The amount of dentist practices is crazy!

Wow, I didn't know that. I gotta grab one. Someday we will find the lost footage.

Maybe Lowell? Lowell is a former mill city like Haverhill. I currently live here without a car and love how walkable it is by the river and canals with urban pathways (see northern canal walkway). There's also great food, from 5$ breakfasts to an array of different Asian options. There's lots of great community organizations to get involved in (Lowell makes, Litter Krewe, LTC community programming, CMAA, Mill City Grows, etc.). That said, Lowell does have a reputation. Your comfort level may not align with it.

I love all the other cities on your list! I would also add Salem. It has a cute downtown, great museums (PEM!), and ocean access. You can also get easily to Boston with the commuter rail. One of the downsides/upsides is that Salem becomes witch city in October. There's a lot of people and traffic.

If you like Greek food, make sure to stop by Sophia's Greek Pantry.

If you're here for breakfast, I'd recommend going to Arthur's for a boott mill and coffee. Then you can do the riverwalk for a nice view of the Merrimack. There are loads of other fantastic breakfast options too.

Thank you for your response. I also like Malden. I've had a good time going up Waitts park and walking on the bike path. I am jealous of their Super 88.

I can't believe Malden got that expensive.

Why do you say that Malden is arguably worse?