Since its founding in 1836, Lowell has evolved from a major factory town during the Industrial Revolution into a city full of history and culture. The streets and canals that were formally lined with workshops now hold a variety of businesses and museums. Mill buildings have been converted into apartments and shops that nod to the area’s textile heritage. Cobblestone streets and aged red brick buildings populate the bustling downtown district. In suburban neighborhoods, like Pawtucketville, the pace is a bit slower.
About 30 miles from Boston and 5 miles from the New Hampshire border, Lowell residents can reach both big-city attractions and vast nature expanses in under an hour. Commuters can easily hop on Route 3 or Interstate 495 via the Lowell Connector to get out of town, though most necessities and amenities are available within city limits.
Business headquarters and large companies like UKG occupy Industrial Avenue, providing thousands of jobs, while UMass Lowell and Lowell General Hospital are other major employers. As the birthplace of Jack Kerouac and the home of numerous industrial museums, the city also gets some tourism.
The Boott Cotton Mills Museum showcases the deep history of the city of Lowell.
People walk down cobblestone streets in downtown Lowell.
Back Central commuters have easy access to both Rt 3 and I-495.
UMASS Lowell is a midsized public research university located in Lowell, MA.
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Lowell year-round activities, parks and attractions
During Lowell’s warmer months, parks and riverfront spaces are top destinations. Tyler Park and Rogers Fort Hill Park provide shaded paths for dogwalkers and joggers. Sampas Pavilion, located along the Merrimack River, hosts outdoor concerts, performances and community networking events. The river itself has a range of recreation, including kayaking and paddleboarding, while walking and biking trails meander along its banks. The Lowell National Historical Park provides educational programs and exhibits on the city’s industrial history, with a series of tours and boat rides on the canals that operate from spring through fall. Boarding House Park hosts summer concerts, where attendees can gather on picnic blankets and lawn chairs, as well as cultural events, like the Lowell Hispanic & Latinx Festival. Perhaps the city’s biggest event, the Lowell Folk Festival draws crowds of 150,000 people from all over the region, making it the second largest folk festival in the country.
When temperatures drop, cross-country skiers and snowshoers traverse the trails of the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest, while ice skaters can hit the John J. Janas Memorial Rink. Sports fans can cheer on the UMass Lowell River Hawks at Paul E. Tsongas Center, which also hosts concerts and conferences. The Boott Cotton Mills Museum and the New England Quilt Museum offer insight into the city’s industrial past and textile heritage. Art enthusiasts can check out Lowell Memorial Auditorium concerts, theatrical productions and conventions.
Residents enjoy cooling off in at The Rynne Beach along the Merrimack River in Pawtucketville.
A cyclist cruises down the Vanderburg Esplanade alongside the Merrimack in Lowell.
South Common Park occupies a large portion of the Back Central, offering a pool and playground.
A group of kids ride their bikes through the Shedd Park in Lowell, MA.
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Local businesses and dishes from around the world
The city offers a range of shopping and dining experiences that reflect its cultures and history. The Canalway Cultural District is known for its independent businesses, art and antique stores. Also in this district is Mill No. 5, a repurposed textile mill full of small shops that sell vinyl records, vintage clothing and artisan goods. Big-box shopping centers are scattered throughout town, at spots like Chelmsford Mall, Meadow Brook Center and Drum Hill. Fresh seafood from the Boston Harbor and USDA Prime meats can be purchased through locally owned stores, like Alpine Butcher, one of the oldest family-owned butchers in the country.
Restaurants serve dishes from around the world, and many options line Merrimack and Market streets in the Downtown Lowell Historic District. The city has a large Cambodian population, with numerous establishments offering traditional dishes like amok and kuy teav. Puerto Rican and other Latin American eats are particularly prominent in the Acre neighborhood. Seafood also has a strong presence in Lowell, with several spots serving fresh catches from the shores of Massachusetts.
Mill No. 5 is a local shopping center in a historic warehouse in downtown Lowell.
Apna Bazar has a wide variety of produce and groceries in The Highlands neighborhood.
El Porto Mexican Restaurant in Lowell is a local favorite for Mexican food.
Tasty Dumplings is a crowd favorite serving up Asian fare for residents in Lowell, MA.
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Downtown condos and spacious Lowell suburbs
Buyers can pick from many different landscapes throughout Lowell. Suburban neighborhoods like Pawtucketville and the Highlands feature larger lots with driveways and front lawns along wider streets. Closer to downtown, roads offer a mix of residential and commercial buildings, often fronted by paved or brick sidewalks with the occasional tree box.
