Moving to Longmeadow (Springfield, Chicopee, Westfield: rental, house prices, buy)

[Goldcorps5]

My family and I are about to relocate to Longmeadow, Mass, on military orders. We chose to live in this area because I heard they had the best schools and it was a nice area.

We could have lived in Chicopee on Westover, but I heard the schools were not so good and the area was less than desirable. Is this right?

Also, my job is in Westfield, how bad will the traffic be from Longmeadow to Westfield? Mapquest says it will be a 25 minute drive or so. Does that sound about right?

I thought about moving to Westfield - but I couldn't find a decent rental and I have seen mixed views about the area.

I just want to make sure I am choosing the right area before I sign my lease. I don't know how the weather will effect our commute to Westover/Westfield respectively.

Any advice would be helpful...

[cosmonewman]

Longmeadow is pretty nice. Much better than Chicopee. I think you made the right choice on where to live. The commute to Westover is almost all interstate so it should be fine. I am not sure about the other commute to Westfield but it is also mostly interstate if memory serves...

[Goldcorps5]

Thank you for the info.
What I wonder is whether the weather affects the roads very badly? Even on the interstate? I haven't lived in an area with snow (much less much of a winter) in over 10 years.
Does the area keep their roads clear?

[cosmonewman]

It seems to me that I-91 is plowed more often than the Masspike. Chicopee is very bad about plowing. The road to Westover is often filled with snow several days after a storm.

I would look into getting snow tires for the winter.

[Goldcorps5]

Thanks...I will keep it in mind. I may just break down and buy a 4-wheel drive as well.

[rsf67]

Great schools. Traffic out here is very light compared to the rest of the country.

[valleygirrl]

i am a current resident of longmeadow and also grew up here since the second grade. this is an upper middle class town that is very peaceful and equally as picturesque. personally, though, i think northampton is a much superior town as for being much better balanced and for offering more cultural events/arts. in noho (as northampton it is fondly called), the house prices are as high, if not higher, than longmeadow. also, consider amherst, hatfield or florence. all are even exeptionally more charming. i could go on and on!
best of luck!

[valleygirrl]

Originally Posted by Goldcorps5

Thank you for the info.
What I wonder is whether the weather affects the roads very badly? Even on the interstate? I haven't lived in an area with snow (much less much of a winter) in over 10 years.
Does the area keep their roads clear?

the main roads are cleared very fast, the secondary ones are usually plowed by 10am.

[K.Sienna]

I agree Longmeadow is very nice. We lived across the river in Agawam for 2 years and drove through Longmeadow several times (while getting lost, but nice drive!). I would love to live there if I could have afforded it. I agree, it will be not bad commute, right on 91 towards Springfield. In the winter they keep the roads moderately good, especially the highway but I do remember days when the plows didn't really keep up with the snow. Mostly though, commuting is well. I think you picked a great place and will be very happy even though you do have to drive, living in Longmeadow is a finer choice than Chicopee.

[caseydog]

Stay far away from Northampton.