Someplace Urbany near Littleton (Boston, Lowell: apartment complexes, house, buy)

[Sobe]

Hi everyone,
I'm going to be moving to the Greater Boston area soon, and I'm trying to find a place near Littleton, which is where I will be working. I'm a city girl, but I wouldn't mind some place in-between the suburbs and an urban environment (I'm used to Fairfax county near DC, which is full of apartment complexes with shopping centers nearby). With some research, I find that the problem that I am running across is that it seems like the Boston/Cambridge area seems to be what I'm looking for, but they're a bit too far for my commute (trying to keep it down to 45 min or less reasonably). Are there any other cities nearby that I should check out? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Thomas144]

Check out Lowell.

[goyguy]

Chelmsford would provide more of a Fairfax County feel - adjacent to Lowell yet with a suburban vibe and, yes, apartment complexes.

[Sobe]

Originally Posted by Thomas144

Check out Lowell.

Thanks for the suggestions! I've heard a couple of mixed reviews of Lowell - some people say that there are parts to avoid, whereas other parts are fine. Do you know anything about this?

[Thomas144]

I've always been intrigued by the potential of Lowell - lived there briefly many years ago (in an apartment) and we nearly bought our first house there (this was 25 years ago). Fortunately we didn't buy (would have been a bad investment as it turns out) but I still like Lowell.

The old downtown is pretty cool - national historical park - amazing old factories and canals. Parts of Lowell are still pretty scuzzy. Definitely see the film "The Fighter" to get the full picture. Lots of southeast asians immigrants.

[hilldomain]

Originally Posted by Sobe

Thanks for the suggestions! I've heard a couple of mixed reviews of Lowell - some people say that there are parts to avoid, whereas other parts are fine. Do you know anything about this?

you dont want to be in Lowell. its depressing. Its a dump

[beltrams]

Originally Posted by Thomas144

I've always been intrigued by the potential of Lowell - lived there briefly many years ago (in an apartment) and we nearly bought our first house there (this was 25 years ago). Fortunately we didn't buy (would have been a bad investment as it turns out) but I still like Lowell.

The old downtown is pretty cool - national historical park - amazing old factories and canals. Parts of Lowell are still pretty scuzzy. Definitely see the film "The Fighter" to get the full picture. Lots of southeast asians immigrants.

I work with at-risk kids in a treatment center *south* of Boston and yet we have quite a few kids that come from Lowell.

I've driven quite a few of them to/from Lowell for family visits and have learned quite a bit about Lowell because of this.

Don't move to Lowell unless you want to robbed and/or raped.