Submitted by Elegant-Anteater783 t3_zpcbjp in massachusetts
Asking because a friend and I had a disagreement. She thinks it starts west of the city of Worcester, I say it starts west of Worcester county. Curious where others think it starts.
Comments
squarerootofapplepie t1_j0s35o3 wrote
I agree with you, I think the Quabbin is the border.
roadtrip-ne t1_j0s3add wrote
West of the Quabbin
BeltfedOne t1_j0s4hdt wrote
Ashfield on Rt 9.
JeffersonEpperson t1_j0s4xbu wrote
Anything west of 495 imho
11BMasshole t1_j0s6zcm wrote
Hampden , Hampshire and Franklin counties are western Mass. Berkshire County is the Berkshires, Not considered Western Mass but it’s own area. Worcester County is Central mass. Everything east of that is eastern mass.
Brew_Rider t1_j0s7fek wrote
West of Weston obviously /s
seanofkelley t1_j0s80tm wrote
The New York state line.
threenamer t1_j0s8gx9 wrote
Wherever Route 2 turns into a two-lane road. That’s western Mass.
Fit-Anything8352 t1_j0s8msr wrote
I don't think Berkshire county is the sole extent of the Berkshires. For one, the geographic peak of the Berkshire mountains is Crumb Hill in Monroe (Franklin county), but even if you ignore that the places people colloquially call "the Berkshire hilltowns" basically start somewhere around Huntington, which is very much not part of Berkshire county.
If you look at a terrain map there's a very clear line that goes down a little bit west of the west edge of the Connecticut river valley where the Berkshire hills obviously start building up, and by the time you get to route 112 it's pretty mountainous.
I think places like Rowe, Hawley, Plainfield, Cummington, Worthington, Middlefield, Chester, Blanford, and Tolland are pretty "Berkshires" and none of them are in Berkshire county proper.
Beck316 t1_j0s94xk wrote
11BMasshole t1_j0s9e0t wrote
I’ve been in this area for 50 years. Absolutely no one considers Huntington the Berkshires. They consider it the Hilltowns. Most people associate the Berkshires with Lee, Lenox , Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Williamsburg, Pittsfield, North Adams.
Hence it’s own distinct area called the Berkshires.
Fit-Anything8352 t1_j0s9mz6 wrote
Even then there's still a little problem with "the Berkshire mountains" not being entirely contained in Berkshire county lol without the peak of Crumb Hill. We can disagree over where to draw the east border but that's a bigger oversight. You'd think it would be named after something it actually contains, right?
Hell you can even go on the Wikipedia page for "The Berkshires" and see how half of the things it contains aren't in Berkshire county.
Fit-Anything8352 t1_j0sasto wrote
All these people saying it starts "west of Worcester" when the geographic center of the state is pretty significantly west of Worcester (Rutland).
jp_jellyroll t1_j0sc0l3 wrote
So, you believe the Boston Marathon starts in western MA...?
RedditSkippy t1_j0scoxf wrote
I was once explaining to a Boston colleague that I lived in WMass and her response was, “So, like, Framingham?”
RedditSkippy t1_j0scsqi wrote
I consider the Berkshires WMass. It’s not Pioneer Valley WMass.
RedditSkippy t1_j0sd034 wrote
Mt. Greylock is the highest peak in the Berkshires AND the rest of Massachusetts.
RedditSkippy t1_j0sd78j wrote
That’s a good one. I love how the traffic drops right off after the I-84 interchange (Was going to say exit 9. Still working on remembering the new numbers.)
JeffersonEpperson t1_j0sdcgi wrote
No but it seems like people from Boston do
[deleted] t1_j0selxn wrote
[deleted]
Fair-Physics3577 t1_j0sfk02 wrote
How is the Sheraton Framingham not an answer?
zwermp t1_j0sfpna wrote
The start of the marathon is east of 495.
Fit-Anything8352 t1_j0sfqez wrote
Mount greylock is not part of the "Berkshire mountains"(Massachusetts part of the Green Mountains). It is part of the Taconics that run along the border of New York and Massachusetts/Connecticut. They are geologically separate mountain ranges.
Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts though, I never said it wasn't. It isn't by any definition except maybe the cultural one "the peak of the Berkshires," despite being frequently misattributed as such.
eightfingeredtypist t1_j0sftkm wrote
Otherwise known as Philppston. Culturally, Phillipston is central mass, because the people that live there say "Westministah" an "Wistah".
Going westward on Rt 2, one encounters Orange, and Daniel Shays Highway, honoring Shays Rebellion. This rebellion, our lost cause we still mourn, defines us as Western Massachusetts.
Fortunately there don't seem to be any Shays Rebellion flags to put on our pick up trucks.
Balsac_is_Daddy t1_j0sgkx4 wrote
#413 BABY
Irishfury86 t1_j0shjiv wrote
West of Sturbridge/ The 413
RoyalSloth t1_j0shli3 wrote
I mean yes the geographic Berkshire hills go beyond Berkshire county. But anyone from the Berkshires knows “the Berkshires” by itself means you’re talking about the county. If you mean the hills you’d need to specify that
Irishfury86 t1_j0shnt7 wrote
We absolutely consider the Berkshires to be western Mass.
11BMasshole t1_j0shy4n wrote
Nah, Berkshires are their own thing. Western Mass is Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties.
zdigrig t1_j0sia2h wrote
That’s my answer too.
CausticOptimist t1_j0sj9n1 wrote
It’s the four westernmost counties. Period.
CausticOptimist t1_j0sjxi8 wrote
How on earth is a part of Massachusetts that’s west of what you consider to be western massachusetts not western Massachusetts?
Mysterious-House-51 t1_j0skfp0 wrote
This question is precisely why some in the berkshires refer to it as "eastern New york"[
pablomoney t1_j0skqxv wrote
Outside of 495
PajamaWarriorJoe t1_j0skslr wrote
Central mass isn’t real west of Worcester is western mass
11BMasshole t1_j0sl4y0 wrote
It’s not , it’s the Berkshires. It’s in the far western end of the state. But it’s not the area referred to as Western Mass. it’s the area referred to as The Berkshires.
jalepinocheezit t1_j0slqgw wrote
Ah, I see 32 other people live down near the cape.
Pretty much every thing above me is boston or New Hampshire...everything below me is the cape...and honestly everything west is New York lol, but western Mass works too
CausticOptimist t1_j0slsm3 wrote
I’m aware of where/what it is. I grew up there and lived there most of my life. I assure you that it is both. Just like the north shore is in Eastern Mass, the Berkshires is in Western Mass
giob1966 t1_j0sm5lw wrote
I'm from the Berkshires and you're wrong.
JasJoeGo t1_j0smmrp wrote
The Berkshires aren’t part of the Connecticut River Valley/I-91 corridor but they’re still part of western mass. It’s possible that western mass has multiple subregions, surely.
NoMoLerking t1_j0smp17 wrote
Only because we know it bothers you.
MinneapolisKing25 t1_j0smr4j wrote
Yeah this is really how I identify it when driving, but whenever anyone asks I just say west of worcester
Fit-Anything8352 t1_j0smulf wrote
I knew it all along! The universe really does revolve around me! /s
mudshifters09 t1_j0smvb0 wrote
I say right past 84 where 90 goes from 3 to 2 lanes, that’s where western mass starts
nick-j- t1_j0sn2jy wrote
I came to say the Sturbridge exit off the Pike but this makes more sense.
time_man69 t1_j0sn7wd wrote
Belmont
nick-j- t1_j0sn87u wrote
They think it’s a different world just beyond 128, let alone 495.
NoMoLerking t1_j0sn9zq wrote
We’re just impressed that you know there’s a Rutland, MA - let alone that it’s the geographic center of the state.
nick-j- t1_j0snd26 wrote
Fun fact, the first exit in Massachusetts in West Stockbridge only has a entry eastbound and exit westbound because town officials didn’t want New Yorkers going through their town and ruining it.
111unununium t1_j0snevg wrote
Outside 495
MadstopSnow t1_j0so0xu wrote
Weston. That's why it's named that.
CrackityJones33 t1_j0spj1y wrote
It’s west of 495. How is that not an option.
Irishfury86 t1_j0sps92 wrote
No. Just no.
