$495,736Average Value$317Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Lower Highlands puts residents at the doorstep of historic Downtown Lowell
As the country’s first planned industrial town, Lowell, Massachusetts, has a rich history rooted in cotton milling and textile manufacturing, and is often referred to as the “Cradle of the American Industrial Revolution.” The days of textile manufacturing as a major industry have passed, and while the city’s heritage is celebrated through cultural institutions like the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and New England Quilt Museum, Lowell has breathed new life into its downtown district, which now brims with commerce, events and a tight-knit community. “Downtown Lowell is the draw to Lowell,” says John Lynch, a lifelong resident and Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Merrimack, adding that the city has greatly improved its downtown district, recreation and walkability. “Grant money has gone into major revitalization efforts, including parks and recreation and the Riverwalk down by the boulevard along the river, which is now a scenic walk along the Merrimack.” Today, the city maintains its small-town vibe, and its surrounding neighborhoods, like Lower Highlands, appeal to commuters looking to be removed from Boston’s activity. “People in Lower Highlands are in a desirable location very close to Downtown with great options for transportation; it’s less than a mile to the train station and bus depot, and at the junction of Interstate 495 and Route 3,” Lynch says. “You can get to the beach in 40 minutes and to Boston in 30 minutes — or 6 hours, depending on the traffic.”
Townhouses, condos and colonial-style homes
Vernacular New England colonial-style homes, many with colorful facades, line the orderly streets of Lower Highland. While some are single-family homes, many have been converted into condos or apartments. At around $475,000, the average home value in Lower Highland is lower than the national average. “Apart from the neighborhood’s ideal location, the draw is its great value,” Lynch says. “You get more house in Lowell than you can get in the surrounding community. It’s one of the best values in the state for housing.” Condo units may range from $168,000 to $350,000, while single-family home prices span from $315,000 to $620,000. Carriage-style homes and townhouses range between $210,000 to $465,000. Multifamily properties, typically housing two to four units, may start at $600,000 and can fetch up to $1 million.
Homey colonial style are make up most of Lower Highlands housing.
New condos can be found throughout Lower Highlands.
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Access to strong public and private schools
Students in Lower Highlands are part of the Lowell Public Schools system, which earns a C-plus from Niche. They may begin their academic journey at Abraham Lincoln Elementary before advancing to Kathryn P. Stoklosa Middle School, both of which receive C-plus grades. Lowell High School earns an overall B score and is rated Niche’s fourth-best Standout High School in Massachusetts. The high school gets top marks for its diverse student body and offerings for extracurricular clubs and activities. Highly rated private, faith-based options are also available to Lower Highland students, including the A-minus-rated Lowell Catholic School, which serves prekindergarten to twelfth grade. The neighborhood is also close to the campus of the University of Massachusetts, known as UMass Lowell.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary has a student to teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
Lowell High School educates more than three thousand students.
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Recreation along the Merrimack River and city parks
Situated along the Merrimack River, Lowell not only features a handful of green spaces and parks but also offers riverside recreation. Across the river from Lower Highlands, the Lowell Heritage State Park offers waterside activities such as boating, fishing, hiking and swimming. “The entirety of Lowell is actually considered a historic state park,” Lynch says, adding that because of this, the city has plenty of designated parks and outdoor spaces. Historical sites include Jack Kerouac Park, which features a commemorative statue of the famed Beatnik author and Lowell native, and Boarding House Park, an outdoor grassy space that doubles as a concert venue and was once a cotton mill. Closer to home, parks like Washington Park provide athletic facilities and playgrounds.
Casual walks and exercise opportunities along the Merrimack River are plentiful near Lower Highlands.
The beautiful installation at Jack Keroack Park near Lower Highlands honors the hometown hero.
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Trendy shopping and dining options in Downtown Lowell, convenient retailers close by
Lower Highlands residents may either head into Downtown for local shopping, or farther out towards larger big-box retailers. “Downtown is for local restaurants, smaller stores and artsy, trendy shopping,” Lynch says. “But bigger shopping and big department stores are close by.” Merrimack Street and Market Street are Downtown Lowell’s main commercial arteries, holding strings of restaurants, boutiques and small shops. Folks can wake up with a cup of coffee at the eclectic Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus or cap off a workday with a beer at Old Court Irish Pub. Shopping plazas like Meadow Brook Center south of Lower Highlands feature larger retailers and grocery stores, including Target, Market Basket and Stop & Shop.
