disappointing to see how much worse the urban infrastructure (sidewalks, bike paths/lanes, street design, etc.) is in Worcester.

What's most frustrating to us it that this city is not walkable, and the infrastructure and the drivers themselves are extremely hostile to pedestrians, cyclists, and anybody who's not using a private motor vehicle (such as trying to get around in a wheelchair or even waiting for a bus).

People park on sidewalks all the time. Lots of streets don't have sidewalks and many of those that exist are in ankle-breaking condition. We now live in one of the 'nice' west side neighborhoods, but even there, pushing our stroller around the block is a total adventure because many of the sidewalks are in execrable shape. Our kid would get shaken baby syndrome from all the cracks and tree roots if we used the sidewalks in some spots - again, this is the 'nice' part of town, and they're even worse in poorer neighborhoods. We end up using the street for walking most of the time, resulting in arrogant entitled drivers in their F-250s buzzing an inch away from us and our baby at 40+ mph on a residential street. It makes my blood boil but the police and city government don't seem to care at all. When it snows (not this winter evidently), it gets even worse because many people don't bother to clear their sidewalks, and even when they do, the plows push the snow back onto the sidewalks making it impossible to use them. Again, the city doesn't care. No matter how many times I report residents and businesses for uncleared sidewalks, they keep not doing anything about it. We have concluded that the city just doesn't care about you unless you're in a car, which really sucks. And I'm an able bodied person in my mid-thirties. I can scarcely imagine how hard it must be to get around for folks with limited mobility.

This city has so much potential but in our view, it's failing to live up to it because it doesn't meet these basic livability standards. Even if you don't personally bike/walk much, the lack of infrastructure for these activities makes city life worse because it prevents local neighborhood business nodes from flourishing. There's a spot about a half mile from us with a coffee shop, barbecue joint, bakery, and bodega all right next to each other. But we can't walk there safely with the stroller, so we don't use those businesses much. The bakery's about to close, in fact - and while I don't know the specific reasons, it's pretty evident that they'd have done better financially if more of the relatively affluent folks who live nearby could enjoy a safe and pleasant walk down for a pastry on a weekend morning. But the city makes that kind of thing impossible for many.

I hope you're wrong, but even if you're not, we can also make a great change for the city by pressuring Petty not to appoint her to this position next cycle.

Disregard all the people jumping on you for being “young professionals”. There is a portion of people who long for the “good old days” when Worcester was more blue collar and, let’s be honest, dirtier, poorer and, depending on the area, dangerous. (I know this comes off as elitist. It’s not how I mean it. When I was younger there were a lot of neighborhoods I wouldn’t go into. Now they are fewer and more spread out).

I grew up 15 minutes east of Worcester and have been going there for my entire life. It’s on the upswing. The city has a massively diverse restaurant scene, with a wide variety of different cuisines and restaurant styles. Don’t be afraid to go into some of the smaller counter-style restaurants. Some of the best look like dirty holes-in-the-walls. (Hien Vuong on Green St is still the best Pho I’ve had). Shawarma, Indian, African, Caribbean, and Asian food is all represented throughout. I avoid chains and corporate restaurants and have rarely had a bad meal.

I’m not a club guy, so I can’t speak to the scene, but the bar scene is solid and ranges from dives to upscale, craft cocktail focused. There are several excellent breweries in town. There are a couple different arcade bars/esports cafes.

Whatever your interests are, either Worcester has it, or you can find it within a 20-30 drive. Worcester is the hub of Central MA with major highways going in all directions and the surrounding cities and towns have a ton to offer.

Public transit is pretty terrible. I definitely recommend a car. Parking generally isn’t an issue, other than downtown where you will often need to use a garage or pay lot.

Also, if you aren’t familiar with the general area, just know that the people here are generally great. I’ve worked in/around Worcester for the majority of my adult life. I’ve never not felt welcome. You will encounter a fair share of assholes, but that true anywhere.

Feel free to reply with any questions

Taking a mental health day

Best part...the 3rd party vendor machine in the store to take payments doesn't work...hasn't for days.

The, on 1/31, they couldn't process payments because their system was down...yet they could process orders for new service?

FFS, just take the payment, issue a receipt and fix your shitty system later.

Does anybody know why Orson is sometimes deflated? I've noticed it several times, during both good weather and bad weather.

Same

This store is terrible. Cant wait for FiOS...

Not appropriate to bring own oil and filter or other parts. A shop can’t guarantee their work based on materials they have no control over.

Some people would bring cheapest possible filter. Filter would leak a week later and ruin engine. Customer would blame shop.

If it’s a foreign I’d recommend one of my guys all located on the same street RiverSide Auto - Ask for An (On) dude does GREAT WORK !!

Star Tech Auto - Ask for Abe !!!

Worcester Foreign Motors - Ask to speak with Tommy !!

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a lot of cool young professionals wear alumunim triangular pyramids on their heads to help us similar people identify each other, comingle and--ultimately--procreate....try it and you will get the attention you deserve it

There will be the rare individual who tries to tell you how terrible Worcester is, but please take everything they say with a massive grain of salt. As far as cities in MA go, Worcester is just fine, and I’d even say it’s great. It’s come a very, very long way.

I live 25 minutes from Worcester, and I typically go there for nightlife/food and other activities, especially since it’s such a hassle getting into Boston. Yes, you will be trying new restaurants forever, as there are always new ones opening up. Very diverse ethnically.

No shortage of bars, clubs, and basically any other establishment you can think of. Amenities and grocery stores are plentiful. Gyms, venues, parking, you name it.

They have the commuter rail which sucks but is set to get better. I have no idea about the buses. Beautiful parks and old architecture.

The city is actively being revitalized and being heavily invested in. There are many people that love Worcester and want to see it develop. It’s one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. There are several colleges/universities and lots of young people. I see them every time I go.

The thing to keep in mind is that Worcester is, at root, a working class mill town. These are cities in the Northeast that were built and sustained by the blood sweat and tears of blue collar workers. Once all the industries moved out, these cities were mostly left for ruin. You still see that in Worcester. But it’s not nearly as bad as some other cities in MA. Some neighborhoods are trashy. Lots of triple deckers that used to house the mill workers. Lots of these neighborhoods ended up housing low income families. But of course now most apartments are unaffordable for these people, so within the next century you’ll see Worcester become completely gentrified in my opinion. The next Boston.

There are 200,000 people in Worcester. It’s small but very populated. There’s something and someone for everybody.

Just don’t shy away from that working class feel and charm. People who hate on Worcester either have lived there for decades or are from a yuppie white suburb in metro west and have never so much as set foot in a real city with real people.

It’s very down-to-earth. You’ll meet plenty of awesome and friendly people!

Right? I found nothing offensive in the post. If anything it’s just a general term for a 20-something that has a job.

I can dream. We will never get FiOS out in the sticks.

Agreed. Webster Square makes kindergarten look smart.

How? Why is everyone so offended by OP calling themselves a “young professional”?

OP for what it’s worth, I don’t understand why people have a problem with your wording. I read young professionals as a description and nothing more.

I just moved to Worcester a few months ago and so far it’s great. I’m in the burbs over by Indian lake. A 10$ Uber gets me downtown. I havnt had much luck with the busses… twice now I’ve waited for them at the times posted online and they didn’t show, so I would not recommend them.

I love Vincent’s bar. It’s divey, fun and always has live music. Also an outdoor area to smoke whatever your vice is

God this reads like a wasp mom getting info about private high schools for her kids via facebook

Named after Orson Welles. The original bear was more…….rotund.