There's nobody in Berkshire County who wouldn't consider themselves part of western mass. I honestly don't know what you're talking about.
Ask someone from Pittsfield if they're part of Western Mass. They'll say yes. Same with someone from North Adams, Great Barrington, Dalton, Richmond, Sandisfield, Cheshire, Williamstown, etc.
Source: I live there and have access to a map and a sense of direction.
Hairy_Cattle_1734 t1_j0sqfkp wrote
Easy. Western Mass is Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties.
GroomedScrotum t1_j0sqrd5 wrote
You're so wrong it actually hurts a little. Berks are very much considered Western Mass.
IamTalking t1_j0sqvzh wrote
It's east? Lol
NotnotNeo t1_j0sr7ap wrote
Quabbin pretty much marks the border of 413, interestingly enough.
RIP Enfield.
its_a_gibibyte t1_j0srzhn wrote
Tis the castle that guards the realm from the wildlings of Western Mass.
therealchiefrobert t1_j0ss1si wrote
In Winchentukey, right next to Athol!
pine_tree_55 t1_j0ss73p wrote
Agreed. Makes sense on the north end. The south end is a little more squishy. The Brookfields and Warren seem WMass to me. Orange is the border on route 2. Culturally I think Athol/Petersham seem more central Mass.
Strange_N_Sorcerous t1_j0suo1o wrote
Oh, you Islanders are hilarious…
96ToyotaCamry t1_j0surbz wrote
I always thought of it as starting at the pioneer valley, which is essentially “west of the Quabbin”
And also 413 lol
CausticOptimist t1_j0suzl0 wrote
Bros in this sub who grew up in the Boston suburbs but went to UMASS for three semesters and never left campus are the real experts on western mass though
NativeMasshole t1_j0sv6kw wrote
I think Hardwick is the only Worcester County town that's in the 413, but we can call them Western Mass just for laughs.
jennybens821 t1_j0svtl2 wrote
So, is West Newton in eastern Mass? Does that make Auburndale central Mass? Plz advise. 😝
RealtorInMA t1_j0swte1 wrote
You have a typo in the title. It's "Ware does Western Mass begin." I hope this answers your question.
chrisrobweeks t1_j0swvbk wrote
Geography has nothing to do with it lol
Fit-Anything8352 t1_j0swxmt wrote
You can also just look at a map and the center of the state definitely doesn't look anywhere near Worcester either. No need for fancy calculations.
OppositeProgress5421 t1_j0sy8mf wrote
I don’t even consider Springfield western mass because the heart of Berkshire county is still about 45 from there. I’m gonna say Berkshire county is where western mass begins
At_Work_Sam t1_j0syoeu wrote
Redbandana325 t1_j0sz571 wrote
Shrewsbury? Oh yeah that’s western mass man. No doubt about it. Hudson? Yup that’s eastern mass. /s
Impressive-Log-9436 t1_j0t2aoz wrote
I think of Sturbridge as the end of central Mass.
DoodMonkey t1_j0t2fuw wrote
Where does the tax barrier exist?
Impressive-Log-9436 t1_j0t2fxd wrote
Live in western Mass work in Boston, they don’t think there’s a central mass and anything after Framingham is western MA.
Cabinet_Juice t1_j0t2gw3 wrote
Once you get past Fitchburg that’s where it starts
Once you get past Gardner, that’s where it really starts
Cabinet_Juice t1_j0t2msb wrote
Because it’s not west enough
ReactsWithWords t1_j0t40mi wrote
Worcester County and everything directly north of Rhode Island Central Mass. West of that is Western Mass, east of that is Eastern Mass.
ogorangeduck t1_j0t4716 wrote
West of 495
giob1966 t1_j0t6fi0 wrote
We certainly have the same accent as them...
giob1966 t1_j0t6jrr wrote
Just another person from MA trying to erase us...
jp_jellyroll t1_j0t6lkc wrote
Yes, I know, but 495 bisects Hopkinton north to south pretty much down the middle. If you’re saying half the town is in western MA then you’re basically saying the whole town is western MA. Hopkinton is not large.
Eire4ever37 t1_j0t6o1t wrote
West of Newton!! 🥴
giob1966 t1_j0t6twm wrote
Those of us who are from there use "the Berkshires" to refer to Berkshire County itself, rather than the mountains to the east.
