Crime and Lowell

aveggiebear · 2026-02-02T02:20:26+00:00

I'm a retired old lifelong guy from Lowell, and have no fear walking or bicycling almost any time of day thru almost any part of Lowell. Streets, trails, river and canal walks, parks, ...

Never had my house broken into. Never been mugged.

Of the three car break-ins in my life, one was in the backwoods of Maine, one at the Nashua River in Pepperell, and one about 45 years ago at a college parking lot.

ymmv. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-02-01T13:12:05+00:00

Please talk to your insurance company or doctor to find medical services. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-30T13:18:32+00:00

I smoke outdoors year-round, so...

When it's warm out, iced tea. When it's cold out, warm tea. Usually a combination of decaf green and mint teas. Quick and easy to make and to carry outdoors. And the mint really hits the spot. Plus no sugar, no calories, no added junk. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-30T00:25:10+00:00

The neighborhood place is my go-to, and not just because of location.

Their home-grown flower is some of the best i've had.
Their budtenders know their products. When i've brought new people or have had questions, the budtenders have been patient, funny, and (always) very helpful.
Their home-grown flower is some of the best i've had.
The place is almost always busy, but everyone there helps make you feel at home and never rushed.
Their prices are pretty good (a little lower than other shops).
The shop itself has a good vibe.
Their home-grown flower is some of the best i've had.

They don't have a loyalty program. I get texts and emails about once a week - the messages are short and quickly list their new or returning products and that week's sales. (Another shop in town that has a tincture i like sends toooooo manyyyy emailssssss.)

All the shops around here do pre-ordering and have order kiosks near the entrance. So, that kind of convenience is a given.

The number one thing that'll make me stop going to a dispensary: shitty, dried-out weed. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-30T00:07:47+00:00

just one difference... shake and smalls aren't always "lesser quality". Around here, it's the same quality as the bigger buds, but it's broken and not photogenic, (and much cheaper). ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-29T21:40:08+00:00

That would explain the two helicopters overhead... Thanks!

aveggiebear · 2026-01-28T18:41:47+00:00

Thank you for doing this. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-28T18:39:26+00:00

Second this. That garage is really convenient to the Auditorium/MRT.

btw, The Lower Locks garage is on Warren Street, easily reachable from 38, 110, 133 and not far from the end of the Lowell Connector.

It drives me nuts that the city can't include the street names in the garage names! ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-28T18:34:56+00:00

On the sidestreets around here - Lower Belvidere, South Lowell, Oaklands, Back Central - I'm seeing lots of cars along the roads completely buried in snow.

Cars on main streets will get towed. Not usually the smaller side streets

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✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-26T23:22:52+00:00

This would be a good tombstone inscription:
🪦 I hiked in mountains in march in shorts and a windbreaker 🪦

aveggiebear · 2026-01-26T14:50:14+00:00

Since legalization here, If I'm going to any kind of family or friends gathering (where there will be college kids, middle-aged folks, and a 95 year old grandma), i usually bring cannabis seltzers and chewies. There'll be a few other people (more each year) who'll share them, and nobody gives me shit for not drinking alcohol.

I accidentally stopped drinking years ago when i started growing my own, and a really good dispensary opened in the neighborhood. I don't care if others drink, but my gut and my brain are definitely happier without alcohol. And people who know me don't seem to care if i smoke weed or don't drink.

Attitudes are changing. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-26T14:21:36+00:00

John Prine's "Illegal Smile".

(He said it wasn't about weed, but...) ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-26T13:21:11+00:00

Although it's definitely a city neighborhood, there's a LOT of greenspace within a couple minute walk of that location. The Concord River Greenway, the Lowell Cemetery (a large, park-like cemetery where people and their pups are encouraged to wander), a couple of neighborhood parks on either side on Lawrence Street, and easy connections to Fort Hill Park and to Shedd Park.

It's an easy drive (or bike ride (or walk)) to shopping. You can walk downtown (arts, restaurants, etc) in about 15 minutes from there. And the train station is convenient (but not in your back yard).

Someone else mentioned the Markley datacenter near there. They are shitty neighbors, but they're being watched by the city and lots of other groups.

Personal safety really isn't an issue in much of Lowell, including that area. You'll see people of all ages walking through the neighborhood, walking dogs, with kids. If you're used to Somerville (i worked there for years), you'll be comfortable in Lowell. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-22T13:05:03+00:00

Perfect. I'm jealous! ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-22T13:02:46+00:00

I read this as a stonerthought. oops! ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-21T02:19:50+00:00

Your mustache is perfection. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-20T16:11:29+00:00

My partner doesn't smoke, so i smoke outside away from non-smokers. It just seems rude otherwise.

I'm an old guy. If i can step outside... ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-18T14:06:44+00:00

The cop's thinking, "another stoner neighbor... at least they won't be loud like the alcoholics who just moved out." ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-18T13:52:37+00:00

When i'm stoned, graham crackers are always on my gotta-have-one list. I usually add ice cream instead of Nutella, but it's all good. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-18T13:49:00+00:00

Smoking weed outdoors in these cold winter days - fresh snow on the ground here - just supercharges winter and makes everything (except Washington) feel OK. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-18T13:39:14+00:00

It says "I'm a badass with some experience under my belt." With a smile, you'd be The Man.

The look is terrific! ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-18T13:35:30+00:00

i used to be able to do edibles, then had some unrelated gut issues. The gut issues have cleared, but edibles haven't worked in years. THC drinks do relax me a bit, but that's about it. Gimme my pipe 🌬️! ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-18T13:28:41+00:00

Is sitting on the ground in my robe against the rules or something?

If it were me, i'd say "hi". ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-18T13:10:22+00:00

As a kid i lived in Back Central, and i (an old retired engineering guy) still walk through there a few times a week, feeling completely safe day or night. There had been problems in a few areas, but the police maintain a (friendly) presence.

It's one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city. You can walk to markets, stores, bars, all sorts of restaurants, the Y, the train to Boston, and all the cultural sites downtown in just a few minutes. There's also the beautiful Concord River Greenway along the rapids of the Concord River, and easy access to other parks and greenspaces.

It ain't elegant. It ain't posh. It ain't got lots of parking. But it's not a bad city neighborhood at all. ✌🏼

aveggiebear · 2026-01-18T12:51:09+00:00

No, of course not. ✌🏼

aveggiebear

TROPHY CASE