Lowell, MA - any info would be great! (Boston, Newton: taxes, living)

[maggiekate]

all these towns are part of Boston, near dental etc. You may even research the city of Boston, and look for jobs in urban planning. I would stick with the Boston area. also Southie is now expensive, Dorchester, was a bad area,
however, check it out. Check the city of Boston web site, then apply, I think you would do better than being in Lowell.

good luck

judy

[righteousrat]

[quote=AlanD;86272]Grimstuff,
If you lived in a town like Bedford, Merrimac, Manchester or Nashua, NH you'd be close enough to Lowell to work and, by living in NH, you'd avoid sales and state income tax. NH has no state income tax and no sales tax.

Hi, grimstuff.

Just a quick note to make you aware that while living in So. NH is great, the fact is that if you live here and work in Mass., you'll pay BOTH high real estate taxes in NH AND MA state Income tax.

MA doesn't miss a chance to bean you for taxes, and they figure that regardless that you live in NH, if you make it in Mass, you need to pay their income taxes. There's some apportionment but I can't spell it out for you here. Just be aware that you'll be paying 'twice', so to speak.

JimC

[surfingatwork]

Grimstuff,
i was raised in lowell (lived there for almost 20 years), i did go to private school from 1st to 8th grade but went to lowell high, went to frat parties at U Lowell (now UMass Lowell). Over the years lowell has definitely gone from being a safe city to a not so safe city to a getting safer city (if that makes sense - it's definitely changing again). there are many unsafe areas that I wouldn't be caught in but there are also some very safe areas to live. Christian Hill (not centerville but christian hill it's the top part of centerville), Belevidere (I could never spell that section), upper highlands. these are all good areas to live. Dracut, Tewksbury, Chelmsford are also very nice areas to live and they are close to lowell. The downtown area of lowell is changing. The last time I was there I noticed a few decent looking cafes. I was never robbed or attacked while I lived there. The first time I was ever robbed was when I moved to boston (was there 3 months and was robbed on the street - person demanded my leather jacket off my body).

[surfingatwork]

Grimstuff,
i was raised in lowell (lived there for almost 20 years), i did go to private school from 1st to 8th grade but went to lowell high, went to frat parties at U Lowell (now UMass Lowell). Over the years lowell has definitely gone from being a safe city to a not so safe city to a getting safer city (if that makes sense - it's definitely changing again). there are many unsafe areas that I wouldn't be caught in but there are also some very safe areas to live. Christian Hill (not centerville but christian hill it's the top part of centerville), Belevidere (I could never spell that section), upper highlands. these are all good areas to live. Dracut, Tewksbury, Chelmsford are also very nice areas to live and they are close to lowell. The downtown area of lowell is changing. The last time I was there I noticed a few decent looking cafes. Although I wouldn't go downtown for shopping during the day or night, it doesn't really have any great little boutique style shops or department stores either for that matter. I have been downtown for dinner and lunch and felt comfortable enough to walk to my car at night by myself. The folk feastival they have every year is nice but it's getting a bit expensive. Also the winter feast is fun at night but personally i don't think it's a place for kids at least night at night. FYI, I was never robbed or attacked while I lived there. The first time I was ever robbed was when I moved to boston (was there 3 months and was robbed on the street - person demanded my leather jacket off my body so i gave it to them).

[smarty]

Lowell has always been a town for immigrant because of job opportunity, fair housing, cheap renting houses. Most recently 1980s, Asian immigrants (Cambodian refugees). It is estimated that 25-35K of the 105K populations are Cambodians. Take a look at the school district race percentage as compare to the state. For those who embrace diversity, it is a great place to live. For those who do not, it is probably not a good choice.

Race % of District % of State
African American 6.4% vs 8.3 %
Asian 29.1 % vs 4.6 %
Hispanic 22.2 % vs 12.9 %
Native American 0.1 % vs 0.3 %
White 42.3 % vs 72.4 %
Pacific Islander 0.0 % vs 0.1 %
Multi-Race, Non-Hispanic 0.0 % vs 1.4 %

Many of these immigrants (unlike Irish in the 1820) do not speak english and have no money. Making it tougher to fit into the society.

% of District % of State
First Language not English 42.0 % vs 14.3 %
Limited English Proficient 27.4 % vs 5.3 %
Low-income 64.5 % vs 28.2 %
Special Education 14.3 % vs 16.5%

[sybadon]

hi grim,

i don't know what these people are talking about lowell and crime....i can get you all the crime stats you need....lowell is a great city... i suggest you come and see it for yourself

http://www.lowellma.gov/

[shanghai]

I just bought condo in 1930's/2006 rehabbed building in Belvidere neighborhood of Lowell: convenient, lots of beautiful old Victorians, sidewalks, and parks. Lowell does have sections that are not as "worked on" yet but I believe you are approaching from good angle re: your career. Keep looking...try MLS listings through ReMAx/Prestige Real Estate website and others I think you'll find availability. Best of luck!

[kbhit]

Lowell has been changing a lot. I have lived in Harvard Square and the North End, and really enjoy living in Lowell now. Lots to do, good places to eat, arts, music, shows, sports... Good parks on the river. Check it out and hope you can make a difference here. The place is getting better everyday - it's really easy to see the energy going on in the area and positive influences it has. The location is great with prox to boston, beaches, mountains, highways, etc. Its a fun place, don't discount it based on peoples evil intent

[seldomseen]

I'm not going to minimize matters, and withhold the reality of Lowell. The city is pretty much a cesspool. But I think it's the best small independent city in Ma. e.g. (Springfield, Worcester, New Bedford)...Lowell has a few decent sections of town that are "nice", but for the most part the city is infested with crime, drugs, poverty, and prostitution. Any of the revitalization that goes into Lowell is a slow and miniscule effort for the most part...these small cities of Mass. will never reach the status/quality of the nice cities/towns near Boston. If you have a family, and care about the qualify of your lives, DO NOT LIVE IN LOWELL!!! Most of the folks that live in Lowell, don't want to live there themselves!!! Lowell, is just an affordable city, but that's only because it's a dump

[kbhit]

Originally Posted by seldomseen

Most of the folks that live in Lowell, don't want to live there themselves!!!

I'd have to disagree on this one. I've met many people who chose to live in Lowell for many different reasons. Personally I could live anywhere I wanted in Massachusetts and really am happy to be in Lowell and I know many others in the same boat. I would strongly advise anyone reading this thread to do your own homework and make sure not to fall victim to posts by those that think they are superior