Gardner, Massachusetts feels like a livable small city — affordable and friendly, with a compact, historic downtown, local shops and eateries, and easy access to outdoor recreation (Wachusett Mountain is nearby for hiking and winter sports), making it a pleasant, interesting place to spend multi‑week contracts.
When you want bigger-city options, Worcester (about 25–30 miles) offers major hospitals, museums and dining, and Boston (about 60–65 miles) provides airports, nightlife and extensive cultural attractions.