Lowell

Back Central is a dense neighborhood next to the heart of downtown Lowell that places its residents near some of the city’s best amenities. About 30 miles from Boston, the area has long supported affordability and accessibility as it began as a working-class neighborhood. “Lots of folks in the area are generational,” says Chris Doherty, owner of Doherty Properties, which has been serving the area for over 20 years. The neighborhood’s location became even more important as the city grew and the main bus terminal and commuter rail stop were built next to the neighborhood. Today, residents can enjoy access to everything that makes Lowell a great city without having to pay the higher prices of downtown living. One of the most important amenities of Back Central is the Lowell commuter rail station. The station is a mile away from local homes and allows residents to access and commute to downtown Boston in about 30 minutes. Doherty says the area is also popular because the Lowell Regional Transit Authority bus terminal is right next to the station, providing access to the edges of Lowell and parts of Billerica. While there is limited parking in the area, drivers are minutes away from I-495 and Route 3. Logan International Airport is 32 miles away, and Lowell General Hospital’s Saints Campus is about a mile from the neighborhood. Back Central carries a distinctly urban makeup. Homes here are closely situated on straight, sidewalk-lined residential blocks, and include a “healthy mix of single and multi-family housing,” Doherty says. Most homes date back to either the late 19th century or the early 20th century and are a hodgepodge of classic Colonials and Cape Cods, most of which sport wooden or brick siding. Some of the multifamily houses in Back Central are stacked on top of each other and can fit half a dozen families. Prices commonly range from around $300,000 to $750,000. Being so close to downtown, Back Central residents are only a block or two away from dining options. Four Sisters Owl Diner is a classic cash-only diner for residents and a popular breakfast and lunch choice. Being one of the few railcar-style semi-streamline diners left in Massachusetts and one of the best preserved, “it is one of the more well-known diners in the area,” Doherty says. Cavaleiro's Steak House is a Portuguese staple in the neighborhood that offers seafood and steak alongside house-made cocktails and sangria. “It is a big hot spot for the locals,” Doherty says. Foodland International, on the neighborhood’s northern end, is a grocery option within walking distance. South Common Park occupies a large portion of the neighborhood, offering an urban spot for jogging or, in the summer, taking a dip in the Anthony L. Archinski Pool. The opposite side of the neighborhood borders the Concord River, where residents can enjoy views of the water from Jollene Dubner Park while reading a book or sitting down for a picnic. Students can begin their education next to South Common Park at Rogers STEM Academy, a K-8 school that receives a C rating on Niche, then finish up at the B-rated Lowell High School. The high school offers around three dozen clubs, including Business Professionals of America and a robotics/engineering group. Back Central residents can look forward to an iconic annual Lowell event, the Lowell Folk Festival, on the last weekend of July. Held a short walk from Back Central, this three-day experience is the country's longest-running and second-largest free folk festival, filled with music, crafts and food. WinterFest is another popular Lowell event that offers two days of activities in February, ranging from ice sculptures and live music to the ever-popular annual soup competition. The competition showcases soups and chowders from area restaurants that are sampled by judges and residents alike.

Just 2 miles away from downtown Lowell along the Merrimack River lies Belvidere, an older neighborhood in the city that offers historic homes and yard space while still being close to the urban amenities of downtown. Homes in the neighborhood match its age, with many houses built in the mid-1800s on large lots under the shade of towering red maple trees. These homes are just a hop, skip and jump from downtown amenities, like schools, restaurants and shopping. “This section of Lowell is rich in history as it was where many of the mill owners built their luxurious homes at the start of the century,” says Chris Doherty, owner of Doherty Properties, which has been serving the area for over 20 years. The location is also “known for its cultural diversity, vibrant community, and rich industrial history, making it a unique and picturesque area to explore.” Homes in Belvidere often sit on large lots compared to houses closer to downtown Lowell, allowing larger backyards and gardens to pop up throughout the neighborhood. Many homes also feature large driveways to help keep the quiet streets open for all. Architectural styles can vary, with Colonial Revival, ranch-style and Cape Cod homes built as far back as the mid-1800s lining the roads. Views can also vary in the neighborhood, with “Many of the homes having beautiful views of the Merrimack River,” Doherty says. Prices commonly range from around $400,000 to $900,000. Students can begin their education at Peter W. Reilly Elementary, which offers a free, twice-weekly afterschool program. James F. Sullivan Middle, next to the elementary school, has an active Parent Teacher Organization that organizes various events and fundraisers, from a holiday bazaar to a spring carnival. Both the elementary and middle schools earn a C rating on Niche. The final stop for many is the B-rated Lowell High School, which has its own business and culinary arts departments. Kids at play can be heard all over the neighborhood, especially at popular greenspaces like Kittredge Park. This facility is partially shaded, thanks to the assortment of maple trees that dot it, and the open grass is an ideal spot to plop down for a picnic under the shade. For a larger recreation spot, there is also Shedd Park, a 50-acre tract with a playground, a spray park, tennis courts and several athletic fields. Hockey and ice skating can also be enjoyed at the Janas Memorial Skating Rink, which offers skate rentals and lessons on the neighborhood’s southern end. Belvidere is a mainly residential neighborhood, but because it is so close to downtown Lowell, there are various dining options to try just a short trip from home. Cobblestones of Lowell is less than a mile from the neighborhood and is “known for its American cuisine, craft beers, and historic ambiance,” Doherty says. Tremonte Pizzeria is another nearby