Lowell, Massachusetts

Schools
Education plays a key role in the city as Lowell supports the 14,000 students in its Public Schools and is also the home to UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College. For families with school age and teenage children, a range of twenty-four public K-8 schools serve Lowell residents. Several private institutions provide alternative educational options. The well-regarded Lowell High School, founded in 1841, serves 3,000 students and has educated generations of Lowell’s diverse student body. Lowell High graduates include beat writer Jack Kerouac, and Helen Battles Sawyer Hogg, the world renowned and pioneering female astronomer.

The University of Massachusetts – Lowell is the fifth largest university in the state. Located along the Merrimack River, the university has highly ranked programs in engineering, criminal justice, science, and technology. Lowell is also home to Middlesex Community College, the state’s second largest Associate’s college.

Transportation
Access to all areas of Boston’s northern suburbs, as well as New Hampshire, is made easy by Lowell’s position at the intersection of I-495 and Rte. 3 (Northern Expressway) and quick access to I-93. In addition, Lowell has its own Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) commuter rail line station, the Gallagher Transportation Terminal, which provides MBTA commuter train service into Boston’s North Station in 45 minutes. The Great Lowell transportation system also provides bus service throughout Lowell and neighboring towns.

Housing Options
The current median home value for the area as $265,700. The area’s median rental price is $1,490 per month. The housing market in the city is on the rise, with property values expected to increase 3-4% in the coming years. The eastern and southwestern parts of the city host more expensive housing options with some of the city’s most charming historical homes in the Belvidere, Oaklands, and Highlands neighborhoods. Overall, the area is more affordable than most of the Boston Metro area and is conveniently located for commuting

History, Community, and Recreation
In the 1820s, industrialist developers were originally drawn to this formerly agricultural area for its riverfront location. The river made the area a viable location for textile manufacturing and by 1850 the region was an epicenter of urban manufacturing.

Today, Diversity is one of Lowell’s major strengths and a distinct advantage of living in the area—the city’s residents include White, Asian, and Hispanic groups, and migration of other ethnic groups to the area dates back to its days as a booming industrial capital. Data collected by the Census Bureau shows that 22.3% of adults have a Bachelor’s degree or higher, making the city’s population fairly educated. The city is a mix of all income levels, contributing to the diversity of the region.

A large Cambodian population accounts for a majority of the city’s diversity and is the second largest Cambodian population in America. Migration of refugees in the 1970s brought many Cambodians to the city. The up-and-coming Little Cambodia business district is the best place to sample authentic Khmer cuisine. Popular dishes with locals include beef loc lac, a marinated and seared beef dish, and a Cambodian version of spicy calamari called ye-heu bumporng. Shops in the area also offer traditional Cambodian snacks and homemade beef jerky.

In addition to the cuisine offered in Little Cambodia, the downtown area has a growing café and restaurant scene. Caffeine-fiends can be found at Brew’d Awakening Coffeehouse, a fair-trade coffee shop with a buzzing arts scene. The menu at Cobblestones of Lowell includes classic American fare such as burgers and mac and cheese. During the summer, many restaurants and bars in the downtown area open patios for visitors to enjoy people watching and the historic scenery in this compact city center.

The local National Historical Park is comprised of multiple sites across the city, all of which pertain to the city’s industrial mill era. Boott Cotton Mill and Museum features a working industrial weaving loom and offers visitors the chance to experience the noise and action of the factory in its prime. The Pawtucket Dam and Gatehouse is home to the largest power canal system in the country. Tours of the park are offered on a trolley and via boat, where visitors can enjoy the charming architecture along scenic canals.

The city hosts many festivals and events throughout the year, including a winter carnival, a film festival, and a Jack Kerouac festival to honor the writer, who was born in the area in 1922. In July, a three-day free folk festival is hosted in the downtown area, bringing thousands of visitors to enjoy music, dancing, crafts, and street food. The festival is the longest running free folk festival in the country and offers performances on six stages.

Apart from the historical and cultural activities available in the city, the area also offers outdoor recreation options for those looking for fresh air. The Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest measures over 1,000 acres and is located immediately northwest of the city. Visitors to the forest can hike, bike, or sometimes ski, across various trails amid the park’s scenic landscape. There are also ponds and wetlands in the area that are open to boats and fishing.

Located only 25 miles from Boston and accessibly connected by highway and train lines, Lowell is an ideal place to live for those looking to commute to work. In addition to its convenient location, the city offers appealing cultural activities and historic charm. With affordable property values that are on the rise, the city is becoming one of the most active real estate markets in Massachusetts.

For a comprehensive market analysis of your rental property, please contact us today.

Lowell Property Management

Our property management team specializes in residential areas throughout Lowell, MA. We offer multiple services to take your rental property and convert it into reliable income. We have a thorough screening process that helps to identify the right tenants for your property. Our team works hard to keep both parties happy through effective communication, bullet proof lease agreements, and timely monthly rent collection. We offer maintenance services to enhance the property and ensure that it will retain or increase in value. We oversee everything, allowing you to sit back and relax and know that your property and your tenants are in good hands.

Contact us today if you are ready to receive a comprehensive analysis of your rental property and to inquire about our Lowell area property management services.