Life in Worcester
Worcester is New England’s second largest city and has all the amenities to enjoy life during graduate school or post-graduate training. Home to more than 30,000 college students at ten institutions of higher education, the greater Worcester area is an active, vibrant and energetic community.
Downtown Worcester is in the midst of a dynamic revitalization, with more than $1 billion being invested in new development projects including Polar Park, home of the Red Sox minor league team, which hosted its first game in 2021; CitySquare and the Blackstone Canal District Initiative.
The Worcester Art Museum is home to world-class collections spanning 50 centuries, and the EcoTarium is a regional resource for learning about the natural world.
For entertainment, Worcester boasts the beautifully restored Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts with Broadway tours, nationally recognized performers and family shows gracing the stage; the historic and acoustically superior Mechanics Hall, site of classical music and opera performances; and the DCU Center, one of the country’s most successful arenas for top-draw concerts, sports and family entertainment events. Sports enthusiasts can also enjoy Worcester Bravehearts baseball and Worcester Railers hockey.
A wide variety of restaurants, eclectic cafes and diners—Worcester has more diners per capita than any other place in New England—satisfy every taste. The Shrewsbury Street area and the Canal District are popular for dining out or taking in live music. While exploring the Canal District, check out the local shopping at Crompton Place featuring local businesses including Crompton Collective, BirchTree Bread Company, Seed to Stem and Bedlam Book Café. Locals enjoy year-round food markets such as the Canal District Farmers Market and the Worcester Public Market.
UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center – University campus are located on the shores of Lake Quinsigamond. For the outdoor enthusiast, central Massachusetts has much to offer with more than 30 state parks, forests, recreation areas, trails, reservoirs and reservations, including New England Botanic Garden; and Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, which offers hiking, biking, skiing and snowboarding for all abilities. During the fall, Davis Farmland offers pick-your-own apples and pumpkins and is the largest sanctuary of endangered farm animals in North America.
For art lovers, there is a vibrant and thriving arts community in Worcester. ArtsWorcester, an arts organization and mainstay in the local art scene for over 40 years, has a newly renovated gallery in downtown Worcester; the Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC) is home to the Worcester PopUp and the Worcester BrickBox Theater and hosts arts and culture events in downtown Worcester.
Worcester’s central location makes it easy to access anything in New England and beyond—including Cape Cod, a 100-mile drive southeast; New York City, a 180-mile drive southwest; and Boston, a 40-mile drive east. The majestic mountains and pristine lakes of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are also nearby and accessible for day trips by car or public transportation.
Please visit Discover Central Massachusetts to learn more about our dynamic community.
Housing
The UMass Chan Medical School campus does not have onsite housing facilities. Residents and students are expected to arrange their own housing. Most students and residents find convenient and affordable housing in the local community.
Sites that may assist you in your search for housing:
- Graduate Medical Education Resource Page
- Craigslist Worcester and Boston
- Worcester Telegram and Gazette
PLEASE NOTE: All information is provided as a courtesy service. Any contacts or arrangements made using this material is done at the sole discretion of the individual and at their own risk. UMass Chan Medical School does not endorse any specific person, realtor, landlord, roommate service or company.
Parking and Transportation
Parking is available in various locations at UMass Chan Medical School. Students may park for free on campus after 5 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. More information regarding parking can be found on our parking and access control website.
There is local public bus transportation available through the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) that serves the city of Worcester as well as 36 communities in the Central Massachusetts area. There are multiple bus stops around campus and the hospital.
Students rotate at many training sites throughout Worcester and Massachusetts. All students must have transportation available for travel to off-campus training sites.