eatery that Doherty says offers “mouthwatering brick oven pizza” and recommends trying the sausage and ricotta cheese pizza. Shopping and stocking up the pantry can be done at the Market Basket at the Stadium Plaza Shopping Center. Belvidere offers residents all manner of commuting and transportation options, with one of the neighborhood’s larger draws being its accessibility to Interstates 93 and 495 as well as Route 3. For those who do not want to drive the 29 miles to Boston, the Lowell MBTA commuter rail station can reach downtown in 45 minutes, and the Lowell Regional Transit Authority bus terminal puts all of Lowell a short trip away. Both public transportation options are just 2 miles away from the neighborhood. The neighborhood’s streets are also commonly full of smaller trips, like residents out walking the dog or taking the kids to school, so there is a high chance of meeting a neighbor or a friend while walking around. Transatlantic travel can be found at Boston Logan International Airport, 31 miles to the south, and Lowell General Hospital’s Saints Campus sits right on the neighborhood’s northwestern end. Belvidere residents can look forward to many popular annual events in downtown Lowell, such as the Lowell Folk Festival, on the last weekend of July. This three-day experience is the country's longest-running and second-largest free folk festival, filled with music, crafts and food. WinterFest is another popular downtown Lowell event that offers two days of activities in February, ranging from ice sculptures and live music to the ever-popular annual soup competition. The competition showcases soups and chowders from area restaurants sampled by judges and residents.

The Lower Belvidere neighborhood lies alongside the Concord River’s eastern shore and combines historic homes with some of Lowell's largest green spaces. The neighborhood's straight streets wrap around expanses of green space, allowing many of the community's multifamily homes and condos to view the picturesque greenery. The southern and northern ends of the neighborhood are flushed with shopping and dining, so many residents do not need to venture downtown for daily necessities. Those who wish to head downtown or commute to Boston will find it a simple feat with major highways like Interstates 495 and 93 nearby, as well as multiple commuter rail stations. Lower Belvidere offers a blend that combines the splendor of historic converted homes and green spaces with greater connectivity to Lowell’s bustling downtown. The neighborhood sits right on top of Interstate 495, which drivers can use to access Interstate 93 to get to Boston, which covers just about 30 miles. Lower Belvidere is also only a couple miles from Lowell’s commuter rail station, which is another option for Boston-bound travelers, taking riders to North Station, which is not far from downtown. “This area puts you in the heart of the perfect commuter location,” says Chris Doherty, owner of Doherty Properties, which has served the area for over 20 years. Logan International Airport is 32 miles away for international flights, and Lowell General Hospital is on the neighborhood’s northern tip. Dining can be found both in and around the neighborhood, with popular establishments like Cavaleiro's Steakhouse across the Concord River, which is popular for its filet mignon served on a hot slab of stone. For a faster meal to-go, Lower Belvidere is home to Brando's Pizza & Subs, another popular local restaurant with a menu featuring a wide range of items, from gyros and rice bowls to pasta dishes and subs. There are multiple spots to get groceries in the neighborhood, from locally owned stores like Silvas Mini Market to larger chains like Hannaford Supermarket on the neighborhood’s southern end. Nearby Rogers Fort Hill Park is one of two prominent green spaces in Lower Belvidere. This expanse stretches over 30 acres and is Lowell’s largest landscaped park. The park features a fountain, multiple benches and 11 acres of grass. The popular Shedd Park is next to Rogers Fort Hill Park and offers more structured recreation, with a splash pad and playset connected by paved trails to 6 tennis courts, two baseball diamonds, and a basketball court. For jogging and biking, Muldoon Park offers paved trails where “in certain areas, you can get great views of the Concord River,” Doherty says. Lower Belvidere features primarily historic single-family homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of these homes have also been converted and renovated to house multiple residents. “There are also beautiful condo conversions on Nesmith Street, which were once mansions that were turned into condos,” Doherty says. “Buyers will see turn-of-the-century architecture with a mix of smaller and larger homes with tons of character.” Housing often takes a colonial revival of Cape Cod design, sporting wood and vinyl siding with some houses including their own off-street parking. Homes around Lower Belvidere commonly range from around $300,000 to $800,000. Moody Elementary receives a C rating on Niche and fosters active activities for students and their families, like a walk-a-thon fundraiser and a picnic in the park. The area's B.F. Butler Middle School earns a C-plus rating before students continue to Lowell High School, which earns a B rating and has dedicated programs in business and culinary arts. For a more specialized option, the B-minus rated Joseph G. Pyne Arts Magnet School serves kindergarten through eighth grade and offers instruction opportunities in everything from theatre to tap dancing. Lower Belvidere residents can look forward to the iconic annual Lowell event, the Lowell Folk Festival, on the last weekend of July. Held across the river in downtown Lowell, this three-day experience is the country's longest-running and second-largest free folk festival, filled with music, crafts and food. WinterFest is another popular Lowell event that offers two days of activities in February, ranging from ice sculptures and live music to the ever-popular annual soup competition. The competition showcases soups and chowders from area restaurants that are sampled by judges and residents alike. Lower Belvidere has a variety of green spaces, one of the more unique of which is the Lowell Cemetery. The cemetery is a historic landmark in the area, having been around since 1841. In the spring and fall, walking tours are available, during which visitors can stroll underneath mature cherry trees while they look at unique and finely crafted monuments and sculptures. In the fall, some mausoleums are even opened with photos next to them so visitors can learn more about those in the cemetery.

