Local Secrets: Finding the Top Affordable Neighborhoods for Renting in Worcester

Worcester is a vibrant, culturally rich and diverse city at the heart of central Massachusetts. With a thriving culinary scene, ample arts and culture opportunities and a vast collection of colleges, museums and available activities, Worcester is an ideal location for young professionals and families. I’m Kevin, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com expert for Worcester, Massachusetts.

Current Pricing for Apartments for Rent in Worcester

As someone who lived and worked in Worcester for years, I have come to appreciate the dramatic blend of experiences, people and institutions that are at the heart of the second-largest city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Join us as we look at some of the most affordable neighborhoods in Worcester and what makes each community so special.

1. Arts District

Worcester has a vibrant and thriving arts scene throughout the city limits. There are theaters, community spaces, art galleries and music venues to appeal to every possible aesthetic. The crown jewel is Mechanics Hall, one of the finest concert venues that has played host to thousands of acts since its opening in 1857. Today, it’s used for performances, recording sessions, business events and weddings.

Other notable parts of the arts district are the Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, another popular performance space that takes visitors back to a gilded age of grandeur, and the Worcester Art Museum, with nearly 40,000 works in its collections, that is renowned for its holdings in Japanese woodblock prints, American and European paintings, and arms and armor.

2. Tatnuck

The Tatnuck name means “at the great hill,” a reference to the large hill that runs through Pleasant Street in the heart of the neighborhood. Unlike neighborhoods closer to the city center, Tatnuck is a residential neighborhood on the city’s west side, a short drive from downtown. The city’s urban feel slowly fades away as you enter Tatnuck, which has a turn-of-the-20th-century vibe. The homes are densely packed here, another reference to the city’s past but also part of its charm. Colonials and ranches abound here.

Worcester State University, one of the many colleges and universities in the city, is located in Tatnuck. Worcester State is part of the Massachusetts state university system and a major employer in the city. Patch Pond is another beautiful spot.

3. Federal Square

In the heart of downtown Worcester lies Federal Square, named after the Harold D. Donohue Federal Building, which includes a federal district courthouse and offices. The Francis R. Carroll Plaza recently underwent a $1.5 million renovation and added tables, chairs, public art and lighting. The area features a short walk to Hanover Theatre and other cultural spots and a large selection of modern and refurbished condos and apartments.

4. University Park

Also known as Main South, the University Park neighborhood features walkable streets, a growing culinary scene and a strong partnership with Clark University, which sits in its center. Clark, the alma mater for notable business and community leaders, is a small liberal arts college with a deep commitment to its neighborhood, which features many three-story Victorian homes and apartments for rent.

University Park, known as Crystal Park, is a sprawling, 13-acre spot that sits across Main Street from the Clark campus.

Recently, the area has undergone a significant facelift, often in partnership with Clark, to redevelop the area, adding new storefronts and restaurants, representing cuisines from around the world, that appeal to both the college crowd and local residents.

5. Bell Hill

Bell Hill is another quiet neighborhood located just outside the Worcester city center, providing ample opportunities for recreation and letting residents take advantage of the best the city has to offer. Bell Hill, like many of the city’s neighborhoods, takes its name from the hill of the same name. At the peak of that hill, you’ll find Chandler Hill Park, which features Bell Hill Pond, which was home to the city’s first water reservoir in the 1840s. The parks in the neighborhood feature playgrounds, sports fields, swimming spots and places to relax with a walk or picnic.

Located to the east of downtown Worcester, Bell Hill residents also enjoy easy access to Shrewsbury Street, home to Worcester’s bustling and vibrant restaurant scene. Restaurants in the area range from beloved diners to fine dining establishments and attract large crowds to the neighborhood.

6. Franklin Plantation

Franklin Plantation, like Bell Hill, is a primarily residential neighborhood though a little closer to the city center. There’s a casual, family friendly vibe in this community. It also helps to be so close to the Shrewsbury Street social scene, which has many clubs and bars for those looking for a more relaxed, less formal night out.

Homes in Franklin Plantation are predominantly classical style and feature a blend of single- and multi-family homes, condos and apartments.

One of the hallmarks of the neighborhood is its proximity to some of the state’s finest medical facilities. Nearby are UMass Memorial Medical Center and the UMass Chan Medical School, with emergency and inpatient services and primary and specialty medical provider offices.

7. Brittan Square

Lincoln Street is the hub for this walkable neighborhood a couple of miles from downtown. There’s a mix of urban and suburban feel in Brittan Square while colonials and the ever-present triple deckers predominate the landscape here.

Green Hill Park and Burncoat Park are located in the neighborhood and feature walking paths and beautiful grounds. The neighborhood which abuts the Green Hill Golf Course.

A large biotech industrial park is also close to the neighborhood, leveraging the nearby biomedical community.

8. Elm Park

In a city bustling with beautiful parks, Elm Park is one of the prettiest. The eponymous Elm Park is a popular spot for residents. Split by Park Avenue, Elm Park features wooded trails, a playground, interconnected ponds, picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, winter skating, and not one but two iconic bridges that span Lincoln Pond, located in the middle of the park. The popular Newton Square Summer Concert Series features popular music performances on Tuesday evenings in July and August.

9. Downtown Worcester

Downtown Worcester is a sprawling community featuring multiple neighborhoods. The area is known for its active shopping areas, performance venues, cafés and restaurants and historic landmarks. The area was transformed in recent years by the arrival of the Worcester Red Sox, the AAA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The WooSox, as they are known, are a popular, family-friendly attraction with home games drawing fans from across New England.

Worcester Common, the DCU Center, the Palladium, and the Museum of Worcester are among the most popular spots for events, concerts and visits by residents and visitors alike.

10. Broadmeadow Brook

This residential neighborhood features ample wooded areas, waterways and easy access to the highways that run through the city. It’s also home to the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. Operated by Mass Audubon, it’s the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in New England and features 400 acres of trails, habitats, a play area, bird blind, snowshoe rentals and a nature center.

Cape Cod-style homes predominate the neighborhood, which is family friendly and about 3 miles from the city’s downtown.