HonoluluHonu808 t1_j0t7kx3 wrote
Outside of 495.
Hotdoganddonut t1_j0ta4ha wrote
RISE UP!!!!!
BoringAccountName78 t1_j0tcmn0 wrote
W. Mass is the four counties west of Worcester County.
Zazadawg t1_j0te6tt wrote
technically Mt greylock is part of the taconic mountains
DegenGolfer t1_j0tgnqx wrote
My line is west of 385/190
imawerechicken t1_j0tk9q5 wrote
I feel like a lot of people I met from western Mass considered Worcester eastern Mass, and a lot of people from eastern Mass consider Worcester western Mass. While this doesn't answer the question exactly, I like to think that the border is some nebulous gray area surrounding Worcester.
A_Man_Who_Writes t1_j0tpdbt wrote
From someone who lives in Worcester county… the answer is Worcester county. There is a clear feeling of entering “Western MA” as soon as you pass Athol on Route 2. Also, towns like Holden, Rutland, and cities like Fitchburg and Gardner are west of the city of Worcester, but if you ask literally anyone who lives in those places if they think they live on western MA, they would say no, definitely not. I live in Fitchburg. I do not live in Western MA. It still takes me less than an hour to get to Boston, and twenty minutes to get to Worcester for Pete’s sake. Western MA is very sparse and rural, with the Quabbin area, the Pioneer Valley, and the Berkshires. That’s it. Worcester County is central MA, not western MA, and there is a difference.
A_Man_Who_Writes t1_j0tph01 wrote
It’s west-west MA
PintacOnAcid t1_j0tr8ab wrote
Haha!! I remember when I lived in NYC and New Yorkers would refer to Westchester County as ‘upstate’!! Seriously, it’s Quabbin/ 413.
jeepjockey52 t1_j0trg2c wrote
Exactly!
TyranaSoreWristWreck t1_j0tvnye wrote
Satans Kingdom https://maps.app.goo.gl/FR8j5GVCQ6GoJUqv8
Dseltzer1212 t1_j0twfa3 wrote
Eastern MA….Boston to Worcester.
Central MA….Worcester to Connecticut River
Western MA….Connecticut River to MA/NY border
rolandofgilead41089 t1_j0tx04g wrote
Because it's not a correct answer. Does central MA not exist in your mind?
rolandofgilead41089 t1_j0tx4y1 wrote
You need to get out more.
rolandofgilead41089 t1_j0tx8io wrote
Worcester is central MA
rolandofgilead41089 t1_j0txfi5 wrote
Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire counties make up Western MA. That is the answer.
pastelxbones t1_j0tyzws wrote
i grew up near springfield and for a long time i considered that to be central mass, but i have been told that i am wrong
mmelectronic t1_j0tz6ha wrote
You forgot the option “west of where I live” LOL
People in the city think its west of 128, or 495. People in Worchester think its west of them. People in 508 think west of Sturbridge. There are even delusional people west of old exit 8 that think the Berkshires.
Fun poll
thomastodon01027 t1_j0u1pai wrote
It’s the four Western countries.
debauchedsloth t1_j0u2lym wrote
Needs outside of 128 and outside of 495 as poll options...
singalong37 t1_j0u2wy1 wrote
I don’t know about ppl in the Berkshires but it is or was a thing in the Springfield-Holyoke area to say western Mass is only hampden, Hampshire and Franklin. Makes no sense geographically.
Irishfury86 t1_j0u39ak wrote
Cool, but since I live in the Berkshires and we call ourselves Western Mass, that doesn't really matter. What other people call themselves isn't relevant. We're part of Western Mass.
DearMisterWard t1_j0u3vi8 wrote
This poll is never going to be accurate because there are far more people in eastern mass who don’t give a crap and/or are complete morons than there are out here. We’re perfectly fine with those people not knowing where we are. Stay in Boston (which starts east of Worcester and ends at the Cape).
