Where to live in the Middlesex County area? (Boston, Lowell: apartment, rent)

[jstar1027]

Hi there,

I am going to be going to graduate school in Lowell. Right now I live in Maine and am trying to figure out good areas to move to in Mass.

I am willing to commute to Lowell, but I don't want to be too far away (maybe a half an hour or so).

I was originally planning on moving to Lowell, but have heard so many mixed messages about Crime there. I would love any information on living conditions in Lowell, from people who have lived there within the past few years. Also, any suggestions on same areas in Lowell to live?

Also, are there any other cities or towns nearby that people recommend with affordable rent (under 900/1,000 for a one bedroom)?

Thanks so much!
Jenn

[brightdoglover]

I'd live in Lowell in one of the better areas near the school, especially if a car was an issue.
If you have a car (and remember, insurance/gas gets up there, plus parking) I'd consider an apartment in Dracut or Chelmsford, both nice suburban towns next to Lowell, and very accessible.
Good luck. I hear ULowell is very good, and would be more well-known if not for the nearby big guns in Boston.

[azaleaeight]

I would not recommend living in Lowell AT ALL. While it is true that they've fixed things up to look nicer, Lowell is just kind of an awful place to live. If you were my daughter I would not want you living in Lowell. I, personally, would not live in Lowell either. (My grown, single, son lives there; and I've lived near Lowell long enough to know the situation.)

Middlesex Country is a pretty big area. Tewksbury is in Middlesex County. So is Waltham. So is Everett.

Here's where I wouldn't recommend (within a certain radius of Lowell): Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill - absolutely none of those!! Certain parts of Chelmsford (the Lowell end) or Tyngsboro. Tewksbury, Billerica, Andover*, North Andover* (*although not, I don't think, Middlesex county), Wilmington, Reading, Stoneham, North Reading and Concord are all good (in varying degrees). They're all suburbs and not very exciting, but they're nice enough (for the most part). Woburn is not the best. It's not horrible, but it's very city and very industrial. Melrose and Wakefield are pretty decent. If I were looking for an alternative to Lowell that's close to Lowell I'd choose either Andover or Tewksbury.

[meesh584]

I am from Lawrence, a "high crime" city, went to ULowell, and moved to Lowell.

There are nice areas of every "bad" city and I wanted you to know this so you don't completely rule out an entire city! I have found that people who don't live in the cities tend to make VERY harsh judgments!!!!!

I live in the Belvidere area of Lowell in a very nice area. You can google it. It is on the Tewksbury line and is the nicest area in Lowell with affordable apartments, if that is what you are looking for.
I found my apartment on craigslist.com. I pay $600/month plus utilities.
Belvidere is not far from ULowell (I had friends that lived in Belvidere and commuted to college) and is about a mile from Downtown, which is great for nightlife.

Hope this isn't too late and it helps!