Lowell Apartments and Rentals

Apartments and rentals in Lowell, MA can be found in the city's many quaint and colorful neighborhoods. Older and newer homes and structures sit side-by-side in this historic town. Throughout the tree-lined blocks you'll see homes and buildings and in a variety of styles from Victorian, to Colonial to Capes and 21st century. With a solid historical past, Lowell is reinventing itself once again as a great place to live, work and play.

Lowell's claim to fame is as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution in the early 1800s. The first European settlement in the area was in 1655 and farming was the main occupation. Sometime in the 1700s farming was not enough to support the growing community, and early industry began. In the early 1800s, a canal system was created to take advantage of the waters from the Merrimack River to power early industries such as sawmills, glassworks and spinning mills. The first textile mill, the Boott Mills, opened in 1823. It set off a boom and Lowell became one of the first true factory towns in America. Immigrants flocked to the area seeking jobs. The town was incorporated in 1836 and by 1850 it was the second largest city in the state. Unfortunately, by the early 1900s steam-powered factories in the southern states put Lowell's mills out of business. The city suffered through decades of decline with brief recoveries. However, in the 1990s, the city began revitalization efforts that have paid off handsomely in recent years.

Embracing its history, Lowell has restored and converted many buildings into upscale residential, office and commercial space. These efforts have attracted new residents to the city who are bringing a fresh energy and entrepreneurial spirit. Yet, Lowell retains its small-town feeling despite its population of more than 105,000. With a history of ethnic and cultural diversity because of its immigrant past, Lowell continues to embrace that diversity today and sees it as a source of strength for the city.

Popular Lowell neighborhoods include: Belvidere, Downtown, Back Central and Highlands.

Lowell has done much to "re-tool" is business base over the past decade and set itself up as a commercial hub. It has renovated historic city buildings into modern and affordable office spaces, attracting new enterprises. Some of the companies in Lowell include Coca-Cola, Enterprise Bank & Trust, US Filter, JP Morgan, Interstate Container and more. The city also has encouraged small businesses which have blossomed around the revitalized downtown residential areas. Major employment sectors in Lowell include education, healthcare, service and retail.

The University of Massachusetts maintains a campus in Lowell with more than 15,000 students. The public university offers over 120 degree programs, and is the third largest state institution. The school is recognized for its science and engineering programs. UMass Lowell has a full complement of sports programs, but its men's hockey team has produced a number of players who have gone onto play on pro teams with the NHL. Nearly 10,000 students are enrolled in Middlesex Community College's two local campuses.

Lowell's cost of living is about 24% higher than the nation's average. For comparison, it is much less than the cost of living in Boston, which is about 54% above average. The higher cost of living is reflected in rental prices. Entry level studio apartments are available for about $775 monthly, with one bedrooms for $850. The city also has a terrific selection of more upscale rentals in newer high rises, converted lofts and condos.

Attractions and entertainment in Lowell range from beautiful outdoor spaces, to cultural attractions, to numerous historic buildings and places. In fact, Lowell has 39 places on the National Historic Register. The home of many of those structures is Lowell National Historic Park. Opened in the 1970s and operated by the National Park Service, the park features many restored and unrestored sites from the 19th century associated with the city's history as a textile manufacturing center. A key feature is Boott Mills along the Merrimack River. It is a fully restored cotton mill that dates to 1835. Visitors also can follow footpaths along the canals originally dug in the 1820s to use water to power the mills and other industrial operations. Other exhibits include a working trolley line and canal boats.

The city also has a number of museums including: The National Streetcar Museum, the New England Quilt Museum, and the Whistler House Museum of Art to name a few. Other cultural venues include the Philharmonic Orchestra, Merrimack Repertory Theater, community theater, the Angkor Dance Troupe and more. For outdoor fun, residents and visitors alike enjoy the Vandenberg Esplanade for walking, biking and swimming, and the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest, an 1,110 acre preserve with hiking, biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing trails.

There's an active nightlife in Lowell as well, with a great selection of eateries and pubs, bars, clubs and taverns, many with live entertainment.

Lowell hosts a number of unique festivals and events every year, in particular those that celebrate other cultures. The Lowell Folk Festival is the city's premiere event held annually in July. The three-day event draws more than 250,000 people. It is billed as the country's largest free folk festival. Folk, bluegrass, gospel, world, and dance music is performed on six outdoor stages. It also includes ethnic foods, craftspeople and artisans. Doors Open Lowell celebrates preservation, architecture and design by opening many historic buildings, normally not available to the public, for viewing. Winterfest is a two-day festival usually held in February that celebrates all things winter. One of the most popular events is the Human Dog Sled Competition when six person teams dress in wacky costumes for the race. And two other ethnic festivals include the Southeast Asian Water Festival and the African Festival.

If you're looking for an apartment for rent in Lowell, MA let Rent.com® help you find your next rental.