GroomedScrotum t1_j0u8tkd wrote
Always. I did a lot of hospitality work in the Berks and damn were Boston folks the worst. Was working at a hotel and had some dude from Boston complaining at check in how "nothing ever goes right when you come to the country." I told him he should probably head back to Boston then.
kingrobot3rd t1_j0uavvn wrote
when i moved to amherst for college and first heard someone say western mass, i said aren’t we central? they’re like nah, western. i pulled out a map, pointed to amherst like in the middle of the state. they’re like nah, western 🤷♂️
CrackityJones33 t1_j0ub9bb wrote
No it does not. There is north shore south shore. West and eastern mass. Show me central on a compass.
butalas t1_j0ubj8p wrote
five3tenfour t1_j0udjhi wrote
For me it's the I-84 exit on the pike. I still consider everything east of that to be central/eastern Mass. Westward, there be dragons!
AccurateDelay1 t1_j0uevn9 wrote
this is the correct answer. Anybody that says differently is incorrect.
cityochamps t1_j0ugu3t wrote
Easteren mass is the coast to 495, central is 495 to 91 and west is past 91.
charons-voyage t1_j0uj4uf wrote
Ha I always joke with my wife that anything west of Newton is WMass
JeffersonEpperson t1_j0ukirt wrote
Don’t talk to me like that, I have a private jet with which I fly across the world to exotic locales with barely legal super models and foreign dignitaries in tow. This is me: 😎 This is you: 🤓
my_couch360 t1_j0ul8px wrote
The moment I merge on to 90 west I'm in western ma
paxweasley t1_j0uo49v wrote
Western mass is just the Berks
TheEmpressIsIn t1_j0us5w6 wrote
Western Mass is four counties: Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire
TheEmpressIsIn t1_j0usc53 wrote
it is a cultural thing; not a geography thing...
canadacorriendo785 t1_j0uvcsr wrote
If argue from a socio-economic standpoint Central Mass doesn't really exist. Worcester and Fitchburg are the outskirts of the Boston area and all the development that's happened in those cities plus the increasing suburban development in surrounding towns is due to proximity to Boston.
Once you get West of Worcester the circumstances change dramatically and you have Holyoke and North Adams etc that have an entirely different set of circumstances.
binocular_gems t1_j0v11jb wrote
Anything West of Quabbin Reservoir, which correlates pretty strongly to 413 area code. New Salem might be right on the line of 978/508/413, but let's be honest, of the 50 people who live there there's only like 10 have phones.
I think this map gets it pretty right:
https://www.orangesmile.com/common/img_city_maps/massachusetts-map-1.jpg
meggiemay4749 t1_j0v7au5 wrote
Being from central mass I gotta disagree. Especially from a socioeconomic standpoint. And a sociocultural standpoint. It’s the Midwest of Massachusetts.
canadacorriendo785 t1_j0v9owx wrote
I'm not telling you Worcester is exactly the same as central Boston but I am telling you its a lot closer to being Lowell than it is Holyoke and that has everything to do with Boston. Everything within 50 miles, from Providence to Worcester to Manchester, NH is really still the Boston area.
meggiemay4749 t1_j0vam5o wrote
Worcester isn’t anything like Lowell either though. It’s its own thang baby. I’m just saying central mass exists, and it exists especially from a socioeconomic standpoint.
boy_inna_box t1_j0vdf9c wrote
But the population center is located in Natick, decently east of Worcester
Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_j0vg823 wrote
The area west of Worcester but still within Worcester County is central mass. This includes places like Leicester, Spencer, Sturbridge, and the Brookfields. It's on the cusp but those communities are more heavily linked to Worcester than they are with communities further west.
SteveMcTravel t1_j0vgv97 wrote
I’d argue that all state and county lines are merely a construct and that in fact we are all flying through space on a spinning orb that is mostly water. Also, conversely, Worcester and Fitchburg are outskirts of the Boston area? Saugus is an outskirt of the Boston area. Fitchburg is barely on the same planet. How far does the Boston area extend in your universe?
Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_j0vgyxt wrote
Brighton is pretty far west. Once you hit Watertown you're basically at the edge of the state and when you're in Newton/Waltham you're on the far end of the state with nothing left except for the NY State Line. Does anything exist past those cities?
Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_j0vh27p wrote
Wait, you're telling me there's a NEW Salem? What happened to the old one?
