Redfin calls Lowell one of 2019’s ‘hottest affordable neighborhoods’

Lowell checked in at No. 8 on the list, following several sections of Baltimore and Philadelphia.

The median home price in Lowell is $249,250, according to Redfin. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

January 24, 2019

Lowell snagged a spot on Redfin’s “10 Hottest Affordable Neighborhoods of 2019” roundup, with home prices that are nearly half that of the Boston metro area.

Lowell checked in at No. 8 on the list, following several sections of Baltimore and Philadelphia. McKinley Park in Chicago snagged the No. 1 spot, with a median sale price of $270,000. The median home price in Lowell, according to Redfin, is $249,250.

Redfin ranked neighborhoods by tracking listing views and favorites on their platform and asked its agents to identify areas growing in popularity, the report said.

David Pollack, a Redfin agent, said Lowell has “struggled to find its economic footing.” But “now we’re seeing investors putting their money back into the area, with UMass and big-name local investors putting millions to work,” Pollack said. “It has a great downtown area with a lot of restaurants and bars, and it’s home to a folk festival, a favorite in the summer. There’s a commuter rail that takes you right into Boston, and it’s also home to a minor league baseball team that brings in crowds.”

“You still get a lot of bang for your buck in Lowell, especially compared to bordering towns,” he said.

Here’s Redfin’s full list:

1. McKinley Park, Chicago

Median sale price: $270,000

2. East Mount Airy, Philadelphia

Median sale price: $200,000

3. Parkville, Baltimore

Median sale price: $204,900

4. Hamilton, Baltimore

Median sale price: $159,500

5. Fircrest, Vancouver, Wash.

Median sale price: $282,500

6. Bustleton, Philadelphia

Median sale price: $248,250

7. Linthicum, Baltimore

Median sale price: $271,000

8. Lowell

Median sale price: $249,250

9. Fox Chase, Philadelphia

Median sale price: $219,000

10. Beacon Hill, San Antonio

Median sale price: $213,264

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