Well I think they are relatively safe.

I lived in Auburn for most of the 90s and early 00s and still go daily for yoga class. There was recently a late night robbery at 24 hr convenience store on rt 20 and police blotter seems to mainly discuss shoplifting incidents at Auburn mall and highway stuff. It’s not the type of area where one would expect to get mugged on street etc.

Presently own home and live in Sutton for past 20 yrs which is adjacent to Oxford and Millbury. Sutton is nice but I’m not aware of any rentals within. Don’t really think there’s much violent crime in Oxford/Millbury except for whatever shoplifting occurs at Oxford Walmart and Millbury mall. Millbury and Oxford are nice to come home to, but not to seek night life within.

Shrewsbury has two distinct flavors in my view. There’s the very congested built-up area along route 9 with all sorts of stores and traffic. Then there’s the town center area that’s a bit more quaint stereotypical “main street USA” looking. I’d imagine the route 9 area by Shrewbury/Worcester border (Eg by the hospitals) may be a little more juicy in terms of police activity. A relative just moved into the newly built edgemere crossing apartments complex on rt 20; nice but nearly double your stated budget for a two bedroom.

Spencer seems nice the few times I’ve driven through it in 3 decades living in region. It’s within your 20 min circle. More rural.