CHICOPEE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Chicopee has been ranked the most affordable community in Massachusetts by the Family Destinations Guide, which focuses on family-friendly travel and living.

The report said Chicopee is so affordable that residents can live there on Social Security alone. According to the guide, “Chicopee offers a perfect blend of affordability and convenience for retirees,” as well as an old part of downtown that tells the city’s industrial past, and local markets and grocery stores with reasonable prices.

The city’s average home price is about $300,000, well below the state average.  “This is great news. It really is,” said Chicopee Mayor John Vieau. “You can afford to buy a home, have a mortgage, and one of the other great features of Chicopee is we’re a municipally owned electric company. That municipally owned electric company has been able to provide electrical rates that are very, very reasonable compared to our neighbors.”

Jovanni Feliciano, who has lived in Chicopee for approximately five years after moving from Holyoke, said the city offers better living conditions.  “It’s been affordable and it’s been, like, peaceful,” Feliciano said. “When my mom (lived there), she was really struggling, so I see that, but now, in Chicopee, I feel like it’s easier depending on where you’re at.”

The guide also highlighted the Chicopee Public Library, which offers free entertainment and community events. Property taxes are lower than in surrounding communities.

With the cost of living being high across the country, Vieau said the city aims to keep taxes affordable.  “One of the things we encourage is new growth and that’s something that’s been happening quite frequently here,” Vieau explained. “We just started to see a lot of new businesses coming, a lot of new residential housing units that will help also and it’s two-fold. They’ll pay taxes and they’ll also provide housing and there’s been some wonderful projects that are in the works.”

The city also offers free transportation, which residents like Feliciano appreciate.  “I will, like, really depend on saving a dollar or two,” Feliciano added. “It’s not a bad place to live in. It’s pretty good.”

Vieau called the national recognition his best present so far as the holidays approach.  Western Massachusetts cities dominated the Family Destinations Guide’s Massachusetts affordability list, with Holyoke, Springfield, Westfield, Pittsfield and North Adams ranking second through sixth, respectively.

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