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Lower Highlands

Lower Highlands

Neighborhood in Lowell, Massachusetts

Middlesex County 01851, 01852

$486,678 Average Value
$324 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes 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.
Homey colonial style are make up most of Lower Highlands housing.
New condos can be found throughout Lower Highlands.
New condos can be found throughout Lower Highlands.
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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.
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.
The beautiful installation at Jack Keroack Park near Lower Highlands honors the hometown hero.
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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.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary has a student to teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
Lowell High School educates more than three thousand students.
Lowell High School educates more than three thousand students.
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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.

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.
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.
Lower Highlands residents can shop Target and other stores at the Meadow Brook Center.
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Christina von Claparede-Crola
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Colin Gee
Photography Contributed By
Colin Gee
Tyler Newbold
Video By
Tyler Newbold

Agents Specializing in this Area

  • Brandon Sweeney

    Brandon Sweeney

    Keller Williams Realty

    (978) 625-9008

    100 Total Sales

    1 in Lower Highlands

    $810,000 Price

    Brandon Sweeney
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  • John Lynch

    John Lynch

    Keller Williams Realty - Merrimack

    (978) 788-8041

    29 Total Sales

    1 in Lower Highlands

    $450,000 Price

    John Lynch
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  • Anthony Piacenza

    Anthony Piacenza

    RE/MAX Innovative Properties

    (351) 208-1425

    75 Total Sales

    1 in Lower Highlands

    $365,000 Price

    Anthony Piacenza
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  • Stockman Farrar Group

    Stockman Farrar Group

    Responds Quickly

    Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate

    (781) 208-5870

    72 Total Sales

    1 in Lower Highlands

    $355,000 Price

    Stockman Farrar Group
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  • Andrea Dillon

    Andrea Dillon

    LAER Realty Partners

    (351) 277-3345

    37 Total Sales

    1 in Lower Highlands

    $350,000 Price

    Andrea Dillon
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  • Kelly Espinola

    Kelly Espinola

    Keller Williams Realty-Merrimack

    (351) 215-0914

    158 Total Sales

    2 in Lower Highlands

    $400K - $405K Price Range

    Kelly Espinola
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Schools

Source:
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. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Brandon Sweeney, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Manchester Boston Regional

45 min drive

Train

Lowell

Bus

Chelmsford St And Westford St

Bus

Westford St & Grand St

Bus

Westford St & Fernald St

Bus

Chelmsford St & Factory St

Bus

Chelmsford St & Westford St

Bus

Chelmsford St & Parker St

Bus

Westford St & Hastings St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Lower Highlands US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Lower Highlands Demographics and Home Trends

On average, homes in Lower Highlands, Lowell sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Lower Highlands, Lowell over the last 12 months is $420,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$419,900
Median Sale Price
$420,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$472,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$442,500
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$308,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
51
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$324

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,436
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1910
Months of Supply
1.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,624
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,734
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,037
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
787
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Jun 14
    11am - 1pm

    65 Smith St, Lowell, MA 01851

    $559,500

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,584 Sq Ft
    • 65 Smith St
    • New 2 days ago

    DISCOVER THE PERFECT BLEND OF COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE IN THIS THOUGHTFULLY CARED-FOR HOME, NESTLED IN LOWELL'S SOUGHT AFTER HIGHLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD. ENJOY THE TRANQUILITY OF A RARE FIND: A SMALL, PRIVATE SIDE STREET WITH JUST TWO RESIDENCES, OFFERING PEACE AND QUIET, RIGHT OFF SMITH STREET. INSIDE, THIS INVITING HOME FEATURES A GENEROUSLY SIZED FAMILY ROOM, BEAUTIFUL HARDWOOD FLOORS, AND A

    George Tgibides LAER Realty Partners

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  • Saturday, Jun 21
    10 - 11:30am

    114 Warwick St, Lowell, MA 01851

    $539,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,734 Sq Ft
    • 114 Warwick St

    Move in ready! This 4-bedroom 2 bath home in the Highlands is ready for new owners! Conveniently close to shopping centers, restaurants, public transportation, and major highways, this home provides easy access to all your needs and beyond. The interior boasts a spacious living room, open concepts into the kitchen, one bedroom and full bath on the main level, and three bedrooms and one bath on

    Nicole Klays Pristine Estates, LLC

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  • Saturday, Jun 14
    11am - 12:30pm

    15 Barclay St, Lowell, MA 01851

    $470,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,468 Sq Ft
    • 15 Barclay St

    Welcome to this inviting 1,468 sq ft home featuring 4 bedrooms and 1 full bathroom. With plenty of space and potential to make it your own, this property offers comfort and flexibility for your lifestyle. The first floor includes a bright living room, a formal dining area, and a functional kitchen ready for your personal touch. A versatile bonus room on the main level can serve as a home office,

    Zuleem Garcia eXp Realty

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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Homes for Rent

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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Brandon Sweeney, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value

Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
10,666
Median Age
36
Population under 18
27%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.7%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$61,250
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$82,388

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
68.1%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
15.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
20''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

42 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

86 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

60 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Learn How Walk Score Works

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A diverse community just a few miles from New Hampshire

Pawtucketville
Pawtucketville

Historic residential community on the banks of the Merrimack River

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Reviews

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Massachusetts Middlesex County Lowell
Lower Highlands
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Lower Highlands
Brandon Sweeney
Keller Williams Realty Section Image
Brandon Sweeney
Brandon Sweeney
Keller Williams Realty
Agent experienced in this area
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