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wkomorow t1_j0l1cpi wrote

Yes, stay away from the areas around Linden Street by Daniels and Robbins especially at night because of drug activity. If you are walking downtown or are at Coltsville you may be approached for money by homeless people. The city has hired social workers to help provide resources and has put up porta potties to provide comfort stations for the homeless, but it is sad to see the struggles some people are experiencing

One thing to be aware of is the city probably has the highest dog ownership in the state. It is also a running and walking city, so even in winter you will see people jogging, walking, walking their dogs. Be on alert for that as you are driving, especially now we have snow piles and pedestrians are pushed further into the road.

This time of year people here are display lights mad, and almost every street is lit up. I would encourage you to avoid Stockbridge (Norman Rockwell's home town) this time of year. It is amazing but very, very crowded. Naumkaeg Winterlights has an amazing display if you get a chance.

And yes we like to talk to strangers more than our friends in the Eastern part of the state. I would lock your car, but not worry much about your personal safety, just remember it is a city.

Any specific questions, places you interested in?

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Spicymunchkin98 t1_j0ljca5 wrote

Yes! So I’m actually visiting near Columbus Ave, south train station around that area. It seems like it’s a decent area, I’m not exactly sure what towns are nearby or how big Pittsfield is, but it’ll be near the st. Charles church that I’m arriving at.

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AboyNamedBort t1_j0ll76r wrote

If you are able to travel around the area check out Lenox, Stockbridge or Great Barrington. They are charming towns with lots of history and nice scenery(lakes and modest sized mountains).

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wkomorow t1_j0lniun wrote

The intermodal center is on the corner of Columbus and North. Transportation is tricky, very few ubers, you need to call for a cab, so have those numbers ready unless you have secured a ride and buses do not run at night, and daytime they run like once an hour. They originate from the intermodal center, so ask for the bus going to upper North. It is not really walkable to St Charles, especially in winter. Do expect to see homeless people nearby, you are at the Center of Downtown. If it is dark, stay closer to North St rather than walk too far down Columbus. There is a huge fire station a block away and the area is very well lit.

St Charles is North and in a safe area, though it is a mixed use neighborhood, residential and commercial. Harry's supermarket is a block away. I would avoid walking too far from there alone especially on Wahconah St much after dark. It is not so much unsafe but the design of the area is unnerving and there is not a lot of traffic at night. I would not have hestitation walking around in daytime there, it is just very isolated at night.

Also the area around St. Charles is hilly even for Pittsfield and we have had snow so walk carefully.

Hope you have fun. Transportation without a car is really your biggest concern.

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Spicymunchkin98 t1_j0lwlc9 wrote

Thanks so much, it’s definitely going to be an experience for me. It’s been 17 years since I’ve seen snow, even!

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wkomorow t1_j0lz78n wrote

If you get a chance walk down hill to Harry's. They have a good deli. It is been own by the Nichols family forever, but they recently sold it. Staff were long time Nichols employees many well passed retirement age. The new owners are South Asian and I am told have introduced several South Asian specialities, so you may find some interesting things there.

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Spicymunchkin98 t1_j0mbg8f wrote

Thanks, my next question was where I could get food lol. Sounds like a plan.

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Dedahed t1_j0nh3i1 wrote

Hot Harrys burritos, The Highland for good old fashioned spaghetti. Otto's has a great breakfast. All downtown.

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wkomorow t1_j0nuok9 wrote

Hot Harrys is great. I should add that although there are few uber rides, Doordash and Instacart are both quite reliable, so delivery is an option. Angelinos has the best subs in the city. They used to have a location next to Harry's Supermarket but it closed. They have other locations in the city.

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Dedahed t1_j0ngsn8 wrote

You'll be fine but as others have said..avoid the Robbins/Daniels area. Also Lincoln/Cherry St areas. Two small "bad neighborhoods" Hotel on North is nearby, very nice. Several good restaurants and a little nightlife. People are "New England friendly" Meaning they will say hi, be helpful, hold doors but we are seemingly always in a rush? I guess it's the cold.

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