SteveMcTravel t1_j0vhojq wrote
The thing about Worcester is that Worcester is actually closer to being Worcester than it is to being Lowell or Holyoke or Boston. These are all different places. I checked on my map. I’ve been staring at it now for an hour trying to make sense of it all. I’m going slightly mad.
canadacorriendo785 t1_j0viyrp wrote
The parochialism of people in New England is exhausting. Every town within 50 miles of Boston is fundamentally defined by its relationship with the Boston area.
20 of the 25 poorest towns in the state are west of Worcester. The overwhelming majority of remaining vacant former industrial space in Massachusetts is west of Worcester. The towns with the largest and continuing population loss are west of Worcester, while places like Worcester, Lawrence, Lowell etc are all set to surpass or have already surpassed their historic population highs. Rockingham and Hillsborough counties NH are far and away the wealthiest counties in the state.
Every piece of data we have points to the Boston area extending about 50 miles from the Downtown core, which is completely in line with major cities around the country. Once you get outside of that orbit circumstances change dramatically.
meggiemay4749 t1_j0vm37b wrote
You are reading far, far too much into this. When it comes down to it, this question is about geography. We don’t need a lecture on economics or population density or whatever the fuck this is. Central mass exists. It is fundamentally different than both the Boston area and western mass in a geographical and socioeconomic sense. For the love of god you sound so pompous.
SteveMcTravel t1_j0vnz0z wrote
Ok but who decided that we only divide up states by socioeconomics? What is The Cape? What is the North Shore? What is the South Shore? That last one is an actual question, I genuinely don’t know. Also there are people who live outside of Worcester who commute to Worcester for work. It’s the heart of central Massachusetts, a place that exists. Look at an electoral map of Massachusetts and note how often there is a big red streak sticking out right down the middle, because the culture and people there are different from the urban and suburban people of eastern Massachusetts and the old hippies in Western Mass. There are a lot more ways to divide up a state than socioeconomics and if you don’t enjoy the parochial New Englander’s views on this I dare say you have come to the wrong place, dear boy. Pip pip, cheerio!
canadacorriendo785 t1_j0vrtdj wrote
I dont understand how it's pompous to share factual information related to the question of if Western Mass begins west of Worcester or at the county line.
meggiemay4749 t1_j0vs0ss wrote
meggiemay4749 t1_j0vsnc4 wrote
I mean it’s kinda all in the tone but whatever. You do you, I suppose.
whynotbass t1_j0vtzlj wrote
Massachusetts is just from the cape to Boston. Anything more west than Worcester is uncharted territory
canadacorriendo785 t1_j0vukb5 wrote
I'm not trying to be a dick I just genuinely think it's important. That everyone in the state views their town as this little fiefdom disconnected from the larger region completely handicaps our ability to address all these huge issues we have. If you care about how much you pay for housing, public transportation, public education you should care about what I'm trying to say.
meggiemay4749 t1_j0vvgke wrote
I don’t want to continue having this argument with you. Christ almighty. And again, this isn’t about towns this is about regions and geography and nobody is looking to get into a fucking economic debate or whatever the fuck kind of debate you’re trying to have. Please kindly lay off.
SteveMcTravel t1_j0w1ji3 wrote
But what about if the state of Massachusetts is long and can easily be divided into thirds and therefor we divide it into Western, Central and Eastern? Does that not count for anything because there are people who live in Fitchburg but work in Boston? There are people in southern New Hampshire who work in Boston. Is New Hampshire part of the Boston area? By this logic all of New England is Massachusetts and New England is part of New York City. Maybe it is, I don’t know. I’m not even from here. I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, which is the Worcester of Canada.
SparkDBowles t1_j0w1qlt wrote
I’d always thought west of Worcester City, which is how I voted. Then I looked at a map admins realized Worcester I’d barely even central mass. It’s like eastern central mass.
BershireKayaker t1_j0waeh9 wrote
Always such a relief! And then after the Westfield exit I know I’m in my territory & have left modern civilization behind🤣
RealtorInMA t1_j0wc5kw wrote
Lol thank you I love that movie.
Apprehensive-Hat-494 t1_j127pjq wrote
>Anything west of Cape Cod
Please just leave the state
joelav t1_j0s28fl wrote
413