Is Lowell safe for a 23 year old female? (Boston, Somerville: for sale, loft)

[surfingatwork]

i grew up in lowell (lived there 20 plus years). first to the person who got lost in lowell on their way back from hampton, the only way that's possible is if you got off the highway on your way home. doesn't matter. okay back to the op. as i mentioned, i grew up in lowell. is there crime, gangs and ghetto areas in lowell absolutely. it's like any city (including boston). my suggestion don't live in those areas and it'll be pretty clear where those areas are in lowell. In all the years I lived in lowell, I was never once robbed, mugged, attacked, etc. I moved to boston when I was 22 and within 2 months was mugged twice. It really depends on your comfort level (like someone said). If you're used to living in a small, quiet little town then lowell might not be for you. If you're from a more urban area then you might feel comfortable in lowell. There are a lot great things that happen in lowell (festivals, games, concerts, museums). there are some nice bars (if you're into bars) and there are some I would stay away from but again these are in areas I wouldn't normally go to anyway. FYI, market street's a nice street and the dubliner pub (on market) is a great place to hang out, it's still one of my favorite places.

[MAnewbie]

thank you for your responses. to give a little background, i'm considering lowell because i want to be somewhere where there are fun things to do. going out to restaurants, bars, events, etc. is what i'm interested in. my job is in chelmsford, and i think boston, cambridge, etc. is too far of a commute for me. i don't want the suburbs, and that's why i'm not considering them...

i've lived in both a big city with urban areas and a wealthy suburb with virtually no crime. so while i don't think it would be shocking for me to be in a more urban area, i still want to be safe.

can anybody compare lowell to worcester (who has been to lowell recently that is)? i have been to worcester and i really didn't like it. so if lowell is similar, then there's my answer. sorry for the rambling!

[Maine Mama]

i got my car keyed in lowell...

[topher441970]

Here is some "evidence" you asked for. I use this website all the time.

HomeFair.com: "Error"

[surfingatwork]

Originally Posted by MAnewbie

thank you for your responses. to give a little background, i'm considering lowell because i want to be somewhere where there are fun things to do. going out to restaurants, bars, events, etc. is what i'm interested in. my job is in chelmsford, and i think boston, cambridge, etc. is too far of a commute for me. i don't want the suburbs, and that's why i'm not considering them...

i've lived in both a big city with urban areas and a wealthy suburb with virtually no crime. so while i don't think it would be shocking for me to be in a more urban area, i still want to be safe.

can anybody compare lowell to worcester (who has been to lowell recently that is)? i have been to worcester and i really didn't like it. so if lowell is similar, then there's my answer. sorry for the rambling!

I think you should check the area out for yourself. I've never been to worcester so can't help you in your comparison. I live in a small town now with virtually no crime but have family and friends in lowell and when I visit I still feel completely safe (and going out with friends to the pubs, restaurants and bars but I do know which areas to stay out of and which bars NOT to go to.

[FoRuMRideR420]

not to be rude but to me it looks like your just waiting for someone to say it is safe.....you have had multiple people say its a rough area which i 100% agree on.....havent been through lowell in couple yrs but its the same old ****....i would look to surrounding cities as other have said but your mind seems to be set so why dont u go check it out

[brightdoglover]

I don't think Lowell is "safe" as in suburbo-safe, but it's hardly "ghetto." I think the lofts would be a great place for a young person to live, especially if you're working in Chelmsford. I personally think that young women (and when I was one) should always be attentive to surroundings and people and all. I grew up in a suburb but was very clear that the dangers to young women aren't overly related to being in the city, although I was as attentive in Philadelphia downtown as I was in a shopping mall parking lot at night, etc.
I do suggest no cell phones/ipods while out and about. A sure signal that someone isn't paying attention to surroundings.
As any urban-ish area, there are neighborhoods to stay away from. However, in my experience, said neighborhoods have little to attract non-residents. It's not like there's a great club or restaurant in a crummy neighborhood.
I think the lofts are beautiful. I worked in a rehabbed mill building in Lowell for a while. Used to go out after work with a (male) co-worker, and once we walked the five-mile trail around the Merrimack River- something I wouldn't do alone or at night. But that goes for the Charles River in Boston, too.

Good luck in your choice.

[MAnewbie]

Originally Posted by FoRuMRideR420

not to be rude but to me it looks like your just waiting for someone to say it is safe.....you have had multiple people say its a rough area which i 100% agree on.....havent been through lowell in couple yrs but its the same old ****....i would look to surrounding cities as other have said but your mind seems to be set so why dont u go check it out

i appreciate your input. however, i have not argued with anybody or made any gesture that would imply i don't believe those who speak negatively (other than the person who's opinion was based on a 15 year old experience). of course i would love to hear that its safe, and the positive posts are what i want to hear. that doesn't mean that i don't believe other people, i'm just trying to get as many opinions as i can from people who have more experience than me. what's wrong with that? i am going to be visiting lowell this weekend, but learning of other people's experiences is extremely helpful. if you were in my shoes, i would assume that you would want to know as much information as possible from sources more educated on the matter...correct?

[FoRuMRideR420]

Originally Posted by MAnewbie

i appreciate your input. however, i have not argued with anybody or made any gesture that would imply i don't believe those who speak negatively (other than the person who's opinion was based on a 15 year old experience). of course i would love to hear that its safe, and the positive posts are what i want to hear. that doesn't mean that i don't believe other people, i'm just trying to get as many opinions as i can from people who have more experience than me. what's wrong with that? i am going to be visiting lowell this weekend, but learning of other people's experiences is extremely helpful. if you were in my shoes, i would assume that you would want to know as much information as possible from sources more educated on the matter...correct?

yes i would want to hear people opinions where im moving of course and yes i was in a bad mood when i wrote that last reply ....but i wouldnt overlook or ignore anyones input......again im not tryin to be an ass but the crime rate is quite high in lowell and has done nothing but get worse since 2000....of course it will have its "good" areas like any other city ....i mean its FAR from being the worse place to try n make a living but if you dont know anybody and like to go enjoy the nightlife it may not be the best choice

[JiminCT]

Lowell=Lawrence=Springfield=Holyoke=Fall River