Lowell

Incorporated in 1826 to serve as a mill town at the confluence of the Merrimack and Concord rivers, Lowell, Massachusetts, became known as the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution. Today, it's a diversified industrial city covering 14.5 square miles. Its median age is 33.8 (2022). Tourism, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and government are among the main drivers of its economy.

Lowell isn’t all about industry, however. The city hosts annual events for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Winterfest, the Lowell Film Festival, cultural festivals, and a folk festival help fill people’s calendars. When it’s time to go home, residents head to streets that feature houses built in various architectural styles, including Stick, Shingle, Federal, Italianate, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne. The typical home value here is $426,858, up 10.8% over the past year (Zillow, 2022).

Major highways serving Lowell include the east-west I-495 in its south end, the Northwest Expressway, and the Lowell Connector. The city’s most populated neighborhood, The Highlands, lies just west of the Lowell Connector. Across the Merrimack River to the north is the mainly residential Pawtucketville, Lowell’s largest neighborhood. Centralville, another highly residential area marked by acres of green space, is tucked in the city’s northeast corner.

Lowell is ultimately a cozy suburb of Boston (the city is a 40-minute commuter rail ride away), where people enjoy outdoor activities and communities that cater to families.