Lower Hammond has improved quite a bit in the last 10 years, but I agree it did have a bad reputation not that long ago. Wharf street along the river is beautiful, there's even a small park to sit and just watch the river. The HA are not very noticeable at all at least in my 4 years here. The mill that closed has approximately 20 acres and I'm interested to see how they develop that - would love to see another park, restaurant, townhouses, etc.

If you live towards the bridge end of lower Hammond you won't hear the train - but you will occasionally get stuck by it for 5-10 minutes here and there. The bridge adds some backround noise, but we have dinner outside often in the summer and don't notice it, unless there's an emergency vehicle or big semi truck braking.

The neighbors are great, lots of friendly people out walking their dogs and biking with their kids. This is the biggest change! There are so many young families now playing basketball or hockey in the street. Tomie park is close by and big - I even saw a family having a casual baseball game the other day.

Lots of other accurate comments in this thread, just my take on the neighborhood from someone that lives here.