Quincy versus Lowell

[massnative71]

Lowell has far less affluence than Quincy does (although Lowell still does have a sizable middle-class).

N. Quincy and Wollaston is now "Chinatown South", as many Chinese former residents of Chinatown have resettled several stops down the Red Line for greater affordability and less congestion. While both cities have large Asian populations, in Quincy they are primarily these Chinese from Chinatown (and a few Viet. sprinkled in there) while Lowell has far more from SE Asia and more "right off the boat". In Quincy they have had issues assimilating, not so sure about Lowell.

If I were deciding I'd stick with Quincy. I lived there for years and miss the convenience of it as well as it's location on the ocean (and those walks along Wollaston Beach on summer evenings). Nantasket Beach is right up the road and the Blue Hills are right there as well. While the city of Lowell has a lot going for it, it doesn't really have much going as far as surroundings.

Areas to avoid in Quincy are near the center and some pockets of South/West Quincy (and of course Germantown). The Point is not a bad area at all, it has actually come a long way. Not pretty, but totally safe (the only place I would avoid is a small area around Grafton St.).

[raveabouttoast]

Just curious, what the issues with Germantown in Quincy?

[superleggera]

Quincy has lots of nice restaurants especially Asian food. Quincy has my vote.

[lz1982]

Just curious, what the issues with Germantown in Quincy?

A lot of public housing is there. It has one of the higher crime rates in Quincy, but it's not like there are weekly shootouts or anything. (In fact, the whole city of Quincy has had one homicide in the past two years.)

[Space_League]

Quincy feels like a suburb of Boston
Lowell feels like its own city

Quincy is safer, wealthier, more expensive to live in
Lowell still has plenty of safe neighborhoods and has more of its own culture

Both have loads of Asians

Check out Lowell a little closer, but I think most people would prefer Quincy

[495neighbor]

I just reread your post and have some second thoughts. I noticed you said the apartment is near the Lowell commuter rail station. If the apartment is in the neighborhood behind the train station, Back Central, that is one of the least safe neighborhoods in Lowell. If you decide to give this a chance, I would definitely check crime stats online or through the police department.

[magicshark]

As much as I love Lowell I must agree on Back Central being a very bad idea. Actually any area by the train station is sketchy.

[gamma19]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. After reading and doing some more research I think I am going to stick with Quincy.