Old Court Irish Pub is a local favorite just outside Lower Highlands.
Lower Highlands residents can shop Target and other stores at the Meadow Brook Center.
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Historic venues for events and the renowned Lowell Folk Festival
Lowell’s robust list of events keeps the community close-knit and engaged. Nearby venues with stacked calendars of ongoing concerts and sporting events include the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Taffeta Music Hall and the Tsongas Center, a 6,500-seat arena that hosts concerts, Arena Football League games and NCAA Division 1 Hockey tournaments, among other notable events. Seasonal happenings include a summer concert series at Boarding House Park and a winter festival. “The Winter Fest in February is a big one, where they close down a few streets for entertainment and vendors, and it caps off with a huge concert,” Lynch says. “But the biggest event that is a national draw is the Lowell Folk Festival Downtown at the end of July.” Established in 1987, the longstanding festival hosts a wide selection of traditional artists representing local, national and global cultures. “They close down a section of Downtown to car traffic and have three or four stages with bands playing,” Lynch says. “Stands with vendors feature food from all over the world and they have a section for children’s activities as well. The festival attracts well over 100,000 people.”
Proximity to major thoroughfares and transportation options
Proximity to Interstate 495 and Route 3 provides Lower Highlands residents with major thoroughfare options that connect them to the surrounding areas and into Boston. The Lowell train station is the last stop along the Lowell Line, which connects commuters to Boston in under an hour. Boston Logan International Airport is about 32 miles away, a trip that typically takes about 35 minutes by car.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Colin Gee
Video By
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Stockman Farrar Group
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lower Highlands
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Lower Highlands Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lower Highlands, Lowell sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Lower Highlands, Lowell over the last 12 months is $470,500, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Updated colonial in great location. Newer kitchen with stainless steel appliances; double-door refrigerator, dishwasher, oversized sink and granite countertop with oyster beveled glass tiled backsplash. 2 levels of living space. First level opens to gleaming hardwood staircase and flooring, with hallway leading to 2 bedrooms, living room, a full bathroom, and ceramic tiled flooring dining room
Open House Sat 11/22 11am - 1PM. Fully updated 2 family with modern cabinets, granite counter-tops and stainless-steel appliances. Modern laminate flooring and updated bathroom with stand showers, tiled flooring with modern vanities. Unit 1 has 4 rooms 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with an open concept living/dining/eat-in kitchen combo. Unit 2 has 4 rooms 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with eat-in
Motivated seller-exceptional value and renovation potential in this townhouse overlooking the city of Lowell. Approximately 1,051 sq.ft the home features 2 bedrooms,1.5 baths a spacious living room and functional kitchen. Includes a one car garage and scenic city views. The unit is being Sold as is and needs a full remodel, offering an attractive canvas to update finishes, reconfigure spaces if
Tony DucharmeBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty Methuen
Welcome to this well maintaned home in MOVE- IN -READY ..Highlands area offer a spacious colonial with 3 bedrooms plus and 2 full bathrooms ;one on each floor. The first floor with open concept living room, dining room kitchen..Updated vinyl insulated- window.. The 3rd floor is finished and could be use as 4th bedroom. .Updated kitchen with tile flooring and grainite-countertop, finished celings,
This unit features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, vinyl plank flooring throughout, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, central AC, washer/dryer in unit, and two off-street parking spots. Conveniently located near major highways, the commuter rail, downtown, shopping, and restaurants. All applicants must have good credit, references and proof of income. Unit is available now.
Open House 12/6 12pm to 1:30pm. Come and take a look at this Brand-new construction with modern appliances and granite countertop. Single level with spacious open concept Livingroom dinning and kitchen. Modern recessed lightings. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout with ceramic floor tiles in the bathroom. Newly paved driveway and gravel finished yard for extra outdoor space. Assigned 2-car
Great Highlands location for this well-maintained 1st floor two (2) bedroom unit. Conveniently located just off Parker Street and within close proximity to all area amenities and highways. On-street parking, with owner providing signage from the city for a dedicated space in front of the home for one vehicle. No vehicle? Unit is on the bus line as well. Featuring a spacious eat-in kitchen with
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