Worcester: New England’s second-largest city is a robust, vibrant community located in the heart of the Commonwealth. A five-time recipient of the All- American City Award, Worcester combines the warmth of a small town with the conveniences of a thriving metropolis, offering residents affordable housing and quality public education, coupled with accessible transportation, trendy restaurants and shops, and exciting nightlife.

A manufacturing and innovation giant for more than 200 years, Worcester’s landscape blends impressive mills and diverse architecture with community-oriented neighborhoods, inviting green spaces, renowned colleges and unique cultural institutions. The City boasts one of the finest urban school systems in New England and is rated one of the safest communities in the country (with population of 100,000 or more). An admirable mix of old and new, Worcester is defined by eclectic neighborhoods with a range of housing stock - from historic, turn of the century homes to modern urban lofts.

Worcester’s Neighborhoods:

In the midst of a dramatic renaissance, the downtown area offers a bustling business district, luxury condominiums, and dozens of arts and cultural amenities, including eateries and retail. It features the premier DCU Arena and Convention Center, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ Worcester campus, the renowned Mechanics Hall and the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, among many other attractions. Located in the center of all this vibrancy is CitySquare, which offers more than 2.2 million square feet of urban mixed-use development for upscale residences complemented by a collection of world-class retail, clubs and entertainment venues, as well as state-of-the-art professional, clinical and life science office space, and a new central plaza.

The historic West Side boasts many of the city’s turn-of- the-century homes, and includes the Montvale Historical District and the Salisbury Mansion, which is now open to the public for tours. The American Antiquarian Society, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Assumption College also call this district home.

One hundred years ago, the Blackstone Canal flowed through this neighborhood. Today, this popular area is lined with eclectic restaurants, art galleries and trendy boutique shops.

Walking distance from downtown is Washington Square and Worcester’s historic Union Station, with convenient commuter rail service to Boston and daily Amtrak train service to Albany, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.

The city maintains more than 1,215 acres of parkland, encompassing 53 parks and playgrounds, nine pools and five beaches. Among its most treasured parkland is one of the nation’s oldest public parks, Elm Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Known as Restaurant Row, this close-knit neighborhood is home to the city’s Fourth of July celebration and is within walking distance from the DCU Center, and lively with visitors and residents alike who enjoy the upscale eateries, taverns, diners, parades, festivals, and more.

Anchored by Clark University and the downtown district, this neighborhood was once the location of Worcester’s great weaving industry and now offers working artists loft-style living and gallery space.

A new Route 146 Connector has created additional opportunity for this neighborhood, including the construction of the Blackstone Bikeway and Walking Trails from Worcester to Providence and the new Blackstone Worcester Visitors Center. It is also home to the College of the Holy Cross and top employers, such as Polar Beverages and National Grid.

• Learn more about the City of Worcester:
  www.worcesterma.gov
• Learn more about the Worcester Public Schools:
  www.worcesterschools.org