Tucked against a bend in the Merrimack River, Centralville offers an urban experience in a suburban environment — a sector of the city just over a mile from Downtown Lowell that combines relative housing affordability with commuting access to Boston and New Hampshire. “It is a very community-oriented, friendly area close to downtown and UMass Lowell,” says Bob Ciccarelli, the broker-owner at Ciccarelli Homes who has lived and sold there for over 30 years. “It’s a good place to live if you like amenities being close by. It’s a melting pot community that’s vibrant with lots of different eclectic shops and restaurants.” It makes Centralville the type of area where locals like to put down roots. “You see a lot of people that grow up there tend to stay there,” says area Realtor Chris Doherty, president of Doherty Properties. Lowell originated as a mill town, and much of the housing in the city, including Centralville, reflects that era. There was an economic boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Doherty says, which caused demand for housing for mill workers. A lot of those houses still stand in Centralville today, though there are also newer homes. What Doherty says he loves about Lowell is the character that seeps from the city’s well-preserved turn-of-the-century infrastructure. “Lowell did a great job with historic restoration,” he says. A combination of multi- and single-family layouts dot Centralville, often built in colonial styles, from more traditional colonials to Dutch Colonials and the locally popular New Englander, but there are also a handful of Victorians. Christian Hill, a southeastern pocket of Centralville, is situated on one of Lowell’s peaks — it’s a spot from which you can see the whole city, Doherty says. “Some people go at night and stargaze,” he says. Single-family homes in Centralville typically cost between $400,000 and $550,000, while multi-family houses max out around $700,000. A single unit in a multi-family, Doherty says, can sell for around $225,000. The neighborhood also provides residents the chance to earn some equity. “I would say that out of all of the areas in Lowell, Centralville is one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods,” Ciccarelli says. “Some are more prestigious, but it’s getting more and more attention.” When residents need groceries, they head to El Bombazo Meat Market or drive just outside the neighborhood to Market Basket or Hannaford. Centralville is also quite walkable, so hungry locals can walk to one of the area’s small but diverse collection of restaurants. They often start the day at Top Donut or Cameo Diner, and Crown Fried Chicken is known for its halal menu and the fantastic curly fries that come with their chicken. According to Doherty, it’s even feasible to walk across the bridge to downtown, where there are even more dining and entertainment options like TreMonte Pizzeria Restaurant & Bar and Cobblestones of Lowell. Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus is also a frequented hub among locals. “It’s a meeting spot,” Doherty says. “They’ve got great drinks.” The Lowell Folk Festival, which is the longest-running and the second-largest free folk festival in the nation, is held a short walk away in Downtown Lowell. “The annual folk festival is a big deal,” Doherty says. It takes up the last full weekend of each July and attracts people from all over the country with its multiple stages, food, drinks and more. Niche gives Lowell Public Schools a B-minus. Children can attend S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, which has a C-plus, and Henry J. Robinson Middle School, which has a C-minus. Older students attend Lowell High School, which has a B and offers pathway programs in business and marketing, education, engineering and more. Hovey Park is popular for its large, recently refurbished playground and athletic field. McPherson Park offers even more athletic space, including basketball and tennis courts and baseball fields. Residents also flock there during the summer for its public swimming pool. Centralville Dog Park is located near the Merrimack River, but most people choose to drive 5 miles to Chelmsford Dog Park instead. Bridge Street, also known as U.S. Route 38, runs through the neighborhood all the way to Downtown Lowell less than 2 miles away. Locals also have easy access to Arlington Street and Merrimack Avenue, which are also called U.S. Route 113 and 110 respectively. Centralville is about 3 miles south of New Hampshire and about 34 miles from Boston.

