Curious what people think. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 26,780, South Portland is a smaller city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. What are your go-to spots? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
8 upvotes
9 Replies
Ann G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Olivia Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
36 upvotes
Mason Patel
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Mia Moore
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Asian places. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
Isaiah Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
19 upvotes
tucson_scarlett
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Madelyn White
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
5 upvotes
Carson Morgan
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
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