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Scarlett P.
qa
Is public transit usable in Biddeford?
The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Grayson Cook
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
39 upvotes
Cora Morris
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Vivian Richardson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Henry A.
Moved here from Dallas about 9 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to weather but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Ezekiel Sanders
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Abigail Nelson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Ann P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in The Heights for 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Declan Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
18 upvotes
Hannah Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Portland about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Portland about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Joseph R.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
maverick_mama
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Julian M.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Parker Miller
I've lived in Sunset for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The pet-friendliness scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The pet-friendliness scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Robert Ward
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Charlotte it's excellent.
6 upvotes
Anna B.
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
4 upvotes