Going to school at UMASS Lowell (Billerica, Chelmsford: apartment, rentals, condos)

[brianc]

Hi. I'm headed to two years of grad school at UMASS Lowell this summer, and I'm trying to plan ahead a little. Ideally, I'd like to live somewhere that I could ride my bike to school. Yes, I know it's cold and snows, but something within 10 miles or so helps me stay in shape and keeps me from having to buy a second car.


Here's our situation:

My wife and I are in our 30s, and we have a one year old daughter.
Schools aren't a concern because we're moving before school starts up, but it would be good to be close to some nice public parks or something so our daughter can interact with other kids.
We're fortunate that my employer is giving me a stipend to live on, so I don't have to live like a typical poor graduate student, and my wife will probably stay home with our daughter.
Ideally we'd like to have a 3 br 2 ba home with a garage, but I realize that might not be feasable. Our budget will allow us for $1800 a month or so for rent. Obviously less would be good for our debt, but we want to stay in a safe, secure area.

I've read some negative comments about Lowell itself, but I'm hoping that there's a good area there or one of the nearby towns is good. If not, I'll have to start planning to buy another car.


Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[surfingatwork]

Originally Posted by brianc

Hi. I'm headed to two years of grad school at UMASS Lowell this summer, and I'm trying to plan ahead a little. Ideally, I'd like to live somewhere that I could ride my bike to school. Yes, I know it's cold and snows, but something within 10 miles or so helps me stay in shape and keeps me from having to buy a second car.


Here's our situation:

My wife and I are in our 30s, and we have a one year old daughter.
Schools aren't a concern because we're moving before school starts up, but it would be good to be close to some nice public parks or something so our daughter can interact with other kids.
We're fortunate that my employer is giving me a stipend to live on, so I don't have to live like a typical poor graduate student, and my wife will probably stay home with our daughter.
Ideally we'd like to have a 3 br 2 ba home with a garage, but I realize that might not be feasable. Our budget will allow us for $1800 a month or so for rent. Obviously less would be good for our debt, but we want to stay in a safe, secure area.

I've read some negative comments about Lowell itself, but I'm hoping that there's a good area there or one of the nearby towns is good. If not, I'll have to start planning to buy another car.


Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I grew up in Lowell, went to lowell high school. my husband graduated from U lowell (that's what it was called). I would look in centerville (the christian hill part of it - stay away from the lower part of the lower number streets (bottom part of 3rd, 6th, 1st - lots of bad stuff) the higher number streets are good and your close to parks on Beacon Street at the elementary school. (FYI I grew up on Christian Hill). Belvidere and certain parts of pawtucketville and lastly down past Lowell General hospital. Keep in mind that a lot of college kids rent near the college (lots of parties). Cascade condos in dracut (on route 110 but you can also get to them from the back roads) are nice but i don't know if you'll find rentals there and it'll be a bit of a hike on a bike

[brianc]

Thank you! This is just the type of info I was looking for. Any comments on the other towns close by, like Chelmsford, Billerica, or Tewksbury?

Christian Hill sounds like a good place, but I guess I'll just have to see what the rental market is like when I get out there.

Thanks!

[claresmom79]

My hubby and I lived in Chelmsford. I liked it a lot. It's more suburban than Lowell and can enjoy it's proximity's amenities. School system is nice. Lots of shopping centers and eateries abound. There are two nice playground/parks and a nice town recreation center where I sign my daughter up for Kindermusik classes and other fun things. The town also has two wonderful libraries...also very kid friendly. If you're looking to rent, check out Princeton Properties 978-458-8300 (on the Lowell-Chelmsford line). We started off in an apartment in the Drum Hill section of Chelmsford. We were happy with their management, their rents (< 1100 for a 2 bed) and their proxmity to Rtes 3, 495. I think UMASS Lowell on bike would be 2-3 miles depending on what part of campus. I don't know where in the US you are moving from but keep in mind that biking in New England is COLD! :-P