The largest of the nearly dozen neighborhoods that make up Lowell, Pawtucketville is a historic residential community on the banks of the Merrimack River that was first settled by colonists in 1668. Writer Jack Kerouac grew up in Pawtucketville, penning his first semi-autobiographical novel, Maggie Cassidy, as a 17-year-old student at Lowell High School. Today, the nonprofit Lowell Celebrates Kerouac organization sponsors festivals and tours that draw in Kerouac fans from around the world as well as literary competitions for local students. Modern-day residents enjoy access to riverside paths, forested hiking trails and water-based recreation while remaining within commuting distance of downtown Boston. Pawtucketville’s natural surroundings make it a prime spot for kayaking, hiking, or simply enjoying the views. Locals can run or bike along the riverfront path in the Vandenberg Esplanade, swim in the calm waters at Rynne Beach, or take in an outdoor concert at Sampas Pavilion, a 1,000-seat amphitheater in Lowell Heritage State Park. At the Bellegarde Boathouse, people rent kayaks and paddleboards, and some learn to row a sculling boat with the Merrimac River Rowing Association. Those who prefer the woods can head to the neighborhood’s north side, where half of the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest crosses over into Pawtucketville. The forest stretches over 1,000 acres in total, offering over 6 miles of wooded trails that are used for cross-country skiing, hiking and mountain biking. On rainy days, can bowl and play arcade games at Bowlero Lowell. Golfers can find a private, 18-hole course at the Vesper Country Club, about 1 mile west of Pawtucketville. Though there is a convenient shopping center along Pawtucket Boulevard with a Market Basket Supermarket and Marshall’s, many residents head to New Hampshire for tax-free shopping, says Andrea Dillon, Realtor with LAER Realty Partners and lifetime area resident. The community is home to a few chain restaurants and pizza joints — locals love Spartans Pizzeria — but most of the nearest dine-in restaurants are across the Merrimack River in The Highlands neighborhood, including Pho 88, an authentic Vietnamese eatery. “Everything is so close — Lowell’s not that big,” Dillon says. “There are always new restaurants popping up in downtown.” Cobblestones of Lowell, which is about 2 miles from Pawtucketville, is one of her favorites. The residential streets meander among the mature trees between the Merrimack River and Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsborough State Forest. “It’s the more country part of the city,” Dillon says. “It’s like you’re in the city, and then you’re in the mountains.” With the forest bordering the western part of the neighborhood and the University of Massachusetts Lowell near the eastern half, the two sides have very different characteristics. To the west of Lowell General Hospital, the community feels decidedly suburban, with large ranch and Colonial Revival homes from the 1970s and 1980s resting on expansive, grassy lawns along cul-de-sacs. Buyers might find a three-bedroom residence in the $500,000 to $750,000 range. Between the hospital and UMass, mid-1900s single-family ranches and early 1900s multifamily dwellings sit close together along sidewalk-lined, gridded streets. Condo units and townhouses sell between $250,000 to $480,000, and multifamilies run from $550,000 to $800,000 with a few outliers. Due to Pawtucketville’s location near the river, some properties may lie in floodplains, requiring a few homeowners to purchase flood insurance. Children begin their education at Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary, a B-minus-rated school on Niche with a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. From there, students graduate to An Wang Middle School — which earns a C-plus on Niche — and finally, Kerouac’s alma mater, Lowell High School, a B-rated school with an average SAT score of 1170. The community is also home to the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a public university with more than 18,000 students. The school’s athletics programs are among the attractions for those who live nearby, particularly the River Hawks’ Division I ice hockey team. Many of the city of Lowell’s events are centered around the river, and Pawtucketville residents have some of the best access. On the third Saturday of each August, the Esplanade hosts the Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, a cultural heritage celebration featuring food, performances and boat races. The festival has existed for more than 20 years, and each year, it draws thousands of visitors from around the country. There is also a regatta in June and the Lowell Spring Carnival usually takes place over a few weeks toward the end of May. Pawtucketville’s location along the northern banks of the Merrimack River puts it just 9 miles from Pelham, New Hampshire, and more than 30 from Boston. With employers, including UMass Lowell and the Lowell General Hospital within the community, some residents walk to work. Those who don’t can drive along state Route 113, a four-lane divided road that runs through the community, to link up with Interstate 93. Drivers can also cross the Merrimack to access U.S. Route 3 and a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail station with trains to Boston, both about 2 miles south of the river. However, the narrow bridges that cross the Merrimack are often congested during rush hour, adding extra time to commutes.