Those are areas that have been in decline for a long time and have attracted all of the associated ills of poverty but RT 2 runs through both of them which goes into the Boston area and an alternative to the pike or 9. So yeah I can see what you are saying. I was thinking more like west of Worcester. I look at a property in Spencer in a nice area. It was a nicely updated 2 bed 1.5 bath with a 1 car garage under and parking for 2, a .5 acre yard. I was looking for income property and the realtor said it was rented for $1200 but could fetch $1500. I didn't buy that but looked at some less desirable properties that were all right around $1000 a month. I haven't bought anything yet due to a wobbly market but I do keep an eye out. Worcester's getting whatever the market can bear and it's in my estimate, gouging. If I were a landlord I would prefer good tenants over money. In the long run it pays off. I