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View Poll Results: Which would you rather live?
Worcester 30 56.60%
Lowell 23 43.40%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 08-04-2019, 03:11 PM
 
2,364 posts, read 1,850,974 times
Reputation: 2490

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrewsburried View Post
2009 = Lowell
2019 = Worcester

Source: lived in both cities; continue to visit weekly/monthly.

Worcester has far more breadth/depth for those who truly enjoy an urban environment. Lowell is fine commuter bedroom community, but the "scene" is incredibly limited despite having a diverse and interesting populous. UMass's consumption of downtown, as well as an influx of retirees/down-sizers, have left downtown Lowell feeling a bit dull.

Lowell's primary advantage, at least in terms of perception, is the fact that most of it's destinations are in a walkable downtown. Worcester has far more interest, but it's growth has been more organic (Lowell received a massive federal injection) and, as a result, the various 'scenes' are scattered throughout neighborhoods.

Objectively, everything in Worcester is better/larger: hospitals, higher ed, arts (better theater, music venues, an art museum which rivaled the MFA), restaurant/bar scene, breweries, sports, etc. I dare to say Worcester also has better south-Asian restaurants.

When it comes to urbanity, Worcester's obvious downfall is the 290 interstate bisecting the city which had absolutely devastating effects to the downtown area. Despite Lowell's appearances it is not really a walkable city by New England standards.

When it comes to crime and safety - both cities feel about the same to me. Neither one is a dangerous city by USA standards but carry moderate levels of crime throughout the majority of neighborhoods.

One distinction that I find important is that Lowell's absolute worst neighborhoods circle the polished downtown area - placing themselves between the nightlife destinations and the middle class neighborhoods of the city.

Worcester's absolute worst area is a surburban housing development in the middle of nowhere miles from downtown. The other rougher areas off of Main are still somewhat out of the way.

As far as interesting nightlife, arts and culture Worcester absolutely destroys Lowell, which should be expected given it's larger size.

While the walk-ability of the city suffers from the highway and abysmal public transit - there are several very urban hubs within the city and the surrounding walkable neighborhoods tend to be very affordable by New England standards. However the housing stock is overall rather ugly which can be a turn off for many.

https://goo.gl/maps/WRTagpDSTW4S8oao9

https://goo.gl/maps/P8JRscTwg5cq52cF6

https://goo.gl/maps/ui3fXoubvD3b6vGU6

https://goo.gl/maps/K41XURk7dBvFFpar6

https://goo.gl/maps/rgyJj7B2B4g4PZQ66

https://goo.gl/maps/xbJ5zCGPXWACoz7x5

https://goo.gl/maps/4R81sVkanHKpgqHr7
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Old 08-04-2019, 03:47 PM
 
8,499 posts, read 4,554,287 times
Reputation: 9747
I like how the river and its canals go though Lowell. Downtown Worcester has no natural feature.
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Old 08-04-2019, 05:08 PM
 
8,085 posts, read 5,244,809 times
Reputation: 22685
Is neither an option?
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Old 08-04-2019, 05:16 PM
 
2,364 posts, read 1,850,974 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LLCNYC View Post
Is neither an option?
You tell 'em brother! Both are classless cesspools you couldn't pay me to move to! Boston (northeast of Mass Ave) and Newburyport are the only livable cities in the state of Massachusetts. Change my mind (you can't)
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Old 08-04-2019, 05:17 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
4,691 posts, read 3,469,057 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LLCNYC View Post
Is neither an option?
Well heck yeah! If you want to live in a generic suburb go for it! Shudder! Some of us don't though and that's ok.
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Old 08-04-2019, 05:33 PM
 
Location: Baltimore
21,628 posts, read 12,727,444 times
Reputation: 11216
Quote:
Originally Posted by Space_League View Post
When it comes to urbanity, Worcester's obvious downfall is the 290 interstate bisecting the city which had absolutely devastating effects to the downtown area. Despite Lowell's appearances it is not really a walkable city by New England standards.

When it comes to crime and safety - both cities feel about the same to me. Neither one is a dangerous city by USA standards but carry moderate levels of crime throughout the majority of neighborhoods.

One distinction that I find important is that Lowell's absolute worst neighborhoods circle the polished downtown area - placing themselves between the nightlife destinations and the middle class neighborhoods of the city.

