Moving to work in central mass in July - suggestions on where to live?

[butters]

I got a job out of school last summer with a manufacturing corporation, a 2-year development gig rotation-style at two locations minimum. I'm from the Philly region, currently in Portland OR, just got my next assignment: Grafton, MA.

I've heard it's somewhat.... rural in the area. My plant (Wyman) is very near Worcester which, looking at google maps, appears a decently developed medium/small municipality. That was my first thought on where to look for an apartment, but there's also the strong suggestion to get as close to Boston as I can.

I figured I'd throw it out here to see if anyone has any good tips on where to go or where not to go. My E30 is very clean, I'm a little nervous about the weather and winter saltiness (to the point of looking at pricing on 90s subaru imprezas to get me through the season, and beat E30s on craigslist)... point being, I must have garage parking.

[SlapDash]

I grew up on the North Shore of Boston, but at last check -- 20 years ago -- Worcester was less than desirable. Plus, you'll freeze your nuggets off as it's in a valley. Grafton is quite rural, but also quite nice. Includes some great roads for your E30. Closer to Boston = Closer to Traffic and premium priced housing.

[FredK]

IMO live as close to work as possible. That way you can come home, chill, then go into Boston if you want, but not have to deal with the traffic.

If you live in Boston proper, you'll have the opposite direction commute of most people, but you'll still have to dodge a significant amount of traffic no matter what.

[jrobie79]

I work out in Milford and live like 10 minutes outside of Boston, its roughly a 50 minute commute, but I rarely hit traffic. I leave medford around 7am and leave work around 6pm, so I guess I miss the "peak" traffic times. I definitely love living near the city, and grafton is only like an hour from medford

[Tanktheory]

Pick up a beater Subaru and save your E30. They are a dime a dozen out here, check craigslist and you'll find something for under $1,000 that will run for another 5 years.

edit; use Searchtempest.com it'll save you time.

[M-technik-3]

IMO live as close to work as possible. That way you can come home, chill, then go into Boston if you want, but not have to deal with the traffic.

If you live in Boston proper, you'll have the opposite direction commute of most people, but you'll still have to dodge a significant amount of traffic no matter what.

This.

Plenty of places for rent and sale check out www.zillow.com for statistics. www.allofcraigs.com is slightly better than search tempest but you have to check the areas where you want to live.

Honestly Worcester is a pit but there are nice places in the surrounding area.

Traffic on Rt 9 aka Boston Turnpike is miserable. Avoid living there unless you like noise and like associated things. Shrewsbury and Westbourgh are moderately expensive. Millbury from what I remember is cheaper.