Overview
The town of Wilbraham is a suburb of Springfield in Western Massachusetts, six miles north of the Connecticut border. Its relaxed environment and neighborly atmosphere have made Wilbraham an enticing option for retirees. Not to mention, it is home to many annual festivals and parades.
Climate & Geography
The majority of Massachusetts, including Wilbraham, experiences a humid continental climate which consists of four distinct seasons, warm summers, and cold, snowy winters, with plenty of rainfall throughout the year.
The surrounding terrain in Central Massachusetts is a mix of flatlands, rolling hills, and mountains, with wetlands interspersed throughout. The west end of Wilbraham and beyond into Springfield is situated in the Connecticut Valley Lowland, while the east end of the town is dominated by the Wilbraham Mountains range, whose highest peaks include Mount Chapin, Mount Vision, and Wigwam Hill. Further to the east is more mountainous terrain. There are no major bodies of water, however there are a number of ponds and creeks throughout town, and the Chicopee River runs along the northern border.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment
Wilbraham is mostly a rural-residential town, and residents will find themselves amongst a tight-knit community with a lot of local activities and events to attend, such as annual holiday parades and a summer concert series. One local hotspot is Rice Fruit Farm, where residents will find a store and bakery that sells fresh goods, as well as a restaurant for breakfast and lunch.
Active adults who enjoy outdoor recreation will feel right at home with a number of nature preserves and greenspaces among the mountains, which offer plenty of scenic locations to hike, camp, bike, kayak, and more. Golfers can tee off at the Country Club of Wilbraham.
The town is conveniently placed on the outskirts of Springfield allowing residents easy access to all that the city has to offer, including the Basketball Hall of Fame, Titanic Museum, Forest Park Zoo, Six Flags New England, and plenty of other cultural attractions and entertainment options.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The cost of living in Wilbraham is slightly higher than the national average. Housing is the highest index, at about 25 percent above the national average, but it is 50 percent lower than the state's average. Most other indices are close to average, except the cost of health care, which is significantly lower.
Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits and most government employee pension income. It has some of the highest property taxes, ranking among the top 15 states in the U.S., however, homeowners and renters who are 70+ may qualify for a refundable tax credit on their state income taxes to offset their real estate taxes. The combined sales tax rate in Wilbraham is 6.25 percent.
Health Care
Massachusetts generally ranks among the top states in Gallup’s Well-Being Index, and scores high on the social and physical factors.
While there are no hospitals in Wilbraham, there are several in Springfield, including BayState Medical Center which is ranked the No.1 hospital in Springfield.