Worcester's absolute worst area is a surburban housing development in the middle of nowhere miles from downtown. The other rougher areas off of Main are still somewhat out of the way.

As far as interesting nightlife, arts and culture Worcester absolutely destroys Lowell, which should be expected given it's larger size.

While the walk-ability of the city suffers from the highway and abysmal public transit - there are several very urban hubs within the city and the surrounding walkable neighborhoods tend to be very affordable by New England standards. However the housing stock is overall rather ugly which can be a turn off for many.

https://goo.gl/maps/WRTagpDSTW4S8oao9

https://goo.gl/maps/P8JRscTwg5cq52cF6

https://goo.gl/maps/ui3fXoubvD3b6vGU6

https://goo.gl/maps/K41XURk7dBvFFpar6

https://goo.gl/maps/rgyJj7B2B4g4PZQ66

https://goo.gl/maps/xbJ5zCGPXWACoz7x5

https://goo.gl/maps/4R81sVkanHKpgqHr7
One of my biggest complaints about Worcester is how ugly the housing is. It's one of the ugliest urban cores in the US. Almost nothing classical or redeeming about the area rather than some mew mill lofts. It's just old, boxy and shabby. The modern architecture is absolutely forgettable. No natural features or water to make things interesting. The "beautiful" neighborhoods are just regular middle-class suburban New England-on smaller lots. Lowell manages to make all the bridges around its river ugly and rundown looking.

It seems when people talk about Lowell they talk about it as having crime pretty much everywhere. With Worcester I don't get that vibe it seems like there are a few well-known areas.
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Old 08-04-2019, 05:36 PM
 
Location: San Antonio
4,422 posts, read 6,255,600 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Space_League View Post
You tell 'em brother! Both are classless cesspools you couldn't pay me to move to! Boston (northeast of Mass Ave) and Newburyport are the only livable cities in the state of Massachusetts. Change my mind (you can't)
Don't worry. We won't try. Stay where you are. Please.
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Old 08-04-2019, 05:56 PM
 
2,364 posts, read 1,850,974 times
Reputation: 2490
Quote:
Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade View Post
One of my biggest complaints about Worcester is how ugly the housing is. It's one of the ugliest urban cores in the US. Almost nothing classical or redeeming about the area rather than some mew mill lofts. It's just old, boxy and shabby. The modern architecture is absolutely forgettable. No natural features or water to make things interesting. The "beautiful" neighborhoods are just regular middle-class suburban New England-on smaller lots. Lowell manages to make all the bridges around its river ugly and rundown looking.

It seems when people talk about Lowell they talk about it as having crime pretty much everywhere. With Worcester I don't get that vibe it seems like there are a few well-known areas.

Some people find Lowell attractive and I can sort of see their POV but personally I find it ugly and disjointed.

I've never lived in Worcester so I'm far from an authority on the city. There are definitely has pockets that are worse for violent crime. From spending time there / speaking with friends who lived there it does seem like there is an ambient level of neglect and property crime throughout the actual walkable city neighborhoods that is higher than some suburbanites are comfortable with. (Shrewsbury Street, Vernon Hill, Union Hill, Main Middle, South Worcester, Bell Hill, Brittan Square, Webster Square Indian Lake)
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Old 08-04-2019, 06:02 PM
 
Location: Baltimore
21,628 posts, read 12,727,444 times
Reputation: 11216
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2823...7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2538...7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2484...7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2321...7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2461...7i13312!8i6656

It's not the dirt of the grime or boarded-up buildings. That's not so bad. It's the look of the housing in general. widely varying but generally tight lot size, architectural style, lack upkeep, lack of cohesion, tacky/shoddy modifications-its all bad.
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Old 08-04-2019, 06:43 PM
 
Location: Medfid
6,806 posts, read 6,029,753 times
Reputation: 5242
Quote:
Originally Posted by space_league View Post
you tell 'em brother! Both are classless cesspools you couldn't pay me to move to! Boston (northeast of mass ave) and newburyport are the only livable cities in the state of massachusetts. Change my mind (you can't)
*throws up in mouth a little*

Honestly if you like Newburyport, I’m surprised you don’t like Concord.
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