Young and the restless

Worcester's young professionals struggle to find a local social scene

by Kristen Lombardi

Amy Sykorski, a 23-year-old reporter with bright eyes and a boisterous laugh, loves a good night out -- mingling with friends, making new ones. Folks even call her a fun seeker. When the Worcester native moved back from Boston last year, she hunted for hip places full of people her age and "diverse, interesting crowds," she says.

Instead, she found sleepy Saturday nights, where fun and excitement happened behind closed doors, in isolated locations. Too often, she sat around pondering what to do, grousing about options, and ending up at the same neighborhood bars as her college-aged brother.

Socially, Sykorski says, she was barely surviving.

"I wanted to live in a city that was fun for young people," explains Sykorski. "I wanted opportunities for meeting young professionals with inspiring interests and careers."

So, Sykorski did what she had to -- leave Worcester behind.

"Half of my decision rested with [the] social scene," says Sykorski, who moved to New York City. Now she's amazed by the things she does, the people she meets. She misses her family but adds, "I would never move back as a single, young professional. Worcester needs something more for young people to stay."

Sykorski's hardly alone. In fact, while Worcester ranks 77 out of 300 cities in Money magazine's annual Best Places to Live survey this year, you wouldn't know it after listening to the city's young professionals.

And for good reason. Young professionals, 22 to 35, many single and without families, aren't as concerned with health care, transit, and housing (three Money measures for livable cities). They want cultured things to do, or places where they can socialize with other young people.

The post-college, pre-married-with-children types are hard-pressed to find such activities here, they say. The city offers places for college kids or families, but young people have few spots to go to. Mainly, they say, they spend money in more attractive cities, such as Boston or Providence.

Some, quite frankly, would rather stay home.

Frustrated with the social scene, and impatient with promised revitalization, young people continue to leave Worcester. State census data shows Worcester lost more than 400 young people, ages 20 to 34, between 1990-'95. Statistics show only 32,000 young people, 25 to 34, currently live in the city, even though roughly 20,000 college students migrate here every year.

Undoubtedly, the city lacks a large group of young people; and those who remain clamor for city officials to notice them. Certainly, as the city considers future investment, it might turn toward "renaissance communities," earning reputations for catering to young professionals.

Otherwise, Worcester risks losing more of its youth population -- the very people who will keep the city competitive.

Kristen Lombardi can be reached at klombardi[a]phx.com

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