From multifamily units to single-family colonials and New Englanders, Lowell’s housing market provides variety. Home prices typically fall between $500,000 and about $1 million, with outliers on either end. Condos in complexes or above downtown storefronts typically have lower price tags, usually between $200,000 and $400,000. Urban lofts in old mill buildings often have exposed brick walls and visible pipes, bringing an industrial feel to each living space.
There are several condo's and housing options in the historic Boott Mills in downtown Lowell, MA
A group of contemporary New England styled homes in the Pawtucketville neighborhood.
A row of new, traditional homes found in the Pawtucketville neighborhood.
A row of New Englander styled homes with front porches that are commonly found in The Highlands.
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Public, private and higher education options in Lowell
Lowell Public Schools, rated B-minus by Niche, includes dozens of elementary and middle schools that all feed into Lowell High. Families can choose among elementary and middle options within their zone or enroll in citywide and alternative schools. The district has an A-plus score for diversity, with about 70 languages spoken across the student body. Lowell High was also the first public high school to desegregate, back in 1843.
Families may opt for private education at Lowell Catholic, which earns an A-minus and serves children from prekindergarten to 12th grade. Students may also enroll at the Academy of Notre Dame, whose pre-K through Grade 8 division earns an A grade on Niche, while the high school has an A-minus. The academy offers faith-based learning in the neighboring town of Tyngsborough.
Students can apply to higher education at UMass Lowell, which earns the No. 2 spot on Niche’s list of Top Public Universities in Massachusetts. The school has Division I athletics, 120 undergraduate majors and over 100 master’s programs. Lowell is also home to Middlesex Community College, which offers associate’s degrees or career training courses.
John J. Shaughnessy Elementary School is located in Lowell, MA.
Rogers STEM Academy in Lowell, MA, has a vibrant entrance welcoming students.
Extra-curriculars at Lowell High School include dance, band, chess, theater and more.
Welcome to Lowell Catholic Schools in Lowell, MA.
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Transportation options across Lowell and into Boston
Interstate 495 and Route 3, accessible via the Lowell Connector freeway, link the city to the greater Northeast region. These thoroughfares also lead to Interstate 93, which flows toward Boston, about 30 miles away. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s commuter rail provides 45-minute rides into Boston’s North Station. Residents can also take the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority buses around town. Bikers can utilize the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, which stretches all the way to Concord.
Flights take off from two major airports, both about 30 miles or an hour drive from Lowell. Boston Logan International offers over 100 domestic and international destinations, while Manchester-Boston Regional provides over a dozen direct flights throughout the Midwest and along the East Coast.
Inclement winter weather and crime patterns in Lowell
The highest temperatures in Lowell reach about 85 degrees, but with 57 inches of snow falling per year, the city gets about double the US average. The community is well-equipped with plows and chemical treatments, used to clear hospitals, public buildings and some sidewalks. Otherwise, locals are expected to shovel their own walkways and protect their neighborhood streets. Emergency parking bans allow the city to do more thorough road clearings during heavier storms.
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, by the end of 2023, Lowell saw about 1.3 crime reports per 1,000 residents, which is slightly higher than the national average of 1.17. While some violent crime rates tend to fall in line with national averages, property crime scores fall significantly lower. The Lowell Police Department works to combat crime at an early age through their youth services. Officers volunteer to mentor and train kids in a variety of sports and leadership programs.
I have been a full time Realtor since 1992. I service Metrowest, Worcester and Boston Areas specializing in Residential properties as a Listing Agent, Buyer’s Agent and Relocation Expert. My diversified experience allows me to better assist a client whether it be a short sale, foreclosure or luxury home.
I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I attended both Wright-State University and UMASS. I love my community and I am currently and have been in the past involved with many Charitable Organizations including The Evening of Giving, Relay for Life, MDA, I am a contributing member of our company’s Charitable Trust among others. I treasure the times with family and friends and love traveling with my husband, the beach, live theater, but most of all attendIng my grandchildren’s games and performances! I was the owner of "Flower Design by Aura” and worked retail for many years before switching careers to the real estate industry. Since then I have consistently been a Top Producer in my field receiving many awards and accolades including the President’s Club and Chairman’s Club in the past and most recently Boston’s Top 20 and from ERA Key Realty Services, The Circle of Achievement and Top All-Around Agent.
I would love the opportunity to assist you whether you’re buying or selling your home!
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