which city is better , haverhill, ma or Lawrence, ma. And why do people in haverhill call it helltown?

Question

and which has more crime?

Answer 1

No, to both !!! I have lived in both, so I can say neither one is better than the other.

Answer 2

My God! Mutherwul is quite wrong and ShouldBeW, in spite of her answering so many Boston questions which would otherwise indicate she knows the area, obviously is unfamiliar. 150 years ago the two cities were similar, built on textiles. But not today, except that they are served by the same passenger railroad.
Lawrence is much poorer, but somewhat more vibrant, a Spanish speaking city (mostly Dominican) with some neighborhoods of decay (including the immediate downtown
blocks east of Rte 28 along Essex and Common Streets. There is no real area of wealth but there is a greater sense of community in most neighborhoods [than in Haverhill]. with several good, fun latin clubs. However, parts of the old mill section has been preserved both as an Historical Park (a small facimile of Lowell National Park) and converted into condos with more conversions happening, and upscale shops just beginning to move in. Haverhill, on the other hand, is much more wealthier suburban polyglot (selected as one of the top 100 communities in which to move by People Magazine a few years ago) with sprawl and tract developments away from the old downtown. But the mills and factory buildings of the old city core were fortunately preserved and much of it east of the RR station converted to lofts, condos, apartments and yuppie restaurants and merchants, much like Portsmouth, NH. West of the RR station there remains a small poor area. If you want great empanadas and Latin dancing you go to Lawrence. If you wish to share a brewpub with software engineers you can go to Haverhill.

PS. ShouldBeW's impression that Lawrence has more crime is at current correct but it is generally still safe (and, as noted, more cohesive).

Answer 3

They are very similar towns, but I think Haverhill is a bit more spread out and seems to be trapped in a "1980s" time warp. Lawrence is faster paced and more condensed. But both towns are about the same as far as the kinds of neighborhoods, businesses and housing available.

Answer 4

I would say Haverhill is better because Lawrence has more crime. Neither city is really safe or recommendable.

Answer 5

I think they are fairly similar. . . . .I am guessing Lawrence has more crime, from watching the news, etc. but I don't know actual statistics. . . . . Neither are that great, but I'm sure there are also worse places to live!!

Answer 6

haverhill